Judging by the etymology presented here, meaning officials, "mandarin chinese" being then "chinese as spoken by officials", I would take it as simply a rewording of his condemnation of the tendency for admiration of title in place of admiration of the title holder, which he otherwise goes on about.
A disease of officiality.
I don't know if an overtone suggesting a cultural judgement over some perceived chinese tendency for admiration of title is intended or not.
Judging by the etymology presented here, meaning officials, "mandarin chinese" being then "chinese as spoken by officials", I would take it as simply a rewording of his condemnation of the tendency for admiration of title in place of admiration of the title holder, which he otherwise goes on about.
A disease of officiality.
I don't know if an overtone suggesting a cultural judgement over some perceived chinese tendency for admiration of title is intended or not.