6th Oct.
Is the Emperor still alive? It seems incredible in this age of rapid communication by means of telegraph, railroad and steamer that a decadent nation, trembling on the verge of an international partition, should be able to hoodwink the world for two weeks and keep it still in despairing, doubt as to the real situation. we carefully calculate the probabilities there can seem to be but little doubt that Kuang Hsi has been made away with, and that the Regent is now keeping up the farce of his nominal reign until the convenient time of announcing his demise comes around. Since the failure of the
perial Decree or act has shown any coup of the Reform Party no Imsigns of the existence of the Emperor, but in every instance the position and Been expressed and strengthened. In purpose of the Empress-Dowager have
any real effort to present him as only one instance has there been fa living man, and that was the audience granted to the Princes and Ministers of State when the Emperor and Empress-Dowager are said to have sat together on the throne and received the obeisance of these men. The absurdity, however, of considering this as proving the existence of the Emperor at that time is at once recognised, when it is remembered that at Imperial audiences the Ministers who are being received are ushered into the Imperial presence with bowed heads and eyes fixed on the ground, and that under no consideration are they ever allowed to life their eyes to glance upon the Dragon face of the Son of Heaven under penalty of immediate cashiering. ur translations from the Peking Gazette have more than once shown the severity of the etiquette enforced at these audiences. Hence the fact of these Ministers being presented does not carry with it any for that they really kowtowed to uang Hsii, for the Empress-Dowager could have had any person she chose sitting beside her at the we have nothing to guide us in forming a definite opinion, apart from the general shuffling of the Empress-Dowager. She announces her solicitude for the health of the Emperor which she blandly suggests is suffering from the onerous burdens of State. Then she gives out that rumours of his ill-health have been wickedly concocted by the Reform Party in the interest of their own devices. Next she announces the serious ill-health of the Emperor and asks that the Viceroys and Governors of the various provinces should send skilled physicians at once to Peking to attend upon His Majesty.
The average Westerner finds it impossible to follow through this labyrinth of confusing statements without becoming dazed, and wondering at the end if he has auf rational opinion on the subject left. Yet, we are forced to ask why should this doubt as to the true condition of the Emperor be tolerated? Have the great nations of the world no Ambassadors at Peking? If there are such representatives of Foreign Powers within sight of the Imperial Palace why do they not demand to know the truth at once, and if they do know it why do they not give it to the world? These men were accredited to the Emperor of China -and not to any usurping Regent who may choose to seize upon his palace, and it ought to be a concern of the supreme st importance for them to determine whether not the man to whom they are commissioned is really alive. China has been allowed often enough to deceive the world with her feint of holy pretensions to righteous government, and it is now obligatory upon the Powers to expose "the dull force and empty show" of the present situation.
What will be the outcome? It has been evident for a long time that China was helplessly tossing between the Scylla of an in-country, England with Weihaiwei with Port Arthur and_ surrounding
Hongkong-and their confines, Germany with Kiaochou and its hinterland, France with Hainan, Japan with Formosa, the United States with Luzon—all of these have strategic points which enable them to gain the benefits of i influence in China without being obliged to bear the burdens of the government. It could be of no possible advantage to them strategically or commercially to force the division of China into several parts, and it might cause a great struggle between the nations themselves before a settlement as to the amount due to each party could be agreed upon. On the contrary, if this is not speedily done it is greatly to be feared that the smouldering embers of rebellion will have their surrounding ashes blown away and be rapidly fanned into a dreadful flame. Kuangsi is already largely in the hands of the rebels, whose advent appears to be welcomed everywhere. Kuantung, with her wealthy merchants and ubiquitous people who in many lands have tasted the intoxicating draught of liberal and free governments, must be greatly incensed at the barbarous treatment of their "Modern Sage," K'ang Vu-wei, and their representative Minister Chang Yin-huan. Szechuan is fearful over the increasing brigandage of Yit Man-tze. Hunan has had a rebuff in the execution of Tan Tze-tung, the son of Governor Tan who is a leading Hunan man. The northwestern Mahommedan provinces are only just quieting down after a serious outbreak which may easily recur. The Yangtze valley is honeycombed with the members of the Ko-lao Society, the Hsiao-tao Society, and the An-ching Society. All' the elements of a huge conflagration lie scattered about and await only the spark in some one quarter which will give momentum to the flame, Such an outbreak would be difficult ternal revolution and the Charyb- to control, and would involve the dis of a partition among Foreign sacrifice of multitudes of innocent lives Powers.
The last few months a/and the loss of great commercial in-gleam of hope for the safety of the terests. The possibility of this re-imperilled craft of state flashed from bellion ought not to be underrated nor the gathering darkness, and it seemed the dreadful effects of it ignored. As that the Emperor was about to show to the choice between partitioning and himself a trusted Pilot who would be rebellion, there can be no doubt that, able to preserve the integrity of his almost to a single individual, the Empire and prevent a revolution by Chinese people would prefer_ the rapidly promoting the interests of former, for the hatred of the foreigner the common people through - his in China has always been tempered reform measures.
'There can be no' by respect for his justice and doubt that the Great Powers prote not to have China divided, and that humanity. He would be welcomed as a ruler by the common people, and time, without running the risk of they all wish to preserve the status would only be an offence' to' the an exposure on the part of the quo. It is plain to them that the ousted mandarin.. He would take a attending Ministers; and the pro-"spheres of influence" which they lively interest in the improvement of bability of any Minister attempting have demarcated for themselves will the country, which would soon come the least breach of official propriety bring them greater profit with less to a new state of prosperity. which would subject him to cul-expenditure than could any territory! No one can imagine that the Embability during the present reign of, which might fall to their share and press-Dowager has any concern over terror is minimised to the vanishing for which they would be responsible, the partition or rebellion. She has point. Except-from this oneoccurence to provide a government. Russia' been anxious to Save her face'
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.