tth Nov.
Ir it be true that coming events cast their shadows before, it is still more so that recent events throw much light behind. A long line of policy that has been studiously kept dark is all at once illumined by an event. From the occurrence trace back the sequence step by step to its source, 'A glance over the puges of the "Peking Gazette" for 1899 will be interesting as evidence, innocent enough in appearance at the time, of the preparation made by the Empress Dowager for the coup which, falling prematurely, has proved so disastrous to her and her party. "It will be remembered that the Emperor's deposition took place on the 22nd of September, 1898, Our retrospect covers the succeeding year.
Army matters in particular will occupy our attention, and the first important reference to these is found in a decree issued on the 10th of January. Lin K'un-yi had memorialised in favour of modern military training. In her reply the Empress Dowager, who had' just deposed the Emperor for tampering with the customs of the ages, and hence could not follow his example, replies: " As regards a postscript.... asking for the abolition of horse and foot archery and the use of rattan shields the said Viceroy should remember that an orthodox' army does not alone depend upon firearms and field-guns, but that knowledge of the various branches of military agility is also required to make a true and complete fighting force."
This is medieval enough, but subsequent decrees and orders are more practical, and bear eloquent testimony to the desire fora strong China. A fortnight later the strictest inspec. tion of troops is enjoined, provincial troops are ordered to the capital for drill purposes, and " officers who have been found guilty of lack of disciline and laziness in drilling are to be punished at every available opportunity." These orders are repeated on March the 12th and 17th, and on the 20th reference is made to the 10,000 Manchus specially raised as personal troops of Yung Lu. Special rewards are ordered three days later to the efficient officers of the Chihli_ corps, while in April we find a Kansu Colonel not only "cashiered and dismissed the service, but..... also made to undergo the public degradation of having his peacock feather decoration plucked from his official hat before the troops," all because he had his corps "in a state cither of physical disability or too antiquated to be of any use in times of emergency."
Similar cases of reward and pu nishment are recorded, the Empress Dowager in one case being so anxious
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.