Oy the ninth of February last we published the following Speci \Canton_ so as to be out of the way! when Yung Lu put his scheme into ecution, a scheme for which, as we now know, preparations began to be made after the coup d'état in 1898. The deposition of the Emperor, in part of the scheme, the conspirators knowing that he would telegram under the heading "Di Coltman as Cassandra" *|never consent to any uch plan; and had Yuan Shih-kai been faithful to "Dr, Coltman of Peking, physician the Emperor in 1898 instead of be-to the Imperial Court, who is now visiting Los Angeles in California, traying him, the whole history of China' would have been changed. predicts another Chinese uprising, Dr. Coltman says that Earl Li, in worse than the last, against foreigners May 1901, expressed the greatest at Peking, which he says is now surprise that the Powers had allowed virtually "unprotected. He blames Yung Lu to escape punishment, "but the leniency of the Powers, especially admitted that he himself had pleaded the United States."
Dr. Coltman for him, excusing himself to me on medical mission the ground that Yung had always 7 {been his friend, and he could not act siderable knowledge of China and otherwise." the Chinese, who had an extensive Dr. Coltman refers to the many practice in Peking among the foreign reform edicts of the Emperor that residents and high Chinese officials have been reissued by the Empress including the late Earl Li, and his Dowager since 1900. "Astute Chinese prophecies are not those of a careless officials have acknowledged, he and irresponsible alarmist. His pro-that these edicts wer ed to blind phecies were ridiculed at the time in foreigners and were never intended the United States, where the paci-for home consumption; and they have ficatory speeches of the late Chin Minister HE. Wu Ting-fang still never been effectively carried out, because when they have been promul-exert their influence, and Dr, Coltman ated, secret instructions have gone has communicated an art om the h them that they were to be kept rican pres adead lett Dr. Coltman refers to forting to the belief prevalent in the reports ut the activity of Prin United States in the good intentions Tuan and Tung Fa-hsiang in the and good will towards foreigners of north-west, reports which were acthe Chinese government, Dr, Coltwman knowledged by the Government to be says: "The policy of the United States while well-intentioned was the partly trae, it being added that the authorities in Kansu had all the force principal factor that brought this necessary to keep them in check. about, and I believe the influence But, says Dr. Coltman, all the im-Count Cassini and Wu Ting-fang to perial forces will join Tung Fu-hsiang, have moulded this policy, working as they did in 1900, when the time is through the Sceret of State." ripe. The doctor mentions also the For three y fro before the rave discontent that is growing up siege in Peking, we have insisted among the people, owing to the way in these columns that H. E. Yung in which the indemnity is being used {i Lu, the Generalissimo of China's to extort money from them; and he northern armies, was the prime mover in the attempt te expel]" rand Yung Luare plotting as foreigners by fire and sword from possible to bring about a North China, and this is confirmed by combination of forces that will be sufficient entirely new evidence brought forward to check the native reform party, and by Dr. Coltman. "Li Hung-chang," the same time further her end of getting ith the foreigners. With all the he says, "informed me in May 190 experience of the outbreak of 1900, mut-Yung Lu had, in January. 1900, torings of the gathering storm should not told him of his plan to drive all pass unheeded. If the consensus of opinion foreigners from China, and when Li of all old residents of China and of the assured him that the scheme was]? regressive Chinese themselves is, any utterly impossible, replied: Well, I intend trying it anyhow The position Yung Lu at present occupies shows that the Powers are not to be moved by Shylock's question: "What, would you have a serpent sting you twice?" The wily old Li asked for and obtained the Viceroyalty of guide, the allies made a very poor j the settlement. Greatly to my sure: member of the royal family said to "The punishment we have had is the best thing that could have happened, only it has been so light that T fear it will not be lasting."
Dr. Coltman quotes other conversations showing that, as we have often said, among the Manchus themselves there are plenty who are anxious reform and ara by no means antiforeign; but th kept quiet by remembering the fate of the Tsun li Yamen Ministers whom the El press Dowager executed in 1900, j here have been numerous indications during the last few months that a new foreigners is being pre-but less openly than in 1900, Optimists, and admirers of the Empress Dowager, heedless of the fact that er rule is rapidly leading the empire to destruction, are poohpoohing. all these indications and repudiating Dr. Coltman, just as the people in Peking, with afew exceptions, did in 1900 up to a days befure the railway was destroyed. No one can say for certain that there is going to be another attack on foreigners, and no one can say that it is not going to be made. The only thing we can say is that time is on our side. Yung Lu's health seems to be failing, and it is lo that he has reached the wiumit of his ambition with an imperial son-in-law, and the possibility that his grandson will be Emperor of China; and the Empress Dowager is reaching an age at which enter pi of great pith and moment become irksome while everywhere knowledge of the West and of what Japan has peacefully achieved growing from more to more. Such appointment as that of Hsi_ Liang to the Vicer of the Min-Che provinces is undoubtedly a disconcerting sign: but we may still hope that the Powers are not going to reap the 1 reward of those who leave a half-completed. ally it may be noted that the following is Dr. Coltman's concluding paragraph To my mind there exist only two solutions of the China preblera—division, or establishment by the Powers of ¢ new Chinese dynasty. Before either can be w found necessary to indi ith an army of occupation to ensure protection of the vast foreign ing solve.l.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.