Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-08-20
CHINA IN PERIL.
The Yellow Dragons Time of
Trouble Approaching.
ENGLISH, FRENCH AND AMERICAN GUNS
Further Pressure on the Government to
Afford Security to Foreigners and to
Punish Guilty Persons-Anarchy
Quite Probable.


denying the fact that a most serious
state of political affairs exists in this
country at the present moment and the
combined fleets of the powers may be
called upon at any moment to take eff
feetive action The danger clouds have
been seen on the horizon for months
past the smoldering fires caused by
the agitation existing against foreign
ers and others among the n~-
have repeatedly broken - -pulace
but apparently 49, III into flames,
Gently, r~- ..lthout, until quite re-
v"' -.ealing the strength of the
-4cano which is threatening a most
disastrous outbreak. international af-
fairs, undoubtedly, are the inward and
actual causes of the displays of ill-feel-
ing against foreigners which are only
the outward signs of the movement in
progress.
In this city at present state of great
| excitement prevails at the increased
and still increasing tension between the
Chinese government and the ministers
of the foreign powers. From all rap-
! pearances the former seems obstinate
in its refusal to redress the injury
done to the foreigners duning the re-
! cent riots Some people say that the
government dares not take this step
| demanded in common justice to the
foreigners for fear of incurring a storm
of popular disapproval; in any case
there is no doubt as to the obstinacy of
the refusal to right the wrongs inflicted
upon the foreign residents of China.
On the other hand, there is also no
reason to doubt that, if the Chinese
authorities do not yield to the firm de-
mands of the ministers of the bower.
concerted hostile action upon th~. mart
OF the war vessels of the -or;ors ~,
tions represented in ti'-.se waters Is =
minent- Much d~'r,,ge has been 3 -
and too nanr Image mas oeeh lone
anl s,uu 'oo man outrages have beef per-
Reti"'e" tI;a upon the foreign residents of
country to permit of th, repre-
,entatives of the powers Submitting
any longer to be put off with vague
statements which in the min actually
mean that China cannot or will not
redress the wrongs done to peaceful
residents of foreign nationality and
that China does not admit that the lat
ter have been outrageously treated in
their persons or in their possessions by
Chinese mobs over which the authori-
ties seem to have no control.
Such is the state of affairs, it is now
known that the foreign ministers have
been compelled to inform the Chinese
government that joint naval demon
stration of an effective nature, in which
the French, American and British SQUAD
rons will take part, will be ordered in
the near future, unless speedy repara-
tion is made for the injuries, outrages
and abuses complained of by the min
listers of the powers.
Naturally the foreign population of
this city, being aware of the firm stand
taken by the ministers and having
knowledge of the ultimatum sent to the
Chinese government, is in a state of
considerable anxious expecta ton, and
will so remain until the reply of the
Chinese government is made known.
GRAVE CONSEQUENCES THREATENED.
LONDON, Aug. IS.-The Standard,
commenting upon the Chinese situation,
says: Should China persist in her pres
ent attitude grave consequences are
threatened and no one can foresee the
issue. This is what the shrewder spir-
its of the Kolao and'other secret socie-
ties desire.
They hope to embroil the govern
ment with the foreign powers, and thus
distract it while it followed its own
scheme, knowing that if the foreign
powers attacked China, doubtless the
empire would collapse and the whole
land would fall into state of anarchy,
which would not be suppressed in our
time. Happily some of the diplomats
of Europe understand the condition of
affairs, and knowing how desperately
fragile is the imperial authority in
China, will persuade others to deal
with it in the most gingerly manner"
INCREASING THE PRESSURE.
TEN TsIN, Aug 1S-The ministers
of the foreign powers have increased
the pressure which has been placed
upon the Chinese government, insisting
upon the punishment of the rioters and
of the officials who neglected to afford |
protection to foreigners and to the lat
ter's property. The foreign ministers
do not demand any peenniary indem-
nifty, having already settled that point |
and the amount with the local author |
tiles