The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-12-04
REAL CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.

Its Basis Is q Determination to Rid the
Nation Of Alien Rulers.
New York Tribune.
For many years past popular supersti-
ton has prevailed in China to the effect
that young Kwangsu, the reignIDg En-
peror. would be the last of the Manichu
dynasty. and, according to the recent DIS
patches received from Shanghai 1t would
appear as if matters were tending toward
the fulfllment of the belief. For the
revolutionary outbreaks. which are now
raging not alone in the north but also in
the south. the east the west and the GEN.
ter of China, are essentially of an anti
dynastic character. The hostility to-
ward the foreigners, and the massacres
of Christians, are merely secondary con-
sderatioDs in the movement. and due
partly to a desire to embroil the Emperor
with the western powers, and partly to
the blow to national pride caused by the
young monarch's concessions to the for
eign devils" in connection with the inter
national controversy on the subject of
diplomatic audiences and other disputes. of
an analogous character.
During the two hundred and fifty years
which have elapsed since the native
dynasty of Ming was overtbrown by the
, ,Mandchu or Tartar invaders, whose chief
ascended the dragon throne under the
title of Emperor Shunchih. and founded
the Using dynasty to W hich the present mon
arch belongs. the national characteristics
of the conGnering race have undergone a
radical change They have become effete.
have lost their military training aud in
stincts. and to a certain extent have become
merged into the native Chinese population.
The latter. however. despises them for the
inferiOrity of their aptitude for trade aud
industry, Eud to-day the prestige of the
Manchus has entirely disappeared. They
are no longer feared, and are incapable of re-
tanning their position as the principal basis
and support upon which rests the present
alien dynasty.
Realizing the weakness of the latter. and
the fact that the DEGENERATE Manchus con-
stitute a mere handful of 10.G00,0 000. the
40l. 900 coo of native and aboriginal Chinese
believe that the moment has come to sup
plant the obnoxious Tartar rule by an en-
peror of their own race. Among those who
seem predestined by popular sentiment for
the imperial dignity is Chang Che Tung.
Viceroy of HOukwang and the leader OF
the reactionary and retrograde party. In
open opposition to the authorities at Pc
kin, where hls great rival, Ii Hung
Chang. the Viceroy of the metropol.
ltan province of Ptcheli, is the moving
spirit. he LAS grouped around HIM all the
disaffected. His name has become q watch
WOTu EOT tue HdicOntentS, among the nlOsl
bitter and desperate of whom are the 100,
O00.OO0 natives engaged In the tea industry
which has been almost ruined by Indian
and Cingalese competition.
The fact that the insurrectionary forces
now marching on Pekin should have been
raised and organized In ManchurIa, and
not in China proper. is explained by the
fact that after the Manchu invaders
swooped down on China two hundred and
fifty years ago and overran the empire, their
lands which they left vacant were gradually
colonized, and in course of time densely set
tied by native Chinese of an adventurous
and lawless character. Up TO within q few
years ago these settlers availed themsclve:
of the exemption from taxation formerly
enjoyed by the Manchus to evade making
any contributions toward the imperia
revenue Recently. however an attempt
has been made by tho central government
at Pekin TO form the ancient ManchunS
into three new provinces, and not only tc
subject the population thereof TO the sam,
rule. but also to the same fiscal obligation.
as the population of the other provinces o.
the empire. 1t was the efforts on the par
Of the government to bring about this tha
led to the rise of the Chinese settlers in
Manchuria who are now marching OF
Pekin.