Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1891-08-19
TURMOIL rs CHINA.

A DAY OF two ago a dispatch from
China stated that most serious state
Of an ,lrs existed ia that country over
the agitation agains, foreigners. Be-
tween the Chinese government aud
the Ministers Of Foreign Atiair-, tits
said, the best Of harmony does not pre-
vail. Tho Chinese authorities have
been told that unless they make speedy
PREPARATION for tho injuries anu abuses
complained %, Iolut naval demon-
sirntlon OF French, American, British
and German vessels OF war will be
made In the near future.
The situation In China l. really
more portcntous than IL generally
supposed. That vast empire Is not as
politically solid "A 1t Ia said to bc.Thero
arc In China number Of secret 80
cleties seeking the overthrow of the
government. These societies It Is com.
monty believed arc melting outragus
on Foreigners, In order 10 embroil the
government with foreign powers. The
European diplomats understand this,
and aro trying not TO play into the
hands OF the tovolutionlsta.
II appear. that the Chinese govern.
mont also realizes the position Il is
likely 10 be placed In, la case Of con-
tinued outfagca on foreigner. The
first outbreak occurred early In June
last. On tho 18th Of that month an
imperial decree was issued, ordering
effective action on tho part Of govern.
urs Of provinces and commanders Of
troops, to prevent repetition of the
attack on Foreigners. Tho decree stated
To the people that there was nothing
hurtful In Christianity aud "that
peace and quiet should reign between
the Chinese aud the missionaries. 4"
II In true NJ. Ribot, the Frsn ch
statesman, told the secretary Of the
Chinese legation at Paris that II "you
do not succeed better than you have In
suppressing these riots we shall be
obliged to help you" Hut It was
not thls which urged tho promul.
cation of the Chinese imperial decree,
for the simple reason that the decree
was issued sevoral days before Itlbot
uttered the quoted words.
Floods and famine have produced
lndoscribable misery In China recent
~. This adds 10 the discontcnt aud
helps the political rcformcts. The
uncle Of tho present Emperor is said To
be- at the head Of the conspirators for
the overthrow Of the existing dynasty.
lie Is said to be- tho Chinese Bismark.
About September lat is fixed on for
regular uprising ut Nankin. Foreign.
ers resident In China Mt that time VIII
have a critical period 10 bridge over.
England haa 10 ships In Chinese
waters, France aud Germany have
several but the United States have
only one or two old hulks there.
The secret societies are largely com.
posed Of disbanded soldiers who had
been rcslvlng pensions, but whose
pensions were stopped some tlmo ago.
In some Of the interior provinces, the
common people are led to believe that
the presence OF foreigners causes floods
and famine, and that to Appease the
divinitles these foreiguers must DO
sacrificed, Then the opium traffic
generally follows the missionary aud
tho foreigner, and Chinese who are
opposed to this, take sides with tho
antl.ioreign factions.
hut strangest Of all froc-trale enters
Into the Chinese discomfort. by
treaties fixlng low rates Of duties on Inn
ports many Of tho most important In.
dus,rles have been destroyed, aud
others badly crippled. The making u
yarn from native cotton by native
splnners has almost came TO Rn end.
Foreign yarn Is brought In for such
cottons as are still made In China;
but oven thu weaving has diminished
under the pressure Of foreign competi-
ton. English cottous have driven all
others out OF the market. While this
chcapens the goods for the general
public, Of course, tho native Industries
suffer and the result Is certain
amount Of discomfort.
The situation In China Is more com.
plicated than one at first sight
imngines. All tho troubles seem re-.
solving themselves into political
action, but though the clouds now
lower the result may be, brighter day
Tor tho celestiaH.
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