Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-24
CHINESE Discomfort.

Secret Combinations Against the EMperor
and the Europeans.
A correspondent Of the Paris Figaro gives an
interesting. and, in some respects, new view Of
the causes Of the riots in China. Figaro with
holds the name Of this correspondent but says
that he is a person who lived in China in a high
official position, which gave him unusual op-
portunity for knowing the truth. He says:
"The government established by the con-
quering Mantchourians has been patiently toll
Grated by the Chinese for six centuries, because
this government was kindly and did not
antagonize the interests Of the conquered people.
Since the middle of the present century the
Chinese have been brought into closer contact
with the Europeans, and the result has been
that many changes have taken place in the
reigning power. There have been levies OF
troops at the suggestion of Europeans, . navy
has been organized, diplomatic corps has been
established, ard indemnities have been
paid to foreig ers, robbed or assassinated
by Chinese, who avow the same distaste for our
civilization which theirs arouses in us To
cover these new expenses China raised about
S4o, GEO. 600. Of which S3,250,000 went abroad.
This raising OF money has increased the taxes
imposed by the general government, and al
though these taxes have az yet amounted to
only about S100, 900 900, divided among 4O0,-
DOC. 600 people. they have yet excited the live
heet natfeu IN inc Cn1neSe, VINO zee themselves
threatened with loss Of their dearest customs
and with an inundation of European ideas
This hatred has stirred the ancient unfriendli-
ness Of the Chinese people to the dynasty which
conquered them.
Nothing could be more mistaken than the
prevalent idea that China has been unchanged
through the centuries. As matter of fact, in
the few last centuries it has been revolution
lied from top to bottom, as, for instance, in
respect to the ownership Of property, which is
now individual where formerly collective.
Secret societies have hold in China Of
ties can give no idea. Since l848 these socie-
ties, of which the most powerful is the Gao
Lao-Hoee. have been trying to compromise the
imperial government with the Europeans in
order that It may be overturned, and that
China may then 60 back to her ancient ira
dition of shutting out all barbarians.
The government, compelled to give head to
popular sentiments, and, at the same time to
give satisfaction to the loud clamorings of the
Europeans, has resorted TO deception. 1t has
nal and external threats, diplomacy which
has become proverbial for subtlety and prsvari-
cation.
1.-THE most stringent commands. issued with
view to securing the safety Of Foreigners have
been OF no avail beyond that territory which 10
under the direct eye Of the mandasins. And il
not unfrequenty happens that the mandarins
themselves are in the closest sympathy with
the secret societies which are working to the
overthrow Of the imperial government.
THE government is remarkably weak in
ability to raise money from the people and
dares not avow it. Our greatest mistake in the
last Tonquin expedition was in demanding
$40. 100000 Of China. 1t is possible to treat
with China on almost any question except
money.
In the face Of the facts our only means of
getting satisfaction for the recent massacres
In the valley Of the Tantse is by casting aside
the question OF indemnity and by showing
ourselves ready to sustain the Chinese gov
eminent both with arms and with money.
This had to be done after the war of 1852 and
had 1t been done beforehand the same results
would have been got without war, and at the
same time the Chinese government would have
been strengthened instead Of enfeebled. 1t Is
this very embedding which marks the birth of
the present troubles.
III we take the opposite course and work
against the imperial government, we will
presence Of a rebellion which no power can
and western nations have trade of S250. 0OO,-
0C0 with the Chinese. To go about the bust
ness OF settling things In harsh way will over
turn all that has been done.
The Chinese have courage soberness and
q contempt for death. To become formidable
soldiers it is only necessary for them to make
common cause against the hated foreigners.
1t is our duty to give them no reason for this
and to show the government that its interest is
our interest In this way we may perhaps pro-
long the life Of this dynasty until the new cur
rents OF ideas shall have changed the character
Of the country"