The National tribune., 1892-04-28


perhaus not true / have reason to doubt
1t very much. 1t is scarcely possible that
such large and well-organized movement In
the far north of China co@ld be so quickly sup
pressed, even with $4,000 troops IN the heid.
The fact is that the Government has had TO De
constantly sending reinforcements ana mean
while the rebels have chosen strong positions
beyond the great wall, where the soldiers dare
not attack them. Thus far The struggle seems
to have been conducted, like all Others IN
China, with great sacrifice of life and destrue-
tion of property.
1t is no uprising Of robber bands, but far
more serious Datter-an organized rebellion,
which is liable to grow until the Dragon
Throne is menaccd and the young Emperor de-
throned. The Manchu conquest of China
originated in less than the present trouble.
1t is uncertain whether this uprising in the
north is connected with the riots and attacks
on foreigners last year on the 1anctse and IN
the south If il is then the danger is serious
enough indeed: for those Yangtse disturban-
ces were not stopped by the strong hand of the
Government. They ceased after while be-
cause there was no recognized leader to organ
ize the Disseminated populace and form an
army The time was almost ripe for that, and
believe that danger to foreign life and prop
erty in China is still imminent at any moment;
for the internal affairs of China are In
very unsatisfactory condition. / do not be-
lieve the central Government has sufficient
authority over the people to prevent outbreaks
against foreigners which, as in the case OF the
riots last year, are melted by high native OH
eials. who are strongly opposed to foreigners
Such being the condition Of affairs in China,
brief review of the occurrences last year by
one who was there at the time, may be of in
ferest Just now. 1t was believed by many
well-informed foreign residents in China that
the disturbances in different parts OF the en-
pire were premonitory of civil war, which
would probably result in the overthrow Of the
Manchu Dynasty, which has ruled for 2OO
years.
But owing to the natural secretiveness of the
Chinese in their intercourse with foreigners, as
well as the necessity of the utmost secrecy
among themselves in organizing such rebel
lion. but little could be learned as to their
motives or resources. We could only judge
from the disafection, riots, pilage, aud even
murdercus attacks upon foreigners. which,
though only local. seemed to be spreading over
the country in a manner to rouse anticipatlons
Of grave consequences.
There has always been strong feeling
against the rule OF the Manchus. They pos
sess China only by right of conquest, and they
have retained supremacy only by wise conces-
sions TO established customs of the Chinese, and
by system of non-interference in provincial
and local affairs. The central Government at
Picking arrogant, bold, impudent in its inter
course with foreign powers, but almost with
out authority over its own people, rules by con-
cessions to popular demands, and in civil war
It's utter inefiieiency would soon be disclosed.
1t is true that the Manchus have founded a
dynasty which has maintained itself through
trying scenes. The TAPPING rebellion was
quelled, but not until the Dragon Throne was
tottering for its fail, only maintained at last by
foreign aid. It is weaker now than It was 20
years ago. and the influences and organized
forces now roGsed against il are far stronger.
At any moment leader may rise with some
motto such as Down with the Manchus, or
"China for the Chinese" and draw following
which will overwhelTn the Imperial forces by
the mere strength of numbers. The success Of
such movement would scarcely be possible
under any Government except that of China.
But. as we have seen. riots not suppressed,
proclamations from the Throne, by custom re-
vered as sacred ediets have lost their efficacy,
and in the face Of the impending danger last
year the Government made not the first move
Cor It's own protection. Was il surprise in
difference sense of unassailable superiority
and power or WAS it deemed unsafe to move at
time when a spark might kindle a blaze?
In such a contingency it is by no means GER
tain that the army would prove faithful. The
most important man in China at such crisis
would be the Viceroy, Ii Hung Chang. His
own army is the best drilled and equipped in
the country. He has supreme command of the
northern naval squadron, composed OF the most
powerful vessels Of war. lie is however, in
every sense a Chinese, not Manehu, and not
In the highest faver at Picking; perhaps owing
to his appreciation and adoption of foreign APP
plianees. and possibly, also, because of his I'M
doubted influence and power.
Whether he would support the Manchus in
case Of civil war is uncertain. If not their
struggle would be hopeless for the Ficeroy's
army is composed Of men from his own province
Anhui who would be faithful TO his commands.
The other Viceroys have their armies also /;
but most OF them are inefficient, neither well
armed nor properly drilled. The whole mill
tary system OF China is rotten. There is no
proper discipline anywhere. The soldiers are
underpaid, rot paid at all, and their number
is overcstimated IN official papers. When re-
view Is TO be had coolies are engaged to bear
arms f0r the day to make up the proper COM
plement OF men. This fraud, like so many
Others in China. is perfectly well understood
and tolerated by the officials. who draw the pay
for the men on paper. Such is the character
and efficiency Of the army which, according to
Lord Wellesley, who ought to know better, and
TO the belief Of many persons at home and
abroad, is 10 make China one of the great ma
tons Of the weird. 1t is true that the Chinese
viii fight TO desperation. They will, if unable
10 fly, face death without 1inching; but quite
believe that AN army OF 10000 foreign troops
could march from Canton and enter the city Of
Picking against any force that could be brought
10 oppose them. IL would be a march of dis
ciplined troops against half-organized mob
The foreign powers finally came to deter
mination that there must be change 10 policy
toward China. The causes which led TO this
wise conclusion are too numerous for discus
sioa here. For 30 years they have been accu-
initiating until innumerable petty annoyance,
unfuihllcd promises and studied impertiuences
have grown into a mountain of discord.
The more Immediate causes were the attacks
npon foreigners and tho destruction of their
property. he disturbances began at the
small post Of Wuhu, on the Yapgtse where in
May, 1891. the Roman Catholic Mission was
attacked and burned, and the British Consulate
aud the custom house were looted. and much
property destroyed. The customs officers armed
themselves aud kept the mob at lay until the
opportnne arrival Of Chinese gunboat, which
dispersed the rioters by discharge Of blank
cartridges. proclamation was posted in the
streets TO inciie the people against missionaries
and foreigners.
The attack Was obviously directed against the
Roman Catholic 0rphanage where, it is be.
Heyed by the ignorant Chinese, the priests xii!
the children and remove their eyes and hearts
for use in preparing medicines a few days
later there were signs Of serious uprising al
aGthoritics aud by the arrival of the French
war vesse! Iuconstant. On tie oath inst
the foreigners at Marking received official
HCtice Of danger. IL was stated that the soldiers
could nGt Ice relied upon ia an emergency, and
the officials plainly declared taat they were