The record-union., 1896-12-16
POSSIBLE TROUBLE IN CHINA.

The Emperor Of China, Kwangsu, has
tion to take the management Of affairs
of the realm into his own hands. But
he finds that it is very difficult, If not
impossible for him to do so and maintain
seclusion and non-contact with the
world outside the palace grounds that
the traditions of Chinese Imperialism
impose upon him. He has thus far sue
ceeded In making it known that he is
sole ruler and arbiter Of the destinies
of his country, and that whoever
crosses his purposes does so at peril Of
Imperial displeasure. Ii Hung Chang
has felt his anger, because the states
man visited the Dowager Empress on
his return from the barbarian world
before calling upon the Emperor.
Kwangsu has found means without
coming rom behind the curtain of ex-
clusiveness that protects his face from
communicating gaze by the eyes Of any
but his own family and court officials to
let it be known that he is wholly dissat-
isfied with the prosecution and the re-
suit of the late war with Japan. He
has announced that it is the duty Of the
Emperor to get nearer to the State the
army and the navy, and to come into
closer relationship with things executive
as well as ministerial Jealousy of the
Dowager Empress is increasing with
him, but around her Is powerful party
that the Emperor fears, though evil
IDENTIFY he has resolved to engage in an
open struggle with any who venture to
oppose his policy.
II he comes out into the open and
takes up the management Of the po-
Httcal affairs of China he will certainly
bring on crisis that may result in
revolution. The Emperor is by no
means popular with the titled classes
as has been supposed, while to the lower
Glasses he Is more Of a tradition than
would hold about the same place in the
respect of the masses. The middle
class, the merchant and trader groups,
are the conservatives, who, as in every
land, dread revolution and political
struggles. The uncle Of the Emperor
who was 50 long his close adviser, is
very old and has withdrawn from po-
litfcal activity, foreseeing possible dis
order in which he does not care to take
part.
One Of the Empresses, who stood In the
way Of Kwangsu, is dead and the other
has been more estranged by the rebuke
administered to Ii Hung Chang. The
father Of the Emperor who exercised
powerful influence over him, Is gone the
way Of the dead, and there are now
about the sacred person of the 'au-
gust sovereign" impracticables
mainly. with some shrewd plotters and
a good many who harbor the enmity of
jealousy against Ii Hung Chang. All
In all, therefore, there need be no sur
prise If pretty soon the Emperor of
China is found breaking through the
shell Of formality, exclusiveness and the
sarcedness OF royal seclusion. and COM
ing to the front as real agitator.
When the Emperor does this and at
tempts to take up all the reins of power
supposed to be lodged in his office, but
which under remorseless custom have
been but nominally held by him, there
may be serious trouble in China. There
is a large body of the disconnected Chin
ese in the south and in the southern
mountain regions especially, who look
upon the present ruler as a usurper. and
his line as worthy of expulsion These
may find the opportunity at hand for
striking against present Imperial
power: the middle or commercial class
would very likely side with the Emperor
while the mobiles can be counted to
pretty equally divide. Ii Hung Chang.
the one man who can maintain peace.