The Topeka state journal., 1898-10-07
SIDE BY SIDE
The Emperor of China and the
DOWager Empress
Receive the Chinese Cabinet
Every Day.
RUSSIANS PLEASED.
The Change is a Distinct Gain
For the Gear.
Foreign Guards Will Enter
Pekin by Special Train.

London, Oct. THE Pekin correspon-
dent of the Times, says:
The restoration of the regency is COM
plete. The empress dowager receives
the cabinet daily, seated beside the en-
peror openly, and not as formerly, be-
hind screen. The government is more
retrograde and reactionary Yung Lu,
one of his trusted friends, succeeds the
late Prince Kung as the chief manchu,
while the viceroy of the province of Chi
LIE is a manchu. Nevertheless, despite
assertions to the contrary, the balance
of power between the Chinese and Man
chus in his office is unaltered in the
central government, though there is a
small prOpOrtiOnate increase of Man
chus in provincial posts.
The Tsung Lii Yamen contains no
member cognizant Of foreign affairs.
Its chief working member is Hsu Yung
vi, the negotiator of the Gerard con-
vention of 1895, who was subsequently
removed from the Tsung Lii Yamen at
the instance of Sir Nicholas O'COnor
Chen British minister to China) for
breach of faith, but who was reappOint-
ed last month. He says his chief col
league will be Hsu Ching Chong, form
er minister to Russia and now direc-
tor of the Transmanchurian railway,
who long received Russian financial as
Sistance.
The Russians welcome the change as
increasing their influence. The immedi-
S&ClLlIR
the impending edict ordering officials
to abolish the queue and to adopt for
eign dress. A search of the house of
Kang Yu Wei, the reformer, resulted
in the discovery of papers proving that
he was carrying on correspondence
with the leaders of the anti-dynastic
movement in southern China.
The TSung Ii Yamen, having unavail-
ingly entreated the foreign legations to
spare China the humiliation of bring
ing foreign escorts to the capital, agreed
to the demand of the powers for a spec
ial train to bring the escort from Tien
Tsin.
The Hong Kong correspondent of the
Times telegraphs the substance Of
long interview he has had with Kang
Yu Wei, the Cantonese refOrmer. in
which the latter recounted the history
Of the crisis. Kang Yu Wei said that
on June 16 he had a two hours audi
ence with the emperor, who, anxious
about the Russian encrOachments, was
ready to listen to any plan to secure
the integrity of the empire. The Times
cores spondent continues.
"Kang advised replacing the conserv-
ative ministers by young prOgressives
and the employment of EngliShmen and
Americans to effect suggested reforms.
The emperor admitted the cOgency Of
his argument, but expressed his regret
at being unable to remove high officials
because of the empress dOwager.
"Kang then urged his majesty to
strengthen his friendship with foreign
powers, and particularly to secure an
alliance with England. The emperor
said he realized that foreign countries
were no longer insignificant states and
observed that it was pity his minis
ters had not averted the impending
troubles. Kang says the real power at
Pekin is held by Ii Luen Yen, a sham
eunuch and that the dowager's ilIegi-
innate son, Chung Ming, will probably
be made emperor.
ION the morning Of September 1S,
Kang received two letters from the en-
peror, dated respectively September 16
and II. They first represented the diff
culties of his position, the empress dow
ayers anger and his fears that he
would be unable to protect his throne,
and commanded Kang to consult with
emperor. In the second letter his ma
jesty said:
90 I have commanded you to superin-
tend the esta blishment of an official
organ. It is strongly against my wish
es. have great sorrow which I cannot
describe with ink and pen. You must
proceed Immediately outside to devise
means to save me without moments
delay
''Kang promptly visited the American
missionary, Timothy Richard, whom he
asked to call on the British legation.
Secretary Mcdonald, British minister,
was at Pei Tai So and the American
minister, Mr.. Conger. was at 81 Shan.
Ominous rumOrs were in circulation
and Kang fed. He was astonished that
England protected him, and he urged
the British government to take prompt
action to save the emperor"