The age-herald., 1898-10-16
CHINA AND ITS
 REGENT RULERS


 China's probable dismemberment her present complications and her past history bring the totterng Celestial Empire for ward field for diplomats, military men and scholars to discuss the far-reaching eff fects that will undoubtedly ensue. The fu- ture of the oldest nation on earth is not the only thing involved, for if China be- comes Russian, what of India, Asia and probably all Europe? It is an interesting problem, and to find that this nation, once the most populous, now merely a buffer state between two of the strongest powers of Europe, is to be an active and potential factor in the moldng of history the world over, makes China occupy the center of the stage.
 First came the report from China that the emperor had been poisoned next that @s had been confined to his palace under restraint, and the last that he had been deposed and that TUng Chi was reigning in his stead. In all events, the dowager empress will be the power behind the throne, and she will rule, and rule vigorous ly, for she is a most remarkable woman in fact a ''new woman," although old in years. She is an astounding product. in every sense of the word of the most retro-
 
 world. Her first appearance as a ruler was in 1861, upon the death of her husband. and upon her ascension of the throne she had to face a state of affairs that would have appalled, most of the opposite sex who were not born to rule" Before his death the Emperor Heen Flung decreed that his 5-year-old son, Tung Che, should suc- ceed him, with the dowager in immediate charge of the realm
 The royal family were in dire straits. as they were fugitives in Mongolia from the allied French and English armies, which were holding Peking, having landed at Peh- tang the previous year. Three serious re- volts swept across this land that is so used to instruction, and the dynasty was threatened with extinction. At this point the empress displayed rare tact and real izing that England could best conserve her interests, offered reparation to the queen of the seas and conferred the "happy dis patch" on the leaders of the anti-British party in her realm, a degree that effectively, removes opposition.
 Tben Gordon, he of Chinese fame. who succeeded Ward, an American, in command of the army and he crushed the Taipins rebellion and planted the Manchu dynasty firmly on the throne. It was in 1864 that the imperial party re-entered Ranking, after an absence of twelve years.
 From this time to the end of her twenty- seven years of dominancy, the empire pros- pcred in sef-contained way. Outside in- reference was resented, internal industries and foreign commerce revived. In the year 1873 the dowager resigned and Tung Che 
 smallpox. Many curious stories are told of the dowager's method of ruling Accord ing to her lights, she did her whole duty to her country, and woe betde any one who differed from her opinion Her method of holding a council was to have her chier advisers and heads of departments meet in solemn session and ask for their opin- ions After listening deferentially she woulo soundly box the ears of those whos, opinions differed from hers. Now, at the age of GA, it is said that she has deposed if not killed the emperor and again re- sumed the cares of state.
 
 Reports are so conflicting that it is hard to tell wether Kwang Seu, or more prop aerly, Kuang Hsu, is either a dead emperor or else living and imprisoned. His name sigfifies, signifed "illustrious success sion, and he is described as being quiet, rnild-mannere man, with a timd, though thoughtful mien. Tung Che having died without issue, for the first time in the an- I alS>NQf the> rsing dynasty, the succession pa ssed out from the direct line, the new ensperor$ being. cousin of the deceased. Naturally Hfhe collntry suffered from a long period of Mipority misrule, or rather in. ability In du3 cc nrse of time his marriage took place. an6> gossips say that the en- peror's wife was AeN terribly afraid of the amazopian dowasersN8Sd was suppressed to such ai1.extent that hels,fsgincjpal duty dur ing her husbands sovereignty was to enter tain the court ladies once a\year on the subject of 1sllkz culture. thus Aaying due consorts share in the ceremony( was to till the ground of the "emperors fieNd," sowing various seeds and offering pra@ers for bountiful harvest. The royal housAhold con- sists of a retinue of 500, including thirty bearers of state umbrellas thirty fan bear CTS, thirty physicians, seventy-fve Nstrolo- gers, seventy-siX cooks and sixty Ariests. He will miss numerous attentions if >aead or incarcerated.