Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-09-29

Pekin, Sept. 23.-An imperial edict,
just issued, definitely announces that
| the emperor Of China has resigned
| his power to the dowager empress,
who has ordered the ministers to de-
liver to her, in the future, their Of
fetal reports.
1t is difficult to obtain reliable in
formation at the palace in regard to
the proceeding, but the recent reform
attry edicts probably caused the
change. While the emperor was
subservient and mere fgure-head,
the dowager empress permitted him
to remain in peace, but as soon as he
attempted to act on his own initiative,
his practical deposition was the re-
suit. His principal advisor, Kang
Yumoif, the Cantonese reformer, has
fled and vigorous attempts are being
made to arrest him. 1t is said he is
now on the way to Shanghai.
The effect of the change must be
great. In all probability Ii Hung
Chang will be reinstated in power,
anG Russian influence will increase.
The hopes of reform so ardently
| cherished by the intelligent factions
Of the Chinese are now impossible of
fulfillment.
The suddenness of the coup is
saiG to be due to the desire of the
| dowager empress to prevent the mis-
sion Of Marquis Ito from being sucz
cessful. Japanese statesmen recently
came to Pekin with the object Of try
ing to bring about an alliance, Of
fersive and defensive, between Japan
and China. The new order of things
will undoubtedly prejudice British
into rests in China.
It is reported that the next edict
will give full reasons for the change.
The wording of the present edict is
not yet obtainable, but it is in effect
that the emperor requested the dow
age: empress to assume power, this
being the third time the request has
been made. Marquis Ito in an in
terview, before the edict was issued,
said the emperor received him
Wednesday in a most cordial manner
AMI said that he hoped to have the
advantage of the advice of the mar
quis in the reforms which he intended
to undertake. The marquis, even
then. feared that the inactivity and
conservatism of the Chinese officials
would nullify the reforms, although
he believed the emperor was working
in good faith.
The dowager empress of China,
Tuen-Tson-Hsi, has for many years
been the virtual ruler of the country,
first through her husband, and later
through her step-son. She was orig
inal1y a maid-of-all-work in the
kitchen Of the viceroy, but she was
pretty and clever enough to make her
opportunities. Finally she made
trouble in the viceroy's household,
and to restore the statu quo ante that
young woman off in handsome ap-
perel as a present to the emperor, who
was so captivated by her beauty that
he eventually married her. Tuen
completely swayed him to her will
and when he died she retained her as
tendency over his successor by en-
couraging him in luxury and dissipa-
ton.
Dowager Empress Incensed
London, Sept. 23.-The Daily uail's
Pekin special says: The dowager
empress is greatly incensed over Rus
sia's passivity over Ii Hung Changes
degradation, and Sir Claude McDon-
AIDS attitude since Ii Hung Chang's
fall. She granted to Havlotf, Russian
charge d'affaires, several lengthy au-
diences. Probably Ii Hung Chang
will return to power, but not to o.
fee. The widest rUmors are afioat
1t is reported the emperor had alter
cations with Tsung Ii Yamen ana the
dowager empress.
Emperor Reported Dead
Shanghai, Sept. pa local rumor
is current to the effect that the en-
peror Of China is dead. No details
are obtainable, but it is said the gates
of Pekin are closed. It is thought
the rumor is false and grew out Of the
report Of the abdication of the en-
On,.or