The herald., 1898-09-24

years ago, and up to nine years ago th'
dowager directed affairs for him, ACTING
much as the Queen Regent OF Spain acts
for the boy King. The recall OF the dow
ager Empress to the active assistance Of
the Emperor, the Chinese Minister points
ont Is a natural move toward the strength
ening of the hands of the Emperor, giving
him that same aid which the dowager EN-
press gave while the Emperor and his pred
ecessor were infant rulers.
Concerning the report that the Empress
return to power was coup d etat favorable
to Russia, the Minister says he does not
consider the move favorable to any power
as against any other.
Its effect, he says. would be toward strict
.mpartiality In Chinas treatment of Rus
STA. Great Britain, Germany, France. the
United States, Japan and the world at
large.
During the former regency of the En-
press she had shown marked friendship
for the English so that. in the opinion of
the Minister, it was unfair to presume she
had English prejudices AS to Its effect
upon Ii Hung Chang, the Minister says the
Dowager Empress had long admired the
rugged ability of the old statesman. But he
did not think this would result in the re-
turn of Ii to the Foreign Office. from which
post he was recently relieved, owing, it
was understood, to foreign influence. 1t
Is probable, the Minister says, that Prince
Ii will continue in his nominal post as
imperial secretary.
When asked if China had the strength
to resist ACKNOWLEDGMENT by foreign pow
ers. Mr.. WI Tong Fang said
81 am confident China will remain in
tact and I am glad to note that your Min
lister in China, Mr.. DENLY, has the same
opinion. China has the native resources
wealth and population to make her strong
within herself 1t should not be overlooked
that some of the foreign influences, such
as concessions for railways, ETC., will de-
veop and benefit China far more than they
can benefit any foreign power. These con-
cessions will tap the rich interior of China,
give highways for the products now con-
fined to the interior and carry them to
the outside markets.
The Minister speaks with special salts
faction of a concession which he signed
short time ago, by which an American
syndicate will build the railroad from Han
kow to Canton, a distance of 500 miles. 1t
Is understood that among the names of
those interested in this concession are the
Rockefellers, Vanderbits. Morgans. Bryce
and ex-Mayor Hugh Grant of New York.
The Minister signed the concession just
before the Spanish war broke ont. and this
led to some delay in beginning work on
the road Now, however. he is Informed
that the American engineers are about to
start for the surveys of the line and that |
the construction will be pushed from this |
time forward.
The Emperor's Danger
LONDON, Sept. 2S.-According to special |
dispatches received from Pekir. members |
of the European community there believe |
the life of the Emperor of China is in |
danger It is added that the Dowager En-
press desires to place Prince Kwangs |
grandson on the throne. The Emperor |
realizes the strength of the conspiracy
against him and has ordered the guards a |
the palace to be strengthened.
All Is Quiet
LONDON. Sept. PA dispatch to the
Times from Peking says the emperor and |
all the higher state officials have bowed to
the dowager empress and that everything
Is quiet.