The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-23
WHAT CHINA MUST DO.
The British Minister is About to Lay
Down the Law.

Tacoma, Wash, Nov. 23.-The North
ern Pacific liner Olympic brings the fol-
lowing oriental advices:
Sir Claude Mcdonald, the British min
lister at Pekin will probably make the
following representations to the Chinese
government on the subjOined points at
an early date:
1.-The treaty power will not recog-
niZe the restoration of the regency on
so dimsy a pretext as the ill-heaIth of
the emperor which is not sufficient to
justify a change in the sovereignty.
2-The work of reform started by the
emperor must be suspended. not in the
interest of peace in the east but for the
sake also of the maintenance of the
Chinese empire.
Sit is contrary to the principles of
humanity to visit capital punishment
upon political antagonists and this prac-
tice must be discontinued in future.
4-That the Chinese government must
take greater precautions to prevent as
sauIts by natives on foreign residents in
Pekin in broad daylight.
The British minister is now con-
Quoting negotiations with the ministers
of other powers on the subject, but no
decision has as yet been arrived at.
A Chinaman claiming to have come
from Manila, applied to the American
minister at Bangkok for passports to
travel in Siam.
After the glorious exploit of Admiral
Dewey, he explained, he had no alter
native but to become an American citi-
d
naturalization ceremony on the spot,
and applied for passports in due form,
but Prince DeVawOngse objected to the
CelestiaIs standing The United States
minister rejOined that American citi-
Zenship was claimed for him by right
of conquest" There the matter stands
for the present.
English papers in India are rejoicing
over the increasing American market
for tea
For several years past the Assam tea
planters have subscribed to maintain
representative in the United States
whose sole duty it is to push the sale of
India teas, and the result so far has
been very satisfactory. The amount of
India and CeylOn tea taken by North
America, increased fran 9 500, 900 pounds
in 1896 to II, $50, 900 pounds in 1891 ia
pan is the rival in the field and is show
ing great energy. The japanese gov
eminent has recently allotted $780, 600 to
be spent in three years in the campaign,
and its example is commended by the
English papers to the attention of the
government of India, which leaves the
planter to carry on the struggle unas-
sisted.
An imperial edict has been issued or
dering the destruction of Kang YuWei's
books wherever found and also the
burning of the blocks from which any
of his writings have been printed
The reasons given are that Kang was
not only a dangerous intriguer, but a
most irreligiOus man, having openly ex-
pressed nllnSelI as an enemy OF con-
fucianism and the ancient religions OF
the empire.
America is said to be trying to OBJ
tain a concession from the Chinese gov
eminent to construct a railway between
Canton and Shanghai with a branch
line to Flu KEN. Should this report
turn out to be correct, the Japanese
government will probably lodge a pro-
test with the Chinese government
According to a telegram received by
the Osaka Shosen Kwaisha, of Osaka,
from its branch office at Hankow, the
houses destroyed by fire at HanI1OW on
October numbered more than Is, 900 al
together, $500 persons including females
having been burned to death