The record-union., 1898-11-24
Treaty Powers Object to Restoration
Of Regency in China.
The Reform Work Started BY the Emperor
Must Not Be Suspended.
Sir Claude Macdonald, the British
Minister at Pekin, Now Com
Quoting Negotiations With the
Ministers Of Other Powers on
the Subject.

TACOMA (WaSh.), Nov. 23.-The
Northern Pacific liner Olympia brings
the following Oriental advices:
A telegram published by THE Chu-
wo'' states that Sir Claude Macdonald,
the British Minister at Pekin, will prob
ably make the following representa-
tions to the Chinese Government on the
subjoined points at an early date:
First-The treaty Powers will not
recognize the restoration of the regency
on so fiimsy a pretext as the ill-health
of the Emperor, which is not sufficient
to justify a change in the sovereignty.
Second-The work of reform started
by the Emperor must not be suspended
not only in the interests Of peace in the
East, but for the sake also of the main
tenance Of the Chinese Empire.
Third-It is contrary to principles of
humanity to visit capital punishment
upon political antagonists, and this
practice must be discontinued in future.
Fourth-That the Chinese Govern
ment must take greater precautions to
prevent assaults by natives on foreign
residents in Pekin in broad daylight.
The British Minister is now conduct
ing negotiations with the Ministers of
the other Powers on the subject, but no
decision has as yet been arrived at.
A Chinese claiming to have come
from Manila applied to the American
Minister at Bangkok for passports to
travel in Siam. After the glorious ex-
ploits of Admiral Dewey, he explained,
he had no alternative but to become an
American citizen. Hamilton King per-
formed a naturalization ceremony on
the spot, and applied for passports in
due form, but Prince Devawongse OBJ
jected to the Celestiars standing. The
United States Minister rejoined that
American protection was claimed for
him Shy 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 a representative in the United
States whose sole duty is to push the
sale of Indian tea, and the result so far
has been very satisfactory. The amount
of India and Ceylon tea taken by North
America increased from 9,500,000
pounds in 1896 to 1,250,0G0 pounds in
1897. Japan is the rival in the field,
and is showing great energy. The
Japanese Government has recently al
lotted 100000 to be spent in three
years in the campaign, and it's exam
pie is commended by the English pa
pers to the attention of the Government
of India, which leaves the planter to
carry on the struggle unassisted
An imperial edict has been issued or
dering the destruction of Kank 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
expressed himself 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
ernment to construct a railway be-
tween Canton and Shanghai, with a
branch line to Fukien. Should this
report turn out to be correct, the Jap
anese Government will probably lodge
protest with the Chinese Government
According to a telegram received by
the Osaka Shosen KWaisha of Osaka
from it's branch office at Hankow, the
houses destroyed by fire at Hankow on
October 1st numbered more than 49,
600 altogether, $500 persons, including
females, having been burned to death.