Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-19

ernrnont In helpless plight Tnor oh'y
chance for the last quarter % cen'ui'
has been to call di3,ntercsted Americans
10 aid them I'm the work OF regeneration
and reorganization, and this mas peen
shown 10 them repeatedly, but III Vah
First. General Upton. then oenerai
Grant. and finally, Generals "oruoh'
Wilson, and Foster. with more or less
particularly, pointed out to the Chihese
statesmen the road by which bumiileuon
and ruin might be avoided, but they re-
jected all counsel and steadily heid on 10
their corrupt methods. because they
wero sanctifed by age and custom And
now a new danger stares them IN the
face and paralyzes them with fear. The
news has recently reached the capital
that the Germans have struck the hfst
open blow at the integrity Of the country.
Russia has long been advancing against
the northern side of the empire. II not
sapping and mining her vitals, while Eng
land and France have been overthrowing
her outposts one after another in the
South and West. Observant travellers
and intelligent students Of modern move
ments and possibilities have long looked
upon the partition of China as near at
hand, but to-day even the princes and
members of the Tsung III Yahen are
forced to adrf9 that It has become
leading feature IN the plans OF the Great
European powers.
These purbhnd mandarins now see that
I'm calling German officers TO instruct
their ignorant bannermen and still more
ignorant sailors modern tactics. they
have only exposed their own weak
ness and corruption TO the curious eyes
Of men who are swift TO make known
their discoveries 10 their home govern
ment. The German Kaiser has not had
his emissaries here for the purpose Of
teaching Cinnamon how TO make war,
but for the purpose Of gathering nforma-
ton useful to his own government when
he shall be ready TO reach out for his
share Of Asiatic plumber. The same may
be said Of England, when she lent Cap
tain Lang to the Chinese Government TO
command it's northern feet. The faulty
Of all this is almost incomprehensible,
and appears absolutely so i'm view OF the
fact that Americans might have been
had 10 do this wOrk-men OF superior
ability whose country. IL was well known
even 90 Cinnamon, had no desire to ac-
qulre a foot of Chinese territory, or even
20 establish sphere OF commercial in
fuence" anywhere in Asia.
IL is also becoming known here that
China has coded Kiao Chou bay. with a
zone Of thirty miles around II, 10 Ger
many, thus giving the latter an area of
some 1,500 square miles. equivalent to a
new German State. ninth in size of those
comprising the German empire. This
grant carries with it valuable railway
and mining rights in the province of
Shantung. the control of coal-helds, and
m nrfNi1aUn Of rnnpantfnp their l.
roads with any trunk lines which may be
built within reach While this IS all
based on lease limited in terms TO a
| period OF ninety-nlne years. it is certain
! that it will become a permanent occupa-
| ton.
| Under the secret treaty OF alliance made
| by ii Hung Chang with Russia the latter
! promised 10 protect China from foreign
aggression and spoliation; but, instead OF
! doing so, has not only stood aloof while
| Germany has enforced her demands, but
has plainly notified China that she vii
| not tolerate the presence or even the in
| fuence Of any other foreign Power within
the limits Of Northern Chih-li or Manchu
ria. II is now leaking out that she wen
so far as TO threaten China with al
| invading army II she presumed 10 accep
the loan Of G16OO0.O00 offered by Eng
I ldf0t Nllllt iIt idIltfs llOl IL WIFI bfhii'
! threatened to compensate herself in IN
| Valley of the Yang-tse-K iang IL China
dared 10 accept the money needed from
her great rival. SO the helpless Chimes
authorities were forced 10 promise eacl
| that they would not borrow from tn
other. Meanwhile. the Imperial Treasur,
IS almost bankrupt; the next instalmen
OF the Japanese vtr indemnity is du
on the Sth Of May, while a large amour
is due for interest on the Sth OF Novem
Der following. Where all this money
10 come from is a puzzle that no on
here can solve. Belgium, Holland, an
private syndicates have been applied I
in vain. The revenues which have no
been already pledged are insufficient
Robbery and peculation go on unabatec
and the government I'm all department
Is so inefficient and shakv. so clos
to its last financial ditch, that an ute
breakdown may come at any time.
The desperate straits TO which it ha
been brought by corruption and fear ar
well Indicated by its negotiations wit
Yung Wing, an. Americanized Chinama
from Hartford Conn, who has been liz
ing here for several months, trying {
obtain a concession for railroad froI
Pekin TO Chiukiang, the same TO be pal
for by American and Chinese capita
Curlously enough, this amiable gentleman
who never built mile Of railroad IN h
life, and who certainly cannot contr'
capital enough either in America or El
rope To build a line 700 miles long, Ia
succeeded, by the promise OF brides
high officials, I'm securing favorable cor
sideration Of his project Ii Hun
Chang. Prince Kung, and the IsunS
Yamen have Endorsed 1t, but the Germa
HsriOH Of fle SChpm
has notified the Tsung Ii Yamen thu
Germany must under its treaty In regai
to Kiao Chou, have contracts for fu
nishing all the men and materials u
such railroads as traverse any part
the province of Shantung. and has 10
lowed il up by the declaration tn;
| il this IS not at once conceded. he vi
lower his lag and leave Pekin Tn
, ! brought the pusllanimous government
terms. 1t has yielded abjectly 10 tnei
| new German demands, and this must r
tablish German influence through)l
| Shantung. invite aggression from 9th
. ! Powers, and in the end result In Il
severance Of that province from the CT
pire. But this is not ALL Sheng-tao-ta
| the Director-General Of Imperial RAJ
!. | roads. engaged I'm the construction
the Hankow-Pekin line, has also heard
. | the proposed concession 10 Yung Win
; and has protested to the Tsung Ii Yam,
that the new line, If built, will kill d
, | old one, and If it is 10 be persisted 1
! he must have the right 10 build IT inste;
OF his own.
In addition. ne proposes, by way
compensation. that Yung Wing and h
friends should be allowed 20 join him
building the Hankow-Canton line. an
II this should be rejected he declar
he will resign his office. This seems
have brought Yung Wing and his mi
sionary advisers 10 terms, and they a
. now casting about 10 make their cham