The evening times., 1898-10-17
CHINA'S RULERS.


future great troubles, make China inter-
esting. not only to the diplomat, but to
all mankind Ii is with feeling of sur
prise that the world hears of things that
indicate the common humanism OF the
Chinaman-that he is influenced by much
the same considerations that sway other
human creatures A good deal of CHI
nese history that is served out 10 newspa-
per readers is very far from accurate, but
in a general way this compact statement
contributed 10 the Chicago TimeS-Herald
is trustworthy. The writer, iii comment
ing on the retirement OF the Emperor and
the institution of the reign of L ing che
says: THE DOwager Empress will be the
power behind the throne. and she will
rule, and rule vigorously for she Is d
most remarkable woman-iu fact, new
woman. although Old in years. She Is an
astounding product. in every sense of
the word, of the most retrograde and con-
servative country in the world. Her first
appearance as a ruler was, in 1851, upon
the death of her husband. and upon her
ascension of the throne she had 10 face
a ssate of affairs that would have aDpall-
ed most of the opposite sex, who were
not born 10 rule Before his death the
Emperor Heen Fung decreed that his five
year-cld son, TUng Che, should succeed
him, with the dowager in immediate
charge of the realm.
The royal family were in dire straits,
as they were fugitives in Mongolia from
the allied French and English armies
which were holding Pek;n having land
ed at Pehtang the previous year. Three
serious revolts swept across the land that
is so used to insurrection. and the dy-
nasty was threatened with extinction
Al this point the Empress displayed a
rare tact and realizing that England could
best conserve her interests offered repa-
ration 10 the Queen of the Seas. and con-
ferred the happy dispatch on the leaders
of the anti-Briush party in her realm
a degree that effectively removes opposi-
ton.
Then came Gordon. of Chinese fame
who succeeded Ward, an American. in
command of the army. and he crushed
the TAPPING rebellion and planted the
Manchu dynasty firmly on the throne. 1t
was in 1864 that the imperial party re-
entered Nanking. after an absence of
twelve years.
From this time on TO the end of the
twenty-seven years of her dominancy,
the empire prospered in a self-cOntained
way. Outside interference was resented.
internal Industries and foreign commerce
resigned and T'Ung Che resigned for two
years. until he died of smallpox Many
curious stories are told of the doWag
ers method of ruling. According TO her
lights she did her whole duty to her
country and woe betide aIrTone who diff
fered from her opinion. Her method of
holding a council was to have her chief
advisers and heads of departments meet
in solemn session and ask for their opiu-
i.,., lafa (. To liz she
would soundly box the ears of sthose
whose opinions differed from hers. Now.
at the age of sixty-four it is said that
she has deposed if not killed the Emper-
or and again resumed the cares of state.
Reports are so conflicting that it IS
hard to tell whether Kwang Seu. or
more properly Kwangsu, is either n
dead emperor or else living and impris-
oned. His name signifies, or signified
'illustrious succession, and he is de-
scTibed as being a quiet mild-manner-
ed man with a timid though thoughtful
mien. Ting Che having died without
issue. for the first time i'll the annals of
the Using dynasty, the succession passed
out from the direct line. the new emper-
or being cousin of the deceased. Nat
urally the country suffered from a long
period of minority misrule or rather
inability. In due course of time his
marriage took place, and goSsips say
that the Emperor's wife was terribly
afraid of the amaZonian dowager. and
was suppressed to such an extent that
her principal duty during her husband s
sovereignty was to entertain the court
ladies once year on the subject of silk
culture. thus paying due Difference TO
the god of agriculture. Her consort's
share in the ceremony was to till the
ground of the 'emperor's field sowing
various seeds and offerings prayers for
a bountiful harvest. The royal house
hold consists of a retinue of 500 includ-
ing thirty bearers of state umbrellas
thirty fan bearers. thirty physicians
seventy-five astrologers, seventy-siX
cooks and sixty priests He VIII miss
numerous attentions if dead or incar-
cerated."