Evening journal., 1898-08-12
cHrNEsE soa,DgtrRs.

NItlNnoE SDiDALttd.
It is we'll known that many Of our
difficulties with China arise from tho
semi-independence OF the provincial
who are appointed indeed
from Pglin, and are accountable 70
the emperor for their actions, but who
In their own provinces are almost en-
TREY Independent of the central gov
ernment, as long as they keep order
and send up to Pekn a sufficient por-
ton Of their revenue from time to time
Ever since foreign representatives.
were stationed at PeSln, the tendency
has been more and more to centrahze
the government OF the empire. The
extension of the telegraph has helped
this on, and tho construction Of rail-
ways will give it another good Inn
peus. while every fresh loan that is
contracted by the central government
necessarily interests Pekin more and
more In the finances Of the provinces.
A question has lately come up FOR
solution that seems likely to put a
considerable strain on the relations
between Pel1ln and the provinces, and
may lead during the coming Summer
to quite unexpected and yet very seri-
GUS developments. 1t win perhaps, be
remembered that ever since the late
war with Japan the central govern
ment has shown itself very anxious TO
do away with the green" or terri
torial regiments. owing to their proved
uselessness as fighting men in time OF
war. The utter decay, owing mainly
to corruption and canker Of a long
peace, Of this branch of China's mili-
tary organization, was realized at the
time OF the Taiping rebellion, when
the gov'Huments were compelled to en-
list braves or country militia 70
whit against the rebels
Even then It was intended to do
AWAY with the green" regiments, but
the central government was deferred
from carrying out the imperial wish
by natural opposition on the part OF
the men and officers whom It was pro
posed to disband, by the objections
Of the provincial authorities, to whom
the handling Of the pay Of these regl-
ments was a very important consider
alton, and by the fear, fostered by the
provincial, authorities, that the dis
banded officers and men would raise a
new rebellion on their own account
and the proposed reform has been in
allegiance ever since. In the late war
however. the ineffleiency OF these
green" troops was so glaringly dis
played that the central government
has had to Aok into the matter with
renewed earnestness.
The Russian and German troubles
have seriously alarmed the emperor
and he understands that If China is tC
preserve what independence IS now .ef
to her she must have a reliable army
and scccrdingly he has sent another
urgent decree round the provinces or.
derlng the disbandmant Of the "gneen
troops. 1t is stated that, having Nc
valid excuse to offer, the ViceroyI
( Chang Chsh-tung. Of the Hukuanl
provinces, and Tao Niu. OF the shen
Kan provinces, with Governors We
Kuang-ta0 and Chen Paochen, o
shensi and Homan respectively, have
sent up memorials which convey a fla
refusal to obey the decree in question
In rep,y the emperor, in recent de
cree, has sent a peremptory order &
che disobedient vlceroys and COVER
nors to obey his commands within
six months. or render themselves liabs
to impeachment as traitors to tn
throne. 1t is a very interesting stu
alton.
r The financial difficulties Of the gov
Z ernmeut are. Of course. at the root o
these troubles. Unless China adopts
E compete financial reform, with tn
{ Capitalization that circumstances ar
B making imperative, there will be YER
Z serious trouble in the near future. an
Z It is very doubtful whether the nee
1 essary reforms can be adopted with
c out serious friction between the cen
e trial and the semi-independent pryvin
a cial governments.-North China Her
AID.