The San Francisco call., 1898-10-08
DR, FRYER ON
 THE CHINESE
 SITUATION Interesting View of the OrientaIist. THINKS THE EMPEROR LIVES PROBABLY BEEN SUPPRESSED BY THE CONSERVATIVES. Critical Conditions by Taking Ad- vantage of Which America
 May Put Russia in
 the Shade.
THINKS THE EMPEROR LIVES
PROBABLY BEEN SUPPRESSED
 BY THE CONSERVATIVES.

pr. John Fryer, professor of Oriental
 languages and literature in the state
 University, gave an interesting opinion yesterday concerning the present condt- ton Of affairs in China. Dr. Fryer has re- sided In China for the last thirty-fve
 years. thirty Of which were spent in Gov erument service and during that time he has been intimately associated with the leading Chinese officials in such way
 as to be known as one of the best au- thorittes upon questions relating to the great .eupire of the Orient.
 On the whole he is inclined to think
 that the situation in Peking, precipitated
 by the action of the Empress Dowager.
 Is not as critical as reports seem to in-
 dicate. and that the whole trouble is but
 a passing gust which will soon have
 spent it's force. With regard to the for
 eiga relations of China, however, he in-
 terprets the present course pursued by the Chinese Foreign Office as showing a well conceived scheme on the part of that body-which hitherto American and English diplomats seem 70 have failed to recognize, but which, if true, should call for immediate action on the part of American and English statesmen. Dr. Fryer said:
 For fifty years Europe and America have brought their influence to bear upon the Chinese, with the result that there has grown up among the latter a party posed largely Of men holding extreme, radical views. Their influence has lately been brought 10 bear upon the young Chinese Emperor, and this Is, at bottom, the cause of the present trouble.
 One or their number, a mandarin named Rang, stationed himself at Pek- ing, and there gathered around him a group of younger officials, whom he i'm bued with his ideas. Among other books which Rang published in the interests of his cause was life of Peter the Great. By chance a copy fell into the hands of the young Emperor, who, cap tivated by it's pregnant suggestions of reform associated with absolute power, soon came under the sway Of its ideas He StrOye to initiate the example of the founder of St. Petersburg He took as his advisers men who were connected with the radical party EdIct after edIct was issued, embOdyIng changes which could have produced nothing short of re- oelliOn and revolution The situation in the imperial city was indeed critical, and the more conservative among the Chi nese statesmen viewed the outlook with alarm.
 Tt was at this juncture that the Elm press DoWager was forced to move. With q master stroke Of policy. her strong arm removed the radical party from power, and, placing the young ruler in temporary retirement, seized the helm of state and r1gLted things once more l am inclined to disCredit altogether the reports that the Emperor has been assassinated l feel convinced, as said, that he is merely in temporary retirement. and before very long will be vested with his full rights again
 T regard the situation, therefore. as in no way worthy of very serious apDreheu- sion. China is not on the verge of dis- tntegratiOn- Again and again in the course of it's history the country has tided over difficulties much grayer than the present, and feel sure that this will come out all right in the end
 s'As to foreign relations, they certainly merit very grave consideration. The Elm press Dowager and the conservative party generally realize that, sooner or later, China must come under the dominating influence of one or other Of the great powers. It Is merely q question of which. The Chinese know that Russia wants ter ritOry and that England and America want trade. Which would they naturally prefer2 And yet, as long as England ana America refuse to play their part, Rus sian influence must grow and eventually dominate the empire. The Chinese have no great liking for Russia. on the con- trary they fear her presence very much And this scheme of building railways Is merely a device for gaining time. The policy of the Foreign OfIce undoubtedly is 10 play off one great power against an- other and I fear this building of railways fs merely something daRgIed before their eyes for the sake of drawing them o1- The condition of affairs admits Of no de- law and I think that trade overtures made rO the Chinese Government on the part of England and America would serve even tJIaIly to check the power or Russia, which the Government Is only too anXlous r -hrryVy 0fT %