Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-10-07
SUICIDE AND ASSASSINATION sTO-
RIES INCORRECT.
D0WAGER RULES, HOWEVER
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS ARE NOT
AT ALL ALARMED.
Think Situation Less Serious Than
Pictured-NO American Marines
to Be Sent to Peking-Rus-
SLAMS Regard Change
as Favorable.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 6.-Such informa-
tions has reached state department here
respecting the reported death and assas-
sinatiOn Of the emperor of China goes to
diScredit the stories that he has been pol
soned or that he is dead. 1t is not possible
to say positively just what sources of IN.
formation are available. but ii is known
that they are regarded as entirely reliable
by the state department.
Moreover. the situation generally in
China is not believed by the department
officials to be serious as represented.
and signal mark of confidence is the de-
cision not to follow the course of certain
European governments in sending at this
time a force of soldiers or marines TO
Peking.
The Boston. one of two American war
ships ordered to get as near possible
TO the disturbance, will go as far as the
Taku forts at the mouth of the Pan:-Ho
river. where she must stop on account of
her draught. The little gunboat Petrel.
however. is expected to go eighty miles up
the river to Tien Tsin and her steam
launch might proceed from that point as
far as Peking if necessary.
LONDON. Oct. THE Peking corre-
spondent of the Times, telegraphinS on
Tuesday says:
The restoration of the regency is COM
plete. The empress dowager receives the
cabinet daily, seated beside the emperor
openly, and not, as formerly, behind a
screen. The government is more retro
grade and reactionary. Yung Lu, one of
his trusted friends. succeeds the late Prince
Kung as the chief manchu, while the
viceroy of the province of Chi lie is a
manchu.
Nevertheless, despite assertions to the
contrary. the balance of power between the
Chinese and Manchus in high office is un-
altered in the Central government, though
there is a small proportionate increase OF
Manchus in provincial posts.
The tsung Ii yamen contains no men,
her cognizant of foreign affairs. Its chief
working member is Hsu Yung Vi, the ne
gotiator of the Gerard convention of 1888,
who was subsequently removed from the
tsung Ii yamen at the instance of Sir
Nicholas O'Conor Cthen British minister 10
Ch.na) for breach of faith, but who was
reappointed last month. He says his chief
colleagues will be Hsu Ching Chong, former
minister to Russia, ard now director OF the
trans-Manchurian railway, who long re-
ceiYed Russian financial assistance.
The Russians welcome the change as IN
creasing their influence: The immediate eX-
citing cause of the change was the I'M
pending edict ordering officials to aboiisn
the queue and to adopt foreign dress a
search of the house OF kang 1u WEI, the
reformer, resulted in the discovery OF pa
pers proving that he was carrying Oh u
correspondence with the leaders of the anti
dynastic movement in Southern China.
The Peking CORES pondent OF the Times,
telegraphing Thursday. says:
The tsung Ii yamen. having unavailing-
ly entreated the foreign legations TO spare
China the humiliation of bringing foreign
escorts 10 the capital. agreed to the de-
mand of the powers for a special tram to
bring the escort from Tien Tsin to-mor-
row."
The Hong Kong correspondent of the
Times telegraphS the substance OF 4 long
interview he has had with kang Hu Wei.
the Cantonese reformer. in which the lat
ter recounted the history of the crisis:
Kang Yu Wei said that on June 10 he had
a two hours audience with the emperor.
who. anxious about the Russian encroach-
ments. was ready TO listen to any plan
to secure the integrity Of the empire The
Times correspondent continues:
''Kang advised replacing the conserva.
tive ministers by young progressiyes and
the employmt IT of Englishmen and Amer
leans to effect suggested reforms Ihe en-
peror admitted the COgency OF his argu-
meats but expressed his regret at being
unable to remove high officials because OF
the empress dowager-
.Kang then urged his majesty to
strengthen his friendship with foreign pow
ers. and particularly to secure an alliance
with England. The emperor said he real
lied that foreign countries Were no longer
insignificant states and observed that il
was a pity his ministers had not averted
the lTlIS HGllE tTODDttS- hGiIS SdN bl4E
real power at Peking is held by Ii Luen
Yen. a sham eUunch, and that the dowag-
er'S iil!gitimate son, CHUNG Ming. Will
probably be made emperor.
ION the morning of September j.. kanS
received two letters from the emperor.
dated respectively September l6 and l..
The first represented the difficulties of his
position the empress dOwagerS : anger AMI
his fears that he would be unable to pro-
tect his throne and commanding kang to
consult with his colleagues as TO how 20
save the emperor. In the second letter his
i have commanded you to superintend
the establishment of an official organ. II
is strongly again my wish have great
sorrow which / cannot describe with ink
and pen. You must proceed Immediately
outside to devise means to save ME with
!!xang promptlv visited the American
missionary Timothy Richard. whom he
asked to call upon the British and Amer
lean legations. Sir Claude Macdonald
british ministerl was at Pei Tai So and
the American minister 'Mr. Congeri was
at 81 Shan. Ominous runners were IN cir
cuation that day and kang fled. He was
astonished that England protected him, and
he urged the British government 10 take
prompt action to save the emperor
PE.KING. oct. 6.-The three principal
ministers OF the tsung Ii yamen. or Chi
neSe foreign office. visited the foreign ie-
CATIONS to-day in an effort TO persuade
the ministers TO rescind the orders they
have issued for an increase in the strength
of their escorts. or legation guards. The
Chinese ministers say the presence mere
of the foreign soldiers is likely TO axas-
perate the Pekng populace, which is now
quiet.
1t is reported that the taitai of Tien Tsin
has refused to allow the passage of rapid
fire guns except on the authority of the
tsung II yamen. The European ministers
will hold conference to-day on the es-
cOrt question.
Chang -Yin-Houan. the exiled member of
the tsung Ii yamen, and opponent OF Ii
Hung Chang. who has been disgraced on
the charge OF conspiring against the dow
ager empress. started to-day for his place
of exile. He was in excellent spirits and
ropes he will he reinstated in office at no
far distant date.
A few cases of mud throwing have been
reported. but they are merely the acts of
idlers and vagabOnds. A proclamation will
be issued threatening the infiction of cap
ital punishment upon any person insulting
Europeans. 1t is now considered likely that
there will be no further disturbance of the
peace.
Wilson County Reunion.
FREDONIA. KAS.. Oct. 6.-(SpeciaI) The
annual Wilson county soldiers reunion
commenced a three days meeting here yes
terday. Addresses have been made by Gen