New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-16
THE STORY or KANG YUWEI.
THE REMARKABLE RISE TO POWER OF
THE REFoRMER WHO TAUGHT THE
CHINESE EMPEROR PROGRESS
SIVE IDEAS
wv. 2. Curiis in The CHICAGO Record.


Rang fuwei. who. according TO the cable dis
patches is accused Of conspiracy against the life
sort OF meteor I'm Chinese politics He comes from
anton but was educated in Hong Kong and is
Having remarkable literary attachments he passed
me highest examinations required by the Govern.
iieht ana was appointed secretary To the Board Of
fuDhc Works, which mas charge of railroad conces-
ions ana similar matters oI administration so that
ne mas been In the centre OF the row between Rus
sla and England. and his sympathes and influence
try. This ACCOUNTS for his escape and protection
upon British man-of-war and for the fact that
P personal effects are at the British Legation at
One of the charges against chans. Yen Hoon.
was Director of Public Works. is that he assisteI
kans to escape the vengeance of Ii Hung Chang
ana other Russian Dartisans
When the reform movement was begun In China
9 I H. ana IN company with the KEY Mr. Reid a
fresbyterian missionary. organized cup anu
except the Odicia Gazette Ihey called it Ch
nese Progress, and advocated reforms ana the
titlon and the freedom Of the press, with great
deal lea Of ability and energy .,,.ooo,oo IN ,roov.
Ing through the seciusion that surrounds the En-
peror and obtained admission to Ills Majesty pres
cncc at all times. much to the alarm and indlgna-
tion of some of the conservative old princes lie Pc
oSS oS sort 9 tutor TO nf VINO read to ,n him the
life OF Peter the Great and inspired him with de,
him the Emperor became familiar with the deyel-
opment Of Japan and resolved that China should
march OF SI sTsa Ills Maicsy became so inter
osted in two books-"Tho life and Deeds of Peter
the Restoration Of the MiKado'~that he had Mr..
Kang read them to him twice in order to fasten
their contents upon his memory. The result was
that Mr. Hangs visits TO the palace were often pro-
onged to eight hours at tine and Of course thls
excited the curiosity and the Jealousy OF other
mandarins.
remarkable edicts. which created sensation one
of them granted the right of petition to the Throne
Censors viii hereafter be delighted with the special
duty of receiving and presenting to His Majesty
all memorials petitions that may be presented
by scholars not in Office, or men OF the people, per
sons hitherto not allowed tc address the Throne IN
governors The Board OF Censors is warned not
to put obstacles in the way OF people who wish 70
such courses can the Emperor learn the exact state
Of affairs throughout the Empire" ;. .o..o,,
ton, and could not be tolerated by the princes and
mandarins at Court. Hence Mr.. KanS became very
peror to sign an edict recognizing the freedom or
the press which was issued on August last By
clal privilege of writing on political subjects In
order to enlghten those In authority and tear off
OF ofIcials This indeed" continued the edict, rs
the primary reason for the institution OF newspa-
His Majesty also called uuon newspaper editors
and contributors not to hold back lust crit,esn
nor they In future TO avoid topics when nave
heretofore been forbidden. through fear OF giving
offence 10 persons criticised. as this WI ops,r VIC
His Maicsty's earnest desire to cnghten his MIN
listers AND the masses"
only those who know the. condition o. China can
realize tho sensation which this edict created
Hitherto there were no newspapers In the empire
outside Of the treaty ports and any one VINO hao
III" nerve to critcise an official had his head cur
off. while attempt to communicate with the
Emperor was the most henous Of crimes.
Mr.. Kang is also credited with having secured an
edct for the establishment Of froe-school system
and number of universities AZ the capitals OF the
several provinces for instruction in modern Sc
ences and also the edct issued last spring redur-
ing candidates for office to be examined as 20 their
knowledge Of modern affairs, instead Of the ancient
classics
WenC Tung Ho for n quarter Of "A century the
DOWpTfVl Court except Prince kl1nE,
had been the Emperor's tutor, and had more Innu-
with him than any one else except the I'm
press Dowager. He the leader OF the Cor
Sentative party and undertook 10 resist the infiu-
disaster. He stripped Of his offices and
hOnors. banished from Picking and forbidden ever
to enter the gates of the city again. Several
Others who attempted to counteract the influence
fate. and II is believed that ne with the assistance
Of Chang Yen Hoon and other members or the
British faction Court were responsible FOR the
recen, degradation of Ii Hung Chang.
better for China than that Of Russia. because OF
the difference I'm their form of government ana
the conditions OF their people. He believed also
that Russia was manGuvrng 10 annex large
Britain only cared for the trade. Having been
educated by English teachers in an English colony.
his sympathies naturally with the British
Government. and he doubtless in communca-
ton with the British Minister at Picking.
II Is scarcely probable that he would attempt 10
assassnate the Emperor. but II would be natural
for his enemies To make this charge in order TO
got rid Of him According the dispatches this
self and got away before they could arrest him,
evidently with the assistance Of the British Min
lister.