The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-04-28
NO. 18

land, while the latter, not a whit be-
hind, threatened to compensate herself
in the Valley of the Yang-tse-Kiang If
China dared to accept the money need
ed from her great rival. So the help
less Chinese authorities were forced to
promise each that they would not bor-
row from the other. Meanwhile, the
Imperial Treasury is almost bankrupt
the next instalment ot the Japanese
war indemnity is due on the Sth of
May, while large amount ls due for
interest on the Sth of November follow
ing. Where all this money is to come
from Is puzzle that no one here can
solve. Belgium, Holland, and private
syndicates have been applied to in vain.
The revenues which have not been al
ready pledged are insufficient Robbery
and peculation go on unabated, and the
government in all departments is so in
efficient and shaky, SO close to its last
financial ditch, that an utter break
down may come at any time.
The desperate straits to which 1t has
been brought by corruption and fear
are we'll indicated by its negotiations
with Yung Wing, an Amerlcanized
Chinaman from Hartford, Conn.,, who
has been living here for several months
trying to obtain concession for a rail
road from Pexin to Ch,nkiang, the
same to he paid for by American and
Chinese capital. Curiously enough,
this amiable gentleman, who never
built mile of railroad in his life, and
who certainly cannot control capital
enough either in America or Europe
to build line 700 miles long, has sue
ceeded, by the promise OF bribes to high
officials, in securing favorable consider
alton of his PROJECT. Ii Hung Chang,
Prince Kung, and the Tsung Ii Iamen
have indorsed it ; but the German Min
ister getting wind of the scheme, has
notified the Tsung Ii Yamen that Ger
many must, under its treaty in regard
to Kiao Chou, have contracts fox fur
nishing all the men and materials for
such railroads as traverse any part oil
the province of Shantung, and has fol-
lowed it up by the declaration that it
this is not at once conceded, he will
lower his flag and leave Pekin. This
brought the pusillanimous government
to terms. 1t has yielded abjectly to
these new German demands, and this
must establish German influence
throughout Shantung, invite aggression
from otherPowers,a ,and in the end result
in the severance OF that province from
the empire. But thisls not all. Sheng-ta
tai, the Director General of Imperial
Railroads. engaged in the construction
of the Ha11kow-Pekin line, has also
heard of the proposed concession to
Yung Wing, and has protested to the
Tsung Ii Yamen that the new line, ii
puilt, will kill the old one, and If it is
to be persisted IN, he must have the
right to build it instead of his own
in addition, he proposes by way OF
compensation, that Yuug Wing and
his friends should be allowed to
ioin him in building the Hankow-Can-
ton Line, and, it this should be reject
ed. he declares he will resign his office.
This seems to have brought Yung
Wing and his missionary advisers to
terms and they are now casting about
to make their change success. But
the absurdity of 1t all does not appear
to have struck any of the parties to the
scramble. How any private lndivld'
rals or syndicates can hope to eet
awav with such vast concessions as
these great railways would constitute
is difficult to understand, and that
American capitalists should seriously
think of risking their money in the
midst of such intrigue, or in face OF
the compstion and rivalry OF Russia
England, Germany, and France, Is
beyond belief.
If the Chinese Government is fright.
ened out OF its wits, and dare not stand
up against the smallest demands OF the
least of these Powers, how can private
American citizens, unbacked by theil
government, hope to receive the slight
est recognition.
1t should be clearly understood tina
China is not considered at all. He
wishes are not consulted. Her COW
ardice, and abject helplessness hav'
cost her the last semblance OF respect
l The ministers of the European Power
! simply tell the Tsung-Li-Yamen wha
: thew want, or have concluded to DC
Z and refuse all discussion, and SO tn
l. work of spoliation goes steadily fol
ward, and this empire, hoary with ag
: and rich in labor and natural resources
: is totterlng to its fall for the want G
an honest and resolute government.