The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-28

the press. with q great deal of ability
and energy.
In some way or other Mr.. Kan sue
ceeded In breaking through the seclu-
sion that surrounds the emperor and
obtained admission to his majesty's
presence at all times. muc to the
alarm and Indignation Of some OF the
conservative old princes. He became a
sort Of tutor to the emperor In the
study of modern affairs. IL VAS he who
e to him the life Of Peter the Great
and inspired hin with q desire to
emulate that remarkable monarch.
Through him the emperor became ia
miliar with the development of Japan
and resolved that China should not be
left behind it's nearest neighbor in the
march Of progress. His majesty be-
came so interested I'm two books. The
Life and Deeds OF Peter the Great" and
The Reformation OF Japan Since the
Restoration Of the Mikado,'' hat he
had Mr.. Kan read them to him twice in
order to fasten their contents upon his
memory. The result was that MIR.
Kan's visits to the palace were often
prolonged to eight hours at a time. and.
OF course. this excited the curiosity and
jealousy of other mandarins.
Under his influence Kuang Hsu is
sued a series of remarkable edicts
which created a sensation. One Of
them granted the right Of petition to
the throne for everybody n provided
that 1.-THE board Of censors will here
after be delighted with the special duty
OF receiving and presenting TO his
majesty all memorials or petitions that
may be presented by scholars not in
ONCE. or men of the people. persons
hitherto not allowed to address the
throne In any way except through their
respective viceroys or governors. The
hoard of cenSors IL warned not 10 nut
obstacles In the way OF people who wish
to communicate with his majesty. for
only through such courses can the en-
peror earn the exact state OF AFFAIRS
throughout the empire"
Such a proceeding as this was equal
to revolution and could not be tolerat-
ed by the princes and mandarins at
courtcourt. Hence Mr.. Kan became
very unpopular. He nevertheless per-
suaded the emperor to sign an edict
recognizing the freedom OF the press.
which was issued on Aug. 3 last. BY
IL the editors OF newspapers are grant
ed 1.-The special privilege Of writing on
political subjects in order to enlighten
those in authority and tear of the vel
which hides in security the misgovern-
ment of officials. This. indeed" contin-
ued the edict. lis the primary reason fol-
the institution Of newspapers In al
countries"
His majesty also called upon news
paper editors and contributors mot e
hold back just criticism. nor are they
in future to avoid topics which have
heretofore been forbidden through feai
of giving offense to persons criticised
as this will obstruct his majesty's earn
est desire to enlighten his ministers
and the masses"
Only those who know the condition
OF China can realize the sensation
which this edict created. Hitherto
there were no newspapers in the empire
outside the treaty ports. and any on'
who had the nerve to criticise an ON
ciaI had his head cut off. while an at
tempt to communicate with the EN-
peror was the NEST heinous of crimes.
Mr.. Kan is also credited with hav'
ing secured an edict for the establish
ment of a free school system and .
number OF universities for instructor
In modern sciences, n also the edic
issued last spring requiring candidate
for Office to be examined as to theil
knowledge Of modern affairs Instead q
the ancient classics.
Weng Tung, for a quarter OF a cen
Jury the most powerful man at cour'
except Prince Kung. had been the EN-
peror's tutor and had more influence
with him than any one else except TN
empress dowager. He was the Ieade'
OF the CONSERVATIVE party dho w
took to resist the influence OF youni
Mr.. Kan. but met with n terrible dis
aster. He was stripped of his ofhcet
and honor, bnished from Pekin and Tor
bidder ever to enter the gates or tn
city again. Several others who at
tempted to counterfeit the influence o
the young Canton reformer met with
similar fate. and IL Is believed that ne
with the assistance OF Chang Yen Hoo
and other members of the British fac
ton at court. were responsible for IN
recent degradation OF Ii Hung Chang.
Mr.. Kan believed that English IN
fuence was better for China than tina
of Russia, because OF the difference 4
their form Of government and the con
ditlons OF their people. He believed
also, that Russia was maneuvering U
annex a large portion of the Chines
territory, while Great Britain only care
for the trade. Having been educate,
by English teachers in an Engiis
colony. his sympathies were naturs,I
with the British government, ana n
was doubtless in communication WI,
the British minister at Pekin.
1t IL scarcely probable that he woul
attempt to assassinate the emperor, pu
IL would be natural for his enemies I
make this charge in order to get RID Q
him. According to the dispatches thi
morning. he received a tip from TN
emperor himself. and got away peroi
they could arrest him, evidently VIII
the assistance OF the British minister