The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-24
THE EMPERoR,s EDICT.
His Reasons for Calling the Empress
DoWager to His Aid.


DoWager to His Aid.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 2S-The Chinese
minister, Mr.. Wu Ting Fang, to-day re-
ceived a cable dispatch from the Chinese
Foreign Office at Peking, giving the text Of
the edict issued by the Emperor yesterday,
in which, owing to the critical condition of
Chinese affairs, he calls back to power the
Empress Dowager, and commits to her
hands the direction Of the vast affairs of
the empire The edct, freely translated
from the cipher, is as follows:
Now that China is disturbed, and there
is need that all business shall be well done,
We, the Emperor, agitated from morning
and evening for the welfare of all affairs,
and fearful lest errors may occur, observ-
ing from the beginning of the reign Of Tung
Chi that the Empress Dowager had twice
given instructions to the Emperor, each
time with signal ability and success, so we
now, considering the important interests of
the empire, have begged the Empress Dow
ager to give to the Emperor the benefit of
her ripe experience and her instruction.
The Dowager Empress has been pleased to
accede to this request Therefore, it is to
the good fortune of the whole empire that
this auspicious event is brought about.
From to-day the Empress Dowager con-
ments, and on the eighth day of the pres
ent month (Chinese calendar, meaning to-
day, English calerdar) we Will take all the
princes and ministers to perform the cer-
emony in the Chin-Chung Palace. Let the
Yamen Foreign Office prepare, that the
ceremony may be performed with fitting
honors."
The Chinese minister was seen at the lega-
ton to-day and talked freely concerning the
edict. He said there was no secrecy about
it, nothing to indicate that it was a tri-
umph of one foreign element over another,
and that its essential purpose was to
strengthen China herself at a time when
serious foreign problems were presented. 1t
was quite natural, he said, that the Dow
ager Empress should be called to the aid of
the Emperor owing to dynastic reasons
The present Dowager has survived three
dynasties, beginning with that of Emperor
Hsien Fung. She was the second wife of
the Emperor, and bore him a son, Tung
Chi, who, on the death of his father, became
Emperor. The latter was an infant ruler,
and the mother who is now Dowager EN-
press, directed for him the vast affairs of
the empire. On his death without issue,
the Dowager elected her nephew, Kwang
FIsu, to become the Emperor, and his reign
is now in progress. He was a child when
he took the throne, twenty-four years ago,
and up to nine years ago the Dowager di-
rected affairs for him, acting much as the
Queen Regent of Spain acts for the boy
King. 1t is this Dowager Empress who is
now recalled to the active assistance of the
Emperor. This. the Chinese minister points
out, is natural move toward the strength
ening of the hands of the Emperor, giving
him that same aid which the Dowager EN-
press gave while the Emperor and his pre-
decessor were infant rulers.
Concerning the report that the Empress's
return to power was a coup detat favorable
to Russia, the minister says he does not
consider the move favorable to any power
as against any other. It's effect, he says.
will be toward strict impartality in Chi
nese treatment of Russia, Great Britain
Germany, France. the United States, Japan
and the world at large. During the former
regency of the Empress she had shown
marked friendship for the English, so that,
in the opinion of the minister, it was unfair
to presume she had English prejudices. AS
to its effect upon Ii Hung Chang, the min
lister said the Dowager Empress had long
admired the rugged ability of the old states
man. But he did not think that this would
result in the return of Ii to the Foreign
Office, from which post he was recently
relieved, owing, it is understood to foreign
influence. 1t is probable, the minister be-
lieves. that Prince Ii will continue in his
nominal post as imperial secretary.
When asked If China had the strength
to resist dismemberment by foreign powers,
Mr.. Wu Ting Fang said: 81 am confident
China will remain intact, and I am glad
to note that your late minister to China,
Mr.. Denby, has the same opinion. China
has the native resources, wealth and pop
ulation to make her strong within herself.
1t should not be overlooked that some of
the foreign influences, such as concessions
for railways, etc, will develop China far
more than they can benefit any foreign
country. These concessions will tap the
rich interior of China, give highways for
the products now confined to the interior
and carry them to outside markets"
The minister speaks with ial salts
faction of a concession which signed a
short time ago, by which an A. can syn
dicate will build a railway froh Hankow
to Canton, distance of eight hundred
miles. 1t is understood that among the
names of those interested in this conces-
sion are tho Rockefellers. VanderbiIts, Nor
gans, Brice and ex-Mayor Hugh Grant. Of
New York The minister signed the con-
cession just before the Spanish war broke
out, and this led to some delay in Begin
ming work on the road. Now. however he
are about to start for their surveys of the
from this time forward.