The Washington bee., 1899-06-03
STORY 0F kANG VI NH.
Romance in Which Fate of
Chinese Empire and Great
Powers Were Involved.
JUST ESCAPED DEATH.
Empress Dowager Fearing His lnflu-
ence Over the Emperor Offered
Reward for His Assassination.

l many OF w men wore ElquINdiehb 10
northumberland Liberty for the
Press-Edict for Free schools.
The story of Kang Yu Wei. the great
Chinese reformer, is one of the great
romances of the age. 1t is romance
in which the fate of the Chinese En-
pire and the high politics of the great
powers Of the world are involved.
kang gained the confidence ofChina'S
Emperor and almost brought about a
reform of the Celestial Empire on mod
ern lines. Then be was checkmated
by the DOwager Empress and condemn
ed 10 death. Only with the aid of Brit
ish war ships did he escape. There
is now a reward for his assassination.
child Of the common people,
whose father was a small shopkeeper,
and whose grandfather was coolie,
Kang rose from obscurity by force of
brains and determination alone
When the reform movement began
to break out openly in China, year
or two ago. kang appeared at the
head OF X. He was a very DR.. Park
hurst. Ia company with the Rev. Mr.
Reid, a Presbyterian missionary. he
organized a club and started the first
newspaper ever published in Pekin.
except the Official Gazette, which has
been going for 1900 years. They
called the new paper Chinese Progress,
and advocated reform. the adoption of
modern ideas, the right Of petition and
the freedom of the press.
With his almost American energy
and audacity, Mr.. Kang succeeded in
breaking through the sacred seclusion
which surrounded the Emperor. He
obtained admission to His Majestys
presence at all times. much to the
alarm and indignation of the Empress
Dowager, the Princes and all conserva-
tives. He became a sort of tutor to
the Emperor.
kang read to the Emperor the life
of Peter the Great and inspired him
with desire to emulate that remarka-
bic monarch who lifted Russia out Of
barbarism. Through Kang the En-
perOr also became familiar with the
development of Japan, and resolved
that China should not be left behind
its near neighbOr in the march of pro-
gress. The Emperor became so much
interested in Hangs books that he had
them read to him twice. and Hangs
visits to the palace sometimes lasted
eight hours, exciting intense anger
and jealousy among the high officials.
Under Hangs influence the Emperor
Kwang Su issued a series of extraor-
binary edicts One Of them granted the
right Of petition to the throne for
everybody, and said that THE Board
of Censors will hereafter be delighted
with the special duty of receiving and
presenting to His Majesty all petitions
that may be presented by scholars not
in office or men Of the people. persons
hitherto not allowed to address the
throne, except through their respective
Kiceroys or Governors. The Board or
CenSoTs is warned not to put obstacles
in the way Of people who wish to COM
municate with His Majesty, for only
through such sources can the Emperor
learn the exact state of affairs through
out the empire"
This proceeding was regarded as
equal to a revolution by the Conserva-
tives Mr. Kang was in great danger,
but. nevertheless. he went ahead. He
persuaded the Emperor to sign another
edict recognizing the freedom of the
press. which was issued on August 3
were granted the special privilege OF
writing on political subjects in order
to enlighten those in authority, and
tear off the veil which hides in secur-
ity the misgovernment of officials. This
is the primary reason for the institu.
ton of newspapers in all countries"
Il is difficult to convey an idea of the
sensation this edict created. Hitherto
there were no unofficial newspapers
outside Of the treaty ports, and any
one who had the audacity to criticise
an official had his head cut off. while
a mere attempt TO communicate with
the Emperor was punished by horri-
bic death.
Mr kang is also credited with having
secured an edict for the establishment
of a free school system and a number
OF universities at the capitals Of the
several provinces for instruction in
modern sciences. Another edict re-
quired candidates for office to be eX-
amined as to their knowledge of mod
ern history.
He further brought about the abOli-
ton of slings and bows and arrows as
weapons in the army, and also the use
of fireworks and bad odors.
Wang Tu Ho. for a quarter OF a GEN.
tury the most powerful man at court
except Prince Kung. had been the En-
perOrs tutor. and had great influence
with him. He was the leader of the
conservative party. and undertook TO
oppose Reformer Kang. but he met
with disaster. He was stripped of his
offices and honors. banished from Pc
kin and forbidden to ever enter the
gates Of the city again. Several others
who attempted to oppose the young
Canton reformer met with similar
fate. and it is believed that he, with
the assistance Of Kang Yen Hoon,
brought about one Of the numerous
degradations Of Ii Hung Chang.
One Of the great objects Of Hangs
policy was to bring about honesty in
the financial affairs OF the empire. The
Empress Dowager was the greatest
thief OF public moneys. and il was
Hangs boldness in this direction that
led to his final downfall.
In 1887 the sum OF s42 900 900 was set
aside for the creation OF a navy After
FIVE battle ships had been partly paid
for the Empress Dowager appropriated
the rest. spending large sum on the
repair OF the Echo Garden. Later an.
other S@2, 900 900 was set aside for the
construction Of railroads. which she
aIsn largely rniss nnr1priated