Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-04-13
THE PORTIA
OF CHINA.
The Steps by Which the Dowager
Empress Overcame Prejudice
and Rose to Power.
A TALE OF CLEVERNESS
She Used Ii Hung Chang to Advance
Her Political Interests.
SHE HAS RULED CHINA WELL

Much as Europe is said to desire the
downfall Of China. and much as all
nations may long for the time when
the Empire shall be open to the trade
and the advancement of the more CIV
ilized countries, the statesmen who are
plottlng 10 orlng ABOUT such a condi-
ton Of affairs cannot but admire the
woman who has baked all their eff
forts
If the weak young Emperor had been
left in control of his country, Europe
would have succeeded, for the reforms
that he had established would have
opened the way to the dissolution of
the empire. but this fact was not more
apparent to the European diplomats
than it was to the Dowager Empress
Of China, and with a firm hand she
has turned the tide for that country.
How long she can hold the world in
check is quite another matter Time.
in al! probability, will see the downfall
OF China, but 1t is extremely doubtful
If that time comes during the life Of the
little woman who now rules the land
with all the power Of a Bismarck.
Those who have been most intimate
with the story of the life of the EN-
press have compared her to Catherine
IL, and the comparison is an apt one.
Catherine was born a servant, and
Tuen Tson Hsi was born a slave. There
has not been another instance in mod
ern history in which a slave has at
tanned to imperial power, except in
Hayti, and, Of course, what happens in
Hayu does not count.
In China, however, the lines of caste
are SO distinctly marked that the ad-
vancement Of this woman from her
humble origin to her present position
of power is most remarkable. Her life
reads more like a fairy tale than
sober fact, and 1t certainly stamps her
,,IyoN 81
age,
BORN OBSCURE.
Tuen Tson Hsi was born in an OBJ
scure province, Of parents who were so
| poor that they were compelled to sell
| her into slavery. She fell into the
| hands Of a powerful viceroy, who lis
| tened to her prayers and had her
| brightness Of mind, however, repayed
| him for his trouble, and, as she grew
| more beautiful every Gay, he finally
| sent her to the Emperor. hoping in this
| way to win favor OF his master.
| Her loneliness of face and form soon
won the heart of the ruler, and her
| brightness Of mind enabled her TO hold
the affections of the tickle monarch
| He made her the favorite of his harem.
! and day by day her power over him
| increased. Forty-fve years ago the
| one time beggar maid was brought as
| a present from the Viceroy of Lu
| Chang to the Son of Heaven, and from
| that day her life in the Palace of
Earths Repose was one long triumph.
| To say that her rise has been due
| to the power of fascination alone would
be foreign to the fact. Like all great
| rulers, she could be cruel If the ext
| gencies Of the case demanded and
many are the crimes that have been
| laid at her door. Those who have op-
| posed her wishes have never been safe
| and all, irrespective of their station in
| life, have gone to their ancestors. In
| addition to having killed scores of the
| powerful politicians of the nation, she
| is also charged with having caused the
death of Emperor Tungche, the son OF
the first Emperor; Empress Ahluta, his
wife, and the Empress Dowager rs
Tshi his mother, who at the time OF
her death held coordinate power with
the present Empress.
BY the removal of these persons she
paved the way for the elevation of the