The National tribune., 1900-10-04
CHINA'S Plight.
The Fate of the Empire in the Hands of
~ = y-F>" --a.g
the, Powers.

The Fate of the Empire in the Hands Of
the Powers.
The announcement of, the position ta-
ken by the United States in declining to
join with Germany in demanding as pre-
liminary to peace negotiations the surren-
der of the responsible authors of the Chi
nese outragcs in Pekin and elsewhere to
an international court for trial, but in
sisting that the punishment of the high
responsible authors must be essentially a
condition provided for in the negotiations
| for final settlement, has. been followed by
| the issuance of an edict by the Empress
and Emperor, dated at Taignan Sept. %,
in which their Ministers are blamed for
encouraging the Boxers and the degrada-
ton of four Princes and the depriving of
Prince Tuan of his salary and servants.
These Princes will be brought before the
Imperial Clan Court. This is the su-
preme judicial tribunal Of China, the only
one having jurisdiction oyer the members
of the Imperial family. 1t is presided
over by Prince Lii, with the well-known
| Prince Ching, both of whom are regard
| ed as friendly to the progressive element,
| the latter being decidedly pro-foreign in
his behavior.
The United States was prompt in re-
| spending to Germany and making public
its decision; the other Nations We're slow
er, and it was finally announced that
Great Britain, Russia and France stood
with the United States on the question.
Then came the report from COnSul-Gener-
al Goodnew at Shanghai, of the issuance
of the Imperial edict. What the Court
L lfl,1
of the edict may be in the nature of an
expedient on the part of the Imperial
heads of the Chinese Empire to gain time
and to mask other plans, and may not
mean the ultimate punishment of the men
to be brought before the clan court. But
in the absence of light on this subject
the edict is taken to indicate change in
the attitude of the reigning dynasty, Tuan
and another Boxer 4sympathizer having
been reported as made principal members
of the Privy Council by the Emperor and
Empress, and Tuan as Grand Secretary Of
the Emperor.
The criticism in continental papers of
the United States action in declining to
join Germany's proposition as having en-
couraged the Empress to appoint Tuan
and others to high places in defiance of
the Powers, would seem to have been
based on misapprehensiOn, inasmuch as
the DEGREES of appointment are said to
have been issued three days before the re-
ply was sent and before it was known
what the reply would be.
The action of the Chinese Government
in overthrowing the reactonaries is re-
garded with much satisfaction by the
Southern NicerOys, who have been against
the Boxer rising. 1t is understood that Ii
Hung Chang and they had something to
say in favor of the present reported ac-
ton.
AS for the German proposition, it is
reported that Germany has modified her
program, that modified agreement be-
tween Germany, France and Russia will
be submitted to the other powers in few
days.
Ii Hung Chang is expected at Pekin
about now. He told Gen. Chaffee at
TienTsin that his chief desire was To eff
feet cessation of hostilities, and he
promised that the Chinese would not
again take the initiative in fighting. He
expressed confidence in the fairness of
the United States and hoped the Ameri-
can Government would act as a mediator
using its influence to hasten the assem-
bling of the proper body to settle the
whole question. He is said to have re
ceived assurances from WI Tin Fang that
a majority of the powers will recognize
his credentials. All the foreign Ministers
at Pekin have addressed informal notes
to Prince Ching, suggesting the return to
ItklD OF the Emperor. zen. CU3Uee SHiu
of the matter: Il do not believe that any
European monarch would enter the camp
of his allied enemies and l doubt that the
Empress Dowager will do so. 1t is gen
orally conceded that the restoration of the
Chinese Government is essential. / have
favored the withdrawal of the main allied
force to Yang Tsun and Tien Tsin, leav
ing 1000 mixed troops to guard the lega
tions." Gen. Chaffee is in Tien Tsin dis
cussing with his staff officers of different
departments the matter of establishing
a Winter base in the vicinity of Tien Tsin.
The plan is tentative, based on the pos
sible retention of the existing force.
Minister Conger has been advised Of the
replies to the Powers by this Government
and of the orders believed to have been
issued to Chaffee to reduce his force to
n legatiOn-guard at Pekin. His actual in
structions upon which to open negotia-
tions for settlement will soon be sent
The Austrian Admiralty has issued
statement of the strength of the allied
forces landed at Taku, as follows: Aus
tfians, 494; Germans, SITS; Britons, s.
1853; Americans. 5,60S; French, 6,575; It
aians, 2,541; Russians, 30,934; japanese,
1850; total, 6S, 253.
In an article in the Deutsche Revue,
Herr Won Brandt, former German Minis
ter to China, asserted last week that the
missionaries caused the. antiforeign ris-
ing by persisting in mngling in political
affairs and seeking to gain political iniu-
ence. He cited in support of his declara-
ton recent statement at Louisville, KY.
of Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. 1t is understood that the state
ment referred to was made by Bishop II.
g. Morrison at the laying of a corner stone
for church in August, and that he said:
Il thank God that Allen and Lambeth
over there and the Methodists in this coun-
try are responsible for the present trou-
BILE in China. With bowed head | thank
God that in some small way | am to blame
for the unrest in China to-day. | thank
God that each and every one of you and
| all the Methodists in this country are to
blame. Il is the intinerary of Metho-
dism."
DENSI0N D0ISTEPS