New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH

WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH KWANG SUP
The report comes from China that the En-
press Dowager has appointed new Emperor to
supplant Kwang Su, and that the latter, re-
solved to fight for his throne and for the re
generation of his empire, is returning to Peking
and making appeal to the Reform" party for
its support, which he will need to aid him
against the Boxers and anti-foreign reaction
aries. The report comes from Shanghai, and is
therefore naturally to be regarded as false.
Nevertheless, there is a possibility that it is
true, for not even Shanghai can keep on SO
copiOusly emitting falsehOods without danger,
some time or another, of having a bit of truth
slip out by inadvertence. To the philosopher
fond of amusing himself with fanciful and
venturOus speculatiOns, therefore, the question
arises, What if 1t should be so? What would
be the attitude of the Continental Powers of
Europe toward Kwang Su in his heroic fight
for progress and enlightenment?
II know" said Patrick Henry, 'of no way of
judging of the future but by the past" Resort
to that rule can scarcely be regarded as au-
spicious for Kwang Su. We are reminded that
in 1923 a liberal, progressive Constitutional
party arose in Spain and was in fair way of
redeeming the kingdom from the Boxers and
reactionaries of the Court of Ferdinand VII;
in behalf of Ferdinand and to crush the Con-
stitutionalists-a performa ee still honorifically
commemorated in the name of the Trocadero
Palace in Paris. Ten years later enlightened
leaders in Egypt arose, with promise of sue
cess, against the corrupt despotism Of Turkey:
whereupOn, led by Russia, a whole concert of
Powers" interviewed in behalf of the despotism
and crushed the movement for freedom and
progress. Again, in 1S49, the Hungarians were
making fine progress in their campaign for ma
uonal emancipation, when Russia joyfully in
tervened in aid of Metternichan reaction and
ruthlessly subdued them again to the Austrian
yoke. Once more, following the war of 1S77-'78
the Balkan States aimed at national indenen-
dence and constitutional progress but Russia in
terVened with intrigues and diplomatic press-
ure," involving the kidnapping of a prince. If
not still more serious acts, to defeat their law
full ambition and to keep them In darkness and
despotism. And, finally, when japan at great
cost would in 1895 have given freedom to Corea
and enlightenment and progress to China. q
| triple league of repression was formed bv Rms.
| sia, Germany and France to thwart her and
to reimpose and confirm tyranny and chaos
| upon Corea and darkness and reaction upou
China.
Such has been the record of the past. There
is In 1t small hope for Kwang Su If the Shang
hal report should prove to be true nothing
would be more in accord with precedent thar
that the European Powers, or some of them
| should intervene against him and his nro
gressive policy and in behalf of the Empres,
Dowager and her head chopping barbarism
There is Of course, possibility that the Pow
ers have undergone a change Of heart and ar,
now ready TO reverse their record and to sym
pathize with light instead of with darkness
And that possibility may be as great as tha
OF the Shanghai reports being true, which Il
not saying much for II.