New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-20
R. B. SHERIDAN ON CHINA
RELATIVE OF THE AUTHOR TALKS OF
HIS EXPERIENCES THERE.
BELIEVES POWERS WILL RESTORE THE
EMPEROR AS AN INTERNATIONAL
NOMINEE''-CONFLICT WITH THE
ENPREsS-THE BOXERS.
EMPREss-THE BOXERS.

rame is staying in New-York He is in this city
for little while his way from the East to his
home in England Since 1887 Mr.. Sheridan has
been in China and other Eastern countries and
his observations of the conditions which prevailed
In the Chinese Empire particularly noteworthy
at this time. In the three years which Mr. Sheri-
dan spent in China he studied thoroughly the sit
uation there and the which have led to the
present troubles. During his sojourn in the East
he gathered together copious material which he
will make use of in a book which he intends to
write.
In view of the somewhat unsatisfactory reports
which have reached here of the reasons underlying
the uprising of the Boxers the views which Mr..
Sheridan expressed last night to a Tribune reporter
vested with unusual interest. For thing, he
asserts that the Boxers animated. not so much
by desire to wage warfare on the foreigners as
to restore the Emperor to power. The anti-foreign
feeling, Mr. Sheridan said due mainly to the
prevalent idea that the foreigners bent upon
the partition of China Undoubtedly, however. he
commended unless the Powers grapped Immediately
and effectively with the difficulty which
fronted them, the probability that the whole
country would rise in rebellion.
The recent outbreak Mr. Sheridan traces 10 the
struggle for supremacy between the Emperor and
the Empress Dowager two years ago. His de-
scriptiOn of the circumstances appertainng to the
practical deposition of the Emperor considerably
amplifes the dispatches, conflicting, they were,
from day to day. of the contest for domination of
the reform party, as represented in the Emperor.
and of the anti-reform element. personifed in
the Empress Dowager.
The struggle came to a critical issue" Mr.. Sher-
idan related, lin September 1898, while the EN-
press was away from Picking. her palace.
Acting upon the advice of Kang Yu Wei his tutor
"a man of great perspicacty who is called the
modern Confucious-the Emperor determined to
free himself of the control and sway of the Dow
ager.
PLOT FORMED ON SEPTEMBER II
'On September II the plot was formed and Gen
eral Yuen, who had command of 10000 trained SOL
diers in Tien-Tsn, was ordered to march
Peking in order TO support the Emperor. Yuen
agreed to do condition that he receive writ
ten authority. The Emperor weakly declined to
commit himself and Yuen refused TO move his
troops Two days later the Empress heard of the
plot, and hurried back to Picking. Lu Yuug
official of high standing, was one of the conspira-
tors, and letter which he wrote to one Of his as
sociates describing the part he was taking in the
plot fell into the hands of the Empress. In that
letter he spoke extensively of the Empress's morals
age and ability. Yu sought to save himself by be-
trayng the plot and his co-consprators but while
the Empress forgave him for his part in the
spiracy she could not forgive him for what he had
said about her personally, and he was tortured
AT this time Marquis Ito of Japan, was in
Picking to arrange for the proper training of the
Chinese army and navy with a view cooper
ating with Japan. This Of reform
aims of the Emperor. The Empress heard of the
proposed conference and insisted that she should
be present hidden by a screen. in order to hear
what passed. She present. and when Ito
came in the Emperor instead of discussing the
questions for which the conference arranged.
displayed his weakness by merely asking such
ordinary Chinese questions as Are you marrted?'
What is your age? and then raising his tea cup
| as signal that the interview at an end.
Marquis Ito indignant at such treatment, and
left China at for Japan. That night the En-
peror deposed, and an who had assisted him
in the conspiracy were executed. The report was
| circulated that he dead
Then arose public camor against the EN-
| nd -rTsiO o+bar
were placarded by the people opposed to the En-
press, threatening to rise in rebellion and also to
massacre the foreigners who they believed were
in sympathy with the Empress's policy.
EXTENT OF SECRET SOCIETIES.
The natives who threatened this outbreak"
| continued Mr. Sheridan. belonged to the secret
| societies. China IS honeycombed with these or
saniZatiOns The societies of the North are con-
nected with those of the South, and the disaffec-
! ton to which they gave vent the time of which
dsurbances STe mefev ua R9% Ihe eSng
| occurred two years ago The strongest societies
are are onv the dictates of these soceties e
| Empress is encouraging the Boxers bur she can
never control them; and if she continues to prompt
| them they will ultimately destroy her. These So
ceties, unless suppressed by the Powers win rise
the Establishment of the Emperor, and viii un-
GouPtedX Nm, massacre the foreigners who by the
ally ally looked upon as seeking the partition Of China
! depose the Empress and to restore the Emperor,
and unless the allied forces dispense these natives
! or come to terms with them the whole of China
will soon be in revolt
MI sherdan WRo is nof mambsr of the sSer
| society, and if only small force is against
| them, and should it be temporarily rebuffed the
Chinese will look upon this force embodying the
strength Of Europe and will be correspondingy en-
NJ Sheridan was inclined to depreclqte the use
| fulness of the missionaries in China He said they
| interfered with the habits and customs and
| an interference which not conducive to good
| countries. 1t was common thing, Mr. sheridan
| said, for a native to say to a missionary: why
do you come to US? Our religion is as old as yours.
| can do them no more gOOd?'
| Il think the Powers Mr.. Sheridan said further
will ultimately deprive the Empress of all power
! and will place the Emperor on the throne a
! hut will himself be controlled by the Powers This
| course will prevent European complications. l do
! tempt to divide the country would be like throw
| ing bone among a pack of dogs. It would mean
| a general fight among the nations.
PART PLAYED BY RUSSIA
while Russia is playing subtle game In China
and is seeking to install herself there don't be-
lieve she will fight. For thing she is not ready
for Before making any decisive move, she Is
going to wait until the Siberian railroad is finished
! When she took Port Arthur the Russian Admiral
had instructions 70 leave there If the British fleet
! that will involve her in war"
| Mr.. Sheridan said. however, that the Dowager
| Empress undoubtedly being inspired by; and
| inspiring, the Russian Government. Russian d.
pLomacy, he added, had been carried TO high state
Russian diplomat met English American or
| German Minister In Legatlon-st; he was given to
diplomatic scheming went. Russia had by far the
better end of the stick
AS TO AGUINALDO.
In his stay in the East Mr.. Sheridan spent con-
| siderable time in the Philippines. He saw Agui-
naldo several times, and on January IL of last
NT,,f