Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-10-04
CHINA.

The situation in China continues to
grow more serious. The Boxer leaders
who control the Empress and dtheNiceroys
of the southern provinces are at such
vaniance as may lead to civil war;
while Russia and Japan want territory
in the north, Germany is committed to
a war of conquest, England has assumed
possession of Shanghai and the mouth
of the Yangtse. France is siding with
Russia, and all appearances indicate the
disruption of the Chinese Empire.
On Thursday our Government pro-
tested against the appointment of Prince
Tuan, father of the young Emperor, as
Grand Secretary.
The German Press continues to
severely blame President Mckinley for
his refusal to agree with the proposition
of Germany. The Cologne Gazette.
which, since the outbreak of the CHINA
troubles. has been the favorite mouth
piece of the Foreign Office, last week
combatted the view that Germany had
| been trying to embark the other Powers
on dangerous seas, or mad attempted to
obtain the lead in the Chinese negotia-
tons
The Lokal Anzeiger argues that the
United States knows, through Minis
ter Conger, that the Chinese Govern
ment has been the real culprit. Hence,
| it adds, it is ridiculous to expect this
same Government to punish itself-''as
the United States pretends to believe in
its reply to Germany.
The report that Prince Tuan has been
appointed to post where his influence
for evil is even greater than it formerly
was is regarded by Government and
press as unmistakable evidence that the
ChineseGovernment does not want peace.
The argument, besides, is that Ger
many's demand, that China give up the
ringleaders before peace negotiations are
begun must be complied with by China,
shows it is really acting in good faith.
The papers express the hope that Field
Marshal Count yon Waldersee will issue
a decree offering large reward for
Prince Tuan, dead or alive, as the only
means of impressing upon the Chinese
mind the fact that the Powers are in
earnest.
The strong evidence that Russia has
seized the opportunity to formally annex
part of Manchuria and the statement of
a correspondent of the Berlin Tageblatt
in Urgay, Mongolia, that Russia already
treats Mongolia as her own, are treated
with marked Indifference. This is only
in line with the formal declaration
which Foreign Office official made
months ago that Germany in no way
objected to Russias obtaining control of
Northern China, as German interests
would not be affected thereby.
On Monday Mr.. WI. the Chinese
minister, at Washington, received Of
fetal confirmation of the issuance of the
imperial decree degrading Prince TuaD,
Kangi and other officials for their share
of blame for the recent trouble in China.
This information agrees with that con-
tanned in a dispatch received by the
state department Monday from Consul
M. Wade at Canton The minister has
heard nothing of the resignation of of
ficials reported by Minister Conger to
act in concert in peace negotiations, but
he has no doubt it is correct.
To the Chinese emperor's humble note
of apology for the murder of Minister
Won Ketteler, the emperor of Germany
has replied with the fiat-footed declara-
ton that the only atonement that would
be acceptable would be the punishment
of Kwang Hsu's advisers, who were
guilty of inciting the Boxer outrage.
The Celestial sovereign offered to
make reparation by offering sacrifices
on an alter to the memory of the muir
dered diplomat, in heather fashion; but
| this, it seems, failed to appease the
German kaiser The interesting CORE
spondence between the two monarchs
was made public Monday.
"A high official of the German foreign
Office, while discussing Emperor Kwang
Ksu's letter to the kaiser, said: I'VE
see in this letter fresh proof of the
Chinese emperor's correct sentiments.
| Throughout all the troubles. Germany
never doubted the correctness of Kwang
Ksu's attitude personally. 1t was the
persons who seized the reins of govern
ment from him that were responsible
for the atrocities In the final settle
ment of accounts with China Germany
will not demand harsher treatment for
Emperor Kwang Ksu than any other
power, not even the United States.