New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-09
An EMPRESS AND HER RIOTERS.

The Chinese outbreaks against foreigners are
the more formidable because. is believed,
they have, or have had, the tacit sanction of the
Empress Dowager. That extraordinary woman,
who is Empress in fact as we'll as In name,
and in whose hands Emperors and Yamens
have been the merest puppets, is known to be
intensely hostile TO foreigners and to the intro
duction of foreign institutions into the empire.
She is the incarnation of that old spirit of excu-
siveness which regarded all the human race out
side the Celestial Empire as foreign devils"
On more than one occasion before the present
she has been known to oppose, sometimes effec
lively the increase of foreign interests in China,
and not only that but all progress in civilization
and all reform in governmental methods as well.
Her god is the God of Things as They Are and
in his worship she is most deyout. Thus it
seems not unreasonable to suppose that she has
been in sympathy with the Boxer" uprising,
and has not only tolerated it, but has actually
encouraged and aided it. She is however en-
tirey too astute to carry such game too far.
AT the moment when the Boxers pass beyond
mere numbering of missionaries and come into
conflict with the military forces of foreign
Powers she sees that it is time to manifest an
interest in law and order and the rights Of
foreigners. Accordingly her troops are ordered
to make a showing of suppressing the rioters.
She may have done this in time There is
little doubt that If she really orders the army to
suppress the Boxers" the Boxers will be
suppressed. Fer they a mere mob IN
drilled and i'll armed, with which even the
Chinese army, poor it is could make short
work. But 1t is possible that the orders have
been given in so half-hearted a way that the
army will not exert itself, save in keeping out
of the way of the rioters. Or it may be that the
Powers which have already landed troops for
the protection of their legations will insist upon
doing the work of pacficaton themselves. They
may even conclude that it is not in the interest
of civilization that such a sovereign shall re-
| main upon the throne of the worlds most popu-
lous empire. If she should be deposed and ban
ished there would be little room for plying her
Whether a substitute could be found who would
rule the empire better than she has done is an
other question. Better rulers morally might
readily be secured. But in the peculiar knowl-
edge and the potent resources required for the
government OF that empire the Empress is
almost unique, and her place might be hard to
| fill. AT any rate, her removal would throw
| upon some one tremendous responsibility,
| such even the most rash might well wish to
avoid.
1t is an agreeable reflection that in such
responsibilities the United States is not likely TO
| be involved. This country has wisely stood
| simply for the open door, in China II has
| taken no part in any of the schemes for par
titoning that empire. 1t has marked out no
| sphere of influence" 1t has, moreover en-
tered no concert of the Powers" II is CO.
| operating with ALL of course on impartial terms
| for the protection of foreign property and lives
| and 1t may be trusted to act with vigor and
effect to that end and for the maintenance Of its
| just rights. Beyond that there seems to be no
| occasion for it TO go.