The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-06-16
A WOMAN WHO DEFIEs cIvILIzA-
TIoN.

TION.
The Chinese outbreaks against for
eigners are the more formidable be-
cause. as is believed. they have the
tacit sanction Of the Empress DOwa-
ger. That extraordinary woman, who
is empress in fact as Wen as in name,
and in whose hands emperors and
yamens have been the merest puppets,
is known to be intensely hostile - for
elgners and to The introduction Of for
eign institutions into the empire. She
is the incarnation of that old spirit of
exclusiveness which regarded all the
human race outside the Celestial en-
pire as foreign devils" On more than
one occasion before the present she has
been known to oppose, sometimes ef-
fectively. the increase Of foreign in
terests in China. and not only that but
all progress in civilization and all re-
form in governmental methods as well.
Her god is the God of Things as They
Are. and in his worship she is most
devout. Thus it seems not unreasona-
bic 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. entirely too astute 10 car
ry such game too far. At the mo-
nlent 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 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 BOX
ers" the Boxers" will be suppressed.
For they are mere mob. undrilled and
i'll armed. with which even the Chi
nese army. poor as it is. could make
short work. But It is possible that the
orders have been given in so half
hearted 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 lega-
tions viii insist upon doing the work
Of pacifcation themselves. They nay
even conclude that it is not in the
interest of civilization that such SOW
ereign shall remain upon the throne
of the worlds most populous empire.
If she should be deposed and banishad |
there would be little room for plying
her. Whether a substitute could be
found who would rule the empire bet
ter than she has done is another ques-
ton Better rulers morally might read
lily be secured. But in the peculiar
knowledge and the potent resources re-
qulred for the government of that en-
pire the empress is almost unique. and
her place might be hard to fill. At
any rate. her removal would throw
upon some one tremendous response
bllity, such as even the most rash
might we'll wish to avoid.
1t is an agreeable reflection that in
such responsibilities the United States
is not likely to be involved. This coun-
try has wisely stood simply for the
open door" in China. It mas taken no !
part in any of the schemes =for7 parti- !
tloning that empire. 1t has marked |
out no sphere Of influence" It has,
moreover. entered no concert of the
powers" 1t is cooperating with all,
Of course, on impartial terms for the
protection Of foreign property and lives.
and it may be trusted to act with
vigor and effect to that end and for
the maintenance of its just rights. Be
yond that there seems TO be no oc-
casion for it to go.