The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-07-27
PRINCE TUAN A BOXER.
CNew York HeraIdA

NEW York Herald)
Ihough the center of power in north
china, the Manchu Prince Tuan, who
now has the eyes OF the world upon
nm, is comparatively little known, a
letter from DR.. Chen Moy, late of
Tungwen college and now in Van
couver, b. c., TO NJ. Wing Wah Che. a
Pell street merchant, gives this per
sonal description of the leader OF the
Boxers:
This Prince Tuan is still novice in
public affairs, though he is over 40
years of age. He is the fifth son of the
great Emperor Tao KUang. He has re-
sided in Pekin for but eight years, hay
ing previous 70 that spent much time
IN the mountains of the west and north,
where there are always robbers and
rebels to fight. The officials OF the va
men, being out of ready reach of Pekin,
impose terrible taxes and the people
rebel. Much of his time Prince Tuan
has spent in destroying robber bands
The prince was born the largest and
strongest of the children of Kuang,
and because of his love OF sports and
outdoor life, would not stay in the i'm
perial city and take an interest in the
conduct of the government When in
Pekin he was always interested in
wrestling and fist fights, being fire.
International club, in the western end
of the city. He rarely mingled socially
with the foreigners, surrounding him
self with small coterie of friends who
had similar tastes. Many of these were
athletes and acrObatic riders of the
little mountain horses. though several
of them, notably the late governor of
Shan-Si, were men of rank.
There was always a GOODNESS be-
tween Prince Ching and Prince Tuan,
which increased after the latter began
eight years ago TO live most of the time
in Pekin and mingle in public affairs
He had married at even an earlier age
than customary in China, but found
domesticity not TO his liking, preferring
the mountains.
His son, who is the heir apparent to
the throne, is not entitled TO the throne
by the conditions of his birth and the
laws of the dynasty. The sons tastes
are much like his fathers. Both are of
muscular build and darker than the
average Manchu. Both are daring rid
ers, and both know the art of using
their fists. which won for the society
which Tuan now heads the name of
Boxers.
THE Chinese name for the society in
the three Chinese characters, Right
eOusness, Justice and Fist" means
keeping of the peace by the use of the
hand or by force. Its oaths and prae-
| tice have been a development from the
| original purpose of the society, which
| sprang up in the west, and was a COM
/ bination of tradesmen and land hold
| ers against robbers.
Prince Tuan was noted for his Wig
| orous action on haSty impulses. He
would advocate one plan one day and
I II. 10 NO
in later years given to strenuous fits
! of chi or Chinese anger, which Is
usually a blind, unreasoning rage"
Dr. Moy says he cannot understand
| Tuan's taking an interest in the public
affairs unless some of his associates
whom Dr. Moy knew at Tung Wen
| having, as members of the Boxer so
| ciety, taken up the anti-foreign cause
led Tuan TO throw his lot in with them
with all his impetuOus energy. Thu
momentum once acquired, ibis asSo
ciates are likely to maintain the or
ganization, although Tuan himself ma.
| suddenly turn his interest in SOM
other direction.
In case he abdicated the Leadership
there are a number of young Manchl
princes, sons of Tao Kuang's many lie
ultimate and illegitimate sons, VIII
would be glad to take his place. Tual
has Travelled to the north more or less
and is familiar with Russian militar-
methods.
Dr. MOy concludes by saying that h
believes the matter Of obtaining foo
will prevent any large body of Chimes
being held together at any place, a
when in times of peace and with force
scattered the commissary Of the arm
is wretched, the soldiers frequently go
ing from house to house and beggin
or stealing their food.