The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-20


OF the brother of the Irish dramatist and
orator OF that name, has Just returned from
China. where he has lived for the last three
years. Mr. Sheridan is now in this country
on his way 10 his home in England.
Mr. Sheridan has studied the political and
social conditions in the Orient. and his
| views are Of particular interest at this
| time He asserts that the Boxers are ami
mated not so much by a desire to wage
warfare upon foreigners as 70 restore the
Emperor to power. The anti-foreIgn feel
Ing Mr.. Sheridan says. is due mainly to
the prevalent idea that the foreigners are
bent upon the partition of China I'm
doubleday. however. he contends. unless the
powers gEappled Immediately and en -ctiyc-
ly with the difficulty which now confronted
them, the probability is that the whole
country Will rise in rebellion.
The recent outbreak he traces to the
strI gGle for supremacy between the En-
perez and the Empress Dowager two years
ago. His description OF the circumstances
appertainiRg TO the practical deposition Of
the Emperor considerably ampl.fes the de-
spa tches, conflicting. as they are from day
10 day. OF the contest for domination OF the
reform party. as represented in the Empe-
tut, ana OF the Inti-reiorm element, as per
sonihed in the Empress Dogager
Inc struggle came to a critical iss-e"
Mr. Sheridan says. in September. 1885.
while the Empress was away from Pekiu,
at her summer Ialsce- Acting upon the ad-
wee OF hang Gu Wei. his tutor maa of
great perspicae5ty. who is called the mod
ern Confucius-the Emperor determined
TO free himself Of the control aad sway CT
the DoWager
.-On Senrarnho- II rbo -, - -.
and General Yuen. who had command OF
1900 trained soldiers in Tientsin. was
ordered 70 march on Pekin In order 20
support the Emperor. Yuen agreed to do
so on condition that he receive written
authority. The Emperor weakly declined
10 commit himself and Yuen refused 10
move his troops. Two days later the En-
press heard of the plot and hurried back
10 Pekin. Lu Yung. an Official OF high
standing. was enc of the conspiratOrs and
a letter which be wrote 70 one OF his as
sociates describing the part he was taking
IN the plot fell into the hands Of the En-
press Ia that letter he spoke Extensively
OF the Empress morals. age and ability
fung sought 10 save himself BY betravinR
the plot and his co-conspirators. but while
the Empress forgave him for his part in /
the conspiracy, she could not forgive him I
Tor what be had said about her personally. !
and he Was tortured
At this time Marquis Ito OF Japan. was 4
IN Pekin to arrange for the proper train /
ing OF the Chinese army and navy, with a 4
view 20 cooperating with Japan This
was one OF the reform aims Of the EN-
per0r- The Empress heard OF the proposed .
conference and insisted that she should
De present, hidden by a screen. in order TO
hear what passed. She was present and
when Ito came in the Emperor. instead
OF discussing the questions for which the
conference was arranged. displayed his
weakness by merely asking such ordinary
Chinese questions as Are you married.
W hat IS your ageE and then raising his
teacup as a signal that the interview was
at an end Marquis Ito was indignant At
such treatment, and left China at once
Tor Japan That night the Emperor vas
ceposed. and ali who had assisted him IN
the conspiracy were executed. The report
was circulated that he was dead
Then arose a public clamor against the
Empress Pekin and Tientsin and other
towns were plaearded BY the people op-
posed 10 the Empress, threatening 10 rise
IN rebellion AID also 10 massacre the for
aigners. who they believed were in sympa-
-hy with the Empress policy
The natives who threatened this out
break belonged 10 the secret societies
China is honeycombed with these organi-
,ations- The societies OF the north are
connected with those Of the south. and
he disahection 70 which they gave vent
a the time c. which l speak has continued
mai now. The existing disturbances are [
merely a DEVELOPMENT OF what occurred
wO years age,s The strongest societies are
&c Cantonese. and these are entirely CD
lcsed to the Empress. The Boxers, nu-
nerOus as they are are only the dele
'ates OF these societies The Empress is
ncOuragfrg the Boxers. but she can never
ontrOl them. and she continues 10
Tompt them they Will ultimately DESTROY
Ter These societies. unless suppressed BY
ne powers. will rise in every part Of the
empire. They viii fight for the re-
establishment Of the Emperor. and will IN
oubtediy massacre the foreigners. who. BY
he machinaticns OF the Empress herself
re generally looked upon as seeking the
artitlon OF China The intention of the /
'oXers is undoubtedly to depose the En-
ress and to restore the Emperor. and
Mess the allied forces 6isperse these !
atives or come 10 terms with them the !
'hcle OF China viii soon be in revolt
mere Is hardly man in the country
-hO is rot a member of the secret society
nd If only small force is sent against
hem, and should it be temporarily re-
uned. the Chinese will look uDon this
'ree as embodying the strength Of Europe.
nd Will be CorrespOndsngly ENCOURAGED
Mr. Sheridan is inclined to deoreciate
he usefulness Of the missionaries in Chi
a. He says they interfere with the hab-
s and customs and thoughts which the
dinese have held for centuries. ar inter
erence which is not conducive to good
eeiing between the Chinese aud peop;e
other countries. II is a common thing
IT. Sheridan says, for a native to say to
missionary: Why do you come to Us? /
ur religion is as old as yours. Have yo-
lade your own people so good that yo-,
IN do them no more gOod?"
I think the powers" Mr. Sheridan
1ys. will ultimately deprive the Empress
all power. and viii place the Empero,
n the throne as a sort of international
ominee. He will rule China. but will
imself be controlled by the powers. This
purse will prevent European complica-
ons. l do not believe that China is to b.
iced up. The attempt 10 divide the eoun-
y would be like throwing a bone among
pack OF dogs. II would mean q general
ght among the nations
While Russia is playing a subtle game
! China, and is seeking to Install herself
lere. / don't believe she will fight. Foo
he thing she is not ready for war. Before &