The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-15
The Significance Of the Palace Revo'
luton at Pekin.

When a telegram, sent from Pekin on Jan.
25, announced that a boy nine years old
named JU CHUN had been designated as the
heir TO the throne " the Celestial Empire,
and that the present Emperor, KwANG SU,
was expected to abdicate in his favor. con-
ficting explanations OF the incident were
forthcoming. The Chinese Minister at
Washington was disposed to minimize the
importance OF the transaction, and denied
that 1t portended any change in the foreign
or domestic policy OF his country. On the
other hand, dispatches from Shanghai
described the appointment OF an heir-ap-
parent and the Intention imputed to the
Empress Dowager Of deposing the reigning
sovereign and assuming the functions Of
Regent as a decisive victory for the reac-
tionary party, a victory regarded with favor
by the Manchus dwelling in China, but dis
tasteful to the Chinese proper and espe-
cially to the natives Of the relatively enlight-
ened southern provinces. The latter inter.
probation OF the palace revolution turns out
to nave been correct, for, after some hesita.
ton, the Empress Dowager has shown her
hand, and. according to a telegram pub
lished this week, she has caused an edict
to be issued, resembling the measures pre-
viously taken with a view to educational
reform, and declaring that the Confucian
classics shall henceforth, as OF old. con
stitute the only subjects at the official ex-
aminations OF candidates for posts In the
Chinese civil service.
That the death, deposition or compulsory
abdication Of KwANG SU. who is still the
nominal ruler Of China, will soon follow
the selection OF his successor Is probable
enough. Such an event will surprise no.
body familiar with the INSCRIPTIONS career
OF the Empress Dowager. 1t is we'll known
that Isl An ia the only surviving widow OF
the Emperor HEN FUNG, who died In 1861,
and was succeeded by his only son, TUNG
CHE. Tho Chinese Minister at Washington
must have been incorrectly reported wher
he was made to say that Prince TuAN, the
father Of the boy JU CHuN, now made heir
apparent, is a son of HEN FUNG. Tha'
6overeign, as We have said, left but on,
son, and Prince TUAN must be a son o
KwANG Su's predecessor, the Emperor
TAoU KwASG, who "ascended on high" II
1850. 1t may be remembered that TUSa CHI
was only five years old when he nominallN
succeeded his father, HEN FUNG, and that
for the following twelve years, the Govern
ment was in the hands OF the two Empressei
Dowager, of whom Isl An, the actual rule
OF the Middle Kingdom. is the survivor. Ii
1873, TUNG CHE attained his majority an,
began ~ostensibly to rule, but no died with
out issue in 1878 under circumstances tina
cast suspicion upon the present Empires
Dowager. As, by the law, a Chimes
Emperor's heir must be- younger than h
from whom the Inheritance comes, TuN,
CHE, having no younger brothers. had TO b
succeeded by one Of the sons Of his father
younger brothers. OF these brother
there had been five, HEN fUNG himse'
being the fourth Of the nine sons Of tn
Emperor TAoU kwANG. The choice OF IN
Expresses Dowagcr fell on the infant so
OF the Prince of Chung, seventh son {
TAoU KwANG, which infant son bocam
Emperor under the name OF kwANG ST.
After a minority which, on v%ariou pr,
texts, was unusually protractcd, kwASG :
was permitted 10y the present Empire,
Dowager, who, after the death of he
c%o.regent, had been sole mistress Of Chin.
TO assume the sovereignty. No soont
eli he cvince, however, Il Discriminate
to reorganize the Chinese system
education 10y the adoption of Wester
methods and ideals, than he was con
PEELED by a revolution within the palace
invite the Empress Dowager to leave b,
retirement and TO cooperate with him
his imperial functions. This compulsol
invitation was regarded as tantamount
abdication, and the Empress Dowager h,
been since, "a she was before KwANG Sr
accession, the virtual ruler OF China,
seems, however, that she feels insecure
long as KwANG ST lives, and it has be,
predicted that We would soon hear of
death. As a matter Of fact. the Empero,
poor health and alleged inability to &C
Duct the business Of State. is the prete