The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-02
EMPRESS THE EVIL GENIUS.

Kang Yu Wei. the Chinese reformer,
upon whose head a price has been set
by the Dowager Empress, has recently
published a book on the situation in his
country as he sees ia To judge from the
extracts of a translation which have
reached this country, 1t Is not strange
chat the Dowager Empress would like
to have Hangs head In a basket, for he
talks straight TO the point, uses good
logic and spares nobody in his criticisms
of the government. A wide circulation
of such appeals as Kang makes in his
book would be well calculated to stir up
even so phlegmatic people as the Chi
'nese.
Kang blames the Empress Dowager and
her satellites, whom he calls slnsly and
collectively robbers, villains and traitors,
for all OF the Ills which affiict the coun-
try. and plainly advocates the assassina-
ton of the entire outfit since there seems
to be no other way of getting rid OF
them. He recalls that history abounds
with instances in which ambitious ana
tyrannical rulers have been assassinated,
and public opinion approved Of the act.
The Dowager. he says, should be got
rid Of because she is strangling the en-
pire by abolishing reforms instituted or
promised by the young Emperor, and re-
turning to ancient ways i'll suited 20 pres
ent-day conditions. Practices which
were good enough several hundred years
ago will not suffice now. for the reason
that the white races have become ag-
gressive and are seeking a foothold in
lands for thousands of years peopled by
yellow and brown races. BY way of fore
casting the fate of China, he calls attsn-
ton 30 India and Egypt and Poland, and
to Russia's treatment of the Jews. Should
Europe get a foothold in China, ne be-
lieves the Chinese nation would be de-
s,royed. He does not however, advise the
killing of foreigners in China. He does
not approve the methods of che Boxers.
Hangs idea is that the Chinese must adopt
Western methods, and in that manner fit
themselves to maintain their position and
defend their country against any posi-
BILE attack. That is what Japan has
done, and that country is now in a posi-
ton Of independence and safety. China,
on the other hand has refrigerated, and
it's government is no4 able to defend it.
self at home or protect its citizens
abroad. But who are the government"
asks Kang. China has no parliament.
The power is all vested in one person
one woman who has profiigately
and disgracefuily chung to the old ways"
He wants the autocracy abolished and
constitutional government formed under
the young Emperor. With such reform
he believes it would be possible to rem
ovate the empire. ward off the threatened
slavery and save the race from extermi-
nation" Without reforms, however "our
race will be destroyed If our country
should be conquered and its government
controlled by foreigners, they would as
suredly treat us as they have treated the
Poles and the Hindus."
Kang Yu Wers plan Of assassination is
horrible, of course; but he is an Oriental,
and takes an Oriental view of the best
and easiest manner of disposing of an OBJ
same time it cannot be questioned that
he is animated by patriotic feelings. He
loves his race and his country and de-
sires to see them preserved, and TO the
end OF preserving them he Is willing 30
dispense with the ancient customs of r'~
people and adopt those of the despised
foreigners whom he fears