The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-16
circulation Statement.
The Empress DowaEer.

Within the past week or two the truth
has been gradually dawning upon the pub
lie that, in recognizing Ii Hung Chang
Prince Ching. and General Yung Lu as
peace ENJOYS on the part of China, Mr.
Mckinley would be giving his countenance
and assent to the restoration to power OF
the she-devil whom they represent. 1t may
be that the Empress Dowager is de facto
ruler of China at this time-at least nomi-
nally II so Prince Tuan, the Chinese
Hanna. and the wretch who, more than
anybody else except his imperial mistress,
thirsted for the blood of the foreign Min
listers is the real governing force. But,
whether he is that or not, 1t is notorious
that the de jure autocrat, kwang Hsu, is
a prisoner in the hands of his aunt and
Tuan.
Even if the Empress Dowager could be-
acquitted of all offence save that OF seiz-
ing the Government as she did in her
famous coup d'etat in 1898, 1t would still
be logically impossible for the powers to
treat with her or her delegates, for the
reason that the illegality of her status
would poison whatever her ENJOYS might
furnish the Chinese with an adequate ex-
cuse for regulating any settlement made
by them. But, considering the dastardly
crimes of this female wretch, it is too
horrible to think of that she should be
regarded by any civilized Government as
1T to be treated as a sovereign, as an
influential person or as anything but a
vile and murderous nag to be put in
strait jacket and locked up for life in the
innermost keep of some remote island
fortress.
The Empress Dowager ordered the muir
der OF Baron Won Ketteler, ordered the
massacre of the American missionary wo-
men and children at Paoting-fu and every
where else in China. and ordered the at
tacks upon the foreign legations in Pekin,
by Chinese regular troops under Prince
ITuan and General Yung Lu, with the
ayowed purpose of butchering the Minis
tiers. their families and their guests,
guards. and servants All the blood and
horror of the war in China lie at the door
of the Empress Dowager. Ii Hung Chang
is her man. In recognizing him, Mr.. Nc
Kinley recognizes her, and assists in the
scheme to restore her TO the throne and
control of the Empire.
We cannot believe that he would do this
in ordinary circumstances; because he mas
better means than anybody else in this
country to know of and to realize the ex-
tent of her hideous crimes against ciyili-
cation and humanity. Considerations OF
domestic politics, however, have made the
President wildly anxious to get out OF
China on any terms. The self-evident IT.
regularity Of an executive war OF invasion
in defiance of the constitutional war pre-
rogatiye of Congress; his desire to escape
from a position so dangerously suggestive
of militarism; and the desirability of hav-
ing his and his coparceners' time all free
10 devote to the Presidential campaign,
have conjoined TO render him willing and
even eager to treat or trade with anything
Chinese that would furnish him with
color OF excuse to scuttle out of China.
1t was with this feeling swollen in his
bosom that Mt. Mckinley swallowed the
Russian proposal hook line bob, and sink
or ana that made him jump TO the con-
clusion that Earl Ii was duly accredited
GnEQF-OI
individual quite good enough TO negotiate
with. considering his own determination
to cut and run in any case. Now that he
appears to have abandoned or suspended
that intention, it would perhaps be well
for him to revise his views regarding Ii
Hung Chang and to remember that any ae-
ton which might tend TO recognition Of the
Empress Dowager. or to promote the pos
sibility of her future power or influence in
China would be angrily resented by the
bereaved families and afflicted friends Of
the missionary women she has caused to
be murdered after nameless tortures, and
by the combined decency of America
If Mr.. Mckinley will put his ear to the
ground he will quickly learn that the
American people do not view his apparent
inclination to make peace with the arch
murderess on one hand and sternly forbid
our troops TO avenge the missionary mas
sacres on the other with any degree of
satisfaction. He will learn that the coun-
try neither expects nor wishes that he shall
make terms of peace with China which
shall not include the deposition and per-
petual Imprisonment of the Empress Dow
ager, the execution Of Prince Tuan. Yung
Lu. and Ii Ping Feng. and of every man
DARN guilty of the murder OF foreigners.
Such a brake upon his liberty of action
may be distasteful TO Candidate Mckinley,
but II he refuses the handicap. We are
vastly mistaken II he does not have cause
10 regret 1t In November.