The Florida star., 1901-05-17
THE AEH GHlHESE Rulers.

Special Correspondence Of The Florida Star.
WASHINGTON. May 14--Order seems
20 be gradually coming out OF chaos in
the Chinese question. The powers have
dismounted from their high horse In
the mattessof indemnity. and. though
their united demands stiIl total an ap-
palling sum. II is a great deal less than
the amount the Chinese were FIRST ask
ed TO pay. But what Is especially In
teresting In the recent news from Chi
na is the appointment OF a national
board OF administration by the dowa-
ger empress.
The board Is made up OF Prince
Ching. Prince Kung. ylceroy Ii Rung
Chang and three members OF the Inn
perial cabinet, including the notorious
Yung Lu. The first three nsmed are
men devoted to reform; the last three
are described as being far from favor
ably disposed TO foreign interests.
Minister WI, however, is decidedly
hopeful that good results will follow
these appointments. The most promi-
nent OF the sextet. from an American
standpoint, is undoubtedly Ii Hung
Chang. the Grand Old Man. OF China.
We know him to be tricky in the ex-
treme. but we also know him TO be
possessed OF keen foresight In the
matter OF policy. His most recent
claim to fame. or notoriety. was In the
matter OF the Manchuria negotiations.
when he was accused. and perhaps
justly. OF playing into the hands or the
Russians.
Prince Ching is another picturesque
member OF the board. He has long
been the political rival Of the Infamous
Prince Tuan and Is noted as a friend OF
foreigners. He IL was who fomented
and led a counter revolution In north
China at the time OF the Boxer out
break last summer.
Ching is the great-uncle OF the late
heir apparent TO the throne and was
president OF the tsung-li-yamen before
the government was sundered by Tuan
and his followers. He Is generally be-
neved TO be sincere In his expressions
OF sympathy for foreigners. but there
are some who maintain that this atti-
tude is only the result OF cunning polit-
ical foresight and that he hopes by 1t
10 win places for himself and his sup
porters when peace Is restored In the
empire.
Prince kung-whose proper title is
kung tsin-wang. or the most reverend
kindred prince-ls man who In the
past has played a very important part
In the history OF China. He is 20 years
old. but is very vigorous despite his
age Like that OF Ii Hung Chang. his
career has been a series OF ups and
downs. now basking in the favor OF the
court. at another time banished by its
displeasure. Kung was the brother OF
the late Emperor Tan Quang. After his
brothers death be ruled China for some
years. always under the guidance OF
the empress. He was the inventor of
the tsung-ll-yamen and was its first
president At the time OF the English
invasion OF China he was the only
prince who remained at his post and
upon him devOlved the task OF arrang-
ing peace. This gave him European
reputation and also a knowledge OF
Europeans that is invaluable at the
present time.
The fourth member OF the board.
Yung Lu. has long been notorious He
was one OF the most prominent in the
Boxer rising and is said TO 6e still
greatly lmblitered against foreigners
The fifth appointee is reported to be
very old. very infirm and all opium
fiend. while the sixth is ut least luke
warm toward foreign interests.
Whatever the outcome may he. the
workings OF this hoard will he watch
ed with great interest by the admins
tration or this country.
SAMUEL HUBBARD.