Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-03
OF REFORM
Said to Have Been Learned
by Ckina's Empress.
Gen. Yung Lu Carefully Looking After
His Own Interests.
French Opposition al Shanghai Block All
Other Taxation Schemes.

Pekin, Jan. several recent occur
rences tend to discourage the hope that
the Dowager Empress had learned a
lesson of reform from the events Of the
past year. Foreigners are disposed to
take a pessimistic view of the outlook.
General Yam LUIS determination to or
game two anti-foreign army corps, TO
offset the commands of the pro-foreign
Chinese leaders, is particularly dis
quietinG and is evidence Of the con-
tinucd domination of Yang LUIS influ-
Cnce. which is bitterly anti-foreign.
Other incidents considered significant
are the suppression Of the only indie
PENDENT newspaper in this city. by or
der of the governor of Pekin. and the
closing Of the Industrial school here.
recently organized by phlanthropic
Chinese also by the governors order.
This school was intended for the
training Of destitute youths. Other lib
erai Chinese will now hesitate to give
practical vent to their theories, fear
ing the displeasure Of official dominion
\ third edict regarding the recent
murder of a Belgian priest near Ming
Sh;. Foo, in Kan 500 province. has ap-
pedred. 1t appoints special official
to punish those who are guilty OF the
crime and re-atfirIns the DoNHger En-
press good will towards Christians.
This is unusual activity upon the part
of the court.
Prince Ching raised strong objections
!, to Gen. TunG Fla, Hsieng's troops ac-
companying the court to Pekin, and
they We're, accordingly, stopped at the
Chilli border, but their generals. Ma
and Sung Ching, who were prominent
in the attacks on the legations, will
come under command Of Gen. Yung
Lu. who plans to constitute two reac-
tionary armies in Chill to offset Yuan
Kai's army under Gen. Makuyum and
Gen. Chang. High Chinese are dis
gusted. The plan is characteristic of
Yung Lu. who provides for his own
safety.
The missionary killed at Pinglo was
a Belgian. The magistrate and smaller
| officials of the district will be forever
| degraded unless the culprits are caught
In response to the memorial of Prince
Ching an edict has been issued re-
facilitating the menarH Of Chang Yin
Huan. formerlysa1dnister the United
States, and rest6nng his Mrmer ihonors
to him. ChingHin Hual 4tas, beheaded
last year while on ahis ws5Nto rurkes-
tan. <, IA =. tss-<s
The opposition Of trs French at
Shanghai has blocked sefectualiy the
progress of the Mhangpo conservancy
in taking advantage Of the direct pro-
tocol, by which..itis asserted. double
taxation is imposed on property along
the river front They also protest
against the eNpropriation of land re-
ouired to straighten the channel of the
river. s7:s
The French minister here says that
the error in the protocol was caused by
n French copyist. a fact which he la
ments He adds that he desires to ac-
quiesce in the intention of the protocol.
but the many objections of French resi-
dents how that they are antagonistic.
AS it is impracticatle to alter the pro-
tocol. which would require the consent
of the powers and China. the accepta-
ton of the intention of the protocol is
a rational solution Of the matter. It Is
doubtful if this will be done.
Chen ri, civil governor of Pekin.
whose anti-foreign enterprises during
the past year were frustrated by Ii
Hung Chang. has succeeded in getting
the court to issue decree closing the
Pekin Industrial Institution, which is n
large reform enterprise. The institu-
tons newspaper, the Common People.
has been suppressed. The reformers
OF the province propose to petition the
censorate to condemn Chen Pts action
of the court in the furnishing Of those
guilty of an anti-Chrstian outrage and
is taken as evidence of the Dowager
Empress desire to conciliate the pow
ers on the eve Of the return or the
court to the capital.
Proofs hccumulate that Prince
CDtn's arguments persuaded the Dow
aGer Empress to trust herself within
ran e of the legation forts. Officials
arriving ire describe the DOwager
Ehpress and Gen. Yung-Li as being
extremely nervous and suspicious lest Z
te foreigners are Manning to entrap i
nem after their arrival and punish
hem for encouraging Boxerism. The
foreigners will probably view the courts
IN, a VI