The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-27
High Office to which Charles DENLY,
Jr., Has Been Appointed.

New York Times.
There was a little two-ine paragraph in
the papers a few days ago containing
piece of news which, il is more than likely,
will prove to have results Of very great i'm
portance.
The paragraph in question announced
that Charles DENLY. jr., son of the ex-
United States minister TO China, had been
appointed chief foreign adviser to Yuan
Shi kai, the Viceroy of Pe-Chi-Li province.
To realize just what this news means ii is
necessary TO understand that Yuan Shi Kai
bids fair to-day to be the most powerful
man in the Chinese empire. So far he has
succeeded in doing what hardly another
Chinese statesman has done-combinng a
genuine desire for reform with ability to
keep on good terms with the court. Yuan
province is the most important in the en-
pire.
Not only is the capital Picking. in IT. but
the provincial capital, Tien-Tsin, is one of
the most important ports of the country
and the province is said to be more densely
populated than any other in China. The
viceroyalty of Pe-Chi-Li has usually carried
with it a chief place in the councils Of the
Emperor. Ii Hung Chang was viceroy of
this province. and all the indications point
to the probability that Yuan will prove
worthy successor of Ii.
Already, though only recently appointed
TO this most important post, Yuan has made
his influence felt. He has arranged to en-
gage foreign officers to instruct his troops;
he intends TO introduce Western instruction
in his province, and he has been chiefly in
strumental IN organlzing the system under
which a number of Chinese are being edu-
Gated in Japan.
There was always considera BILE doubt as
to whether the great admiration for West
ern progress and methods which Ii Hung
Chang expressed was genuine but there is
no doubt that Yuan Shi Kai is really alive
to the necessity for his country to adopt
Occidental methods unless ii wishes to be-
come the prey of the Occidental powers
This being so. an American who will as in
the case of Mr.. DENLY, continually have
the ear of the Viceroy will hold post of
the most influential character Indeed il
is quite within the bounds of possibility
that this young American may come TO be
the power behind the throne in China's
foreign policy.
Whoever has watched the recent course
Of events in China knows that the foreign
relations OF the empire form a problem ne
cessitating diplomatic gifts of the highest
order. China finds herself in danger on all
sides. Were il not that the powers are so
jealous of each other she would have no re-
spite at all from demands which would
practically mean the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the
empire.
AS it is. the European countries are all
continually exercising pressure in order to
obtain more and more concessions One
day ii is Germany who wants something:
the next Russia is demanding railway
rights somewhere; even the smaller coun-
tries are endeavoring to pull something out
of the Chinese lucky bag. day or two
ago it was announced that little Portugal
had made demand-and a demand which
was certainly not of an overmodest charac-
ter-as the price of agreeing TO the new
tariff protocol arranged between the com
missions OF Great Britain and China
1t would seem that the craft of a Machia-
velli must be needed 10 deal with All the
ravenous powers seeking to devour the an
cient empire. The United States has. II is
true. steadily set its face against the extor-
ton Of concessions from what is now prac-
tically a defenseless country To this fact
doubtless, Mr.. Denby's appointment is part.
ly due, for the Chinese are disposed TO trust
Americans 10 a much greater extent than
Europeans.
But it may be expected that il is in con-
nection with the strengthening of China 9
powers for defense that the foreign adj
wiser will be most frequently emDloved
Niceroy Yuan. has been said Intends 70
reorganiZe his army. With the aid of a
capable American he ought 10 be able IN
institute reforms in many others directions.
and ultimately TO extend these REFORM
from Pe-Chi-Li TO the other provinces OF
the empire.