The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-06
AROUSED BY CHINA'S DEMAND.
POWERS DISCUSS SURRENDER
OF REFORMERS.
Britain Openly Opposed to Turning Over
the Prisoners to Chinese Authorities
Chinese Society Appeals to Wash-
ln9tOn-Empress DOwager Accused.
lsppcia. Cable pespatches to The SUN.

opPCidI Cd0Ie Dispatches to THE SUN.
PEKIN Aug. 5,-There il an intense feel
ing among foreigners in China over the
Empress Dowagers atrocious murder Of
the reformer, Shen-Chien The foreign
press compares the apprehension Of a Chi
nese reign Of terror to the similar dread
felt in the last days Of 1899, when the friends
Of reform we're in utter despair and conster-
nation. Prominent supporters Of reform
are completely awed.
II is now discovered that forty Cinnamon
in Pekin are accused by the censor of ad-
vocating reform, ara are subject to imme-
date arrest and in danger of summary exc
cution.
The Chinese regard the action OF the
Powers in the release of the Shanghai
reformers as a reputation OF their claims
OF sympathy with Chinese reform, saying
that nothing will save the accused men
before the Throne IL the legations desert
them. The legations have already done
30, except the British, which is determined
TO prevent the unconditional surrender Of
the Shanghai reformers, the Chinese au-
thorities having already declared their in
tention Of putting them to death.
Among the legations.l which, have main
tained close social relations for the past
two years with the Empress Dowager, strong
influence Is brought to minimize her crime,
but her direct responsibility for the execution
Of Shen-Chien ia fully established to the
satisfaction Of both Chinese and foreigners,
except perhaps of the American Legation,
which is freely accused of selfish defence
OF the Dowager, as she is the only authority
capable Of reversing the execution order
The British Legation, while judiciously
avoiding direct impeachment of the
Dowager, unhesitatingly affirns that the
order for the death and torture OF Shen-
Chic n came from the palace.
The Dowager bloodthirstiness ia be-
lieved to have been precipitated and ag-
gravated by the recent special examination
of promising young Cinnamon. This ex-
animation has been referred to in these
dispatches as having been repeatedly post
poned on account Of n conspiracy among the
literati for preventing the appointment of
candidates, and when the examination was
held in July. out of l27 candidates who
passed only ~ were accepted.
All who referred in any way to the adj
those who recommended fair dealing by
the Government and the maintenance Of
credit everywhere, were "plucked' by
Chang Chih-tung, the Minister of Educa-
ton, who has himself repeatedly repu-
dated public debts and murdered reform
ers. Men who attended the special ex-
animation were marked by the Throne
as dangerous.
Scores Of helpless reformers in Pekin
and elsewhere are holding themselves in
readiness for martyrdom. believing them
selves the victims Of treacherous despot.
Foreigners are already specializing as to
the length of time China will defy the re-
strictions of the Powers. as she recovered
confidence enough in one year to murder
pro-foreign Chinese under the noses of the
Ministers, and recovered, five years after
the war with Japan, confidence to defy the
world in 1900. The Chinese reformers.
though misguided, represent the best ele-
msnt in the Chinese race. They are not to
be compared to the Anarchists 20 they
seldom employ assassination.
LONDON, Aug Sin the House of Com
mons to-day Prime Minister Balfour an
nounced that the British representative at
Pekin had been instructed by telegraph
that it was the opinion Of the Government
that the six Chinese journalists accused Of
sedition, now in Shanghai should not | Q
surrendered to the Chinese Government.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-The State Depart
ment has received no official confirmation
of the report that the Chinese Government
has demanded the surrender of the Chinese
reformers who were arrested at Shanghai.
A formal request for the interference of
this country on behalf of the reformers was
received this morning by cable from the
Bow Wong Society Of Honolulu. but moth
ing will be done in the matter until a report
has been received from our representatives
In China.
1t is said at the State Department that
there is an agreement which provides that
persons arrested in the foreign concession
at Shanghai shall be tried by international
courts of the foreign concession. It is de-
clared that this Government will not be a
party to any violation Of this agreement even
though it might enhance its influence with
the Chinese Throne. Al the same time no
action will be taken which can be regarded
rs an affront to the Chinese Government,
such as actively interesting itself in behalf
Of the reformers.
The attitude Of the United States will,
it is said, be strictly in accordance with the
law and its treaties with China, and should
it be determined that the reformers arrested
in Shanghai are entitled to trial in the
foreign concession such a trial will be ac-
corded them, Notwithstanding any plea that
l. .
that they be turned over to the Throne for
trial and punishment
RpyN NON Hail FOR Whit aLe r WrIpht