The Washington times., 1904-02-20
ISL AN HOLDS
CHINA TOGETHER.
Her Death Would Be Ma
tiOnal Catastrophe.
RULES THROUGH NEPHEW
When Her Son Was Poisoned She
Raised Present Incompetent EN-
pe-or to the Throne.
RULES THROUGH NEPHEW

Reports concerning the death OF the
Empress Dowager Of China. though not
confirmed at the legation today, have
served 10 revive speculation over the
momentous change in the Far East
which such an event might presage
In many ways the most remarkable
woman Of the century the Empress
DowaSer-c called by the Chinese officials
here Taz-Hsi but generally known as
Isl-An-has ruled the destinies OF
emma with practically absolute sway
Tor the past forty years.
Fooled Her Minister.
Ever since that stormy period I'm
China's history during the TAPPING re-
beihons OF lS60-65. when the sudden death
or her VIGOROUSLY weak husband placed
inc Queen. then but twenty years old.
upon the throne as regent. she has
SHOWN an astuteness and power so ex-
traorcfnary as to foil all the intrigues
OF her ministers. and TO give her com
piete mastery in handling the affairs of
the government.
Inc present Emperor, her nephew. is
himself only a figurehead. The real
power behind the throne is that myster-
ious woman OF whose personal life the
world knows so little that even her name
% SUBJECT OF doubt.
Executed a Coup.
1t was she. i'm fact. who executed the
coup that put the present Emperor on
the throne History knows Of no more
extraordinary incident than that in
which the Empress Dowager. suddenly
paced at the mercy Of her ministers by
The unexpected death of her own SON
said TO have been poisoned after a very
brief reign-hurriedly made her way to
the adjoining palace where her nephew
slept. and lifting him ia her arms-for he
was then but a baby three wears old
rushed him over to the throne room.
mere. summoning some of her most
trusted followers about her at the dead
OF night. she had the coronation cere-
mony performed. and when the min
listers. who had plotted against her.
arose the next morning. they found to
their discontinue that a new King had
been made in the night.
Her struggles did not end there how
ever. Still further perils had to be met
and overcome while the young prince
grew up. She devoted such of her time
as she could spare to his tutelage. but
the affairs of state during all that pe-
Rod were of a character that demanded
all the astuteness and vigor which she
ROSSGSScQ-
Later, when she found in the famous
Ii Hung Chang. viceroy of Chilli PROV
ince, one Of her trusted lieutenants, she
LETT much Of the burdensome cares of
the government to him. but hers was
still the guiding hand and the voice OK
final authority. The present Emperor
her nephew, Is now thirty years of age
He is not considered either strong or
capable, and should the affairs OF the
kingdom be left 10 him without the d.
recting counsel of the Empress. fears
are entertained as to the probable dis
ruption and Overturn Of rule in China
The Empress reached the SEVENTEEN
year of her life last Monday-the
Chinese New Year. She has preserved
wonderful vitality. and her only recent
Illness of which the public is aware
was an affection of the ear a few weeks
ago, which was said to have been cured
by German specialist who was sum-
moned to Pektn- Ii is the custom I'm
China to make a national celebrat ton OF
each decade in the career of the ruler
and most remarkable fact TO be
noted in connection with the present
Empress Dowager Is that at the end OF
each ten years, as the time Tor cele-
bration approached. there was ALWAYS
some tremendous conflict raging which
prevented the possibility Of national re-
5Oicing.