The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-02-04

PENN, Feb. S--.An evidence of th
tension existing between the Chimes
and foreigners is shown in q recently un
important event, which took place i
Tim Tsin on the occasion Of the birth
day Of Emperor William. While Yual
Si Kai, vi~roy Of the province of Ch
Ii was passing through the British set
tlement on his way TO make forma
visit to the German officials one Of hi
sutriders was struck by Chinese po
liceman, enforcing the rule of the road
10 keep to the left. A scufile ensued
TIE viceroy aftewsrd ordered the sur
reader Of the policeman for punishment
After meeting of the authorities ths
British Consul General and representa-
tives OF Yuan Shi kai, full apolog.
was drafted and the policeman was dis
missed and handed over to the Chinese
officials, who proposed leniency. The
viceroy's magistrate, however, ordered
q punishment OF thousand strokes
with the bamboo, which is frequently
fatal and three months penal servitude
Foreign opinion he;e insists that the
viceroy's demand for the surrender and
the extremity of the punishment order.
ed were both deliberately intended to
impress foreigners with sense of the
Chinese authority. British officials are
bitterly denounced by foreign residents
for surrendering the policeman, who
vas British employe.
The foreign newspapers published at
Shanghai, Hongkong and Tien Tsin con-
tinue to dwell in apprehension upon anti
foreign trouble, but Pekin gives I'D
sign OF any hostile feeling toward for
eigners.
The dowagsr empress received the
diplomatic body on the Chinese New
Year. At the audience she displayed
her customary eordiality. The relations
between the court and the legations are
m no way changed. The open agitation
sgxinst foreigners is confined to Central
and Southern China, and it is antici-
pated that troubles, II they occur, win
be limited TO these sections as Boxer
ism was limited to the North. Those
whose predictions would carry greatest
weight. however, are most reluctant to
express opinions.
Undoubtedly all China is at a white
Aest Of political discussion. Such in.
tense feeling as prevails on the part of
the inhabitants has seldom been seen
before and makes any result possible.
A local outbreak may preeipitate gen
eral hostilities. No organized movement
against foreigners is to be discovered
except the American boycott. The ma
tional feeling is growing stronger and
tbe peculiar status OF foreigners in
China affords many points Of friction.
The court has every inducempnt to pre-.
serve friendliness at the legations. The
dowager empress supporters freely dis.
euss the possibility that she may be
driven by revolution TO seek shelter
within the walls Of the foreign lega
tion.
The stability o. present regime Is on
insecurr foundation The death Of Yuan
Shi Kai would be a great blow TO the
throne. Local newspapers and gossip
describe hi. army as infested with anti.
dynastic secret societie-, but the re-
ports are difficult to verify Yuan Shi
Kai, however is frequently threatened
with assassination and extraordinary
precautions are taken to protect him.
He is strongly guarded day and night.
The ever present menace TO order in
the spectre of death oyertaking the
Sowsger empress and thereby leaving
re emperor, who fails to command the
confidence Of the people aud without
heir, surrounded by ambitious, intrigu.
ing officials with a restless, discontented
gopulace behind them.