The Washington herald., 1907-05-27

New York. May 26.-If the representa-
tions he made and the friendships he un-
d0ubtedly had count for aught, John Ed
ward Boeck iewel~y salesman. promoter.
friend OF people prominent financially and
socially. high roller. and saIladmitted
representative L5f powerful Influences in
China. was playing a much bigger game
than the buying Of iewelry and antiqui-
ties for wealthy persons.
Boeck. Il will be remembered. disap-
peared suddenly about Nay II. after ne
had secured a large amount of jewelry
70 sell 20 rich people and after he had
borrowed considerable sums Of money.
Edwin W. Dayton. dealer in rare jewels
and antiquities az { West Thirty-ninth
street, who was stuck to the extent Of
$4,000 through his trus: in Boack. talked
freely to-day concerning Boeck and the
dealings he had had with the missing
man. Mr.. Dayton said
These little matters Of iewelry sales
real estate deals, and borrowings OF
money were only small puddles that this
man Boeck was leapiug over IN a game
that involved greater things. 1 can tell
you. and l know what I am talking
about, that Boeck figured on the revo-
luuonizing Of an empire I know
this. for I have met the influential per
sons that Boeck was dealing with. and
have seen the adviCes he received from
royalty and men OF great Importance in
China.
Chinese Prince Behind Boeck.
THE hacker and most influential man
behind Boeck In his Chinese schemes was
Prince Pu LUn. There are two parties Of
power in China, One IS the progressive
or reform crowd, and the other the reac-
tionary, which aims TO pursue the policies
Of the reigning Dowager Empress. Prince
Pu Lun is the head and front Of the re-
form movement. It may surprise some to
learn that he and his associates in China
have well-defned plans as to what pro
cedure they were 20 take.
BY this, | mean that Prince Pu I.un
has already an organized and armed
force Arms and ammunition have been
purchased in this country and shipped to
China. Boeck was the agent who pur-
chased these weapons Of war here. In
this work he was aided by powerful and
wealthy interests.
''Boeck was constantly in touch with
friends in China I know this because
| have seen the advices he received. Late
in February Boeck received from those
he represented in the Orient A cipher
which told Of something that
has been kept from the public up TO this
time
1T was advices TO the effect that Isl
An. the Dowager Empress of China. and
the all-pOWerful person in the empire had
suffered her second paTalytiC stroke She
is seventy-fOur or seventy-tive years old.
and BOeck was informed that while This
stroke might not prove fatal. a third
would surely mean her death.
Had TO Raise Money in Hurry.
'The messages he received at that time
urged him to hasten to completion Ger
tain arrangements he was expected 10
look after. Just what the nature of these
were am not fully aware
Of. but I do know that the matter of
certain supplies to those he
in the Orient was part Of the
orders. Boeck was badly in need of
money to execute these orders. and he
had TO raise funds as best he could.
Upon the death OF the Dowager
Empress a great struggle in China was
by Boeck and those associ-
ated with him. The struggle would be
for the control Of the present Emperor
who is q weakling. and who would be in
absolute control upon the death Of his
mother A prince Of high rank was op
posed to Prince Pu Lun and those that
sought to institute reforms in opening IN
China and her vast resources to the
outside world. especially American inter
ssts."
The fact that Boeck received advices
that worried him in February and re-
suited in his being hard pressed for cash
Next Civil Service Examination July %.
Prepare now. The DTillery, 100 New
York avenue northwest