Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-03
Conservative Rule Is Predicted
in Official Circles.
AMERICAS NEW POSITION
japanese Agreement Cause of Some
Surprise in Peking.
VAGUE CONCERNING C
Belief That It Will Enable Japan to
Pursue Her Forward Policy
in Manchuria.

PEkING. December 3.-The fact that
the enthronement of the new emperor
has taken place has in part re-eStabished
confidence here and has resulted in the
prophecy in various official circles of an
extremely conservative rule. The dowa-
ger empress reinStated the notorious
eunuch Ii Lien Wing as head of the
palace administration. Prince Chun's
first appointment was a personal friend.
The best informed minister's however,
are inclined to think that the outward
sign of calm has been bought with
promises which. if kept. will completely
change the personnel of the Peking gov
eminent Immediately the hundred days of
mourning are ended.
The entry of the United States into
the circle of nations that have arranged
dual agreements has caused surprise, but
while making secure the tranquility OF
the possessions in the Pacific of the United
States and Japan. the agreement is not
regarded at Picking as in any way offer
Ing a solution for the Chinese situation.
The terms of the agreement. it Is under
stood. are definite with regard to Amer
lean interests and vague with reference
to China and. like preceding dual agree
ments. are incompetent in Manchurla to
prevent the development of Japans for
ward policy. 1t is pointed out here that
Japan has not settled many of the main
questions at issue. Those relating to
Chientao. the posts. the Fakumen rail-
way and the telegraphs are still in a
very unsatisfactory condition. 1t is fur
Their pointed out that the advantages now
held by the Japanese would enable dis
elimination in favor of that nation
against the world. which the 'open
door, pledges do not affect.
Sequel to Fleets Tour.
The action of the United States is re-
garded as a sequel to the fleets tour,
whereby China is in a measure compen-
stated for what has been considered a
snub on the part of the United States in
sending only eight warships to Annoy. and
it places moral structures upon Japan
with regard to any designs that country
might have had in China. NOtWithStand-
ing this, however, Tang Shao vi, who is
now on a mission in the United States,
will carry out the plans originally ar
ranged for bringing matters of Importance
to the attention of the American govern
ment.
Some of the foreign officials call the
agreement "a Rooseveltian display" Some
of the Chinese are suspicious of the agree
ment, because 1t appears to them similar
in terms TO agreements which recently
caused apprehension in China. The opin-
ion which hitherto was held here that the
thing in the nature Of a bluff has been
greatly changed since the announcement
of that country's fixed policy In the Pa
clflc, and the announcement of the agree
ment has had the effect of multiplying the
eXertionS on the part of the representa-
tives of other powers to make political
capital out of the present situation Jap
anese representatives are earnest in their
endeavors to ascertain the exact stu
alton, because China's extraordinary and
faultless management during the crisis
has had the effect Of tranquilizing condi-
tions, at least on the surface
Legation Guard Reduced
A notification was received today from
Toxic that full mourning was being OBJ
served, and that Japan had ordered that
the Japanese legation guard be reduced
by one-half, thereby giving expression to
Japanese confidence that the Chinese gov
eminent could maintain order Russia
also notified the government that similar
action would be taken with regard to her
legation guard.