New-York tribune., 1911-12-18

the roof OF the cars. 1t Is simple panic
The refugees are confined TO no particular
class of Chinese, except that the class
which has not the money for flight is re
naming at home. Chinese of the highest
standing, men of ability, courage and com
mon sense, have the same feeling Of dread
over what may happen.
Fortunately, there seems no danger to
foreigners. At least, there is at present
no evidence of anti-foreign feeling, al
though once the mob gets control the anti
foreign sentiment which is certainly IN
grained in vast numbers Of Chinese may
break out IT is likely. however. that the
foreigners will escape harm. The Chinese
learned a fearful lesson eleven years ago,
when the legations here were besiege', and
they are not likely TO endanger repe-
ttion. knowing full we'll what would
happen.
FOREIGNERS in Native Quarter.
There are large number of foreigners
living in the native part of Peking. Their
refuge would he the legation quarter. Ihis
great area, q mile long and half mlIe
wide. where are situated the legations OF ali
the powers. together with numerous other
establishments, such as banks and business
houses. is within a wall and is well guard
ed by soldiers Of various nationaliues form
ing the legation guards. OF these guards
that of the American legation is the larg-
est, especially since 1t was augmented by
the arrival of marines from the Philippines
There is room enough, in pinch, for all
the foreigners and while. doubtless many
Of them, particularly those far out, VIII
move in-some Of them already have-there
is no particular danger for the foreigners
as a whole. and not the slightest risk of
anything like an attack on the legations
such as took place I'm 1900. The greatest
danger is that the mobs might rule the city.
Should this come fires will follow. and
then foreigners living outside would suffer.
Some one has humorously said that the
Manchus are fleeing by night and the Chi
nese by day. At least the movement Is
constant All through the nights the
strange two-whecled Peking carts creak
slowly through the streets, en- route from
residence and business places to the sta
ton. packed solldly with valuables and
household goods Sometimes they pass
through the legation quarter. To reach the
from one part of the city they
must do so. There is mystery in the air.
a string Of carts comes down the street
laden high with great chests ana boxes OF
highly polished and carved Chinese woods
They come from no one knows where ana
go no one knows whittier, except that
some evidently wealthy man is endeavorinG
TO save his most priced possessions Another
long string Of carts comes from another
direction 1t is easy to see that these great
boxes were built for bullion, and that in
side the chests is solid silver being taken
from the imperial palaces. maybe, TO some
foreign bank in the legation quarter for
safekeeping until this trouble is over
couple Of soldiers guard the caravan; no
more are necessary, for man could scarce
~ lift one of the heavy boxes, and there
is, as yet, no danger of concerted attack;
and even If such an attack occurred condi-
tions would doubtless be such that a score
Of soldiers could not withstand a loot-mad-
dened Chinese mob.
Hotel Packed to the Roof.
Living quarters and storage room in the
legation quarter are in high demand.
There is one foreign hotel within the
quarter. 1t is now packed TO the roof.
Not only have foreigners come in from all
sides TO this haven Of safety, but scores
Of Chinese have found refuge there, as
we'll as many Manchus. At last there must
he some natives of this Celestial empire
who agree with the foreigners that lega-
tion guards are pretty good things to main
tain. Hitherto most Of the natives nave
declared that they are unnecessary and
ridiculous TO have.
The capitulation' Of the throne meant an
end TO Manchu supremacy. Hitherto the
Manchu has held himself supreme. From
the lowest to the higest every one of them
has been a pensoner of the government
drawing from a few taels month to vast
sums. and all held themselves above ana
sunerior TO the Chinese. The throne was
finally forced to accede TO demands which
brought them down to equal footing with
the Chinese. 1t also meant the dismissal
from office and unearned income of a large
number Of Manchu princes, and loss of pen
sion TO all Manchus. Some Of the younger,
hotter blooded of these princes were for
fighting il out, and showed fury over the
capitulation. They showed in fact, some
of the spirit of their ancestors, who were
Of lighting stock, and il is declared that
some of them advocated turning loose the
Imnerial Guard on the town. setting these
thousands Of men TO butchering Chinese
and looting the city. Nothing of the sort
has bappened, but the mere reports that
flow over the city that the young princes
Of the imperial household were talking Of
sucb things sent panic swiftly through the
The most stirring and picturesque event
If the last month in Peking was the
deposition of Sheng Hsuan-huai from his
most of Minister Of Communications and
his flight from Pehng under the protection
OF the powers. The attack on Sheng and
the thrones capitulaton TO the demands
~ The Assembly marked tho beginning OF
the end Of Manchu power The members
Of the Assembly were outspoken and bold
in their demands, and Oh the floor in open
session more than one proclaimed reyolU-
tionary tendencies
shena's Dismissal Demanded.
A memorial was adopted demanding f,
sheng's dismissal. The throne complied
with all demands completely. almost alb
iectly, IN an euIct winch dlsHissed Shehs'
"never TO he employed again." which Is
the worst form Of degradation. 1t blamed
him for all that had been done, whereas
cvery action he had taken had been sane
toned by the Cabinet and by imperial
edict
Mere degradation and dismissal, how
ever. was not enough for many Of the !
They wanted Sheng's head, !
and they took steps 10 memorialze the |
throne. demanding his execution This was
a serious matter, aud the diplomats in |
charge OF the American British. German |
and French legations hastily met to con
.iAer the maiter The nnssihiliiv Of the |