Putnam patriot., 1925-09-04

betits old ladies. Shortly before the Christian Generals coun. enc of the old ladies had died and after the Chinese manner was awaiting an aus picious day for burial. Then came the Generals order which proved ex- tremeiy upsesting to the two remain ing ladies. However. with remark able nerve they absolutely refused 60 hudge until such day as they might see fjt Co bury their deceased sister-in- law. fl that is the proper word for the relationship of eoneubiHes it is pleasant to relate that they won out.
 A Triumph ef knsyery
 Feng's treatment of the Boy Elm peror did ot make for his popularity. He found it not altogether wise to treat in such hrusque fashion "The Son of Heaven" as he Is still regarded by many of the people But where might Is right a trumped up reason. f any reason Is necessary. Is as good as the truth Justification is always bore even to the best ef us. But Justification. or. at least, explanation of more than his treatment of the Emperor had to be made to Chang Tso-lin, unless as since has become the belief. the Great Chang knew quite well what was in the air and had ap- proved and abetted the Christian Generals coup from the first. As it was. Feug shortly joined Chang Tso- lin in Tientsin for a conference. This must have been triumph of knavery Chang's army entered Pc king soon after, at the same time heI and Feng returned 10 the capital.
 This army of Chang Tso-lin is a far better appearing and equipped body of men than that of his prede- cessors and it is easily recognized by the black band worn on the arm like a sign of mourning. The uniforms of the Chinese soldiers are perforce the same. men who fight indiserimi- nately under one leader today and another tomorrow cannot be readily re-equipped. But Chang's soldiers. largely Manchurians. have the eff eient. well-drilled look of proper troops. Indeed, many of the officers are foreign; large number are Rus sians, mere boys, at that.
 An Army of Tragic Youth
 Both in Picking and Tientsin one sees these tragic youngsters, slim, smart young men in uniform of any or no country,-what an American lady described as "cosmopolitan uni forms" You wonder at such men in Chinese army until you see their faces, then you understand. The des- peration of hopeless. eeaseless adversity. the red hand of Bolsheyism that sows broadcast starvation, or de- gradation-often both together-has forced this upon them. Russian trag- edy is patent in China; in Shanghai and the cities of the north ninety per cent of the foreign prostitutes are Russians. In Picking the Russian le gation has become Soviet Embassy, the red flag flies free and China is in direct danger of this hideous disease.
 With Chang and Feng in Picking to- gether a mysterious game begins. Is one afraid of the other. or both of each other. or is t simply Chinese diplomacy2 Feng issues a statement that his mission is accomplished. his desire for public life is at an end and his only wish now is for travel to Ja= pan. America and Europe, sort of Grand Tour for a Christian Chinese gentleman of an inquirinE mind. Not once. but three times he makes this statement hoping emphasis may en- courage belief But his desire for travel takes him no further than the Western Hills, to a temple well known to foreigners as a spot of beauty for pienies This temple is perched high on the mountain by the side of a deep ravine with a view of extended gran deur over the fiat plains below. II is a steep climb by foot and even by chair. journey of consideration. Anyone who may want to see him there must want to very much indeed and he will rot be troubled by idle visitors, if such exist in China.
 Flight of "The Son of Heaven"
 Chang and his black banded troops Co all appearances hold Picking. He removes the military guard from the Palace in which the Boy Emperor is confined and he allows Mir. Johnson, the English tutor and intimate friend of the Emperor from childhood, free access as before to "The Son of Heaven"
 The two unlooked-for events oc- eur. First. the Emperor appears at the Japanese Legation as fugitive and is given sanctuary. \ sigh of relief breathes over Peking He is safe. with his head still where heads are meant 10 be Politically. "he who runs may read. Secondly, almost simultaneously. like q thief in the night. Chang Tso-iin slips away, back to Tientsin, presumably en route to MUkden.
 Such is the situation at this writ ing. or rather lack of it. It is a circle round and back Co the start again.