Page
86
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE DECREE OF THE EMPRESS- | act of oppression, the EMPRESS-DOWAGER
DOWAGER.
has over-renched herself. In spite of the silence of the people under her repented (Daily Prest 6th February.)
acts of cruelty, injustice and treason, all The news telegraphed by our Shanghai sense of deference to the rightful ruler correspondent, that the EMPRESS DOWAGER, has not been lost. Had the EMPRESS impressed by the opposition of the people, DOWAGER foreseen this she would probably has deemed it wise to evoke the decree have been in less haste to issue those dethroning KUANG HBU, will undoubtedly decrees, supposed to emanate from the be received with immense gratification by mouth of KUANG Hao. Had she played the Chinese in the southern portion of the with her customary ability she would Empire. Foreigners who are interested in have got rid of KUANG Hsu first and then will also view appointed Pur SING to fill his somewhat the welfare of China
But the Imperial ac the more recent action of this lady with con-unenviable shoes. siderable favour. We are not charitable tress bungled matters, as she is beginning to enough for one moment to suppose that the find to her cost. The present situation re- vindication of the helpless EMPEROR is due veals the innate loyalty of the Chinese peo- to any philanthropic motives on the part of ple, for while they can have no regard for the EMPRESS-DOWAGER, or to any feelings the helpless nonentity who fills the throne of repentance generated in her breast at the they certainly have respect for the institu- normity of her crime in disposing of him tion itself. That respect for the throne is so who is her lawful sovereign. Though she great that it has caused the ancient Viceroy has seen fit to re-enthrone KUANG HSU, LIU KUNG Yr, with fifty of his officials, to there is little doubt, after the previous at proceed to Peking and personally remons tempts by her menials on his life, that the trate with the perpretrator of such an act of course the "Son of Heaven" will run on this injustice. It has induced commercial Chin earth will be brief, very brief! That an EM. ese at the risk of their lives and confiscation PEROR at this period of the world's progress, of their property to assemble publicly in who ought to be in the full vigour of his large numbers and openly resent the de- early manhood, should be the shuttlecock to thronement of their EMPEROR. the battledore of a woman whose early days were spent in the humblest employment, in a country where of all lands, women are the least respected, is an anomaly for which a parallel in present or past history it would be
difficult to discover. The legitimate
govern- or of the many millions of China is of course
ing.
In short the blunder of the EMPRESS DOWAGER has to some extent crented pub lic opinion in China, a lever hitherto lack
That public opinion is unanimous that the EMPEROR should be retained, and if that public opinion be disregarded there are evident signs of a revolution that will shake Chinn throughout her length and breadth. It is questionable even now if the action of this wretched woman has not given such an impetus to movements having for their avowed object the overthrow of the dynasty and the introduction of reforms. Certainly the leaders of the rebellious legions in the Yangtaze Valley and in
South China could certainly not be accused
KUANG HSU. The regency of the EMPRESS DOWAGER was concluded, or should have, when he reached maturity. He is the real EMPEROR and in his name and under his seal is all authority in China given. To him alone is due the allegiance of the Viceroys, the officials and the people, and the position of the EMPRESS-DOWAGER towards him should be no more in influence than that of a domestic relation. Her Imperial connection of treason against the throne in attempting ceased when he became of age to rule; to overthrow the regime of the EMPRESS. henceforth her duties should be those DOWAGER. The Yangtzse provinces, Shan- that fall within the domestic and moral tung,and Kwangtung in the South, are over- sphere of a maiden-aunt. Hitherto the run with rebellious secret societies, which Chinese have failed to recognise this; the need only capable leaders and organisation word of the EMPRESS DOWAGER has been to develope a serious rebellion. Even by Jaw, a very terrible and swift law to their means China may yet work out her those who have dared to disobey it. She own salvation, but one thing is evident that is undoubtedly a clever woman, or she, China in addition to the burden of all her rising from the obscurity and questionable other troubles cannot bear the experience morality of a singing girl's life, would never of an irresponsible woman one day dethron- have occupied the position she does to-day.ing the EMPEROR, and the next restoring Had she possessed virtues in place of the him and dethroaing his successor.
a creature as the unscrupulous traits in her character, the wonder is that such
EMPRESS DOWAGER should be allowed to exercise of which have made her name abhorred. her reign would have been as
reside in Peking and retain her unwhole hesitation illustrous as that of the gentle and good some influence so long. She has no lady who rules the destinies of the British in murdering her most enlightened subjects Empire. To gratify her whims, her ignor-wholesale without regard to their ability, ance and arrogance, she has brought the work or rank. It would save much loss of ancient Empire of China to the verge of life, confliction between the Powers, and ruin, and her recent decree was almost her undoubtedly save China from her otherwise final act of destruction. Confident in the impeuding fate, if the lady who believes she strength which accumulated wealth,
can govern affairs at Peking were put under bands of eunuchs,
and jealousies of some form of restraint. An individual who the rival factions nt
illuses persistently his fellows, and who is a besto she has imagined her position impreg. danger to the public is placed by the com- nable. The provinces have been ruled by munity in a position in which he can neither
injure himself or his fellows. peace of the world and Chiun especially it would be well if the Powers, or the leading Chinese officials would so deal with this objectionable creature at Peking, otherwise the people may undertake the task them
her dictum,
court,
for who has dared
gainsay it? The opposition and distrust existing between the Foreign Powers in Eastern matters have been recognised and used by her to advantage. Are we not informed that even Russia, the latest declared supporter of the "Open Door" policy has already evinced its earnestness by promising to support this wicked woman in her treasonable work!
But it would appear in this, her latest
selves with disastrous consequences.
The
For the
The Hon. Treasurer of the Alice Memorial and Nethersole Hospitals has received a dona tion of $30 from the Fresh Fish Guild and
12.20 from the Baptist Mission Church.
[February 10, 1900.
THE REMOVAL OF KUANG HSU,
(Daily Press, 3rd February.)-. There is little doubt that the final depoti. tion of the Emperor KUANGSU is looked upon with disfavour through the whole of China. The mercantile classes do so often place themselves in the predicament of open expression of their political views, yet on this subject they have openly expressed their indignation. The affair has been long in contemplation and the train has been carefully Inid; it has however had as yet but one effect, and that is to emphasize the personal and sinister influence of the Ex- PRESS DOWAGER. The question is not one of pro or anti-foreign influence, but one in which the very existence of China ne a nation is concerned, and resolves itself into the alternative; shall the Empire submit being dictated to by a woman, bad in every respect, personally and as well as politically; or shall it once for all determine to get rid of the scum which for the last forty years has gathered over and infected the whole body politic? At various times in her past his- tory China has evolved leaders, who by honesty and courage, have purified the land restored her to her position amongst nations; but the worst of the present crisis is that not one man has come to the front with the national capacity to be a lender of men, and the whole nation led by its blind guides has sunk deeper and deeper in the mass of corruption. We hear much by persons who have not studied the inner workings of European governments of the benevolent intervention of the foreign
ters interfere in the cause of law and representations. Why do not the Minis- order, and refuse to acknowledge the
new
ยท
regency? Such would-be wisemen do not recognise the condition of affairs in Europe, nor the feelings of hate and envy only waiting the opportunity to bo let loose. France, for instance, soured by her isolation and with her hand turned against every man, is only bent on stirring up strife, she little cares where. Russin, or a large section of her statesmen, is still in the incipient state, when the in- stinct of conquest, rather than the ambition of improvement is uppermost; and to this such instinct France shamelessly panders, in the hope that her big friend may injure some of her neighbours, she is well nigh indifferent with. Germany is in a frenzy of militarianism, which slie permits to be- cloud her.better judgment. Austrin suffers
from her compound nationality, and Italy, though she may be a useful ally, has no strength nor perseverance to become a lend- ing facton. In one thing, though from dif fercut reasons and in a different way, alb unite, and that is in jealousy of England,. and all the more that recent affairs have thrown England into more than usually friendly relations with her own kindred people in the United States. The States and England, in Chinn, have interests which although by no means identical have much, in common, and those interests rightly or wrongly by the Continental Powers are looked
Now upon as contrary to their own,
the traditional policy of England in China from the beginning has ever been to pre- memberment of the Empire. With this serve the status quo, and to prevent the dis- object in view she assisted the government. to put down the Taiping Rebellion, and with this view she, rather than strike n
blow which would still more weaken the
central power, by degrees coincided in many political movements of which she approved little. She, last year, though expressing her dissatisfaction, fell in with the suppres
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