July 28, 1900.]
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be condignly punished. This appeal is somewhat belated, and it is obviously fore- doomed to failure, inasmuch as the mystery is still uncleared, the unprovoked murder of the German Minister unatoned for, and the Chinese troops still waging war against the Powers. Moreover, it is also a matter of doubt as to what is meant by the words "Chinese Government" and "Emperor of China." What does the Chinese Government consist of? Is it still an Emperor, an Imperial Council, and seven Boards? What has become of the Tsung- li Yamen? Are these Boards still in exis- tence? Do they still serve the Empress Dowager, and does the old lady still govern in the name of the practically deposed KWANG HSU? Is that monarch still alive, or is he, as reported, dead and is some creature of the usurping faction personating him? Is it true, as has been alleged, that Prince TUAN is the virtual ruler of China? These are questions the Treaty Powers will want to have answered before they treat with any Chinese Government. The Powers must feel that they cannot accept the assurances or the guarantees of the Chinese Ambassadors accredited to them, who are the mere tools of the Peking Authorities. To treat with these authorities-if they decide ever to treat with them again at all-it is essential that the Western States shall penetrate to the Chi- nese capital, and obtain the true answer to all the many painful queries that are now being asked. It should not be forgotten, in considering what amount of credibility may be given to the Chinese official telegraphic assurances of the safety of the foreigners in Peking, that during the Chino-Japanese War the very frequent and copious Chinese telegrams from the seat of war proved to be one tissue of most unblushing lies, and that every reported victory proved when the facts came out, to be either a defeat or a disgrace- ful rout. If the Powers retain their common- sense they will absolutely refuse to listen to any representations from the Chinese at all, un- less accompanied by an assurance from some one of the Foreign Ministers, and in his own handwriting, that the inmates of the Lega- tions are alive and safe. In any case, we ima- gine, the Powers will with one accord agree that never again shall Peking be the seat of Government in China. The views on this subject expressed by Mr. FREEMAN MITFORD are very much to the point, and it is satis- factory to find so great an authority as The Times referring with favour to his sugges- tions. Meantime, as we have said, there is a doubt which has to be settled one way or the other as to the fate of the Ministers and the Legations, and it is galling to think that we shall probably have to await the entrance of foreign troops into Peking before we can obtain authentic intelligence of what has happened there since the 30th June. It is most intolerable that, although Peking is still in communication with Chefoo, and thence by wire with the world, we cannot yet secure one short reliable telegram or message to bring to a termination this most miserable state of doubt which now hangs over the fate of those who are said to be cooped up in Peking at the mercy of a savage and shifty foe.
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ten the progress of negotiations of any kind. Cheered though we may be for the moment by the shadow of hope that Sir CLAUDE MACDONALD and the majority of his fellow-sufferers are still alive, the situation remains profoundly gloomy.
THE RELIEF OF PEKING- AND AFTERWARDS.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. tion is growing that KWANG Hau is still alive, and it appears possible that the ap- peals attributed to him are more than merely put into his mouth. But, though he may be alive, he is obvioursly still only a puppet in other hands, the hands of those whose authority La HUNG-CHANG is upholding. The second question, what is the object at which Li aims, has been practically answered by the telegrams of the last two days. The trend of his diplomacy since his arrival at Shanghai has been to sound the foreign re-
(Daily Press. 26th July.) presentatives as to the best terms procurable is the relief of Peking and the quelling of the Apart from the question of the hour, which for his Government if they can restore the insurrection in the North, there remains Ministers alive and throw overboard the the deeper and more lasting one for Eng- "Boxers." With regard to the Ministers, land of what is to follow the restoration of though it is unsafe to pronounce any de- order finite opinion, we may
-a question pregnant with issues 1 that there is at least a chance that the and British trade. We have not the slight- justifiably say vital to the prosperity of British interests rulers at Peking have held back their ad- est doubt but that, if it were possible, our herents from the last step. Otherwise Li Foreign Office would revert to that policy HUNG-CHANG could hardly have ventured to of drift which has characterized their atti- assure the U.S. Consul-General at Shanghai tuđe on the China question in the past. that the Ministers were safe, for to do so if Happily or unhappily, as the event may he knew or thought they were already mur- prove, and as the public opinion of England dered would be to involve himself in the may be guided, this is an attitude which crine and the punishment which must fol they are not likely to be allowed to assume. low it; and among his other qualities the It will be well for this generation and for Viceroy certainly possesses his share of cau the generations to come that the gravity of tion: It is possible then that the Pe- the crisis which they are called upon to face king authorities have come round to the be brought forcibly before the Government, view that their best policy is to hold the re- and with the Transvaal question well on the fugees at the British Legation as hostages way to solution it is not unlikely that it will and purchase the lightest terms obtainable in be so pressed on their notice that inaction return for their surrender. This is the card which I HUNG-CHANG has played against But it is at the same time absolutely essen- on their part will become an impossibility. the Consuls at Shanghai--that is, against tial that the great mass of the public at such of them as have consented to treat with home should have it clearly placed before them him, and these are the American and, accord- that this is the turning point in the history ing to the China Mail's correspondent, the of China, and that as they may sow now so French, Russian, and Japanese representa- they will reap in the future. After restora- tives. This is the policy which many clear- tion of order, the first problem the Powers sighted observers suspected when LI HUNG- will have to face is the question of Empire or CHANG's departure north become a certainty. no Empire-division or maintainance of the Naturally the Consuls demand a definite proof status quo. There will doubtless be a party of the continued existence of their impri- who will advocate the policy of division, but soned nationals before they can consider England and America, if not other Powers, any terms at all. But, supposing that such will without doubt adhere to their original proof is furnished, it is impossible to see on and declared intention of maintaining the what basis any terms can be settled. Sir integrity of the Empire, and with their CLAUDE MACDONALD's letter of the 4th weight thrown in the balance it is pretty instant to Consul CARLES at Tientsin an- safe to say that this policy will carry the nounced the death of forty-four persons up day. The next is the question of who is to to that date at the Legation, which makes it fill the throne? Shall it be KWANG Hsu, if probable that all the nations whose subjects he still lives, or shall the officials who have are among the beleaguered have deaths to remained loyal throughout be called upon avenge, and, though the United States and, to decide who is to preside over the destiny to a certain extent, Japan have given signs of the millions committed to their charge? of placability, there are other nations who These decided, financial reorganization of will be harder to appease. The party of the Empire will be a matter calling for Prince TUAN have gone too far to shelter prompt but careful treatment, and with it themselves effectively behind the plea that the revision of the tariff on foreign imports the "Boxers" caused all the deaths and to and on exports. In this connection it is to save their own lives by requesting aid to be noted that it was obviously the intention stamp out the insurrection, thereby making of the Chinese Government, previous to the other nations bear the brunt of the expense. outbreak of hostilities, to deal with this In a way, it is a matter for congratulation question from the old standpoint that for- that this solution of difficulty is not open to eign nations were concerned only with the the Powers, because in the conflict of aims question of taxation on imports and exports and interests no one can feel sure that Ori-and that internal taxation was one solely con- ental diplomacy would not once more suc- cerning the Chinese themselves, and which ceed in avoiding the payment of the greater consequently they could fix and arrange on part of the bill incurred. But, on the other any basis they liked. Had the British Gov- hand, if a ready solution cannot be found ment ever been foolish enough to listen to, and the Powers see nothing feasible except not to mention entertain, any such proposals, the advance of a force on Peking, they are we should have no hesitation in saying their (Daily Press, 27th July.); {
confronted with LI HUNG-CHANG's reported action would be regarded as almost criminal When H.E. LI HUNG-CHANG passed threat it can be called nothing less-that by that portion of the public who have any through Hongkong on the 18th instant
a massacre of the surviving foreigners will knowledge or idea of the manner in which bound for the North, two important ques- follow. A fortnight, however, from the the corrupt provincial administrations stran- tions were naturally raised-In obedience 20th instant must elapse before the relief gle trade. So closely related and interwoven to whose commands was he acting? and force can be ready to start, and in this in- are the threads of commerce that it is im what object did he hope to attain ? The terval there may be a faint chance of bring-possible to tighten or break one ithout at first question remains unanswered. Who ing the usurpers of the Imperial Govern- the same time increasing the strai it was who actually appointed him Viceroy ment to their senses. Unfortunately the sion on the others
mistaken entertained by our Government
of Chihli and commanded him to leave Can-unrest in the Yangtze Valley appears to In a word, it is that dange
ton, we are still unable to say. The convic- have grown considerably and to threa-
Y