January 9, 1909.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. population of 548,898. The inhabitants of tower of strength YUAN SHIH-KAI has the town of Messina itself, which is reported proved in the recent crisis, it is to have been practically destroyed by the inconceivable that at the present time earthquake, numbered about 150,000, and the Regent would dismiss from office a the town of Reggio Calabria, which suffered statesman who in recent years has been to a like extent, had a population of 45,000~ regarded as the most powerful man in China Not all these have perished, however, for and the real ruler of the Empire. Serious the telegrams make it clear that there are physical disability alone might reasonably thousands in these towns who are homeless be regarded the
only excuse and in a state of starvation. But the dethe retirement. If it vastation is not confined to the large towns. An extensive area has been affected, and it will probably be some days yet before the authorities are able to form a very accurate estimate of the loss of life involved. The most conservative estimates, however, are sufficiently appalling to draw the whole world's sympathy to Italy in this great misfortune. In Great Britain, in France, in the United States, in Canada and in the Argentine Republic, and we doubt not in other countries not mentioned in the telegrams, sympathy is being nobly expressed in the contributions which are being made for the relief of sufferers.
YUAN SHIH KAI'S DOWNFALL.
AMERICA AND CHINA,
23
(Daily Press, January 7th.) The visit f H.E. TANG SHAO-YI to the United States as a Special Ambassador to, convey to the President an expression of gratitude for the action of the United States in reference to the Boxer indemnity for has given rise to much speculation in the were otherwise, American Press as to whether the visit did and. YUAN SHIH-KAI were tɔ exhibit | pot have some additional significance. The any sign of resentment, there would letter from the late Emperor of China to be an end to the tranquillity which has the President, did not, however, contain a happily prevailed throughout a time of single phrase which could be construed into considerable apprehension. YUAN SHIH-a hint of any desire for closer diplomatic KAI is a Chinese, and the fact that NA TONG relations, nor did His Excellency or the a Manchu, has been appointed to fill the President let fall anything in the course of vacancy created by YUAN SHIH-Kar's their speeches foreshadowing the Treaty retirement from the Grand Council would negotiations so confidently predicted by a in itself add to the outburst of indignation section of the American Press.
Yet we which a peremptory dismissal would be likely observe that a telegram is published in a to evoke. It has to be remembered that northern contemporary stating that His YUAN SHIH-KAIS protégés are filling many, Excellency TANG SHAO-YI's efforts to if not most, of the highest positions in the induce the United States to enter into provinces, and the retired statesman there- an alliance with China have failed. fore wields an influence in the land which It is natural to suppose that, at the might well justify ominous forebodings if conferences which the Special Ambassador his retirement means an attempt to exclude has had with Mr. Boor, matters his influence from the counsels of the Empire. affecting the policy of the two countries in What gives countenance, however, to regard to each other were freely discussed, the view that YUAN SHIH-KAI has fallen and possibly the Secretary of State was the victim of intrigue on the part of the invited to express an opinion concerning the reactionaries is that the retirement has not recent advocacy of an alliance by a section been preceded by the usual constant applica of the American Press. TANG SHAO-YI, tions for "sick leave." Only one such however, is statesman enough to be able to application has been heard of, aud that two anticipate the sort months ago, and it is, to say the least, receive. Apart from this matter which of reply he would unusual to issue an Imperial Edict on the may be regarded as outside the pale of. subject if only temporary sick leave is practical politics, the Special Ambassador intended. No hope is expressed in the Edict doubtless, had many matters to talk that the statesman who has been doing so over with the Secretary. In well informed much for the material progress of the circles in Washington it was believed that Empire might soon recover his health and financial questions would take a leading return to the high office he now vacates. place in the discussions at these conferences. The retirement bears the stamp of finality, This is not unlikely, for prior to leaving for and it is not without some show of reason the United States, TANG SHAO-Yi was much that Europe is apprehensive. It is well occupied with financial affairs. The need to note in this connexion that there is of foreign capital to assist in the develop- greater faith abroad in YUAN SHIH-KAI's ment of the resources of the Empire was influence and power in the land than exists forcing itself prominently upon his atten- among the Chinese. Since a Manchu, TIEH tion, and it is highly probable, therefore, LIANG, obtained the control of the army that questions of this character did figure which Yuan created, the influence of the largely in the conferences between the ex-Viceroy of Chili is considered to have been Special Ambassador and Mr. Roor. If weakened considerably.
TANG SHAO.Yr has a leaning towards any particular foreign country it is towards America. When, by virtue of the famous Edict of May 1906, he became Vice-Im- perial Commissioner of Customs, he dispatched, under Dr. TENNI, a selected band of Chinese students to America for instruction in Western methods of adminis- tration with a view to their becoming fitted Only once has he travelled to fill the higher posts in the Imperial beyond the confines of the Empira, and that Maritime Customs' service. Educational as was in 1901 when he proceedel to Japan as
well as financial questions were therefore. a special ambassador. The selection of probably discussed, but the only tangible LIANG TUN-YEN to succeed YUAN 23
result of these conferences that the President of the Board of Foreign Affairs world has so far heard about is the deci- is especially acceptable to the Chinese in sion of the United States Government to this part of the Empire, for His Excellency raise the Legation at Peking to the rank of is a native of Kwangtung. Though young
an Embassy. When
we recall how for such a position as statesmen count in jealously the leading States have always China it is probable that the appointment striven to assert their superiority by resist gives great satisfaction to the Legations.ig demands ou the part of interior, States For several years the new President was for a step in diplomatic rank, the report is CHANG CHIH-TUNG'S interpreter, and in somewhat surprising that the United states 1907 he was selected to represent China at contemplates in this way the recognition of Washington, but did not proceed. He Caina as ranking equally with her in the remained to become Junior Vice-President diplomatic world. Though none of the Powers of the Board of Foreign Affairs, and is now raised the status of their Legations in Japan promoted to the presidency. The retire- until after the abolition ofextra-territoriality ment or dismissal of YUAN SHIH KAI it has been reported that the elevation is certainly disturbing, but until the of the Legations in Tokyo has been a sore factors which determined the step are point with China, and that the hint has better known it is unprofitable to indulge in been given to the Foreign Powers that speculations as to what will happen.
China would like to be placed on the same
(Daily Press, January 6th.) We take for what it may be worth the statement in the Chinese newspapers that YUAN SHIH KAI has been relieved against his will of the great and responsible offices he has recently been filling in the State. Were it not that the Peking correspondent of "The Times" has evidently corroborated that view we would have hesitated to un- reservedly accept the statement. It will be recalled that when the present arrange- ments were made for the succession to the Throne it was reported that YUAN SHIH- KAI had applied for sick-leave, and it was generally assumed, by those unaware of the condition of the statesman's health, that it was merely a diplomatic excuse to be relieved of a service which he recognised would be distasteful to him. In other words, it was represented that the new régime would be reactionary, and that service B.S an adviser to the Throne would be therefore impossible for a man of YUAN SHIH KAT's enlightened and pro- gressive ideas. We learn, however, that as a matter of fact, YUAN SHIH KAI was genuinely ill at the time, and has ever since been a martyr to gout. In the Imperial Edict relieving His Excellency of the offices he holds, it is announced that he is physically unable to attend to his duties, and the decision to relieve him of his offices is set down in the Edict as a mark of Imperial favour. There are other plausible reasons for hesitating to accept the view that he has been pushed aside for political reasons. YUAN SHIH KAI is known to have advocated the selection of the new Emperor and we may be sure that on that account he enjoys the favour of the Regent. Dr MORRISON in his estimate of the prospects under the new régime wrote: The fact that the new Regent, Prince Cars, an aimable, intelligent Prince, who has travelled in Europe, will be for the next twelve years virtually Emperor cannot weaken the position of YUAN SHIH-KAI anu those whose influence makes for progress, provided that he keeps independent of female influence." To what extent this last condition has been fulfilled we have no knowledge, but the fact that the Palace has been purged of the baneful influence of the eunuchs, combined with the many other evidences of enlightened views already giveu by the Regent surely tend to show that he is not in sympathy with the reactionary school. When we bear in mind what. a
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H.E. No TUNG, the new Grand Coun- cillor has filled many high offices in the State, including that of President of the Board of Foreign Affairs, in 1903. Among the other appointments he has held are those of Grand Secretary, General Commander of Gendarmerie, President of the Board of Revenue, and President of the Board of Interior.