May 15, 1909.]
unfortunate husband.
The inner details of the life of an Oriental monarch seldom come to the light of day, but we are coming to learn enough of the life of the late Emperor to know that it constituted one of the strangest rowances of history; and not the least strange part of it all has been the high sense of duty, which in spite of all the defects of his early education seems to have been the actuating motive of his life; but which under adverse circumstances, seems to have brought during life only grief and sorrow, nt only to himself but to the country he loved so well. We see a reflection of the divers currents that beset him in life in
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
of
new
|
(Daily Press, May 13th.).
399
her will, has since his death become more continue to decline, we do not think | MANCHU.CHINESE MARRIAGES. than ever apparent. Unexpected has been the it necessarily follows that the Chinese part devolving on the new Dowager, widow feeling of hostility to Japan is as intense of the deceased Emperor. During the as it was six months ago. Appearances lifetime of the late Regent relegated to utter are certainly against the statement. What- The hope was entertained that the order insignificance, the fact that she is now in ever the real explanation of the declin- which was issued by the late Dowager loco parentis to the new Emperor during his ing trade may be, so far as the Chinese Empress to the effect that in future there years of childhood, has brought her to the in Hongkong are concerned it is certainly could be marriages between the Manchu front; and apparently disclosed the fact that not due to a greater intensity of feeling families and Chinese would put an end to, she was not such an indifferent spectator of against Japan. The injury done to Japanese or at least largely lessen, the caste distinc the sorrows of her husband as circumstances trade by the boycott is more permanent than tion between the Manchus and the Chinese, seemed to indicate. Although apparently the feelings of hatred which inspired the which has done so much harm, and has anxious to keep herself aloof from all merely movement, and an explanation of the con- undoubtedly stood more in the way of political acts, as aware from sad experience tinued decline in Japanese trade is to be progress than almost anything else. This of the result in the case of the late Regent sought rather in the diversion of trade which hope, however, like many that are formed of a woman's interference in the higher occurred when the boycott started, and the with regard to China, seems destined to dis- realms of statescraft, she has been apparent-stimulus the movement gave to native enter- appointment. According to those most ly doing useful service in the more domestic prises. If the boycott led to the cultiva conversant with what is going on at the affairs of the household. She has unearthed tion
tastes and the acquisition Capital, there is as much Court intrigue the secret of the illegal board accumulated of new habits- -as must undoubtedly there as ever, and it is to be feared that this by the late Dowager, and if she had done no have been the case it would be hopeless unfortunate kind of influence may do much more would certainly have deserved well of to anticipate that as soon as the boycott to hinder the reforms which have been pro- the country; but she is doing more, for she movement is suppressed the trade will mised. Already the date at which a is supplying in the case of the new monarch evert to its former channels. The Chinese Constitution was promised to be granted, the want which was so conspicuously absen are as conservative in their business as has been made indefinite, and there are in the case of her own husband, and by in their social, and political customs, other signs which go to show that, even at looking personally after the education of and it is 2 generally the young child will doubtless be able to feature
recognised this day, the old plan of making specious of business in China that promises, and then proceeding to shuffle out control if not effectually remove entirely t
when once a particular brand of goods of them has by no means been abandonet evil influence of the eunuchs about the Court has been established in popular favour, it We were no doubt assured that the retire- which told so heav ly in the case of her takes a great deal of business push to inducement of YUAN-SHI-KAI did not indicate any purchasers to give their pr fererce to the alteration in the policy which the Peking rival commodity. Shortly after the boycot authorities intended to follow. This state- -tarted much was heard of the stimulus meut may be true, but in a different sense given to creation of new ones.
native enterprises and of the to that in which it is intended to be accepted. How far these hav The policy that is being followed is most developed as a result of the boycott, likely one which is bound to involve the firms who are specially interested in the retirement of YUAN-SHI-KAI or of anyone particular lines of trade affected are in else who might entertain the same liberal the best positson to judge, but there can
views that he has expressed. The intention be no doubt whatever that the stimulus of the Peking Governmt may be to given by the boycott to native industries, introduce reform; but it is to be feared they has materially affected the import, and wish to do this so slowly, that practically and this combined with the diversion of the action taken will leave things very little many branches of trade into other channels, changed, and that in essentials, reform will precludes the hope that a complete restoration be avoided altogether. In short, there is of amicable relations between Chinese and too much reason to fear the old shuffling Japanese traders will be followed by the conduct, which has wrought so much harm return of the full tide of business prosperity in China on other occasions a kind of which the Japane e merchants enjoyed MICAWBER policy, with promises of doing before the unfortunate contretemps occurred. great things but an inner hope that We do not go so far as to say that the thing will turn up" to prevent its being feeling of hostility to the Japanese in South necessary to carry the promises out, is being China has completely died out. It is only
rverted to. In many instances, fortune too plain to everyone that there are in has served the Government very well and Canton plenty of people only too eager to
the something" actually has turned up fan into flame the dying embers of the and been very skilfully availed of; but it strife; and the Pratas Island incident has will hardly do to rely upon the chance of served their purpose well; but we do not events in so important a matter as the think the suggestion can be substantiated movement for reform which has so long been that the Chinese throughout the country are occupying the mind of the Chinese people, still deliberately int nt on the destruction and which has been unquestionably encour of Japanese trade in a spirit of revenge. agel by promises at head quarters. An Osaka journal makes an appeal to the How the change at Peking which has be- Tokyo Foreign Office to institute an imme- come noticeable has been brought about, it THE BOYCOTT,
diate investigation into the matter. We do is of course impossible to say, as even those not doubt that the Foreign Office in Tokyo who know something of the inner workings (Daily Press, May 12th.)
is kept well informed of the situation, but atthe capital can hardly speak with certainty Anything written now about the it is difficult to see what action they can on such a point. In part, no doubt, it is boycott of Japanese shipping and cam-take in the circumstances. We note, by the attributable to not unnatural jealousy of merce in South China will strike war, that at the request of the Foreign | YUAN-SHI-Kar's rising in influence. There most of our readers as an excursion Office the Toyo Kisen Kaisha has recently is
no country in the world where into history which is becoming ancient. No submitted a statement in which the losses there is more jealousy at head quarters mention of the subject has been made of the the Company has suffered from the boy colt of ally power which threatens to matter in the Chinese Press for some time, movement are estimated as being, for twelve become દર્દી marked political factor, than but we learn from the Press of Japan that months, Yen 543,200 in passenger traffic, China. The history of any Chinese states- the movement is still "vigorous," and we and Yen 156.800 in goods freight-altoge- man, who has loomed large in the affairs of must therefore suppose that a conspiracy of ther in round figures Yen 700,000. From the the country, shows this. Such a man is silence prevails in South China. Though statement of this one company we may form considered to require to have his wings all outward show of hostility is want- some idea of the prodigious losses entailed clipped, and the usual plan resorted to is to ing, an Osaka paper tells its readers by the boyett on the shipping and com raise him to a prominent position, and before that the boycott is still secretly active merce of Japan as a whole. Movements of long, on some pretext, suddenly abandon and, in fact, increasing in its effective this nature, which of late years the Chinese him. This kind of promotion downwards it ness all over Chipa, but especially have shown themselves increasingly prone is fair to remember, is not necessarily final. in Hongkong and Canton. While it may to adopt cannot therefore be lightly regard- He may be taken up again; but generally be true that shipments from Japan to South ed. It is war-disastrous war— -waged with | his power is curtailed, and the end des red, China show no improvement, and even kidgloves.
the curious disagreement amongst the com- pilers who, according to Chinese practice, have been appointed to write the official story of his life. The strange events of his early career, but above all the circumstances attending the coup d'etat of September 1898, have, we learn, proved a stumbling block in the way of the compilation; those engaged in the work taking such entirely opposed views of the surrounding circumstances that progress has hitherto been found impossible. The disagreement only affords another proof of the inadequacy of the sources of informa- tion available to the mere outsider in writing, an even plausible account of one of the strangest episodes in all history-the Regency of the Dowager Empress TSE HI.
*
some-
that of weakening what is feared may be.
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