Chinese and Manchus.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 6, 2 October 1907, Page 5

Chinese and Manchus.

RACIAL FEELING. By Telegraph.—Association.—Copyright. Peliin, September 30. Owing to the influence of Yuan-.Slii-Kai, ;Manchu garrisons throughout tho Empire havo been disbambd and deprived of special privileges. This is considered an important st» in tho direction of eradicating 'jealousy. Yuan'Slii-Kai has long been spoken of as the strong man ofjjChina and its coining force.' A few weeks ago it was cabled that he had been appointed President of tho Waiwupu (Board of Foreign Affairs), displacing Prince Clung,, who is admitted to be an antireform factor. The army which Yuan has organised as Viceroy of Chi-li gives him a tremendous lever, and he wields a power which few Chinese have over attained, Now, no doubt, he feels strons; enough to use that power. against the Manchus to curtail their privileges. His present interference in the..affairs of tho Manchu garrisons lends woigjit to the following message sent from Pokin on August 25: —'"It is believed to-night that Yuan-Shi-Kai is about to relinquish the vice-roynlty of Chi-li i for the purposo of becoming tho head of the War Department. His action is said to bo due to tho realisation of the central Government that its position is weaker than over before, and was also prompted by tho reported maladministration of China's modern army by Tich Liang, tho Minister of War, whose methods have resulted in the discontent of 50,000 soldiers, whose nay is in arrears. Yuan-Shi-Kai, when urged to assume office in _ the central Government, before consenting to accept, named the completion of certain-changes relating to the affairs of the War Department as a condition. ; "Tho Dowager Enmress has summoned Chang Cliib Tung and Yuan-Shi-Kai to consider the alarming growth of anti-Maiichu sentiment. Several Viceroys and Governors have been memorialising tho throne to oxplain tho causa of such sentiments. The growing popular enmity is ascribed to the failure of tho Dowager's three edicts in the past-six years removing the ■distinctions between Chinese and Manchus in intermarriage, abolishing the partiality shown to Manchus in law, and preventing tho favouritism shown Manchus in appointments to office." According to " Current Literature." tho avowed object of Yuan's party is the oxpulsion of tho Manchus from China.