THE FALLING MANCHU DYNASTY.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 256, 16 October 1911, Page 4

THE FALLING MANCHU DYNASTY.

The hatred of the Chinese for the Manchu rulers of the country is a historial fact well known to those interested in China and her people. The passing of four centuries has not taken the edge off the subjected people’s hate or tempered their desire for revenge. When we glance at th despised Chinaman as he ambles through our streets to-day it f might make us less arrogant to remember that he has descended from people whose king was the mightest ruler in history. In 1294 Ktibiae Khan was sovereign of China, Corea, Thibet. Tung King, Cochin China, a greater portion of India beyond the Ganges, the Turkish ami Siberean realms from the Eastern Sea to the Dnie.per. and although the chief of the hordes of Jogatai ami Ogatai refund to acknowledge him ; the Ilknians of Persia were his feudatories. The great empire of Kublai Kham however, went the way of all great empires. His descendants lived in the glory and luxury of his conquests until revolt and discord gave an obscure Chinaman named Ming an opportunity to overthrow- the Throne and found a new dynasty. The Mings lasted until they were overthrown by a combination of events in 1644. Rebels captured the old capital c-t Peking, and the- last of the Emperors committed suicide. The C< mniandei--in-(’hiet‘ of the army was away fighting the Manchu Tartars. He hurried back to the capital, but v,as defeated. He then returned to the Manchus and asked their assistance. This was granted and the impatient commander agiin journeyed toward:Peking. On the way he was joined by a band of Mongol voluntecis and arrived at the capital ahead of his allies. By the irony of fate he warable with his scattered forces to totally rout the rebels before the Mancinis arrived and he pursued the- flying foe. Tn the meantime the Manchus arrived at the capital and the Prince in c mim ind was invitid to ascend the Throne. To this he agreed and founded the Ching er Tsing dy nasty of the present day. That is how the Manchus, a race mentally, morally and physically inferior i.j the Chinese, came to be the dominating power of the empire t o-day. In four centuries of ease and sloth they have lost the wild courage, the spirit of adventure which inspired them ‘ > overrun China, and the hardihood and skill at arms which brought success to their adventure. But if tlmv have lost the warlike instincts of their savage ancestors.they have retained all their pride, their ignorance, their cruelty and their supcrstitution. All these qualities 11. c Manchu possesses far in excess of the liberal share that nature Ims bestowed upon the Chinese. The Manchus are in the enjoyment of many privileges. They pay no land tax and nearly all are hangers.cm at, yamens. body guards to officials, soldiers, caretakers at the Imperial palaces or tombs, ami in other similar positions. The pay is not large, but it is enough to keep the Manchu without working. Of late years, principally through the influence of the late Dowager Empress, there has been a tendency to increase the Manchu influence. In 1899 it was reported that there were sixty two viceroys, governors, treasurers and judges of thte eighteen provinces of the new dominion. Twenty four of these posts were then held by Manchus as against thirteen before the coup d’etat of the Empress and her following. It was held that so large a percentage of Manchus in the important positions tended to a retrograde administration as they arc distinctly of inferior capacity to the Chinese. The Empress was, however, determined to keep her favoured people up to (he mark, ami gave instructions that Manchurian schools were to be raised to the level of those in Peking. The sway exercised by this remarkable woman no doubt kept the Manchus warm in their bil- | lets and the dynaty comparatively safe upon the throne. But times have changed, and her dominating spirit no longer controls the Imperial | rule. China is awakening and throwing off the mummy wrappings from 11he nation. The effete Manchu dynasty is in the way. As other dynasties weakened ami fell so is the House of Tsing falling.