THE CHINESE COURT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11856, 7 January 1902, Page 4

THE CHINESE COURT.

The Allies having withdrawn for a sufficient time and to a sufficient distance ■, the Chinese Court is returning to Pekin. Sight of Chinese majesty is forbidden to the common eye even of the Celestial people and the Legations have been coolly requested to prevent foreigners from looking at the noble Empress who directed and watched the attack upon them and at the spineless Emperor who is admittedly the mere tool of he]? imperious will. As was Coventry when Lady Godiva made her famous ride, Pekin is to be eyeless when the Court passes through its streets. But the Peeping Tom of ancient days will doubtless be represented by the modern photographer who, from some safe hidingplace, will survey and perpetuate the dramatic procession. It must be confessed that the wily rulers of the Flowery Land score diplomatically against us whenever they wish. The Court- returns to the capital with all honour and with every mark of respect. The streets will be as empty for its progress as though the decree of the Emperor was still omnipotent and as though the Empress had not fled before an Allied army ' which prevented the most villainous massacre ever attempted in the whole history of the world. The events of the past eighteen months have passed over the Chinese nation as an earthquake wave passes over the ocean. For the moment it looked j as though things could never be the same again, but to-day the only efI feet of the whole affair is the strong guard at the Legation. And the guards must be kept out of the sight of the Court and must thus lead the Chinese people to understand that even, the European has bowed down to the triumphant Empress.