THE CHAUTAUQUAN,

A Monthly Magazine for Self-Education.

FRANK CHAPIN BRAY, Editor.

Contents for May, 1901.

Cover Design.

Phases of the Chinese Problem. Diplomatic Victory of the Powers? Turmoil in Austria. Triple Alliance Threatened. Isthmian Canal Negotiations. Danish West Indies. Wages in Manila. Government Telegraph and Telephone in Canada. American Suffrage Legislation. The Steel Trust and Competition. Labor Legislation. Coming Reforms in Taxation. Old Age Pensions. Australian Education. Mr. Carnegie's Gifts. With portraits and cartoons. Primitive Industrial Civilization of China.

Illustrated.

Snares. Verse.

The Dandelion.

Verse.

Edmund Vance Cooke
Edwin L. Sabin

Hindu Beliefs About the World and Heavenly Bodies. Martelle Elliott.

Courting and Nesting Days.

Nature Study for May. Illustrated.

A Private Index, and how to Make It.

How Children are Educated in Switzerland.

Illustrated.

Appropriation. Verse.

The Rivalry of Nations: World Politics of Today.

Chaps. XXIX.-XXXII. Illustrated.

. Andrew Baumgartner

James Buckham

Edwin A. Start

Guy Morrison Walker

. 134

139

141

142

The Storm Center. China Since Shimonoseki. The World Situation as it Appears from the East. Elements of Strength of the World Powers.

Harold N. Fowler
Kate F. Kimball

How Chautauqua Circles Have Promoted Public Libraries.

Books Received. .

CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY:

BUREAU OF PUBLICATION: WILLIAM S. BAILEY, Director.

CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Entered according to Act of Congress, May, 1901, by CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C. Yearly Subscription, $2.00. Single Copies, 20c.

Entered at Cleveland Post-Office as Second-class Mail Matter.

VOL. XXXIII.

for Self-Education.

A Monthly Magazine for Sell

MAY, 1901.

a y

High h w
& By way

HAT next in China? The imperial
government has yielded to the
concert of the powers in the mat-
ter of punishment, and all the high
officials condemned to the death
penalty in the joint note either have been or
are to be executed. Twelve men were named
in the note, but Prince Tuan and his chief
accomplice, Duke Lan, were to have their
sentences commuted to degradation and
banishment. Three of the twelve were dead,
but their names were inserted for the "moral
effect" of the sentences upon the multitude.
Some were to be permitted to commit suicide,
and only three were to be publicly decapitated.
In February, as the readers know, Hsu Chen
Yu and Ki Hain, high officials who had led
the Boxers in the attacks upon the legations,
were beheaded at Peking upon the very spot
where, last summer, they had put to death
four members of the foreign office for favor-
ing the aliens and seeking to protect them.
Field Marshal Waldersee had planned a
military expedition into the interior to cap-
ture the court and bring it to Peking, but the
executions caused him to postpone the pro-
jected raid indefinitely. The United States
would not have joined such an expedition.
The Chinese government has submitted to
another demand the suspension of examina-
tions for the civil service in the districts
where foreigners have been assailed and
maltreated. The question is therefore asked
in diplomatic and political circles, What is to
be the next move of the allied powers? There
are disquieting reports that more blood will
be demanded-executions of provincial
officials who aided or led the Boxers, but it
is understood that the United States, Russia,
and Japan will oppose such demands.
an agreement must be reached upon pecu-
niary indemnities. What is to be the
aggregate amount, and how is it to be appor-
tioned? How is China to pay it? Sir Robert

But

No. 2.

Hart believes that $300,000,000 is the maximum figure China is able to raise. It is feared that Germany will demand extravagant indemnities, and compel China to make territorial concessions in lieu of cash. But would this be approved by the concert? Would it not violate the principle accepted at the outset, the integrity of China and equal opportunities to all in her markets?

The

Foreseeing this complication, Secretary Hay addressed a note to the powers suggesting an agreement against private settlements with China and against the seeking of franchises or territory as compensation. The danger of land grabbing is by no means. removed, and it will be the special task of the United States to enforce moderation in the pecuniary demands upon China. Russia has practically annexed Manchuria (though she protests the occupation is only temporary) and will support this government in preventing further alienation of territory. Manchurian question has, indeed, overshadowed every other, and there have been sensational reports of serious differences. threatening the collapse of the concert, and even war between Russia and Japan. It is stated that existing commercial rights and privileges will be respected by Russia, and the "door" will be kept open. A very difficult problem is to be dealt with, and both the good faith and the statesmanship of the powers will be put to a severe test. The United States will be represented by Commissioner W. W. Rockhill, Minister Conger having secured a leave of absence and contemplating a long vacation (some believe retirement from the position). Mr. Rockhill favors leniency.

The Russo-Chinese treaty, the subject of agitation and apprehension for weeks, has finally been withdrawn. Owing to the oppo