Part 10 (2/2)

President Li Yuan-Hung]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Entrance to Winter Palace]

President Li, Dr. Reinsch, and the interpreter stood together, while we arranged ourselves in a semicircle round them, and then Dr. Reinsch presented each one of us in turn, explained who each one was, or what he or she represented or had been doing. He began with the Allens,--told who Mr. Allen was, what big American interests he represented, why he had come out to China, and all about it. Then the interpreter repeated all this to the President, who meanwhile stood looking inquiringly at the Allens, as did the rest of us. When the translation was finished, Li replied in Chinese; they say he can speak English, but imperfectly, and he did not attempt it. ”When quality meets, compliments pa.s.s.” Dr. Reinsch said all manner of nice things about the Allens and China, and the President said all sorts of nice things about the Allens and America, and it all took some time, just disposing of the first two of our party. Meanwhile, two servants came in with a tray of champagne and plates of cakes, and we all stood with a gla.s.s in one hand and a cake in the other, waiting to see what Mr. Allen would do when the President finished telling him how glad he was he had come to China.

Mr. Allen rose to it, however, in a happy little speech, saying that it was a privilege, and so on.

Then came our turn. We were anxiously wondering what Dr. Reinsch could find to say about us two, having committed himself by introducing the whole group at one swoop as ”representative Americans.” However, we were both exceedingly pleased at what he did say, and the President was pleased, too, apparently, for he replied that he was glad we were like that. So it continued all round the circle, and we felt exactly as if it were the Day of Judgment, and the secrets of all hearts were being revealed: we thought we knew our friends pretty well, and all about them; yet we hung with bated breath upon Dr. Reinsch's introduction or send-off! And we had never understood the meaning of ”true Oriental politeness” until we heard the President's gracious, courteous welcome in reply. We stood directly opposite him, and had a good opportunity to observe him closely,--a short, thick-set man with a small mustache, much darker than the usual Chinese type, owing to his heritage of Siamese blood. Many people say he has no Siamese blood at all, but it is always like that in China: whatever any one tells you is always flatly contradicted by the next person you meet.

Then we committed a great _gaffe_! When the Allens and E---- and I had been safely disposed of, and the introductions and interpretations were being directed toward the other four members of the party, we drank our champagne--we four, the Allens and ourselves! I think it was because we did not know what else to do with it, having stood stiffly at attention for some twenty minutes, trying to balance a very full gla.s.s in one hand, and conscious that the sugary cake in the other was fast melting. Anyway, we emptied our gla.s.ses, and set them down on a table behind us, and ate the cakes as well. Then, to our horror, Dr.

Reinsch summed us all up again, collectively, in a graceful little speech, and the President raised his gla.s.s, and bowing, drank our health. I heard E---- whisper, ”The gla.s.ses, quick!” and the Allens and she and I hastily groped backward for the empty gla.s.ses on the table behind us, and drained the few remaining drops with what manners we could muster. After which we all shook hands with the President again, and filed out of the room.

In the anteroom the rest of the party crowded round us, asking for tips.

We had two big ones to offer: _Don't_ lead the way for the President of China, and don't touch your gla.s.ses till he raises his!

XIV

GREAT BRITAIN'S TWELVE DEMANDS

The scaffolding is being put up for more trouble. China has got to declare war, and to do it soon. It took five weeks' manoeuvering to make her break diplomatic relations and will probably take much longer to induce her to take this next step, opposition to which is growing stronger and more intense every day. The President is obstinately opposed to it, and he has considerable backing. There is free talk about a revolution occurring if the break takes place, so determined are certain leaders not to be dominated by ”foreign influence.” Many Chinese can be bribed, but the Chinese in general cannot be fooled, and no glowing compliments about China's ”masculine” att.i.tude can deceive them as to the yoke they must wear should they decide to surrender themselves and place their nation at the disposal of European interests.

On the morning of March 26 one of the papers contained this significant article, under the caption of Tibetan Affairs:

Reported British Demands. Indignation of Chinese M. P.'s.

Mr. Ho Sheng-Ping and other Senators have addressed the following interpellation to the Government: ”According to the reports of the j.a.panese newspapers, the British Government has sent Twelve Demands to the Chinese Government in connection with Tibetan affairs, and these demands, being so cruel and unreasonable, tend to provoke the anger and indignation of any people. Why did we address a protest to the German Government against its submarine warfare? And why did we declare diplomatic severance with Germany? Was it not to render a.s.sistance to the Entente Powers, and was it not to render direct help to Great Britain? We are, indeed, surprised at these British Demands appearing in the newspapers. In accordance with the provisions laid down in Article 19 of the Provisional Const.i.tution, we hereby demand that a reply be given within five days as to the true nature of the reported Demands, and the att.i.tude of the Government towards them.”

The Demands from Great Britain as reported in the j.a.panese newspapers are as follows:

1 Great Britain shall have the right to construct railways between India and Tibet.

2 The Chinese Government shall contract loans from the British Government for the improvement of the administration of Tibet.

3 The treaty obligations between Tibet and Great Britain shall be considered valid as heretofore.

4 British experts shall be engaged for the industrial enterprises of Tibet.

5 China shall secure the redemption of loans contracted from the British people by the Tibetans.

6 Neither China nor Great Britain shall send troops to Tibet without reason.

7 The Chinese Government shall not appoint or dismiss officials in Tibet on its own responsibility.

8 The British Government shall be allowed to establish telegraph lines in Lha.s.sa, Chiangchu, Chamutao, etc.

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