the $80,000,000 which she is to pay to Japan.

It is not known whether Japan will release her hold on Wei-Hai-Wei even
if she gets this money.

England, in consideration of this loan, would certainly expect favors
from China as regards the Yangtse-kiang Valley, and Germany would
undoubtedly expect to have no more trouble with China because of her
seizure of Kiao-Chou. Many other concessions will undoubtedly be
demanded, and we may be sure that Russia will have something to say.

It is also reported that the Government at Pekin will try and settle its
difficulties by allotting "spheres of influence" to the great powers.
This was done in West Africa, where it is causing much trouble between
France and England. The Chinese evidently do not realize how elastic
these "spheres" are.

* * * * *

It is to be wondered whether or not Emperor Kuang Hsu, of China,
realizes the danger that threatens his kingdom. He is known as the Son
of Heaven and Brother of the Sun. These titles would seem to indicate
that he is a person of great character and capable of ruling the Empire.
The truth is, he is a very weak young man, and the country is really
ruled by the Empress Dowager. She is sixty-three years old, and for many
years has controlled every action of the Emperor. She has supervised his
education, selected his wives, and really held the Emperor squarely
under her thumb.

The Emperor is securely hidden away behind the thick walls of his
palace, and his private quarters are known as the Purple Forbidden City.
Very few people have set eyes upon the monarch; and among Europeans and
Americans, only ambassadors are permitted to see him.

He is said to have a very ugly temper, and to do foolish things when he
cannot have his own way. This must happen very often, for the Empress
Dowager sees that his way is made hers.

* * * * *

Russia has followed Germany's example, and demanded from China a lease
of Port Arthur and Talien-Wan, granting to her all sovereign rights over
these ports for the same period and on the same conditions as in the
case of Germany at Kiao-Chou Bay.

At first, China was disposed to refuse this demand; but Russia
threatened to move troops into Manchuria if the demand was not acceded
to, and China, making a virtue of necessity, yielded.

This lease gives to Russia what she has so long wanted--that is, a port
on the Asiatic coast which is not froze