CHINA. 



75 



'Chau' or 'Hsien' to their names. The Hsien magistrates are the men 

 who come in direct contact with the people. The Governor in turn 

 reports to an officer properly styled a Governor-General, but whose title 

 foreign nations have translated as Viceroy, each of whom usually con- 

 trols two provinces. These Viceroys form the real government of the 

 country. Their powers are absolute. It is to them, armed with judg- 

 ment of life and death, that the people look for justice and protection, 

 and to them, also, the throne itself looks for support. Each Viceroy 

 maintains his own army, in some instance a portion of which has been 

 foreign drilled, which army he has a right to decide whether he will use 

 for national purposes or not. 



Of the existing college of Viceroys, there are three who have brought 

 themselves by their acts, abilities and force of character to the forefront, 

 and who are known as the three great Viceroys. These men are Li 

 Hung-chang, formerly Viceroy of Pe-chi-li, but now of Canton, ruling 

 the provinces of Kwang-tung and Kwang-si, and so usually referred to 

 as the Viceroy of the two Kwang; Chang Chi-tung, the Viceroy of 

 Wu-chang, in like manner called the Viceroy of the two Hu, as his 

 dominion covers the provinces of Hu-peh and Hu-nan, and Liu Kun-yi, 

 the Viceroy of Nan-king, ruling the provinces of Kiang-su and Ngan- 

 whui. 



Li Hung-chang, whose reputation is international, needs no intro- 

 duction. The other two, while, perhaps not so well known, are in China 

 of scarcely less importance, especially as they have a personal hold on 

 their people that is not equaled by any other official. They are not rich, 

 which is almost the same as saying that they are honest, and, although 

 they are decidedly pro-foreign in their views, nevertheless they are at 

 the same time imbued with a strong and earnest desire to ameliorate the 

 condition of their charges and, therefore, are honored and respected by 

 their people. To accomplish this end they do not hesitate to avail 

 themselves of occidental ideas or means if therein they see a possibility 

 of benefit. 



When the Empress Dowager in 1898 executed her coup d'etat and 

 notified the Viceroys of what she had done, Chang Chi-tung and Liu 

 Kun-yi were the only ones who had courage to express their disapproval. 

 In consequence there is little doubt that she would have removed or 

 beheaded them if she had dared to brave the outcry of the people of the 

 four provinces, which would certainly have followed. In any reorgani- 

 zation of China these three men will play an important part in which 

 the influence of Chang Chi-tung and Liu Kun-yi will certainly be of 

 weight as they enjoy the esteem and confidence of both foreigner and 

 native. 



In the appointing of all officials there is one rule that is curiously 

 indicative of Chinese reasoning and methods. No official is allowed to 



