CHAPTER XI
NOW WHAT?
One of the many famous temple gates with which China abounds
AND NOW what? Peking has been relieved, the city is full of soldiers of the allied armies, the Empress and her court have fled westward, and the capital has fallen.
Will China be partitioned and divided among her conquerors, or will she be allowed to exist as China under another monarch?
Russia undoubtedly wants immediate possession of Manchuria and Chihli, with, very likely, Shansi and Shensi. Japan is quite amenable to further additions to her own territory, and England, although disclaiming any covetous feeling, is believed by a great many of her friends, and all of her enemies, to desire control of the Yangtze valley.
Germany, France, and Italy are all discussing the slice that they desire, and only Uncle Sam has finished his task and wants to go home.
But is his task finished? What about the missionaries murdered in Paoting Fu? Since being relieved, we have heard of the murder, with shocking mutilation, at Paoting Fu, of Mr. and Mrs. Simcox and their three children, of Dr. George Yardley Taylor, of Dr. and Mrs. Hodge, of Mr. Bagnall and his family, of Mr. Pitkin, Miss Morrill, and Miss Gould. Is Paoting Fu to be allowed to remain on the face of the earth?