The morning call., 1891-12-31
CHINA'S REBELLION.
Views of United States Consul
Bedl0e on Its Origin.
Trouble Anticipated by the Missionaries.
American-Eorn Residents Disguised at
Their Lack Of Protection.

Edward Bedloe, United States Consul at
Annoy, China, arrived yesterday on the
Oceanic Mr.. BedlOe has been for years in
the Consular service and at one time was
United States Consul to Verona, Italy. In
February, 1890, be was appointed Consul at
Annoy. He has returned to the United
States on leave of absence. but will pro-
coed direct to Washington, where he will
make a report to the Secretary Of State.
Mr. Bedloe'S station is In portion Of
China where he was In position to be well
informed on the troubles which have re-
Gently occurred in that country - the re-
bellion against the ruling dynasty and the
attacks against foreigners and missionaries.
In an interview last night at the Palace
Consul Bedloe, in speaking Of the rebellion
in different parts OF China against the Gov
eminent which has resulted in an immense
amount of pillage and In the massacre OF a
nu Der of missionaries, stated that the
trouble has been due entirely to politics and
to desire of Il certain class to overthrow
the present Government.
WELL DISPOSED TO FOREIGNERS
Mr.. Bedloe said that the Chinese generally
are well disposed toward foreigners. He
knew Of men who had Travelled
in all parts of China AMI had
never been molested DR.. Kip and General
Legendre had travelled in parts of the king
dom where no white man had ever been.
and had Away been treated with respect.
The present opposition to foreigners comes
from the violation of the sacred customs of
the chinese, such as the destroy" OF tinsel
on the graves, dlsrespect in the joss houses,
aid habit OF laughing and making fun Of
ancient customs.
The present rebellion is being carried on
by the kolOa Hui, or Society of Elder Broth
ers, which is recruited from the army and has
mill ahaTr ptn Eralt,
naval officers, but no merchants or artisans.
Disappointed politicians and degraded Off
GERS also form portion of its ranks. A
degraded officer is one who has been low
cred in official dignity by the Government
on account OF some offense. These usually
join any movement which will bring about
change in the administration.
CRUSHED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
What would be the outcome OF tie re-
belliOn Mr.. Bedoe could not say. Thus
far the Government had succeeded in
crushing it. Before he LETT China he
had received adyices from missionaries
at Fouchow and other places expecting
trouble at any moment The day lie left
Admiral Belknap had told him that tse re-
Bolton had broken out more seriously in the
north, but as 1.-THE Chinese control all the
wires they were apt TO color the news to suit
themselves.
Speaking of the Americans in China,
Consul Bedloe said that the residents are
much disguised at the action of the home
Government. Many of them he knew
TO be alarmed at the danger which is
threatening their wives and children.
He knew that many had talked of expatri-
ating themselves on account Of their lack
of protection. The few wooden vessels in
the Asiatic squadron would not last long
before any of the great Chinese forts.
NEW CRUISERS IN DEMAND.
Consul Bedloe said that the late Captain
Marston of the Palos had told him that Lii
Hung Chang, the Chinese VicerOy, had in
formed him that the Chinese Government
desired to have four new cruisers built in
the United States on the plan OF the
Charleston or San Francisco, but desired to
see them first in order to know how they
were constructed. He thought this bust
ness would now be lost, as the Charleston
had not reached Chinese waters proper, but
had at once departed, while the San Fran
cisco mad never been there.
Admiral Belknap Of the Asiatic squadron
would return to the United States on the
City of Picking and would arrive in San
Francisco on March 1T. The Admiral had
made splendid record for himself, and is
one of the most popular Americans in China.
BRITISH MIsREPREs ENTATIoN.
In regard to the Worlds Fair Consul
Bedloe stated that on account of the trouble
OF the Government with the rebels but lit
tie attention had been paid to the matter of
an official display. He had done all he
could to awaken interest in the subject and
knew that there would be many private
displays, particularly of bric-a- brac and
curiOs. A great drawback in the matter
has been the MISREPRESENTATION of the Brit
ish in regard to American tariff laws