Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-06-24
RIOTING IN CHINA.
Priests Turned Out, a Church Sacked and n
LAT


Priests Turned Out, Church Sacked and a
Consulate Attacked.
Details OF the bloody riot at " Hoo. China,
on May II. brief account of which was sent
by cable and appeared in The STAR at the time,
are given in the North China Ddty Ne,cs,
copies of which we're brought by the steamer
Gaelic, which arrived yesterday at San Fran
cisco.
II was known for several days before the riot
that mob of Chinese were threatening to loot
the property Of the Jesuits at Woo-Hoo. The
mob spirit was aroused by the circulation OF
reports that the Jesuit priests had killed many
children and used their eyes for making
medicine
1T is not known who is responsible for the
circulation of these stories. They were readily
beheved, however, by ignorant Cinnamon, and
IL was resolved to run out the Jesuits. The
attack was made on the afternoon of Tuesday.
May IL. mob numbering several hundred
surrounded the Jesuit mission house. They
broke through the walls, drove out the priests,
plllaged the palace and set fire to the cathedral
and other buildings.
ATTACK on THE ENGLISH CONSULATE.
A mob then proceeded to the English con-
suiate and destroyed considerable property by
throwing stones. The arrival of Taotai a
local magistrate, and the GOODNESS of the Brit
lsh consul saved the buildings from being set
on fire. The consul and his wife escaped from
the mob by dressing in Chinese costumes.
They hurried to the custom house and embarked
with other foreign residents in the China Navi-
CATION ComPany's receiving ship.
A number of foreigners headed by the con-
sui. then armed themselves and passed the
time at the custom house, and, assisted by
Taotai, repelled the mob. who twice during
the night made an attempt to loot and set on
fire the custom house and residence of the
foreign officials. The following morning an
immense crowd again set fire to the custom
house and the surrounding buildings. but the
customs staff. fully armed. charged the natives
and again put out the fires.
In the afternoon three Chinese gunboats
which were escorting Shen Ping Cheng. the
governor of Anhoui, up river arrived at Woo
Hoo. When informed Of the riot the COM
mander ordered the gunners to fire blank
cartridges, which had the effect Of frightening
the mob. Some 200 soldiers arrived from Tai
Ping, and this lent additional protection to the
foreign residents.
METHoDIsTs NOT ATTACKED
The mob did not make any demonstrations
against the American Methodist Episcopal mis-
sion, but, advised by the British consul, mis-
sionaries from that point also embarked on
the Iehslng, which took them, together with
the ladies and children of Woo-Hoo, to Shanp-
hal At Chan King the priests who escaped
from the Woo-Hoo in boat were picked up.
There was only one British man-of-war at the
North China station at the time of the riot
the gunboat Linnet-and it was ordered to pro-
coed to Woo-Hoo.
On May 16. four days after Woo Hoo riots, the
natives OF NSan-klng made an attack on the
foman Catholic mission there, a rumor having
reach' d them that Taotai of Woo Hoo had for
warded dispatch to the authorities declaring
that the stories about the missionaries were true
lhe priests succeeded In keeping the mob off
and one Of the assaiiants was arrested and pun
ished.
The Catholic mission was not the only one at
tackled, for crowd equally large made a de-
scent on the inland mission near Nofthgate
but the Chinese authorities arrived in time to
prevent any serious damage. The crowd lin
gered about the missions during the next two
days. and the native women came to the or
phanage to reclaim their children who were
left there.
THREATENED By THE FRENCH.
A French man-of-war Was sent for and ar
rived on May Is. Captain De Jonquieres in
formed the governor of Ngan-King that if the
rioters did not obey the mandates Of the mag
lstrate he would not hesitate to take strong
measures. The governor responded that order
would be maintained.
On May 10 the German gun boat Iltia ar
rived, and Capt Ascher lent his influence to
secure protection for the missionaries. Pla-
announcing that the mission buildings would
be totally destroyed on Friday. May ~
Placards also had been posted in the French
quarter of Shanghai threatening the foreigners
1t is reported that B. MS. Swift. has arrived at
Cgan-King.
News has been received of the wreck of the
steamship Albany, Capt. Hood, in japanese
waters. The vessel left Hong Kong for New
York on May 20. The wreck of the Albany was
sold at auction at Kobe, Japan. May 30, and
the vessel brought S2o.O00, the cargo 1900.
Some Of the Gaelic's passengers brought the
information that the natives of Canton had
again broken out against the missionaries in
the burned mission situated on the banks of
one OF the rivers in the province and put to
death all those connected Herewith. Just be-
fore the Gaelic left, it is stated, four of those
murderers were put to death.
Cases of abduction and murder are becoming
numerous. Several men and women have been
enticed beyond the borders of Canton and held
for ransom. IL ransom were not forthcoming
the unhappy victims are to be put to death.