New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-13
Tile HDNAN ATROCITIES.

When the "braves Of Human not long ago
were outragng and numbering all the Christians
and foreigners they could lay their hands on. it
was said that they were melted 80 10 do by Ger
tain scurrilous books and pictures. maligning
Christianity, which were circulated by malicious
agencies in spite Of governmental prohibition.
Sme flagmcntary samples of these publications
found their way hithcr, and. though they were
exceedingly vile it WIS difficult to SOC how, put
forth Mt only without but actually against au-
thority. they could stir up such fmiouS and
widespread outbreak. But complete details OK
plain ALL Mr.. John Archibald, the surcrn'ond-
ent Of the IIankOw Mission Press, furnishes a
fac-simile of one Of these works, with a literal
translation Of the text and plain statement Of
the mlnnor Of its circulation. II requires only
a glance at this astounding production 10 make
clear its force and effect.
No description can here be given Of the in
fameS which this book contains. That il is a
tissue Of falsehoods from beginning TO end may
be assumed in advance. That il should display
the characteristic cruelty If the Tar1rS and
Mongols in It's exhortationS and threats against
foreigners il no cause for wonder; nor yet that
it should be gross and unccan in It's lbclS upon
them But the audacty Of its lying is actually
startling. while the studied and ingenious OBJ
sccnty with which it rccIts SURPRISES the neither
most Imagination of yilcnc>S. II is, in brief, n
masterpiece Of such utter lewdnG,S and filth, such
shameless mendacity, and such revolving inhu-
manity as, we confidently trust few Of our Icad-
ers have become acquainted with even through
the rcmotcSt hcaISay.
80 much for the character of the work. Now,
what are the circumstances OF It's circulation, and
with what authority does ii speak? This liter
allure is published chiefly at Chang-Sha, the
capital of Human it is published openly, and is
openly sent by the boaload to all parts Of tho
Empire, for open distribution. The Govern
ment DEGREES its Suppression; but the vilcst Of
tho placarCs are dciiantly posted side by side
with those announcing the Imperial will. The
police and the mandarnS see it. and they see
and know those who do it, but they raise 10
hand TO stop or TO punish them. And when, now
and then foreigners themselves arrest the mis-
creants, by some Oriental juggcry Of justice the
authorities fail to mote ont adequate penalties.
Worse than this the disscminatcrs of these vile
works contrivc 10 secure for them n sort OF I'M
perial or Divine-the words are SynonymcS in
Chna-impress. They preface them with pas
Sagc3 from the sacred BOOKS, ana mus invest
tho whole with the same authority. The result
is told by Governor Of Human, who was directed
by the Viccroy to destroy one Of the worst Of
these works, but would not I" saw" he says.
:" that the Treatise was headed with the words
Sacred Instructions | thefcrpOn kncit down,
burned incense, and began to chant 1t com
mandcd my most profound respect On read
ing the whole work saw" he adds, " that its
noble wolds and perfect reasoning were simply
an expansion Of the Sacred Instructions
dared not treat it with the least discspcct" Ac-
cordngy he declines to destroy it. or any other
of the hundreds Of similar works which, he says,
are widely circulated throughout Human. Yet
this work, which commands his worship, is so
foul that its presence would pollute a sewer, and
20 inhuman that it would make an Apache =
blood run cold
Nor have we yet reached the most serious
phase of the matter. These publications are not
merely tolerated; they arc actually sanctioned,
yes, and created. by the Imperial Government
itself. As writer in 1.-THE North China Daily
News says, the authors of these obscene prints
have done little more than To transclibe in pop
ular form statements that have appeared in Off
cia or semi-offical documents, bearing the names