The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-12
An Invasion of Brignnds.

Nearly every day for Il month last fall
brief and disjointcd cable dispatches were
received in Manchuria. announcing II seri-
Gus uprising. Then came tidings Of ian
uprising in Mongolia" and OF II rebel army
advancing to the Chinese wall. which was
driven back with great slaughter by the
forces OF Ii HUNG CHANG. There were
rumors that revolt against the rcigning
dynasty was in progress. but no clear idea
of tho trouble could DO evolved from the
fragmentary dispatches. 1t is possible at
last to tell the story. and this summary of
its chief TEXTURES will show that early views
OF the disturbance were inaccurate:
The Mongols had nothing whatever to do
with the troubles. The .;IanchuS were not
waging war upon Christian missions. No
deep-laid plan to overturn the Government
ut Pckin inspired tho disturbers OF the
peace. Questions OF religion and politics
entered into the disorders only SO far as
armed bands OF outlaws chose to make
them the prctcXt for wholesale robbery and
rapine Several thousands of Chinese ban
dts were tho offenders. Chinese settlers
in Manchuria. including IL few native Chris
tianS and foreign missionaries. were the
victims. The progress of the army of rob-
bcrs was STAYED in ono direction on Manchu
soil by tho Manchu army: in another direc-
ton, at the great wall. near the borders of
China proper. by Chinese soldiers. This is
the story OF the uprising in nutshell.
How is it possible for armed outlaws in
any part Of the world to league together in
such force as to have the appearance OF an
army of invasion 1t Is simple matter in
Manchuria. That country has long been
the Botany Bay of China. The pcnitrn-
tarcs were cmpticd to form the vanguard
of the stream of colonization thp- has given
several millions OF Chinese Immigrants to
tho land OF the Manchus. Many thou
sands of criminals, many hundreds OF po-
litical Offenders, have been cXicd to Man
churia. Tho mountain valleys of northern
Manchuria have been to China what Siberia
isto Russin-the dumping ground for tho
refuse of the people, political suspects. and
offender: against tho State. few years
ago three thousand Chinese cxilcs of tho
better class were living at Tsitskar. large
town in northwestern Manchuria. III the
mountains north and east are thousands OF
Chinese iaiibirds. who prefer to live by
pillage rather than by honest labor. They
lulu upon lilc IdHllctS JIllG ttTC scattered
over the plntcaus and along the river val
leys south Of them. They sack towns,
villages. isolated distilerirs. and pawn
brokers shops" wrote Mr.. JAMES five years
ago. and occasionally they carry away
men whom they suspect to DO possessed of
wealth: ransom Is then demanded, falling
which the brigands invariably keep their
word and send the victims head back to
his friends. Occasionally they try what
the cutting off Of an ear or nose may do to
extract money, when sending for it In tho
first instance"
The presence Of these pests IL q crushing
calamity for the country. All travellers
carry arms. The northern towns and viii
lagos and all important plscea OF business
are as strongly fortified rs possible. The
authorities often send escorts OF soldiers
with trading parties. 1t cannot be said
thar the governing class 10 Indifferent to
the evil. but it's administration Is lamenta-
bly, imperfect; and yet the number OF ban
dts. caught In crime. who pay the penalty
with their heads. is very great. 1t Is said
that In 1885 over five hundred robbers were
executed. The garrisons In tho northern
half OF Manchuria are employed chiefly In
service against the brigands. Tho man
darins usually reservJ all action. however,
until the robber baEds actually como down
from their mountains to raid. II IL won
der. where Life aud oroDerty are SO insecure