The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-24
CHINA-JAPAN WAR
REV. HENRY BLODGETTS OPIN-
ION THEREON.
son to Pekin" Is the Cry in Japan-Jap-
anese Suffering From Cold In the
North-Obstacles to Peace
Making.

Boston. Jan. 20.-The American boarC
of foreign missions representing cOngre
gational churches, knowing the value o.
his opinion on 'The War Between Chni
and Japan" has issued an expression OF
them from the Rev. Henry Blodgett
ID. D., of Pekin, who has spent 40 years
in the service of the board and five year:
in Pekin. He, is now in this country
DIR. BlOdgett has responded to the re
quest of the board as follows:
Among the common people of China
very little is known of the war and thu
widest and most absurd rumors are
afioat. In Japan, on the contrary, every
thing is published, and perhaps some
things which do not occur, in their news
papers and their cities and towns are il
| Illuminated at every victory over the Chi
most intense enthusiasm for the war
prevails, even the boys and the girls in
| their schools practice drills.
son TO Pekin" was the cry everywhere
as we passed through that country. Will
the Japanese reach Pekin? They have
| fought well and they are brave. They
have gained many victories. They have
still a great work before them. In early
January they had not taken Yangatu,
Wnlcn is tDc port Ol 4Nlu Cnan, by ldllu
northeast from Pekin.
During the winter the army corps,
marching from its present position toward
Picking, was cut off from communication.
The weather is cold, the mercury falling
as low as to zero, or even lower than this
Already we hear of the japanese army
suffering from the cold. 1t would not be
strange if the Chinese soldiers, who are
accustomed to this climate, should recover
la little courage and offer serious resistance
to the progress of the Japanese. The
boast of the japanese was that they
would reach Pekin in November. As
things now stand it seems improbable that
they can accomplish this during the win
ter. What has been written is on the
supposition that the war is to be contin-
ued. But in the meantime negotiations
for peace are going forward. What will
be the result? We believe that they will
be successful. The treaty powers desire
peace and will use their inhuece to secure
it. China is ready for peace, even on
humiliating terms. Japan, considering
the honorable position she has already
attained, may consent to give up her
march on to Pekin and grant terms of
peace such as can be accepted.
Yet these terms may be somewhat diff
ticult to find. They involve the interests
of the European powers, as we'll as those
railroad will be finished in few years
Will Russa'be satisfied to have Vladivo-
stock, Il port which is closed by ice for
four months each year, as the terminus
of this railway OH the seaboard? VIII
she not wish for her trans-continental
railway port further south which is
open all the year. That is to say port of
COrea? But such Il port would make
Russia leading power on the eastern
borders of China and in the Pacific ocean.
VIII England consent to such an arrange
ment? Will France and Germany con.
sent? VIII China and Japan consent?
Corea is Il second Constantinople. The
only solution of the difficulty in regard to
her seems to be given her autonomy as a
nation; autonomy guaranteed by all the
powers. As for FOrmOsa, Great Britain
and France would both oppose the ces-
sion of that island TO Japan should the pro-
posal be made? 1t is matter of course
that heavy war indemnity should be re-
ceived by Japan and to claim
such China will be compelled
to agree. 1t is not improbable that
comercial and political relations will
spring up between China and Japan.
Already the productions of the soil and
the manufactures of each nation are
found in the markets. In politics and re-
ligion the changes will be made more
slowly. 1t is devoutly to be hoped that
the location of Christianity, as now eX-
lists, will be perpetuated and extended.
What has been the effect of the war up
on missionary work and what is to be
the effect of their return to peace?
For the most part missionaries have
remained in their places. In Pekin and
elsewhere throughout the land mission
airy work is carried forward without OBJ
struction. Thus far the missionaries of
the seven stations of the American board
in China have continued at their posts,
engaged in their usual labors. When
peace returns it is not unlikely that the
seed sown will yield rich harvest The
government, the literary classes and the
business men of China have been taking
grand object lesson on the futility of
their old methods and the necessity of
adopting the new ones.