The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-05
JUSTICE SHOWN.
BY a Magistrate In One OF Chlna's
Most Turbulent Districts.
ACTION IN MISSIONARIES BEHALF
Tending TO Reduce Dangers
Which Surround Them.

NEW YORK, Sept. 5-Robert K. Speer,
secretary OF the Board Of Fore gn Missions
in the Presbyterian church In the United
States, received yesterday a letter from
Rev. Il. w. Houston Of Nankln, China,
dated July l2
''No proclamation issued by the Chi.
nese," says Mr.. SPeeT, 'is more compre-
hensiye or outspokcn than the one issued
by the magistgste Of ths MAXIM district,
and 10 is tho more significant because
Nankin has always been a more or less
turbulent oentor."
Following Is a section Of the letter: In
Szechuan, 1000 miles to the west, whole
sale destruction OF mission property has
taken place; hsrs we are sought after by
the officials. Three weeks ago our dis
trict magistrate invited all the men Of our
mission community To dinner, treating
them with all honor, and now comes, un-
solicited, one of the best proclamations
which has been issued in China since the
eve OF modern missions. Translated, 1t is
as follows:
Given by Ia, by grace of the emperor, COM
missioner OF salt revenue, expectant intendant
OF circuit, and prsfect of the Jsing Ming MAN
kim circuit, being advanced three steps In
office and having one brevst rank, having
~ times honorable men eion in Official records.
For the purpose of publicly and strictly
charging the people concerning foreign
who have In Whatsoever points OF the interior
established ohapels, schools or like places--for
a long time these have been permitted by the
emperors commands. Now having examined
the doctrine halls in every place pertaining TO
this prefecture, we 1nd that there have bsen
established free schools where tho poor chill.
dren OF China may receive instruction.; hos
tNnln
healing; TINT the missionaries all are really
good not only do they not take the peoples
possessions, but they do not seem to desire
mems praise.
Already the prsfect, with the magistrates
OF the provincial capital, has personally Wis
tied each hall and commanded the magistrates
OF outside districts 10 personally visit each
out-station Of the churches, and talk with the
missionaries. They have personally observed
the hospitals schOolhouses, etc. They are for
good established with the sincere desire to
save men. Although Cinnamon are pleased TO
do good, there are none who excel these mis-
sionaries.
We think IL right. therefore, to put forth
this proclamation, plainly charging soldiers
and all people Be IL known that foreigners
here renting OF otherwise setting up halls do
80 10 save and 20 hslp the poor and that there
is not the least undsrhan 1sdness. Let it not
be that You, on the contrary, wrongly invent
false reports and even commit crimes and mis-
demeanors IL there should be shameless
villains who. thinking 10 "hsh for wealth"
a. c., take by v!aisnco invent reports and Gre
ate disturbances, falsely accusing fthe mis
sionariesl OF ofenses, they will be frat
thoroughly examined and strictly dealt with
They will bo punished to the fullest measure
certainly not leniantly. You have been in.
formed and warned Do not disregard this
proclamation. Given on the i2th Of the inter.
oalary SOth month, 2lst year OF Kuang Hu
July 4, 1851
Hong ruDg Wings Good Work.
The letter continues: I had n very
pleasant interview last week with Hona
Yung Wing. He will be remembered as
the man in whose charge 100 Chinese boys
were taken TO New England In 1872 TO at
tend school. Owing to Misrepresentation
they were recalled, In 1851, before their
education was completed, but after they
had imbibed very many advanced ideas.
which caused them 10 be severely dis
countenanced by Chinese oificialdom.
But In the late war they wero found TO be
the only oalcers of the navy who could be
depended on 10 fight. They were plucky.
capable and loyal. This has advanced
them to favor with those officials who are
inclined to be progressive, and our viceroy,
Jang Chill Tung, oabled To Yunx Wing.
who Is an American citizen and has been
living at Hartford for 13 years, TO come
out.
The object is to consult in regard to an
educational system for China The north.
ern great viceroy, Ii Hung Chang has
also invited him TO Tien-Tsin for the same
purpose, and the secretary of the board of
revenue wants him TO 90 TO Pekin on
the same business 1oese ara Cbina,e
most powerful mon, and while all that we
would like to see In an educational plan
may not he brought about, we may Ger.
tainly hope To see some significant results