The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-01-21

Boston, Jan. 2O-The American Board
of Foreign Missions, representing Con-
gregatfonal churches, knowing the value
of his opinions in the war between China
and Japan, has solicited an expression of
them from THE Rev. Henry Blodgett, D.
D.. of Pel1in, who has spent forty years
in the service of the board and thirty
years in Pekin. He is NOW in this coun-
try. DR.. Blodgett has responded to the
request of the board as follows:
Among the common people of China
very little is known regarding either the
causes of the WAR or the facts occurring
in its progress and the widest and most
absurd rumors are aftoat, In Japan, on
{ THE contrary, everything DIS published and
some things which do not occur i'm their
numerous newspapers, and the cities and
| towns are illuminated at every victory
over the Chinese. In consequence, partly
of this, the MOST intense enthusiasm for
the war prevails, even the boys and the
girls in their schools pTaetlcing military
drills.
CON to Pekin.''
con Ito Pekin,' was tine cry everywhere
as We passed through that country. WIN
the japanese reach Pekin? They have
fought we'll and are very brave. They
nave gained many victories; they nave
still a great work before them. In early
january they mad not taken Yinglatu,
which is the port of Niu Chang, and is
more than 300 miles by land northeast OF
Pek1n During the winter, the army
corps marching from it's present position
toward Pekin, must be cut off from COM
munfcation with the seas. Coolies from
Japan must carry its munitions of war
and supplies for Its connlssary. The
weather is cold, the mercury falling as
low as zero, or even lower than this.
| Fierce winds sweep down from 1.-THE north
! and the ground occasionally is covered by
a. fall of snow. Already we hear of the
1t would not he strange If tine Chinese
soldiers who are accustomed to tIh.s ell
mate should recover a. little courage and
offer serious resistance TO the progress of
was that they should reach Pekin in No
vetmber AS Things now stand, ut seems
improbable that they can accomplish this
during the winter,
! What has been written on the proposi-
ton ds, is the war to be continued? But
IN the meantime negotiations for peace
are going forward: What will be the re
suit of these? We believe they will be
successful. The treaty powers desire
peace and will use their influence to Sc
cure 1T. China is ready for peace, even
on humihating terms. Japan, considering
ths honorable position she has already
march on Peloin and grant terms Of
peace such as can be accepted
cult. to find. They involve the interests
OF European powers as well as those of
! China and Japan. The great Siberian rail-
way will be finished in a few years. Will
Russia be satisfied ito have Vlodivostock,
a port of which is closed by ice for
months out of the year, as the terminus
OF this railway on the seaboard? VIII
she not wish for her transcontinentaI
railway, a port farther south, which is
open all the year; that is to say, port
OF Korea.
But such a port would make Russia
the leading power on the western border
of China and the Pacific ocean. Will
EnEland consent to such an arrangement!
WIN France and Germany consent? VIII
second Constantinople. The only solution
of the difficulty in regard TO her seems to
be to give autonomy to the nation
autonomy guaranteed by all powers. AS
for Formosa, Great Britain and France
would both oppose the cession of that
island to Japan should such a proposal be
made. 1t is matter Of course that a
| EeaVy war indemnity should be sought by
! compelled to agree.
What has been the effect of the wal
on missionary work and ON the Chinese
: generally, and what is likely to be the
effect after the return of peace? For the
most part missionaries have remained in
their places. In Pellin and elsewhere
throughout the land missionary work is
carried forward without obstruction
I With the common people, the laboring
class, when the war is over, the matter
viii end there. With them the getting OF
Il cir daily bread is their daily concern
and they leave national interests to the
government. The government, the liter
airy classes and the business men OF
China have been taught a grand object
lesson on the futility of their old methods
and the necessity of adopting new ones
The Lessons Given.
Better lessons could hardly have been
given. In November last the writer in
passing through the city of Osaka was
permitted to visit the wounded Chinese
prisoners, There were forty-nine of them
in all. They were quartered in the largest
temple in Osaka. Japanese mattresses
We're laid on the floor for them to sleep on
They were furnished with sufficient bed.
ding and abundant food. The best medical
and surgical aid was afforded them, tht
surgeon in charge having received his
medical education in Berlin. They con
versed freely with me and seemed cheer
full, happy and very thoughtful. Wher
we remember that early in the war {
Chinese governor offered 100 teals for the
head of japanese private and double
that amount for that of an officer, such
treatment of Chinese prisoners by the
japanese is the moro remarkable"