The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-11
ARE Missionaries SAFE ?
Hopes Expressed That the Reports Of
a Massacre Are False.
THE DISPATCH FROM CHENG TU
1t Indicates That the People Arc Alive,
Though Their Property Has Been
Destroyed Authorities En-
denyor to Protect Christ ians.

Shanghai, June 1O.-No definite news
has yet been received here in regard TO
the reported massacre of the French,
English, and American missionaries at
Cheng Tu, capital of the province of Sc
Chuen, Western China. The reports
say that all were killed, neither women
nor children having been spared. 1t IS
known that serious rioting has oc-
Cured at Cheng Tu, as recently cabled
to the Associated Press, but affairs
there are believed to have been quieter
recently, although tn rioting has been
spreading in the country southward.
Washington. Jun 10.-The Chinese
legation has received no information as
to the reported massacre of all mis-
sionar ries In Cheng Tu, and strong hopes
are entertained that the affair may be
less serious than the reports Indicate.
Recently, however, by the treaty Of
peace with Japan, this interior city was
one of several places opened to foreign
ers and foreign commerce. This has
probably agitaited the people who have
lived by themselves from time imme-
mortal. The number OF missionaries
who have settled there is not known,
but it Is said that in the entire province
of Sc Chuen, Of which Cheng Tu Is the
capital, It must be less than 100, in
Guiding all nattonalities.
The authorities at Pekin have done
their utmost. They have placed upon
the viceroys Of the provinces the re-
sponsibility of protecting the mission
aries, churches, etc. The viceroys un-
derstand that they will be degraded If
mobs are permitted ito disturb the mis-
sions. AS a result the viceroys and
their projects or police are active in re-
straining mob outbreaks. The official
gazette of China, recently received
here, shows that change has been
made in the vlceroy at Cheng Tu, and
that a new one has just assumed his
duties. This, added to the agitation Of
opening the city to foreigners, may ac-
Hatred Of Foreigners.
Wu Chang, the place to which a
French ship has been sent, is another
large interior town on the River
Yangtse-Kiang. The river affords in
land navigation to large vessels up to
WI Chang, but 1t is unnavigable farther
up. 1t is probable, therefore, that the
ship goes to WI Chang. as it is the
farthest western point reached by navi-
cation. "
This afternoon state department off,
cials after investigating the reports
said they thought an error had been
made in the transmission Of the name
of the place where the massacre is said
to have occurred. 1t Is believed that
the name of the place should be Chang
TIE, the capital of Human, instead Of
Cheng Tu. In that place there are a
number OF foreign missionaries and the
anti-foreign feeling is very strong. In
1898 there were threatening demonstra-
tions by the people, and the mission
aries were kept for some time In a
state of terrorism by the display Of
placards abusing the foreign devils"
and warning the natives against affilia-
ton with them. The condition of af-
fairs was regarded by United States
Minister DENLY as grave enough to
warrant representations to the Chinese
government, and the facts were made
the subject of several reports from the
minister to the state department.
Chang TIE is accessible to small gun
boats and a British warship visited the
neighborhood several years ago.
MIR. Baldwin's Opinion.
New York, June 10.-The officials of
the Methodist Missionary society,
when seen at their offices today, were
very hopeful that the reported mas
sacre of the missionaries at Cheng Tu,
| China, was exaggerated. DR.. Stephen
]. Baldwin, the recording secretary,
said:
"I do not thing that these rumors are
subsequent to the assurances we re-
ceived cable from our mission in Cheng
| Tu, under date of June 3. The cable
read: Property destroyed; all safe; in
form Toronto This would indicate
that all our people are safe, although
the property has been destroyed"
The missionaries who are at Cheng
Tu are the Rev. H. Olin Cady and wife,
H. l.. Cartwright, M. d., and wife, the
Rev. ]. F. Peat and wife. the Rev. ].
| o. Curnow and wife, the Rev. H. V. C.
Hart, foremrly Of the Central China
mission, and several Of his associates
OF the Canadian Methodist church. In
| the seventy-sixth annual report for last
year the property Of the mission, in
cluding dwellings, chapels, schools, etc,
. a