New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-07
New-York. October ?. 1885.
THE CHINESE NEED A LESSON.
THEIR MALTREATMENT OF FOREIGNERS CAN BE
CHECKED IN 40 OTHER wAY-ALso,
THE CONSULAR SERVICE SHOULD

THE CONSULAR SERVICE SHOULD
TIE REFORMED.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
ST.: For many years l have been a constant
reader Of your paper and every mail look as eagerly
for my Weekly Tribune for letters from the old
folks at home. You to use your paper to cor
rect abuses educate the masses and disseminate
information generally. Consequently. take the lib
erty OF calling attention to the situation here
in China. l have resided here for ten years
and during that time have often been the point
OF writing to the home papers. but being employed
by a missionary society a medical missionary l
have felt that perhaps ought TO endure in
silence whatever came to MS and so have restrained
the impulse to cry out against evils that exist hop
ing that time. too. might abate them l refer to the
universal abuse Of foreigners throughout China and
the ineficiency of Consular and diplomatic
service in dealing with 1t.
| know many will exclam al once that we abuse
the Chinese in America and should expect nothing
better here. but the situation is entirely different
from what is generally represented In America the
outbreaks against the Chinese have always been
caused by the ignorant laborer. and usually. | be-
lieye, by the agitation Of the pauper immigrant.
Here the antforeign feeling is always the result
of the hatred felt toward all foreigners by the Of
ficals and so-caed gentry. In America officials
promptly suppress all riots and endeavor to restore
order and afford protection the defenceless.
Here. the contrary. the mandarlns refuse TO
act at all until the Tsung-l Yamen. by pressure
from the foreign ministers, issues tardy command
10 the local magistrates to investigate and report
Until recently l under the impression that
our home Government was Ignorant of the situation
and that all the blame lay with our Minister.
Colonel Charles DENLY. and the consular STAFF In tho
ports. In interview with Colonel DENLY, how
ever. few weeks since. he assured me he had re-
ported matters in detail TO the State Department
often and urged reprisals the only effective
treatment. but had been warned by telegraph: L
do not wish to 60 TO war with China In re-
issue Of your paper and also in Leshes Illus
drated Weekly" l notice that with Olney at the
head Of the State Department are TO have a
more vigorous foreign policy. Does that mean only
that the Cuban instruction will receive no assist
ance from friends in the United states. or does
It mean that citizens of the United States In any
country on the globe will in future have the pro-
lection Of their Government given them?
The Chinese are easily subdued If they know that
they will be dealt with severely for their mis-
demeanors. but II they are allowed to insult ROD.
iniure and murder United States citizens and othef
foreigners with only remonstrance from the
Powers nsulted in the persons of their subjects or
citizens they will continue to maltreat and abuse
us Four weeks ago / sent by Colonel Denny
to Tung-Chow. fourteen miles from here. to treat
the Rev. Or. Sheffield who stabbed and cut
in thrty-three places and left for dead by two
rascaliy assaants who would never have touched
him II they had not known their officials would
never seriously call them TO account. Last Sun
day n telegram reached us saying that nine Eng
lish ladies and were murdered in most
brutal manner near Foochow.
These are only the latest instances. Ever since
] arrived In this country the repetition Of these out
RACES has been constant. and in scarcely a single
Instance has punishment been dealt TO the guilty
party The Japan has made little i'm
preston upon the mandarins in Picking. We had
all hoped that the Chinese would gain such an
idea OF the power OF Western nations from tnelr
recent defeat by little Japan that they would
hesitate to allow these outrages 10 continue , lor
fear Of another war with even stronger adVer-
sary.
Ii seems. however. that they consider 1t safe to
continue them. The Chinese know that RUSSIA ana
England mutually afraid Of each other, tnat
France and Germany old enemies and that the
United States is pre-eminently peaceful country,
and so they keep along the tenor of their
suits and injuries foreigners within their borders:
We foreigners in this city. under the shadow or
the walls OF the Emperor's palace are constantly
hooted at. jeered and maltreated in most un-
this kind OF treatment or have We right 10 expect
Government 10 make 1t Clear to China mat
whatever they do TO subjects OF other nations the
United States has interest In each and every
of her citizens abroad and that IL is dangerous
to maltredt them?
In order to secure this result 1t will certainly be
lessons IL VIII also be necessary 70 have con-
su.ar and diplomatic service different from the
present one day IL from night why are not
our representatives familiar with the Chinese
language and regularly educated for the work
Entrusted TO them TO perform? There Is not SUI
dent In any consular Office in China TO prepare
himself for this Important work. AL Is ''spol.s
appointees receive place without any htness what
ever for their posts Doubtless our wnoie consular
service Is open 10 the same censure; but ! only
Know from experience OF the condition OF THIS
ROBERT COLEMAN, JR.. NJ. d.
feklng. China Aug. H. 1879.