The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-04
ATTACKS ON MISSIONS IN CHINA.
Steps Should Be Taken to Check the
EanatiCal Outbreaks.

The close OF the momentous struggle between
China and Japan, while relieving the diplomatic
agents of this Government from the delicate duty
they undertook at the request of both countries OF
rendering such service to the subjects OF either
bellgerent within the territorial limits of the
other as our neutral position permitted developed
q domestic condition in the Chinese empire which
has caused much anxiety and called for prompt
and careful attention. Either a result of a weak
control by the central government over the pro-
vincial administrations following a diminution of
traditional governmental authority under the stress
OF an overwhelming national disaster, or as a
manifestation upon good opportunity OF the aver
sion OF the Chinese population to all foreign ways
and undertakings there have occurred in widely
epaTated provinces OF China serious outbreaks of
the old fanatcal spirit against foreigners which If
unche cked by the local authorities if not actually
connved at by them have eliminated in mob at
tacks on foreign missionary stations, causing much
destruction OF property and attended with personal
injuries as well as loss OF life
Although but one American citizen was reported
to have been actually wounded, and although the
dest uction of property NAV nave fallen more
heavily upon the missionaries OF other nationa-
ties than our own IL plainly behooves this Govern
ment to take the most prompt and decided action
10 guard against similar or perhaps dreadful
calamites Detailing the hundreds OF American
mission stations which have grown up throughout
the interior of China under the temperate rule of
liberation, custom and imperial edict. The de
mands OF the United States and other powers for
the degradation and punishment OF responsible
officials OF the respective cities and provinces who
by neglect o OJherRl5e, mad permitted uBFisingS,
and for the adoption of stern measures by the En-
peror's Government for the protection of the life
and property OF foreigners, followed by the
disgrace and dismissal of certain provincial of1i-
Gals found derelict in duty, and the punishment
by death Of number Of those adiudged guilty of
participating in the outrages.
This Government insisted that special Ameri-
can commission should visit the province where
the first disturbances occurred for the purpose of
investigation. This latter commission formed
after much opposition, has gone overland from
Tentsin, accompanied by suitable Chinese es-
cort, and by its demonstration OF the readiness and
ability of our Government to protect its citizens
will act, 1t is believed, influential deterrent
of any similar outbreaks. The energetic steps we
have thus taken all the more likely 10 result in
the future safety OF citizens in China because
the imperial Government is l am persuaded en-
trely convinced that desire only the liberty and
protection of our citizens and redress for any
wrongs they may have suffered, and that we have
no Interior designs or objects, political or other
wise.
China will not forget either our kindly service TO
her citizens during her late war, nor the further
TACT that while furnishing all the facilities at our
command to further the negotiation of peace be-
tween her ana Japan we sought no advant ages
and interposed no counsel. The Governments of
both China and Japan have in special dispat ches
transmitted through their respective diplomatic
representatives expressed in most pleasing man
their citizens during the unhappy struggle and of
the val ue OF our aid IN paving the way their re-
sumption OF peaceful reatons