The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-08-06
CHINESE SUPERSTITION
Responsible for the Murder of Mis-
.. sionaries at Ku Cheng.
Bx-ooNsUL eRAoBY's ExPERIENcE

He Explains That All Foreigners Arc In
the Ignorance of tho Masses-The Vic
Tins of the Latest Outrage.
BUFFALO, Aug. e.--Samuei L. Gracey,
of this city, late United States consul Mt
Foo Chow, China, was interviewed on the
reported massacre at Ku Cheng. Mr.
Gracey said: "Ku Cheng, the place men
toned In the press dispatches as the scene
Of the latest anti-foreign riots in China.
is In the Fuhkien province, about ninety
miles above Foo Chow. 1t is fully hun
dred miles from Pagoda anchorage, the
highest point of navigation for steamers
in the Min river, hence is entirely beyond
the protection of American or other foreign
gunboats."
1.-THE literati have been stirring up trou-
BILE against the foreign residents there for
many months, and the danger to life and
property became SO great that about two
months ago all American residents there
were recalled to Foo Chow. These were
the Rev. and Mrs. w. G. Wilcox and three
children. Miss Mabel Chartford and Miss
Rouse, the two latter representing the
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and
all of the Methodist church. The other
bers Of the English church mission, who
may not have been recalled during recent
troubles. 1t is probable that matters may
have quieted down there afterthe foreign
ers came away, and some may have been
encouraged to return.
1.-THE common people do not distinguish
between Japanese, American, English
and German nationalities, but all are
alike-foreign devils, and obnoxious. We
cannot but ar that outrages such as have
lust recently transpired at Chengtu, In
the northwest interior, will occur in other
localities where foreign missionaries are
residing far away from the treaty ports,
and hence beyond the protection Of for
eign gunboats. The people are extremely
ignorant and excitingly superstitious and
easily imposed upon. The fact that the
recent outrages in the Szechnan province
Z were connived at by the highest authori-
ties In the district at tho time (since re-
movedl gives cause for much anxiety
CONCERNING all foreign missionaries living
In the interior.
"The people and the officials of the
Tohkien province, in which Ku Cheng is
located, have been among tho most
friendly Of all In the empire toward for
eigners, and this massacre will be most
surprising to all familiar with the coun-
try" 5...-
Considerable light Is thrown upon the
feeling Of the Cinnamon towards foreign
ers and the causes which led up to the
recent massacre by an article printed in
the North China Herald Of July o. regard
ing the previous riots, copy of which Mr..
Gracey had. 1t was as follows;
"At Chengtu the officials, who have
( more than an adequate force at their dis
f. posal, made no serious attempt to stop the
destruction of the Protestant and Cath
/ olio property, though appealed to from
tho first, although, when the destruction
was complete, they protected the lives OF
I the missionaries, for the word seems to
have been, Drive out, but not kill. The
chief of police at Chengtu, Hanan man,
Taoti in rank, issued the following
proclama alton on the second day Of the
riots:
"'At the present time we have evidence
that foreigners deceive and kidnap small
children. You soldiers must not be dis
turbcd and fiurried When tho cases are
brought before us we certainly will not
bo lenient with them
Another plaoard which appeared day
or two before the riots read. 1T is hereby
notified that at the present time foreign
barbarians are hiring bad characters to
steal small children that they may extract
oil from them for their use'
Another placard, put out the day after
tho riots, and evidently intended as a sort
OF Justification, read: AT tho present
time, when Japan has usurped Chinese
territory, you English, French and Amer
deans havo looked on with your hands in
your sleeve. If in the future you wish to
preach your doctrines in China you must
drive the Japanese back to their own
country; then you will be allowed to
preach your holy gospel throughout the
country without hindrance.'
"There was also, wo learn, a proelama-
tion put out by the viceroy attributing
the outbreak Of the riot to the presence Of
foreigners on the parade ground during
1.-THE fruit throwing that accompanies the
Efeast Of the fifth day of the fifth moon,
but, as q matter of fact, there were no
Foreigners OH the parade ground during
4a hol 1av