The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-09-09
THE MISSIONARY MASSAcRES.
EX-sECRETARY JOHN w. FOSTER
ON THE CHINESE TROUBLES.

His Opinion, Based on Careful In
Guiry and Observations During His
Recent Visit to china, IL That the
BOdy of the People of That Nation
Are Not Particularly Hostile to-
MissiOnaries-The People of tho
United States should Not Forget
the Many Antt-Chfnese Riots and
Outrages. In This Country, Es-
pecialIy the Rock Springs (Wyol
Riot.
Watertown, n. Y, Sept. s.-Ex-Secre-
tary John w. Foster delivered an adj
dress tonight in the First Presbyterian
church of this city. of which his son-in-
law, Rev. a. NJ. Dulles, is pastor. IN the
course of his address he made the fol-
lowing reference to the recent Chinese
riots
"The opinion formed by me. after care
fui inquiry and observation. is that tho
mass of the population in China. particu-
larry the common people. are not spe-
cially hostile to the missionaries and their
work. They have been permitted 10 pene-
trate every part of that vast empire with
as little disturbance as the Chinese la
borers have spread themselves over the
United States, and in case of danger tho
authorities. have usually exerted then-
selves for their protection. Occasionally
riots have taken place. but they are al
most invariably traced 70 the literati or
prospective onlceholders and the ruling
classes. These are often bigoted and con-
ceitcd to the highest degree. and re-
gard the teaching of the missionaries az
tending to overthrow the existing form
Of government and society. which they
look upon as a perfect system and sanc-
titled by grea! antiquity.
The war with Japan. which resulted in
a humiiiaung peace. and the loss OF ter
ritory has greatly weakened the imperial
authority, and the dishandment of several
hundred thousand troops, mostly without
receiving the pay due them, has added
very much to the prevailing discomfort and
disorder Under such circumstances II Is
not strange that riots should occur and
that the widespread missionaries should
be the chief sufferers.
These riots have been mostly confined
to pillaging and the DESTRUCTION Of prop
erty, the chief exception being the Ku-
cheng massacre. which has justly horrlned
the civilized world But We in America.
IL
when we recall the many outrages which
have been inflicted upon Chinese subjects
In the United states, and remember that
the Rock Springs, Wyo., riot few years
ago was equally cruel and fatal IN its re-
suits and reflected more severely upon our
authorities
Although only a few weeks have eiaps-
ed since the Kucheng u assacre. the tele-
graph informs us that near score OF
participants have already been condemns
ed to death, more than hundred are in
prison, awaiting trial and the imperial
government is already arranging TO fully
compensate the missions for all their
losses.
In contrast with this summary admin
istration of justice by the Chinese author
tiles stands the fact that no punishment
followed the Rock Springs massacre COM
pensation was delayed for three years ana
then accompanied by legislation against
the Chinese which was pronounced by our
supreme court as in violation Of the trea-
W but without remedy ] am, however, in
full sympathy with the prevailing de-
mand in the United States that the Chi
nese government should be held to a strict
accountability for these outrages. But in
doing this care should be exercised by
our government that It does not lend
Itself to advance the sinister projects OF
European governments, which are on tho
alert to turn the international troubles of
China to their own benefit.
The United States Is strong enough to
act independently Of European commis-
sions and China has never yet failed to
comply with its just demands There
seems TO be in a part Of the public press
Of our country a misconception of the
ground upon which our government bases
Its Intervention on account OF these riots.
II not because we are a Christian coun-
try and are seeking TO support a Christ
ian propagandsm In China. II is simply be-
cause the people in whose behalf our gov
ernment intervenes are American citizens,
pursuing an avocation gained by treaty
and permitted by Chinese law"