The Press., 1896-02-13

fell upon Hwa Sang. Immediately one hundred of the men withdrew. The other hundred started on the morning designa- ted, and when about halfway were told that the intent of the expedition was to kill all the foreigners. Twenty more then turned back, while the rest went on to do the dastardly deed.
 The course of the English Consul Mans field has called down upon him much cen sure. Archdeacon Wolf and Mir. Banis- ter, of the English Church Mission, re- ceived the news by telegram, late on the evening of August ?, but did not make 1t known until next morning. By that time the consul had started for the mountains. When overtaken and informed he was half way up, and thought it as much as his life was worth to return in the hot sun, so proceeded on his pleasure trip, while ten of his countrymen lay dead and five more in need of his assistance. All he did was to send message to the viceroy.
 Our American consul, Hixson, who has endeared himself to all his American sub- jects by his prompt and decisive action in their interests, is leader of the investiga- tion, although no American was killed. On hearing of the tragedy he immediately called for his chair and started for the Viceroy Yamen. He at first was refused admission, but demanded it. He inform the viceroy that he should start for Kuc- heng the next morning, and wanted bodyguard of soldiers to protect him; that if they were not provided and he was killed, his country would make China suffer for it. He got forty of the best soldiers they could muster, a junk to carry them, and launches for the investi- gation party.
 Consul HixsOn deals with the Chinese officials in a direct manner, demanding what he believes to be America's due, and generally gets it because they dare not refuse. The English consul, on the other hand, tried to prevent the investigation party's movements but in the indignation meeting which was held Aug. 3, he was criticised almost openly, and has since fallen into line and worked manfully on the investigation committee.
 The commission had difficulty in getting the officials to consent to their hearing the trial, but insisted, as they wanted to be sure that the guilty only were executed. We are informed that the, English con- sul and the English church missionary have visited the viceroy and asked for what they believed to be justice, namely, that thirty-six of the Vegetarians, found guilty by trial, be beheaded. The vice. roy's reply was: "You have but to ask, and it shall be granted"
 Whether this is only promise, like so many others of these officials, remains to be seen. But the presence of seven gun boats in port twill make it easier to keep this promise perhaps.
 We hope for good results that the work of the mission may not be hindered. 1 believe we are safe, and it is an encOur- agement to us to know that you remem- Der us in prayer. both at the home altar and as 8 church, as we also remember you. So may your prayers for this work be answered through us in part. We have come to this country to help to bet ter this miserable state of affairs. and in whatever way God can use us to scatter the darkness of heathenism, and diffuse the light of Christianity, we are willing to serve. ELLEN KINNEY BEARD. 1 Putnam PntliOt