The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-10-01
TALKS ABOUT CHINA
REV. HUNTER C0RBETT, D. D., GIVES
MANY STRANGE FACTS.

He Has Resided at Chefoo for Thirty Thre
Years and Has Had q Large Experience
in spreading the Gospel in That Land
He is in wichita Visiting His Brother
General Corbett, and Gives a Word Pic
ture Concerning the Land of the Ma m
moth Walls and Dark Superstition
Customs of the People.
General ". S. Corbett is enjoying :
visit from his brother, the Rev. Hunte
Corbett, who has been a missionary q
China for Ihirty-three years, and Is
In the United States for the purpose OF
attending the synod of the Pres5yter-
han church which conveneS in New Jer-
sey the last OF October.
Dr. Cor,bett was met at the residence
Of his brother yesterday by a reporter
for the Eagle and engaged in conversa-
ton with reference both TO China, ats
people. their customs and the great
changes which have occurred in China
since the doctor left in July, 1853
Among other topics OF interest ne
said:
81 left the United States for China on
the first day Of the battle OF Gettys-
burg and was 100 days on the ocean
Ahen 1 first heard Of the result of the
battle Il was far different travelling
at that time TO what it Is today. We
were on the ocean about $50 days, and
for seventeen days of that time were
becaimed. That is for that length of
time the ship did not move. We were
on the equator and the intense sun
was simply terrible.
''All the sailors were taken with the
Bcurvy and all the passengers had to
do work as sailors. The ship was, as all
ships were at that time, a. sailing YES
sell That was the time that canned
fruit was first introduced and the ship
instead OF taking live stock along to be
used for food took a large supply OF
canned goods, and for some reason the
entire outfit spoiled and had 10 be
thrown overheard. Our fresh water
ran short and We had to be allow7anced.
Many died on the voyage, but finally
we landed at the mission at Chefoo.
LAS you ana aware our station was
right In the midst OF the Japanese
China war and while there was no bat
tie at Chefoo, yet we were in immf-
nent DANCE not so much from the
japanese soldiers as from those of the
Chinese army. AT our place there
were 10000 Chinese soldiers stationed
who threatened that If the place was at
tackled they would raid all foreigners
on the grounds, that all were enemies.
The evils which afflicted China at
the opening of the year 1895 brought
fearfulness and trembling TO every
heart The Mohammedan rebellion in
the west and the victorious japanese
army in the east sent a rude blast over
the entire land. In this part of China
many things combined to bring about
state Of affairs difficult TO describe
The commander-in-chiefo of the Japan
csc army notified the foreign consule
that the exigencies Of war might re-
qu1Te the capture of Chefoo. Forty
thousand Chinese troops were sent
TO resist any attack. This added great
ly to the gravity OF the situation, as
these troops threatened on the approach
OF the Japanese to attack the foreign
settlement. The foreign residents or
gained themselves into home guard, !
secured arms and trained for active |
resistance
The treaty powers united IN sending
q large number of war vessels These
remained for weeks anchored in the |
harbor. A strong force of foreign
troops were kept on shore guarding
the place day and night. The numerous
battles fought In Manchuria, leaving
many slain and wounded on the battle /
fields; the bonbardnent of the city of
Tungchow by the japanese iron clads;
the capture of Wei-hai-wei and the seiz-
ure or destruction OF ali the Chinese
Ss,7iY0C
wrung mems hearts and touched them
DO the quick. The Red Cross hospital
was crowded with wounded and suffer-
ing soldiers.
Many OF the missionaries from the
Interior stations at the urgent request
,f the foreign consuis and admirals, |
cit constrained to leave their homes
and their work and fee for safety
. the treaty ports. Many of the Chi
leSe Were seized with the panic of ter
'or, left their homes IN the coolest
weather and fied-to the hills for safety;
numbers persisted from cold and hun
'er. Fortunately the successful nego-
iations for peace IN April relieved the
strain and did much to restore uuiee
nd confidence. 1t is easy to perceive
q the situation tfle feeling of refresh
nent which naturally came after such !.
nempest. Missionaries were able TO
eturn to their homes, schools were ,
eopened and regular work resumed.
But the war is now over and 1 be-
leve its results will prove advantag-
Gus TO the country. There is one
nmistakable characteristic about the
oreign people and that is they viii | .
ght to the death but when peace is
eclared all classes become strong :
rien DIS.
1T may seem strange but It Is a
ect nevertheless that over one-haif :
the population never knew that a .
'ar was going ON at all At Chefoo r
becomes very warm in the summer ,
nd very cold in the winter. In fact ,
Is so cold in the winter that not !
the tide motion of the sea {
lie ocean will often freeze a quarter !
e mile from the shore.
While our place was not bombarNiei Z
st we could plainly hear the firing '
Port Arthur. Tingchow, Wei-hai-wsai .
nd the suspense was simply terrible. q
We'll. ! suppose that the readers OF q
Ne Eagle would dixie 10 know something Q
bout the customs OF the people and 4,
ny IL is that there is not more i'm n
,ovement especially when the great Y
genufty Of the Chinese is considered 7
many lines, but il can all he ex- +
aimed on the grounds Of superstition. u
During my entire residence in that =
'untry i never saw a four-wheelef n
.hiole. Everything is transported on :,
e backs OF animals or Is carried by n
'rsons. In my section of the country :,
ere are no roads. only dim trails S.
he country Is very rough. When a | 7,