Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1897-12-02
ORIGIN OF CHlNA'S TROUBLE.
The BroiI from Which Sprang the German
Occupation of KiaO-Chan.

Shantung Letter in North China Mall Octo-
Der TO-
The trouble which the Roman Catholics
have been having in the Kuanhsien dis
trict, for the past six years, has gone on
brewing during the Summer, so that an
other chapter in its history may be written
with considerable confidence as to
its accuracy. In the Spring, it will
be rememered there was an attack of the
villagers and others upon the Roman
Catholics just as they were about to build
a chapel upon the ground which had been
in litigation SO many years. The attack
ing party greatly outnumbered the native
Christians, and the melee put the latter TO
flight, beside killing several and wounding
others. In that village there lives man
by the name Of Yen Kuang- hsu This name
is the same as that of the present En-
peror), whose reputation will not bear
scrutiny. The individual himself this
Spring thought as much, and learning the
thief-catchers were on his track determined
10 do something that would at the same
time enrich himself, while it relieved him
of all fear of the baiiff. This tearing down
the Roman Catholic premises offered just
the opportunity desired. Fortune also
favored him, for it seems that he Is the
grandson of the man who built the tenn
pie in the first place. In order to make
sure of good reception in his purpose
which he now formed of rebuilding the
temple on the old spot from which the
Christians had been expelled, he had
spike driven through his shoulder, and
accompanied by number Of men inter
ested in his scheme, he went from village
to village, begging for funds. And he was
successful. He raised alarge sum ofmoney,
with which the villagers have again built
up their temple, and in a few days the
gods who are being made for the occasion
will be escorted to their new abode.
Meantime the project has not been idle.
He has ordered the villagers to turn over
the property IN diepute to him, and
affirms that it shall not be used as tenn
pie, but that he will arrange matters with
the Roman Catholics, and will use the
large buildings erected for educational
purposes. But, meanwhile, the villagers
seem to be having their own way. Thus
far they have defed the magistrates, and
now they tell the prefect that they will not
have ANYTHING to do with restoration OF
their temple to the Roman Catholics or to
himself, and that if he comes against them
with soldiers then they will rebel. And
the.prefect, evidently believing that they
will, has in bis perplexity sent to the
Governor.
But with all this confidence the villagers
feel somewhat uncertain as to the outcome
of this fight with the Roman Catholics as
is shown by their willingness to make
proposals for peace. What they propose
is certainly interesting; nothing less than
to pay for the Roman Catholic property
which the have taken; to give them any
piece of property they wish in or out of
the village for chapel (the temple ground
of course excepted), to meet the priests at
the time when they may come to 'estab-
lish peace" and give them kowtow. Be-
side which they propose ten days
theatre. five in honor of the gods recently
indicted into Office on the disputed prem
ises.
Az q late date. two Roman Catholic