Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-04
C%hristianizinQ China.


The Emperor Of Germany poses as o
Christian sovereign. He has at times
had spasuus that We're intended to pass
for pious zeal. though there be some
who think it was but a manifestation
OF hereditary insanity. Moreover
he was so incensed over the killing Of
two missionaries in a northern province
IL the celestial empire that he immc~
diatcly took possession of an excellent
port and fortifications SO that nc more
missionaries might be slain. This Wa@
Ostensibly what the seizure was made
for though later the Emperor got him
self and the Lord of creation somewhat
confused in his mind and his brother,
talking from dictation evidently, sad
he was going to China to spread "th"
gospel Of his Majesty's sanctiied per
SON"
Nov that heather statesman, Ii
Hung Chang, has been interviewed and
what he has TO say respecting this SOL
Of Christianizing of the celestial en-
pire may have more OF less of interest
for the average reader.
This shrewd old man said he re.
&arded the occupation Of Kiao Chau AS
Il direct violation of international LaW
as well as treaties. Well. we feel safe
in assuming Ii told the truth. He says
moreover. that the Chinese government
offered immediate and full restitution
so far as possible for the murder OF the
missionaries. That has been so under
stood. Continuing Ii remarked; out
laws exist in China, as in all countries
Neither treaties, law nor religion can
entirely suppress crime in the world.
Though they condemn and punish he
criminals, there are places in everF
country where laWlessness aboundS.
and To such a place in Chan Tung the
German missionaries determined to GO.
Knowing thai the inhabitants them
.ElN Is W = g tINtii 'itllill@ VI llfF 'hlii
dts"
The Chinese have been known To get
into trouble in 50 highly a civilized
country as our own. And here is 4
pithincss in Lis. observations that Will
appeal TO the fair minded with force,
OF late years, from instruction ana
observation, the Chinese have come Ia
regard the countries OF the western
world as models. and even greater in
Justice than in arms. Is ii just to ou-
| ress us while we are struggling /,
emerge from the restraints OF our an
cient civilization. while improvement
and progress steadily continue?
Should China be distressed by hay
ing her shores invaded and her terri
tory occupied because of an occurrence
which western countries would deal
with hy law and not Ivy war-an un-
expected incident, deplored by my gov
eminent ana followed by fun redress
our desire is to preserye our terri
tory intact, and to steadily improve Ii
as a field open to all countries equally
for the development Of commerce,
Would that the countryuen Of thu
venerable diplomat approached as near
20 his knowledge Is do the common
people of this country to the knowledge
possessed by their statesmen. Then
NC might expect that China would Nc
able of herself to secure somewhat If
justice, As it is whatever dcfen@e
against German aggression she ma.
have viii probably come from those
who wish themselves to be The aasres-
sors and to he in at he division Of tn
Apoils when China shall be Opened un
to civilization and christianizins m
tuences.'