The Irish standard., 1899-08-26

.urers and judges as we'll as intendants.
Other priests shall be privileged to in
terview projects of the first and second
class, projects independent, sub projects
and other functionaries. Viceroys, gov
ernors, provincial treasures and
judges, intendants, projects oi the first
and second class, projects independents,
sub-prefects and other functionaries
shall, OF course, return courtesies, each
according to his rank" It may be said
here that a reading of the foregoing
portion of the imperial decree makes it
plain that one of the principal purposes
of its promulgation and adoption was
the desire of the government to estab-
lish good relations between the Chinese
pagans and their Catholic brethren.
The disastrous results which follow
from religious fighting, and which, in
China's case, recently cost her the loss
OF some valuable territory-ttat taken
by the German emperor as part pay
ment for the attacks upon Catholic
missions by Chinese rioters and the kill
ing of two Catholic priests naturally
impelled the government to devise some
means of putting an end to such strife.
The only feasible plan that appeared to
it was to recognize the rights of the
Christians; and it is a very significant
fact that after the government had de-
cided to do that, it issued the decree
from which we have just quoted, for in
that decree the Catholics are recognized
as Christians, to the exclusion of all
Protestants. That is not at all surpris-
ing, though; for in China, as a non
Catholic writer lately said OF Japan, the
only real Christian converts are the
Catholic Cinnamon.
Bishops" continues,he decree, "shall
make out list of tho priests appointed
to take charge of affairs and interview
the authorities, giving their names and
the locations of their missions. This
list shall be sent to the viceroy or the
governor, who will direct under officials
to receive them conformably to this reg
ulation. Priests requesting an inter-
view with the local authorities or those
specially appointed to take charge
should be European. If, however, a
European priest be not conversant with
the Chinese language, he may be ac-
companied by Chinese priest acting as
interpreter. 1t would be useless Cor
bishops living away from cities to visit
the provincial capital for the purpose OF
being received by the viceroy or the
governor, if they have no business in
hand. At the installation of new vice
roy or governor, upon the arrival OF a
new bishop, or upon any occasion OF
ceremony, as New Years day and the
principal feasts, bishops shall be privi-
legged to write private letters to the
viceroys and governors, at the same
time inclosing their cards. Viceroys and
governors shall return the courtesy"
Here, again, it may be remarked that
the evident purpose OF the foregoing
regulations is to render access to the
governing powers easy to Catholic prel-
ates and priests, in order that the latter
may notify the authorizes whenever
their rights are threatened or their safe
ty is endangered. The Chinese people
seeing the priests and bishops freely ad-
1nitted to the residences OF the viceroys
projects and governors would be slow
to consider them, as they lave at times
done, enemies OF the natives, and less
liable, consequently, to attack the mis-
sions and the missionaries Monsignor
Favier, in sending the tcNt of the i'm
perial decree to France, 10 the head
quarters OF the Society for The Propaga-
ton of the Faith, virtually put that in
depreciation on the edict. FOR he said
that, while it might not at once exempt
the missionaries from the attacks of the
brlgands, it would make popular upris-
ings on the part OF pagan Cinnamon
less likely to occur.
1T any grave or important matter
concerning mission in my province
should arise" goes on the decree, "the
bishops and missionaries ii, office shall
appeal to the minister or the members
OF the council which the Pope has ap-
pointed as religious protectoratc.
The latter will have the right of decid-
ing together with the Tsong-si -Yama
(the foreign ofice) or the 'ocal author
tiles. To avoid complications, botl,
bishops and missionaries may appeal di-
rectly to the local authorities, with
whom final negotiations may be ef-
fected. If mandarin is Consulted on
an official question by either bishop
or missionary he must give the matter
immediate and polite attention and in
stitute an investigation. As occasions
arise the local authorities hall counsel
the people, exhorting them 70 unite with
the Christians; they shall never en-
courage hatred or countcnance discus
sion. Bishops and priests hall likewise
cxhort all Christians to strive earnestly
towards maintaining the good repute o.
the Catholic religion, so that the people
may be content and apprcciative. In