Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-21
MR.. WI DISCUSSES CHINA
TELLS WHY HIS COUNTRYMEN HATE
FOREIGNERS.
Latter Are Overbearfng and FIRE.
Quently Unjust-Mfssionsrtes Not
So had as Painted.

WI Ting Fang, Chinese minister, deliv-
cred an address before the American Acad-
envy Of Political and Social Science in Phil
adelphia last night. Mr. Wus subject was
causes of the unpopularity Of foreigners in
China. Mr.. WI, in part said:
THE subject under discussion is deli
cate one for me to handle. When l was
asked to give my views on 1t, my first i'm
pulse was to keep out Of the way as far as
possible. But after giving the matter due
consideration, 1 considered 1t my duty, in
view of the Importance of the subject, to do
my part in ascertaining the real causes and
suggesting remedies for their removal So
have come here today to speak for my
self as Chinaman who has lived among
foreigners and can speak from personal
knowledge.
I'VE md that hina in ancient times
was not indisposed to trade and Intercourse
with the outer world. Foreigners came
from the neighboring countries in Asia.
They intermingled freely with the natives,
ana were considered during their sojourn as
Chinese. In fact, they adopted our customs
and manners. On the other hand. the Chi
nese never manifested any ill-feeling or
luminosity toward foreigners. In later times
we find that foreigners in China were
treated not only with kindness and con-
sideration. but with great respect. Even
official posts were open to them.
Now, 1t is an indisputable fact that there
is a strong feeling against foreigners at the
present day. The question is, how has this
change come about? We have to go back
to the events of the last half century. We
find that foreigners from the west did not
belong to the same class of persons as we
had been accustomed to deal with. They
were different in color, race and language,
and did not observe our customs and man.
ners. Difficulties and disputes arising from
misunderstanding resulted in warfare. In
order to make peace, China had to grant
extraordinary privileges to foreigners and
pay heavy indemnities. After such a sad
experience, is it wonder that the, Chinese
people entertain anything but friendly SEN
timents toward foreigners?
1T has been commonly supposed that
missionaries are the sole cause Of anti-for-
eign feeling in China. This charge Is I'M
fair. Missionaries have done great deal
of good in China. They have translated
useful works into the Chinese language,
published scientific and educational jour
nails, and established schools all over the
country. Medical missionaries, especially,
have been remarkably successful in their
philanthrOpic work. On the other hand,
we must not be blind to the fact that some
of their brethren. in their excessive zeal 10
convert Chinese to their faith, have been
indiscreet in their conduct. Instances are
not wanting of missionaries interfering m
the administration of justice in Chinese
courts.
by treaty, missionaries have right 20
reside in any part of China. Other for
eigners are allowed to reside only in the
treaty ports. In the interior, missionary
cannot but excite great deal of curiosity,
especially when he retains his national
dress. When he, moreover. publicly con-
dennis the cherished traditions Of China.
proclaims the worship of ancestors and
idols to be a useless performance, &c, the
feeling of the Chinese people can be easily
understood. Missionaries placed in d
very delicate situation, and not all of them
are cautious and discreet.
'All foreigners in China carry with them
the laws of their respective countries. The
local authorities have jurisdiction over
them. Consequently they form a sort of
privileged class, and consider themselves
more lords of the country than strang-
ers. in a strange land. They frequently
treat the customs, traditions and institu-
lions of the country with contempt and In
this way excite the ill-feeling of the
Ives.
THE general tone of the foreign press
in China is also calculated to set the whole
Chinese nation against foreigners and things
foreign.
The seizure of territory without com
pensation, the forcible taking of lands from
their Chinese owners, the rough treatment
received by those in defense of their rights
all these have added fuel to the flame.
In saying this l do not wish to convey
the impression that the Chinese are entirely
free from blame. They are at fault in that
they too suspicious of foreigners and
unwilling to learn from the outside world.
Now the question arises, What the
remedies for this unsatisfactory state OF
more consideration for the feelings of the
natives. Chinese customs and manners are
not necessarily bad: foreign ways are not
always the best. Foreigners should be
more sparing in their condemnation OF
things Chinese. In the next place, foreign
ers in their daily intercourse with educated
Chinese should remember that true polite
ness is the same in China elsewhere.
In the third place, the foreign press in
China should assume a more conciiatory
tone toward the government and people OF
China 1t would be a good thing also TO
send only medical missionaries to China.
If this is impractical BILE non-medical mis-
sionaries in China should establish schools
and libraries.
China should not be judged according to
the foreign standard. Mistakes have been
committed on both sides. Let us profit by
our past experience and avoid similar mis-
takes in the future.
1T is unpleasant to criticise other people.
My aim in doing so is to remove difficulties
and to create harmony and friendship.