The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
The Chinese situation.


Informed on the subject. There are twelve
in all, and the titles, which are as fol-
lows, indicate fairly well the general ten
or of the book:
Causes OF Anu-Foreign Feeling in Chi
ma" by George B. Smyth, President of the
Anglo-China College, Foochow. THE
Powers and the Partition of China" by
Rev. Gilbert Reid, D. D., President Inter
national Institute of China, Pekin. The
Struggle for Reform in China" Charles
Johnston, Bengal civil service (retired}
Political Possibilities in China" by John
Barrett. THE Gathering of the Storm, -
by Robert f. Lewis. THE Far Eastern
Crisis,2 by Archibald R. Colquhoun. THE
Great Siberian Railway" by NJ. Mikhail-
off. China and the Powers" by Rear Ad-
miral Lord Charles Beresford, r. N. C. B.
Mutual Helpfulness Between China and
the United States" by Minister WI Ting
fang. America 8 Share in a Partition OF
China by Demeritus c. Boulger. "Ameri-
cas- Interests in China by Gen. James
H. Wilson U. s. Volunteer Army. The
American Policy in China by the Right
Hon. Sir Charles W. Dixie
The variety of opinions expressed, and
the eomprehensiveness with which, all
things considered, the editors have covered
the ground. are the most noticeable points
in the work The reader will get fairly
good idea of all the important features of
the present Chinese situation, though the
work is naturally not as complete as it
could have been made with more time for
preparation.
In the first of these essays the thought
full reader will find plenty of reasons for
the Chinese antagonism for the foreigner.
Here are one or two important items:
religious liberty 10 Chinese converts have usually
been interpreted to that they shall not be
persecutod for religions sake. and specifically,
that they shall not be compelled 10 contribute 10
the maintenance Of idol temples, or toward pay
Ing the expense Of idol professions. Under these
heads many cases are taken by the missionaries
10 the consuls. who then refer them TO the th-
nese officials. Unfortunately, II sometimes turns
out investigation that the cases do not come
within the treaty limits at all, but are old
troubles. or even ones, which the Christian
complainants persuaded the missionary were in
stances Of religious persecution The erntarTass-
ment OF such discovery Is painful, painful TO
the missionary who deceived, TO the consul
who took the case up, and 10 the Chinese m1gis-
trate who tried ii. Verse than all is the effect
in the village where the parties to the trouble
side, where the Christian is accused Of trying 10
use his relation TO the foreigners to crush his
neighbors. The resulting irritation and prejudice
lameHtable in the extreme.
Even when the are genuine, and the Chris
tians are declared by the magistrate exempt from
the eNaCfiQrs r0ftrINN 10, NNtES are TWO par llSs
offended; the people angry because some OF
their neehbcrs are saved by foreign influence
from pressure which they themselves have to
submit 10, and which becomes heavier in proper
tion the Christians relieved from 1t; and
the magistrate is humiliated because at the de-
mand OF foreign official he has TO give judgment
against the wishes of majority Of his own people.
Here. Therefore, is another Widespread source OF
popular irritation.
Some European Governments have been guilty,
even in recent times, OF the most atrocious con-
Duct toward China. In 1854 a French feet
tered The Min River and anchored ten miles be-
low the great city Of Foochow, in Southeastern
China TO brighten the Government at PekiH into
paying indemnity demanded by the French
Minister for alleged guilty completely in helping
the people Of Tonquin in their fight against the
seizure CT their country by France. When he
failed, the case was given over 10 the admiral,
the French ships opened FIRE, and in less than an
hour the Chinese feet, with the exception Of one
ehip, destroyed and over 1900 Chinese killed,
and all without a declaration OF war. The
bodies Of the dead foated out 10 sea on the tide,
nasi,y OF them were borne back on the returning
current and for days il was hardly possible 10
cross the river anywhere between the anchorage
and the twenty miles below without seeing
some Of these dreadful reminders Of French
treachery and brutality. The people Of the city
were reused to fury. and the foreigners would
have been attacked but for the presence Of Amer
lean and English gunboats anchored of the set
Element 10 protect them. II some Of US had been
killed the world would have rung with denuncia-
ton of Chinese cruelty, but the 1900 victims Of
French guns would never have been thought Of.
THE Struggle for Reform" is a particu-
larry interesting paper. for but few West
erners know of this great movement in
China 1t will be seen from Mr.. Johnston's
statements that the ideas of Kwang Hsu
are decidedly radical. and, should they
ever be carried out, will do much to work
changes in the Oldest civilization in the
world, and bring 1t into harmony with
modern ideas. yet working along Chinese
lines in all reforms.
Mr.. Colquhoun's essay Is one OF the most
valuable in the book, from the authors
thorough knowledge and long study Of po-
Htical conditions in China. He speaks in
no very mild terms of the vacillating poll
icy of Great Britain, and goes on to say:
Observe In what different position such
countries as Russia and Germany stand whose
Governments hold in leash the national forces
military, diplomatic, and political, in readiness
70 strike at moments notice, with no popular
voice or even national impulse to wait for. Re-
publican France, even, enjoys freedom Of action
scarcely inferior 10 her autocratic neighbor for
the people expect no consideration in foreign or
colonial enterprises. which consequently left
10 the discretion Of The executive government and
20 the initiative Of official adYenturers When
therefore. the Far Eastern question was opened
by the japanese war, these powers promptly
cleared for action, while England remained wrapt
Ike mummy in the cerements Of a worn-out
policy, unable to move hand or foot to safeguard
her interests-actual or prospective. The fetish
Of non-interference In China had no chance
sgainst the energy Of powers who were inspired
by passion for aggression. Under the sway OF
this passion, China Is being carved up like a
sirloin Of beef II there were no vitality in ]
her. The ambition Of Russia scars far above the
mere military occupation Of Msnchuria or Of the
provinces Of northern China. She makes straight
for the brain centre Of the Empire paralyzing its
functions She is loosening the keystone of the
arch IN order 10 find her account in the debris |
Of the structure. The process Of disruption Is in
full action. In view Of this. France Germany. |
ard Jspsn are in haste to secure large share |
as possible Of what they consider to be crrm-
bling building, before the northern Colossus en-
CULTS the whole.
But none of these powers has paused to con-
sdeT what The disruption Of a polity embracing
Sp0Oo0.0D0 Of Asiatics really means for even In |
the cynical and un-Christisn epoch In which we !
live only professed Anarchists would be 20 anti |
human 10 lend hand TO accelerate such a |
calamity. In their greed for gain, however the |
spectacle Of a helpless nation and an enete Gov
ernment is too strong for moral restraint We |
know something Of what anarchy IN China means /
for We had experience Of IT some forty years ago.
when hundreds Of its cities were converted into |
cover for wild beasts, sna tsns Of millions Of |
lives were destroyed without cause. The COM |
rlsrcisl nations have the strongest interest in |
preventing the Recurrence Of such colossal devas
tation. Putting their motives on the very lowest
ana therefore the more lasting grounds depop-
ulated cosntry Is Of no use TO the trader. On |
the other hand. China kept on her legs IS a ly- ]
Ing mine Of wealth 10 all those nations who are |
interested in the prosecution Of honest trade.
Mr.. colquhoun's earnestness is probably |
responsible for the remarkable mixture of |
metaphors In the last sentence. but the |
sentiment Is all right
Still another interesting chapter In the |
book is Minister Wu's discussion of she |
relations between China and this country |