The age-herald., 1900-06-03

city Birmingham seems to be filled with criminals of all varieties. In view of this fact, Birmingham should really have twice the police force of other southern cities of the same population. Convicts from all over the state are sentenced to work in the coal mines in this district. When released they congregate in Birmingham and usual ly begin a new era of crime. It seems ab- solutely necessary that something must be done and done at once to protect the re- spectacle and law-abiding citizens of Bir- mingham.
 The American and other missionaries in China are in very serious and dangerous condition just at present. by virtue of the uprising of the Boxers" The "Boxer' or ganization in China is on the same lines as the A. P. As of this country. HOW ever, it is in a much more exaggerated form and is criminal in its intent. The purpose of the Boxers is to drive out of China all foreigners. and particularly to drive out of that great and populous country all missionaries. The missionaries have in reality been the advance guard of what we term "western civilization, and the picket line of extended trade. But for the work of missionaries China would today be closed to foreign trade
 The present government of China seems of the belief that unless active measures are taken the populous empire will be dis membered.
 Therefore, the government of China Is encouraging the Boxers" And it is be- lieved among the foreign nations that the goved hand of Russia is apparently en- couraging the movement It is indeed rath- CT strange that of the warships now OH Taku, the nearest port to Pekin-th1rty miles distant-that Russia has nine Of her most powerful cruisers and warships while England has two; the United States, two; Germany, two; Japan, two; and France and Italy one each The Russian warships likewise have aboard several thousand troops, in addition to the regular quota of marines. The ships of the other nations have no troops, merely the usual quota of marines Russia is likewise said to have concentrated some 5000 troops at Port Arthur. So in the far east, if serious com plications grow out of the Boxer move ment, Russia will be prepared to take pos session of everything in China north of Kiaou Chou. This would give Russia pos session of all North China, including the gulf and province of Pechili, which is now presided over by Ii Hung Chang, and which includes Pekin, as well as all of Co., req, which is already practically in the possession of Russia. The requirement of this territory would give Russia the bulk of control in the far eastern situation.
 In the meantime, while the foreign na- tons are maneuvering for position in China, the Boxers will continue their work in the interior and I would not be sur prised to hear of a general massacre of American, English, French and German missionaries throughout all of the interior of China. The situation is indeed a serious one for foreigners at present in the in- terior of China.
 Speaking of missionaries in China, l have been convinced for several years that the great sums of money we spend in sending them to that country is, from a religious point of view, absolutely wasted. The missionaries have done great work in opening up the country to foreign trade. In converting the Chnamen to Christiani- ty as we view it, they have accomplished practically nothing. The Chnaman be-