The Topeka state journal., 1900-06-18
HOW BOXERS ARE NET.
Catholic Missionary Tells How They
Are Dealt With.

New York, June 1S-Rev. c. Erin Of
the Catholic mission at kiang-Nan,
where there is now danger from the
boxers. has written an account of how
the members Of his community meet al
attacks of the natives. He says:
Those sections of our mission which
border on Southern Chang Tung are no
less infested with bands Of robbers and
murderers than Chang Tung itself
These brigands organize in regular
companies under a supreme chief and
in villages and districts, which become
their headquarters At ordinary times
they attend to their usual work at home
and in the fields and behave, TO all
appearances. like peaceful citizens But
suddenly an order comes TO take the
field, and they march forth in a body,
impose contributions on other villages,
burn and even kill without scruple. II
they have a grudSe against some man
DARN they assemble in sufficient num-
bers to form q large army and are not
afraid to fight pitched battles with the
trOOps sent out against them It IS not
hard to see how much trouble such men
can give and, indeed, do give, to the
missionaries.
But the missionaries. on their side,
have devised plan for protecting
themselves, and their Christians. which
is not the least OF their successes in
China As soon as the Inhabitants OF
some village have been converted. the
fathers. while attending to the duties OF
their apostolic ministry, see that the
men are thoroughly drilled and taught
to watch the enemy and defend them
selves in case of necessity The man
darinS look with favor on these meas
ures which are of great assistance to
them and they are always ready to send
reinforcements of soldiers when notified
of a threatened attack Thus It hap
pens that, when the mdrauQ6rS Idll
upon a Christian village. they are greet
ed with a sharp fire of guns and can
non and are generally beaten BACK with
heavy losses
ITO get true idea of one of our mis-
sion centers in the districts which the
| robber bands have hitherto terrorized at
pleasure, picture to yourself every
Christian village as small stronghold,
fortified at every point OF vantage IN
the center of the village stands the resi-
| dence OF the commander. who is none
| other than the missionary. This resi-
| dence is q regular citadel, surrounded
! by high walls and hanked at its corlerS
/ by four towers well fortified also. There
! are no doors. The going in and out Is
| effected by means of ladders which are
/ each time drawn back within During
| the day the father attends to his duties
| and the Chinese to their work. At
nightfaH every one is at home again
| and il danger has been signalled they
| all retire within the fort. Sentries being
appointed to keep watch from the tow
/ ers. At the first cry of alarm the men
| are up in arms and the father directs
/ the defense If the enemy has been re
| ported in larger numbers than usual,
/ the missionary has taken care to ask
/ the mandarin for additional help, and
| is therefore well prepared to repulse the
| assailants. AS a result of these meas
ures the brigands become little by little
/ discouraged and leave the Christian
! villages unmOlested. while the mission
aries win for themselves the love OF the
! neophites, the confidence Of the public
| authorities and popularity among the
! peacefully inclined portion Of the peo-
/ pie"