The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-07-09
Chinese Consul General Believes
His People Simply Avenged
Tahu.
cHINA'S ARMY FORMIDABLE.
Modern Equipments Have Made 1t
q Different Force From What
Japan Whipped a Few
Years Ago.
REPTRIIC SPECIAL.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
San Francisco. July Sin all the country
there is probably no man more profoundly
distressed by the present situation in China
than Ho Vow, Chinese Consul General IN
San Francisco. diplomat only second in i'm
portance TO the Chinese Minister in WASH
ington whose predecessor was, in fact. Ho
Vows brothe:-in-law, for the Chinese Gov
eminent has regarded San Francisco the
most important port in the United States
and has consequently stationed here one Of
its ahlest representative
Ho Vow is a type of the Chinese aristo-
crat. such as foreigners rarely see-tan,
stately. scholarly. distinguished in carriage
and feature. with most gracious and win
ming manners, speaking the English Ian
EGage fiuently. Mr.. Ho belongs to the fore
NEST leaders of the progressive party in
China. He Is an enthusiastic admirer OF
American civilization, American character
and enterprise. II is from standpoint Of
friendship and with greatest pain that
he confesses his own apprehension, based
upon what is already known of foreign
aggression at Taku. that legations in Pekin
have been massacrei.
History's Most Bloody War.
Last evening he discussed the present
menacing state OF affairs in China with sad
candor. Analysing causes which have bred
the present trouble. pointing out the terri
BILE significance Of the situation and almost
passionately imploring civilized nations to
reflect well before further Involving ITEM
Selves in strife which he believes threat
ems to be the most bloody in history and
which would Inevitably cost millions Of
lives. with the final result a matter ct tho
gravest doubt.
Mr.. Ho declared that from private adj
vices all along received he was satisfied that
even the Boxers themselves did rot at Yst
mean any harm to legations in Pekin. He
also admitted that for months past so con-
fused have been affairs in Pelxin that he has
rot known who was the real head of the
Chinese Government. He declared that in
the past twelve years. and four years espe-
cially, his Government had been importing
enormous Quantities of modern weapons
and that the China OF to-day was far diff
ferent from that which Japan whipped a
few years ago.
Referring 10 the bombardment of Taku.
Consul Ho Vow said it had changed tha
whole aspect of the situation, and con-
timed:
From the political point Of view. it seems
to me to be fatal mistake on the part Of
the Fowers TO have taken that aggressive
step before they had landed sufficient forces
20 De able TO in any way support 1t. or TO
follow il UP. They aggravated the situa-
uon. SURFING an ignorant and maddened
race. that Pekin rc So en- masse when the
inteingeEce reached there from Taku. and
executed vengeance on the legations"
Praises Admiral Kemp6.
Consul Ho Vow commended the course
or Admiral kempf, saying that by taking
no Fart in the bombarinent Of Taku, he
had earned for his Government the graft
tude and confidence OF China. The Pow
ers would need go. 900 men to conquer Shan
Tung Province alone. He continued:
should there be a general uprising
throughout China, before they could do any
sort of policing of that great territory with
its 100 0e0,oo9 of people, OF bring them under
subsection. they would require not less than
900. 10000 OF soldiers and many millions Of
dollars would be wasted and millions of
lives be sacrificed before the entire country
could be brought under subjugation. The
Chinese are not lacking in courage under
ordinary circumstances. but in this casa
you b ave lot OF religious fanatics to con-
tend with. absolutely fearless. ready to sac
rifice their lives unhesitatirgly in what
they believe to be a holy cause confident
In doing SO they will secure the appreciation
OF the Supreme Being and Will be secure
for all eternity.
The Chinese are well armed. They are
well supplied with weapons OF the latest
our own great arsenaLs. Shan-Tung Prov
ince Is notable for its men Of fine physique
and stature. This Province could probably
place in the field very nearly i.u000o men.
all OF them closely approaching or exceed
Ing six feet in height Whatever China
may have been in the past, she Is no insig-
nincant enemy to cope with to-day, Her
strength is formidable. and IL 1t be under
estimated by the invaders the result will
De terrible slaughter"