Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-26
CAUSES OF cHlnNs Ah1l.foaelen FEEL

CAUSES OF cAlNA's ANTl.F0RElGN FEEL.
ING.
In an address on The Causes of the
Unpopularity of Foreigners in China.
by WI Ting Fang. Chinese minister to
the United States, in Philadelphia on the
goth. that gentleman, who is a gifted
diplomat. approached the subject with
dittidence, yet spoke plainly Of what he
considered just causes of Chineses an
tspathy to foreigners. He said that in
ancient times China was not indisposed
to trade and Intercourse with the outer
world. In that period it dealt largely
with peoples in Asia who respected GUS
from the neighboring countries in Asia.
They inIermingled freely with the ma
tives, and We're considered during their
sojourn as Chinese. In fact, they
adopted our customs and manners. On
the other hand, the Chinese never mani
tested any i'll feeling or animosity
find that foreigners in China We're
/ treated not only with kindness and con-
sideration, but with great respect. Even
official posts were open to them
But there came an change, which he
notices
Now, i is an indisputable fact that
there is a strong feeling against for
eigners at the present day The ques-
ton is. How mas inns caange come
about We have to go back TO tie
events Of the last half century. We tili:t
that foreigners from the west did not
belong TO the same class of persons as
we had been accustomed to deal With.
They ware different in color. race and
Z language and did not observe our Gus
toms and manners. Difficulties and dis
i5utts arising from misunderstanding
resulted in Warfare In order to make
i peace China had to grant extraordinary
& privileges to foreigners and pay heavy
ir1deninities5. After such a sad expert
enee Is II a wonder that the Chinese
& people entertain anything but friendl
4 sentiments toward foreigners?
q 1T has been commonly supposed tia
missionaries are the sole cause Of thu
4 anti-foreign feeling in China. Thi:
. charge is unfair. Missionaries jlavt
(. done a great eisal of good in China. Tbs
have translated useful works into TIT
y chnese language, published scientific
and educational journals and estabiishe,
Fl schools all over the country. Medica
missionaries especially have been re
Eirnarkabiy successful in their pnilan
q thropic work. On the other hand, W.
q must not be blind to the fact that some
y of their brethren in their excessive yea
Il to convert Chinese to their faith, hav'
been indiscreet in their conduct. In
n stances are not wanting of missionarie
interfering in the administration OF jus
tice in Chinese courts.
by treaty missionaries have a RICH
Ito reside in any part of emma. Olne
q foreigners are allowed to reside onlyil
the treaty ports. In the interior a mis-
Il sionary can not but excite great dea
llof curiosity, especially when he retain
his national dress. When he, moreover
publicly condemns the cherished tradi
q tons of China, prociaims the worship o
"a ancestors and idols to be a useless per
Torrance. etc, the feeling of the Chimes
;. Ipeople can be easily understood. Mis-
4 sionaries are placed in a Very delicat
situation, and not all of them are eau
tious and discreet.
Il The general attitude of foreigner
/ toward the Chinese has had great dea
!, to do with their unpopularity. All for
: eignsrs in China carry with them tn
laws of their respective countries. TIL
II local authorities have no jurisdictio
over them. Consequently they form
Il sort Of privileged class, and conside
: themselves more as lords of the countr
1 than as strangers in a strange lanC
!, They frequently treat the customs, ira
ditions and institutions of the countr
]. with contempt, and in this way excit
Z the Ill feeling of the natives. Moreover
: their conduct toward the Chinese in otn
1 er respects is by no means exemplary
: Chinese merchants have not always me
/, with the courtesies due to men Of the
position.
J. Again, the general mass Of the pee
pie receive scant courtesy at the hand
. Of foreigners. Chinese. coolies are ofte
caned and kicked in the streets withol
the least provocation The beating I
chair coolies and servants is a matter {
: daily occurrence. III considered acts (
I this kind are talked about, and great
. embftter the feeling Of the native
: against foreigners. It is fair to mentio
that there are foreigners who treat u
e Chinese with every consideration. al
4 who dfeapprove Of such high-hande
proceedings OF their countrymen. Blu
Unfortunately, the mischief done by oil
:. ers counterbalances the favorable in
preston created by them.