The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-06

Naval Officers Think Missionaries
the Cause of Troubles.

inc OAuSe Oh troubles.
Washington, D. c., July 5.-Naval Off
GERS are not very enthusiastic over the
prospect of the United States going to
war with China. This feeling is not due
20 any love our sailors have for the Chi
nese, but because of the belief that the
foreign missionaries are the cause of the
present troubles. There is a universal
feeling among the navies of all nations
against the missionaries as the latter
are regarded by sea-faring men as contin-
ual mischief makers in foreign countries.
veteran naval officer, now on duty IN
Washington, while discussing the Chinese
situation, remarked that he would glory
in a conflict with the yellow Bellies" as
he characterized the Chinese, if we had a
just cause. But" he continued, Il hate
to see our country, or any other country,
drawn into a war on account of these
meddling missionaries. l have had con-
siderable experience with them, and l have
found that instead of continuing themselves
to preaching Christianity, they are for
ever NEEDING in matters that do not con-
Germ them, and a majority of them are
nothing but trouble makers for the ma
tons they represent.
Sailors ali over the world" continued
the veteran, will verify this statement,
and doubt if you search the United
States navy through and through you
could find an experienced officer or sailor
who has any sympathy for foreign mis-
sionaries. l remember hearing it said of
old Rear Admiral Greer, who was one
of the most devout Episcopalians I ever
knew. that he had made it the rule of
his life never to contribute a cent to the
support of foreign missions He was YES
tryman in a well known Episcopal Church
in his city and on more than one occa-
sion "a every church meeting, he de-
nounced foreign missionaries and gave his
reasons for declining to contribute one
cent for their support Whenever the
customary collection was taken up for
foreign missions, he made it q rule TO
place liberal contribution in an envelope
and mark plainly that che sum was not
10 be used for foreign missions. l have
known a number of church-going naval
officers who follow the example of Rear
Admiral Greer in this direction"
The popularity of former Senator Hill
for the vice presidency and the favor with
which his name was received by the
Southern and Eastern Democrats are
heretofore unpublished incident in connec-
lion with the campaign of 1896. Mr.. Bryan
then, as now, sincerely and honestly be-
lieved that he was the inspired leader of
the Democratic hosts and he was fully
impressed with the idea that he was Or
dained to lead his party along the straight
and narrow path to success, and with that
object in view, he felt called upon to turn
down an ambitious man of the party who
was not in absolute accord with him on
the free silver question. 1t will be remem-
bered that many of the delegates to the
Chicago convention, if not two-thirds of
chat body, were anxious to bestow upon
John R. Mclean of Ohio the vice presi-
Dental nomination. As a member of the
convention, Mr. Bryan realized the
strength of the Mclean sentiment After
he had been nominated for the presidency,
he induced his friends to bring about an
adjournment till the next day before
nominating the vice president. In the
meantime, Mr.. Bryan went to Mr.. Nc
Leans headquarters and solicited per
sonal interview 1t is said that on that
occasion, Mr.. Bryan, with tears in his
eyes, pleaded with Mr.. Mclean not TO per-
nit his nomination for the vice presidency
TO be accomplished. While protesting most
cordial and friendly personal regard for
Mr.. Mclean, Mr.. Bryan frankly declared
lDdL enter dHluS the ilSH iIlOidl PillCi-
pies he did in connection with national
affairs, he could not couscientiously have
"A man on the ticket with him who was a
typ cal representative Of everything in
~ litical sense TO which he Bryan was
reHgiously as vel as politically opposed.
1t was a mos r. charitable interview. Mr..
Bryan pleaded almost desperately to CON
vince Mr.. Mclean that he was not only
believer in the gold standard and interest
ed in railroad corporations and trusts, all
of which lie said were repugnant to the
great principles involved in the contest
So earnest and impressive was Mr.. Bry-
ans pea that Mr.. Mclean finally con-
scented to stihe whatever personal ambi-
ton he may have entertained in connec-
ton with the vice presidency, and the re-
suit was the nomination of Mr. Sewall OF
Maine. whom every Democrat now real
ICES was heavy handicap to the ticket
OF 1895