The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-08

The Chinese question is not viewed In
the same light by many people who have
lived in that country as it is by the peo-
pie whose chief cource of information IS
the missionary. This was demonstrated
by the remarks of Edward Runge, who
returned from China a few months ago,
where he had been for several years as
the representative of q large business
concern.
q, Mr. Runge said: 1.-THE trouble in China
is nothing more than an uprising of the
people against a system under which they
have suffered for many years, and for
which the missionaries are in a great
measure responsible. The Chinese are
doing now what the 'forty-eighters' did
in Germany-maklng a fight for their
rights. Their position is misunderstood
here and in Europe, because those who
report it are prejudiced. The MandarinS,
who buy their offices at a high price,
make the people pay exorbitant taxes,
and deny them justice unless they pay
them literally. A corrupt government has
kept them hcpelessly poor, and the lead
ers have grown rich.
EXEMPTIONS OF FOREIGNERS.
''This condition became so firmly es-
tablshed that it was looked upon pas-
sively until the missionary came. These
foreigners were exempt to great extent
from the tyrannies of the Chinese oIll-
Gals because they hid behind their min
listers and consuls; and the officials,
rather than incur the displeasure Of the
foreign officials, allowed the missionaries
TO do as they pleased. Whenever the mis-
sionaries were subjected to the same ex-
tortionate methods as the natives, the
CRY was raised that the Chinese are per-
scouting the Christians, and, rather tndn
have the outside world believe that the
Chinese officials favored the Foreign ms
sIonartes to such an extent that they soon
stood much higher than the Chinese ana
practically above the law.
1.-THE natives saw this, and many OF
them, in order to enjoy the privileges and
advantages which were accorded to me
Christians, and to secure the protecuoli
! of the consuls and the ministers, became
converts
"The crop of converts was so large
for a while that the missionaries were
staggered. and their home offices Of the
various organizations received repoI Is
which made them believe that the WIlole
country would soon be Christian. Ihey
have discovered their mistake, but the
neonle Of Europe and America still De
iIeve that the work Of Outstanding IL
going on rapidly.
CATHOLIC CHRISTIANS IN CHINA.
GAS a matter Of fact there are no Chi
nese Christians except Catholics. The
children attend the mission schools IN
order to learn the foreign languages and
TO become better fitted for business, ana
TO insure protection for their families, but
there is little Christianity in China The
unconyerted become jealous Of their
Christian neighbors, and the result mas
been frequent rows and disturbances
''The best proof that the Chinese nave
no quarrel with foreigners as class Is
the fact that one never hears OF Tor
eign merchant being molested. He traVels
alone, unarmed, through the country
stops in places where he IS the only white
man, and feels as secure and as saIe as
he would In New York. That Is because
the people know that he is a trader whose
coming means business and possibly
profit to them. But the missionary IS
looked upon as a mischief maker, and Is
consequently disliked and often molested.
The missionaries whom I have seen in
China were all we'll meaning and en-
thusiastic young men and women, but
In nearly every instance totally unified
for the work. They were ignorant of the
language and the customs OF the people,
and they all underestimate the magni-
tude Of the work In which they were en-
gagged. The Catholic missionaries in
China come better equipped for the work
They know the language, and they come
to stay Furthermore, they become part
of the community by practicing a trade
or profession. They show less anxiety
to make converts, but they really make
more, and there are many Chinese
Catholics all over the empire. The people
of China know very well that the natives
who profess Christianity do so simply for
selfish and mercenary ends, and that Is
the reason for the hatred. They do not
hate the Christians, but they are opposed
to the methods of the Christians, which
they are compelled to endure; but whom
they are practiced by their own country
men they rebel, and that's the milk in
the coeoanut."
PURCHASE OF OFFICE.
According to the statement made By Mr.