Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-10-10
N[N [RA A)R CHINA
WI Ting Fang. Chinese Minister to
United States. Talks Of China's
Future
Says Nra Csngsr's Letter Is Pro.
phettc Of tho New Course
Of Events.
Present Trouble Likely to Result In
China Taking Rightful Place
Among Nations

Present Trouble Likely TO Result 10
China Taking Rightful Place
Among Nations
Washington, Oct. 1o.-In an interview
WI Ting Fang, the Chinese minister
to the United States, says that he read
with great interest u letter recently
received from Mrs. Conger giving her
views of the Chinese people and the
Chinese government. and relating the
details of the siege thru which the le-
gationers had passed Commenting
upon the causes which produced the re-
cent outbreak and the general situation,
the minister said:
China is passing thru most critical
period, and 1t ie matter of deep salts
faction to me that the United States,
with THE same unselfish friendliness
that has always characterized its rela-
lions with my government, is using It's
earnest endeavors to enable 1t to return
to its old place among the family of ma
tions. II wrongs have been committed.
China stands ready 10 make Just and
American recognition Of the sincerity
of this purpose that mas brought early
peace within reach. Tho its Tepresenta-
itives We're in the same distressing situ-
stion as We're those of other nations,
assurances and MIR. Conger's Dispatch,
unitedly declared its belief in the mas
sacre of the foreign envoys. this gov
GOD &c fuifE tho
Chinese word, and the future proved
that Its position was justified.
ITO add to the debt of China's graft
tude the United States did not hesitate
to enter into relations with Ii Hung
Chang, and subsequently with Prince
Ching ard other Chinese peace commits
sioners. Thanks toeits attitude, other
nations propose to adopt a similar poll
cy and peaceful negotiations will soon
be instituted looking to the settlement
.cf all the questions at issue.
But While China is no doubt respon-
sible for much of the trouble that has
occurred, 1t seems 10 me that a dispas-
sionate considera ton of all the facts
will show that the blame is not entire
Ily hers: that others as we'll must bear a
share of the censure the civilized world
is leNelirg at my country. The cause OF
che trouble is fixed by Mrs. Conger. wife
of YOUR minister, in the letter whichaap-I
,peared a week ago Sunday. She stated
that the Chinese are a strange people to
foreigners and can not as vet be under
lstood. But no less strange is the for.
Iegner and his way TO the Chinese. Our
ways are to us the best. Their ways
Iare to them the best.
Mrs Congers has struck the keynote
I OF the trouble, misunderstanding Is at
1.-THE bottom Of what has occurred. For.
lseisners go TO China and they treat the
,Chinese with too little consideration.
| They say. You must do what we de-
nand,' and they insist that their wishes
jbe carried out. They have taken Chi
lnesef Territory they have criticised the
religion which is Unborn in the China
man. What would the people of Amer
Iica say IL foreign nations should seize
their territory. What would they say
lif the followers Of Confucius or Buddha
lshould come here and sheer at their re-
lligion? The foreigner does not under-
lstand the Chinaman. nor does the Chs
naman understand the foreigner.
iii Is not difficult TO appreciate how
4 II is this misunderstanding exists. Your
lmerchan. goes to China and talks a few
jwords in 'pidgin English with a Chi
ncse merchant. The business is trans
acted satisfactorily to both--it is often
lsaid thatthe word of a Chinaman in a
4 business transaction is as good as his
Ebond-and they part. They have no OPP
ttportunityBof learning the good traits of
leach other. one suspects the other of
Trying To get the advantage, and 1t is
lEthis mutual distrust which has sowed
4 the discord that exists.
What further adds to the difficulty
sEof maintaining accord between China
land the rest of the world is the igno-
rance Of foreign ways by the officials of
! the empire. Fntil their recent depart
lure from Pekin all of the princes had
lspent practically their entire lives IN the
slcapital and but a few of the ministers
ihad ever left the city even for the pur-
4 pose Of visiting extreme parts of the
5lempire With the exception of the
Etsung- li-yamen. none of these officials
q has ever come in close contact With for
eigners or foreign officials and the rela-
fltions OF the tsung-li-yamen with the
4 foreign ENJOYS are of q superficial char
8 iacter. Is it therefore remarkable that
Il the Chinese officials should take action
(which to them is justified. but which
~
81 One looks ut the circumstances thru
+ Chinese eyes and acts from a. Chinese
point Of view. the other looks at the
8 same circumstances thru western eye
glasses and condemns what he does no,
understand.
Il SO 1t seems tn me the first thing thai
must he done is tOSremove as much al
!. possible the misunderstanding that ex.
.sts and am glad the United States
land other nations have realized thai
Ithere are two sides tothe question an6
& have signified their intention OF listen.
!, ling To the views of the Chinese by EN-
tering into negotiations. Those negotia.
tions will enable China to make her de.
i.fense, to show wherein the responsi.
bility lies. and lam sure that the
llworld when II understands her motive.
81 and her position will be more lenienl
than Ii is today"
SCENE IN YOUTsEY TRIAL.