The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-08-27

printed papers have preached Just what has
come TO pass, pointing out the resentment aroused
by the agitators. The missionaries speaking the
language mingled among the people and, talking
with them, had observed the unrest and reported
II to the proper quarters, but the foreign minis
tsrs were out Of touch with all this, knew moth.
ing Of the language and were persuaded by the
Pckin authorities that all was pleasant and safe.
Time has told how untruthful were these repre-
scntations, and the Chinese themselves, said Mrs.
Pruitt, express their opinion OF the truthfulness
Of the Pekinese by the nickname they give OF
the Oily Lips Should these sweet speakers be
listened TO by the powers too intently, trouble
may come Of II, worse than what has nap.
pcned; while TO take the right course now VIII
help thoroughly for a long time to come.
China has been gathering arms together ever
since the war with Japan, the best OF modern
weapons In abundance, and has been drilling In
modern fashion. Another development since that
time, but not known then, and remarkable foi
its absence in that conflict, is Chinese pa
triotism, the care Of the Chinese for their coun.
try because IL is their country. This was uu.
known before, and the Prutts bear witness to
II as do all other close observers OF events in
China. The most marked evidence Of this Is In
the Boxers This society is eighty years old at
least, and Is an outgrowth OF those secret So
cieties 80 common In that land. II has developed
that in four Chinese characters neatly says that
the foreigners must go, that China is for the
Chinese" 1t means determination Of the white
man on the soil Of "The Big Country" not from
hostility to him so much as for his supposed hos
tility TO China. This is patriotic purpose,
though its manner OF enforcement may be bar
barous
Another element that has come to China In
hose LATE ~
pr'lrt spoke with particular hopefulness, IS the
reform or progressive movement, so marked two
years ago in the edicts OF progress by the en-
peror, now about IS years old, until he was sup.
pressed by the empress dowager or put aside
somehow. lie became interested in reading the
Bible and in the achievements OF other coun-
tries lie contrasted the example OF Japan In its
progressiveness and particularly admired as a
model of what a ruler might do for his country
Peter the Great OF Russia. lie had as confden.
tial advisers men Of modern ideas and Of prog
rcss, who believe that the best thing for China
is to keep itself in line with the great world at
large, and that thus the country can be kept
intact against all invaders and can go for
ward to greater things than it has ever known.
The empress dowager, however, scattered, or
killed, or exiled these Of progress, and 1t is
not certain now that the emperor is actually
alive. II he Is, he is kept in his palace sur
| rounded by wives, and not free to act at all as
he would even il in his feeble health he cared
to do so. The empress does not even need to be
able to sign the state papers that she prepares
and puts forth in his name, for his name can be
signed for him without his knowing it. In
spite Of what the empress dowager has done
TO Emperor Kwang IIsl, even naming Prince
Tuans son as his successor, yet the progressive
party is not suppressed but ia spreading, and
makes Kwang Hsu's restoration to full power its
immediate purpose. Thus the Chinese them.
selves are divided, with the most patriotic and
unselfsh not fearing the foreigner, but courting
his cooperation and believing in building up
China in western ways against western aggress'
ion. Mr.. and Mrs. Pruitt think well OF China
and her people from what they have seen and il
these elements can get control have high hopes
for her future.