The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-24
DEFENSE OF CHINESE.
Outrages They Have Suffered at
Hands of Foreigners.
C. NJ Walker, in Leslie's Weekly.

Ahnus Oh ofetSHerS.
G NJ Walker in Leslie's Weekly
A cycle of Cathay hos elapsed since the
doors of China were violently forced open
bv a Christian" nation to admit the
traffic in opium, the importation of which,
I'D to that time, had. by Chinese law, been
a capital offense. For the opium war,
which was forced upon her a heavy in
demnity was exacted from China, and the
cession of Hong Kong to Great Britain.
The feeling of resentment aroused by
rbfse aggressions was shown in several
minor Instructions, hut eliminated IN
the great TAPPING Rebellion, begun in 1850,
which all but shook the dynasty from its
throne, and only failed because its forces,
corrupted by riotous living, gave up their
high purpose of founding a new dynasty,
and deeenerated into a horde of robbers.
The affair OF the Arrow in 1856, in which
a Chinese officer arrested some pirates
from a boat that had formerly had a Ii
cense to fly the British flag, but whose
license had expired, was made the excuse
fol the French and English war of 1880.
This war, marked by the Dissertation OF
temples and graves and the wanton des-
truction by the allies of ancient and sa-
cred places, was closed by the wringinS
OF dIObIlNl HedNN lilutIUultN lIOtn emma
and the ceSsion of more territory to both
the allies while Russia seized the oppor-
unity 90 possess herself of the immense
Ameer provinces. This war was also fol-
lowed by widespread instructions, par
ticuiarly those In Kan-Suh and Yunnan
These were followed by French seizure
OF Tonquin in 1867, the Japanese invasion
OF Formosa in 1865 English advances from
BurmAh and the Russian occupation of
Iii and eastern TurkaStap which laS,
was 50 unjust and brazen piece of ag-
greSSion that Russia herself acknowledged
II and Withdrew, relinquishing all claims
to the territory by the treaty of 1881
The harshness and arrogance of the for
eigners in their dealings with the Chinese
in local affairs precipiteted frequent trou-
bic. The great massacre at Tien Tsin in
1870 brought on by the arbitrary and
Unnecessary refusal of the French consul
TO allow the Chinese magistrate to inspect
the Catholic orphan asylum, with a view
10 discovering the cause of an epidemic
that was rag ng therein. This was followed
by the murder of Mr.. Margary the guide
Of the English expedition through Yunnan,
and the eXaction by England of an indem-
nifty of $4,000 for this single life. Then
the French advance into Cochin China re-
suited in the disastrous war of the Black
Flags and the treacherous bombardment
and destruction of the Chinese fleet by the
French Admiral Courbet in the River Min.
Having requested and been allowed to
pass the forts and occupy the Chinese
naval anchorage, on the plea that it was
unsafe for the feet outside, he drew up
alongside the Chinese fleet and, absolutely
without warning, opened fire upon il and
literally blew 1T out of the water
The Japanese war had even less reason
to justify it. China had scrupulously COM
Piled with the terms of her treaty. But
Japan with serious rebellion on her
hands, needed something to divert the at
tention of her people from the troubles
at home, and an opportunity to try out
her army. The results are known to ell.
China lost her ancient dependency of Ko-
rea; Japan received Formosa and an in
demnity that repaid her four times over,
her outlay on account of the war. Russia
with diplomacy comparable only to that
OF a highWayman, secured ManChuria, Port
Arthur and the Liau tung peninsula,
while England accepted the lease" of
We-hai-wei. Spheres of influence" were
then claimed by Great Britain, France,
Russia and Japan, and finally Germany
seized Kiao Chau and claimed for her
sphere the province of Shantung.
Heretofore the claims and aggressions
of the Powers had been confined to out
lying territories, but this last seizure a
piece Of piracy that stands absolutely IN
equaled, was upon the sacred soil of one
of the original eighteen provinces of the
empire The effect upon the Chinese peo-
pie of the seizure of this part of Shan
tung, the home of Chinese civilization, The
birthplace of their greatest sages and war
riorS can be compared only to the effect
that a seizure OF Bunker Hill and Boston
harbOr would have upon us. In the seiz-
ed territory the Chinese villagers We're
driven out, some from homes that had
been in their families for over 1000 years,
and received no compensation in return.
In laying out the proposed railroad
through Shantung the engineers became
offended a protesting villagers and,
bringing up an armed force, completely
exterminated two villages a a warning
10 others
The present outbreak of the Boxers,
which began with the murder of DR..
Brooks on Jan. 2, was precpitated by
German engineer who brutally killed
boy by knocking him over the head with
the handle of his riding whip Nor is it
strange that Chinese feeling should have
been directed against the missionary in
whose home this engineer stayed that
night without even mentioning the reason
he sought shelter Priests who came to
teach religion have stayed 10 usurp The
functions OF local magistrates But il is
useless to multiply incidents. for it is an
unbroken tale of coercion and bad faith,
mouth, of eXorbitant indemnities for the
most insignificant claims, of rich conces-
slons wrung from an unwilling govern
ment by duress. of the total disregard of
Chinese sentiment, and the brutal out
rage OF Chinese feeling, of the utter ignor-
ing OF private rights and International
comfy
In addition TO this the sensational pa
pers OF Tien Tsin and Shanghai have for
Inc past two years discussed litte else
but the coming partition" and the prob
able division" of the empire, until the
natives have become thoroughly alarmed
NO wonder the people have come to look
with suspicion or hatred upon all for
elSners, and are flied with resentment
against dynasty that has so failed to
preserve the honor and integrity of their
empire
Dynasties have lasted in China only as
long as they have protected the people in
thelr rights, and the present uprising is
intent on either relieving the throne from
foreign coercion or on establishing new
dynasty in its stead. Foreigners, a 5 usual,
nave shown disregard for esta blished
customs and laws that they would
not dare display in any other capital of
the world. Guards sent to protect the le-
cations have roamed about Pekin tres
passing where Cinnamon themselves are
not allowed to go. creating disturbances
nv he