The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-06
A DIVISION ON MISSIONS
Japan and Russia Opposed to De-
handing Guarantees.
Former Not n Christian Nation and
Latter Not Interested in Spread
of Religious Propaganda" - Other
Powers Confronted by n Scrtou"
Problem - Complaints of Germans.

PEKIN. Nov. 4--(via Taku, Nov. !, and
Shanghai. Nov. 3. $50 a. m.,.-The discus
sion by the foreign Ministers of the ques-
ton of securing guarantees from emma
that outraces similar TO the recent ones
will not be repeated is likely 10 develop
the fact that the allies are not unanimous
in the opinion that special protection
should be afforded to the missionaries. This
will be understood when it is recalled that
at least one of the allied powers. Japan, is
not a Christian country, while another.
Russia, has no missionaries, although
Christianity is the national religion.
The United States, England. and other
countries from which missionaries are sent
here are interested in movements for the
spread of Christianity and will probably
make strenuous contention for guarantees
stronger than those II the present treaties
which failed 10 afford the necessary protec-
ton during the Boxer troubles. Addition
al guarantees. it is claimed, will be neces-
esaiy if the missionaries are TO continue
their work in the interior.
The countries not represented by mis-
sionaries are not likely to express OPPOSE
tian religion But they may endeavor to
nut the question aside as unimportant. vi
course these countries will demand guar
an;ces strong enough to protect their BUSH
ness interests, and it may be argued mat
additional guarantees for the missionaries
are needed 10 protect foreigners VINO are
in business in the interior.
But foreigners, the representatives OF
these powers say, have no business 10 go
beyond treaty ports, and therefore speciai
guarantees for them would be useless eH-
action for China. Furthermore. the Minis
tiers of missionary countries argue
that. as they are not interested, the whole
matter should be left to future negotia-
tions by the individual nations concerned
The Chinese always excuse outrages py
saving they are due to the failure OF local
officials to perform their duties. When out
RACES have occurred heretofore the MINIS
ters have demanded that the officials who
had failed to protect foreigners should DE
punished by the Chinese Government.
Sometimes these officials were removed
, from Office but were later appointed TO
better places. One instance OF this was
the case of Yu Hsien, the notorious anti
foreigner who was reported to have COM
m:tted suicide recently. He had been Gov
ernor of Shantung. but was removed be-
cause of complaints made against him by
the Ministers for failing to protect for
eigners in that province. Later on he wa;
appointed Governor OF Shansi.
One method of guarantee which 1t has
been suggested would be effectual is that
there should be definite provision In the
peace treaty for the protection Of all for
eigpers in China and the punishment o
local officials who may be responsible FOL
&c ic al IN inn
late the nature OF the punishments to b.
inflicted and that the guilty officials shall
"a not be reappointed to Office for a term o
years, at least. in cases where foreigner
met their death in the presence of thes'
officials.
Furthermore, a copy Of the treaties mus
be sent to every official who VIII be com
PEELED to familiarize himself with all thei
provisions. 1t is stated that at present
large proportion of the Chinese official
are not acquainted with the promises mad
in the treaties and do not realize their OBJ
legations. With these proposed stipula
lions in the new treaties and with prope
edicts from the Emperor for their enforce
ment it will be impossible for the official
in future to plead ignorance of the pro
visions for the protection Of foreigners.
One great difficulty in the past has beer
the ignorance of the people about thes,
tuiuRS, dS tues only acquire
nation from the officials. II the official!
understand the tire .ty obligations in flu.
ture the people will also know what they
are.
II will be useless for the allies to ash
anything from the Chinese unless the,
present a united demand. If they fail t.
agree on the guarantees to be required
from China there will be danger CT a Sc.
rious check to future missionary worl
in this country
In the discussions of the Ministers Ut
to the present the future status of the
Empress Dowager and the proposed Gov
ernment reforms have only been referred
81 to casually. The latter question will
u. come up with the points about guaran-
~ tees and indemnities. There is a diver
gence of opinion as to the nature of the
reforms to be demanded. 1t is likely
however. that the stipulaticns in the new
treaties in regard to this point will not
fulfill the hopes of the refcrmers.
The reports sent cut by the Germans
as to the turbulent conditions REVEALING
he-eabouts are unquestionably exagger.
ated. They are continually making COM
plants that their boats are fired upon Oh
the river between Yangtsun and Tung-
chow. The German guards reply by
shooting number of natives and since
the advance Of the allied troops to tie
relief oil Pekln 5UU Cinnamon have been
shot along the Peiho.
1t is charged that most of this shoot
ing was unjustifiable and that the victims
were coolies who were at work in tx
fields. This is known to be the truth il
many cases. and an English officer ha.
officially complained OF the promiscuou,
shooting by the Germans along the river
He cited specific cases where innoeen
Cinnamon had been lilleo and asked tn
generals of the allies to presen; a d..
mand to Chief Won Wal
dersee that this sort Of work be stopped
While the Germans report that thei
boats on the river have been fired on re
peatedly not a single case has been re
ported of attacks on the vessels OF tn,
United States, England or Japan sine,
the relief of Pekin. The people appear t,
be very friendly and work whenever the,
are permitted tc do so.
The same conditions prevail in Pekin
The only shooting that has been reported
has been in the German section. In tn,
American and Japanese sections, which
are overcrowded, there has been no trou
bic, and business is being transacted with
out any restraint. On the other hant
the German section is deserted and tn,
Chinese have not opened their shops