The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-07-11


in Chicago is in receipt Of letter from
his brother, who Is an officer In the
Chinese navy. Although the letter
was written several weeks ago, at the
first outbreak Of the trouble, much that
was written as TO what would probably
take place has transplred.
In regard 10 the contents OF the let
ter he said;
THAT the bloodlest war ever known
In its history is now breaking out in
China. have no doubt. The man who
is now in charge Of the military affairs
in the region where the Boxers abound
is well versed in the arts Of modern
warfare. Before this war ends would
not be surprised II 100000 Cinnamon
were killed. How many foreigners viii
meet death l cannot conjecture, but
the number win be great. Ever since
the Chinese learned lesson from ia
pan they have been training themselves
in the arts OF warfare. They have
as line guns u -Hvernment, and
well trained men behind them.
My brother writes me that the great
majority OF Chinese in the southern
provinces ara against the ruling pow
ers and the Boxers. There is large
class In China called pensioners. who
win be with the government, and as
they are wtll trained soldiers they VIII
surely do terrible execution.
II would like to see the trouble set
tied without war. but II II must come
II win be a good thing for the future
OF China. The ignorant Cinnamon are
OF the belief that the missionaries are
sent there to rob them OF their land
and consequently this war will be for
the home. The Chinese have seen
where Russia, France and Germany
have taken parts Of their country. and
the taxes greatly increased under Eu-
ropean rule. Thsy are going to fight
for their homes and life. and will not
fight with knives or swords. as a great
many people suppose. The Chinaman
Is slow to anger. but when once aroused
nothing can stop him.
"china needs change. a good rell-
gion to sweep away all those old super
stitions. 1 believe the day is not far
distant when the southern part Of
China at least, win be chrissianized."
SAN FRANCISCO. July 1o.-Horace
Herzfelder. Of Vienna. Austria. an en-
gineer and newspaper correspondent,
has arrived here after 10 weeks tour
through China.
II was in Pekin on May %. "a and
g." said he. "and at that time there
was no local trouble with the Boxers.
AS for the Chinese soldiers. they are
absolutely the most cowardly men 1
have ever encountered. a mere stamp
OF the foot and a threatening wave Of
the arms are sufficient to scatter a
band Of 80 Imperial soldiers.
Every one in China knows that the
government IS behind the Boxers. That
was the sentiment heard expressed
everywhere. The government does not
openly support the movement II let's
the Boxers go on and shuts it's eyes. I
was informed IN Pekln that government
officials had been near by at the inassa-
ere Of Chinese Christians IN the inter-
ior and had turned their heads that
they might not bear witness to a deed
which they took no steps to prevent.
while I was in Pekin a lady from
one Of the embassies was grossly In
suited in the streets by a mob. She
was riding in a sedan chair. when a
lot Of coarse fellows closed in around
her and subjected her to the most Of
fensive phrases known to the Chinese
| language. II had come to such a pass
that the foreigners did not venture out
from their residences. or limited their
promenades to Legation street. The
Chinese had q disagreeable way Of
closing in on a man in the street and
barring his way They would press up
close and feel Of a fellows coat and Of
| his hands and face.
"I had a conference with the French
Catholic bishop in Pelon. He was the
only one in the foreign settlement that
expressed genuine apprehension for the
safety Of Europeans and native Chris
tians. He told me that there are. all
told. about $50 Europeans in Pekin.
There are between $4,000 and 10000
Chinese Catholics in Pekin. They are
the people who are In danger from the
Boxers, probably as much as are the
| Europeans. There are four Catholic
churches in Pekln.
THE British embassy Is surrounded
by a high wall. but in the street is a
great filthy pool. was told that was
where the sewage from the embassy
was allowed to flow.
1T seems to me that the thrush Of
the japanese troops Is dangerous.
Where they go they stay. They may
enter China to cooperate in putting
down this uprising, but they will re-
main there holding some territory when
their work has been performed"
Herzfelder carries passports from his
government showing that he is credit.
ed as a regular commercial represen.
tatiye.
| SAN FRANCISCO. July 1e.-sir
Frank A. swettenham. resIdent-generaI
Of the Malay states. has arrived here.
He was at Tien Tsin as late as June
| \ a