Middletown transcript., 1900-11-24
THK uTHRR SIDE OF THE CHINESE
QUESTION


Of the Chinese outrages has in a
measure subsided or been re-
--liayed. and the world is being
informed Of the true condition OF
thinesinthefar East through the
energy Of the. brainy correspon-
dents who have been sent there
10 report the events as they hap
pen with the causes that lead up
7 n theme. it is becoming daily
more apparent that there is an
other side to the Chinese ques-
ton. Ever since thetreaty ports
of China we're opened to foreign
commerce, that country has been
used as the shuttle cock in the
game of foreign politics and
financial gain. Without attempt
ing in anyway to condone or
apologize for the awful tortue
inflicted ON some of the foreign
missionaries as well as the
Chinese christians, we merely
desire to give some Of the causes.
The allied forces Of Europe
and America have several times
been called upon to avenge such
outrages, and in every case a big
bill of costs has been to pay,
and always China has had to pay
it. Making a man or nation pay
for getting clicked" is not the
best way to secure his personal
friendship. Then, the foreigners,
exclusive of missionaries, who
are located in China are notthere
for the purpose of making a
home or aiding in the develop
ment of the country, but are liv-
ing there solely and simply with
the hope of soon acquiring such
a competency that will permit
them to retire to their own
country and live the life OF re-
tired gentlemen. And men en-
bued with this purpose are not
often too particular as to the
means employed to secure this
competency. AS a consequence
they look upon the Chinese as SO
many means to an end, and, too
frequently, upon the treasury OF
the country as a perfectly legi-
innate prey. Newspapers pub
lished in Chinese towns, but in
foreign languages often print
matter that is not intended Tor
Chinese reading, and misrepre-
sent the actual state Of affairs.
These items of so-called news
are always read by the educated
; ciGizens Of the towns and in their
dissemination they are like all
other rumors, they do not get
any better, but grow and are en-
larged upon, and so tend to keep
! aroused constant spirit OF lrrl-
tation and antagonism. ltsome-
times happens that the mission
Rries themselves in their enthu-
fsiasm are not entirely blameless,
Men educated for the noblest
calling that human being can
aspire to, are not always the best
fitted to deal in a diplomatic man
ner with a people so peculiar and
!. whose habits are so fixed and
pronounced as are the Chinese.
The medical missionaries have
always been welcomed and
heir labors have resulted
ngood, but the other mission
akies have not always been re-
ceived with the same feeling and
their converts have usually been
looked upon as suspicious by
their Sllow countrymen.
course, when the Boxer
ps reached the critical
in which all the foreigners
ling we're cooped up in the
h Legation, and subjected
ally bombardment, partici-
in by part of the imper-
Pldiers, there was only one
e open to thecivilized world.
That was to act as promptly as
possible and save the lives of the
besieged and this has been done.
Now comes the period of treaty
making and the settlement of the
bills, all Of which China will be
expected to pay. This treaty
making viii not, be made more
pleasant or acceptable to the con-
quered people, by the stories of
looting, rioting, and excesses in
dulged in by some of the foreign
troops, especially the Russians,
French and Italians. It is a
matter for congratulation that
the American troops, together
with those of Japan, have been
noted for their moderation in
this respect; but even they have
not been entirely blameless.
In the settlement of this issue,
we hope that the country and
civilization of China be main
tainod IN its integrity. We are