New-York tribune., 1900-11-25
PUNITIVE EXPEDITIONS" !"
TRIBUNEs STAND ON THE TREAT
MENr OF THE CHINESE.

TO the Editor Of the Tribune
Cir: You have the thanks of all missionaries and
commercial agents OF long residence in China for
your able editorial the so-called punitive ex
petitions" Every missionary OF long experience
knows how very difficult It is TO get at the truth
Of matters in Of litigation IN the Lone Mans
Empire" Bitter tealousies. extending long
periods are the outcome OF clan fights. and the
extinction OF rival clan false charges would
be a of 10Y 70 the pertured survivors. Thou
sands OF innocent women and children have been
killed or have died from exposure, during the last
six months IN China. How many Chinese lives are
required expiafe the loss OF European
Half q dozen Boxers may be seen in a village OF
five hundred persons, the vast majority OF whom
were ignorant of the presence Of these men I'M
mediatey a punitive expedition" attacks 'hAt
village and women fee. or are outraged ana
children slaughtered kidnapped by the lewd
rufffans among the Chinese and sold and tho IN
discriminate slaughter and destruction goes on
The Chinese will not forget these things ana
only long years OF kindest treatment VIII sulnce
70 erase the memories of these disgraceful acts
from the Chinese mind. How can a band OF rough
soldiers. ignorant Of the language and Dependent
on the assertions OF any chance guide. kno"
Whistler any particular village harbored BoxersT
Is IL any wonder that women commit SUICIDE "neh
they learn that soldiers from Christian lands enter
any village where It is alleged Boxers may have
been and indiscr1minately put to death or drive
the inhabitants, whose houses are to be looted
or burned down, involving the exposure OF young
and old of both sexes to bitter cold and worse
degrees of suffering at the hands of any band of
rniscreants? That the leaders Of the rebellion
should be severely punished IS matter OF justice.
and the Chinese mind quickly see the reason
ebleDess Of that OF Justice. But they cannot
see apart any war declarations by what
process of reasoning Christian nations send punt
tive expeditions into their territory to punish inno-
cent people. A.
The vast mass Of the Chinese are among the
most industrious. economical and neaceable people
in the world. They wholly innocent OF this
war and to-day the great majority Of the people
are utterly ignorant of the existence Of the war or
only possess the shallowest knowledge OF the Facts
Dur z twenty years residence In southern CHINA
ha heard anything but the best or W words
for 4 mer!ca but ! have heard the bltterest DE,
nunctations of France and that because OF alleged
crueltes practised by soldiers Of that nation we
can maintain our good name by absolutely re-
fusfng TO take any part in these punitive acts
We have something more than material consideTa-
ticns to with in relations to CHINA. Inc
Chinese are PROSTATE, hut they DO not deserve 10
be trampied upon. much less ground 10 p9"aer'
ct ls maintain the highest ethical STANDARD con-
eisfAnt with the attainment Of justice. ana en-
deavor by every legitimate means to retain the
friendship of these hundreds Of millions. ana give
them the educational and religious adyantages
which we enjoy without which we Should he
among the barbarians Of the tdolatrous WcTld,
ALBERT A FULTON
Wooster Ohio, Nov e. 1900.