The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-05
A DEFENSE OF THE CHINESE.
Present Troubles Traced to Harsh
ness and Arrogance of Foreigners.

A cycle of Cathay has just elapsed since
the doors of China were violently forced
open by Christian nation to admit the
traffic in opium, the Importation Of which,
UP 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 these
aggressions was shown in several minor
instructions, but eliminated in the great
TAPPING rebellion, begun in 1850. which all
but shook the dynasty from its throne, and
only failed because it's forces, corrupted by
riotous living, gave up their high purpose
OF founding a new dynasty and degen-
Grated into a horde OF border robbers.
The affair of the Arrow in 1885, in which
a Chinese officer arrested some pirates from
boat that had formerly had a license to
fly the British flag. but. whose license had
expired, was made the excuse for the
French and British war of 1880. This war,
marked by the dissertation of temples and
graves, and the wanton destruction by the
allies of ancient and sacred places. was
closed by the wringing of another heavy
indemnity from China. and the cession of
more territory to both the allies, while
Russia seized the opportunity to possess
herself of the immense Amer provinces.
This war also followed by widespread
Instructions, particularly those in Kan
sub and Yunnan. These were followed by
the French seizure of Tonquin in 1867, the
Japanese invasion of Formosa in 1865, Eng
lish advances from Burmah, and the Rus
sian occupation of Iii and eastern Turkes-
tan, which last was so unjust and brazen
a piece of aggression that Russia herself
acknowledge it and withdrew, relinquish-
ing 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 precipitated frequent trou-
BILE. The great massacre at Tien-Tsin in
1870 was 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 raging 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 IN
demnity 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 1t was UNSAFE
for his fleet outside. he drew up alongside
the Chinese fleet and, absolutely without
warning. opened fire upon 1t 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 a 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
new army. The results are known TO all.
China lost her ancient dependency or
Korea, japan received Formosa and an
indemnity that repaid her four times over,
her outlay on account of the war. Russia
with diplomacy comparable only to that
of a highwayman, secured Manchurla, Port
Arthur. and the Liau-Tung peninsula, while
England accepted the lease of Wei-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 Shan-Tung.
Heretofore the claims and aggressions of
the powers have been confined TO outlying
territories. but this last seizure, a piece of
piracy that stands absolutely upequaled,
was upon the sacred soil of one of the
original eighteen provinces of the empire.
The effect upon the Chinese people of the
x,
of Chinese civilization, the birthplace of
their greatest sages and warriors, can be
compared only 10 the effect that seizure
of Bunker Hill or Boston harbor would
have upon us. In the seized territory the
Chinese villagers were driven out, some
from homes that had been in their families
for over 1000 years, and received no COM
pensation in return. In laying out the pro-
posed railroad through Shan-Tung the en-
gineers became offended at protesting VIII
layers. and, bringing up an armed force,
completely exterminated two villages as
warning to others.
The present outbreak of the Boxers,
which began with the murder of DIR. Brooks
on Jan. 2, was precipitated 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 di-
rected against the missionary in whose
home this engineer stayed that night with
out even mentioning the reason he sought
shelter. Priests who came to teach religion
have stayed to usurp the functions of local
magistrates. But IL is useless to multiply
Incidents for 1t is unbroken tale of
coercion and bad faith. of ports forced open
at the lannon's mouth OF exorbitant in
IDENTITIES for the most insignificant claims
of rich concessions wrung from an unwilI-
ing government by duress, of the total dis
regard of Chinese sentiment, and the brutal
outrage of Chinese feeling, of the utter ig-
noring of private rights and international
comfy.
In addition to this, the sensational papers
of Tien-Tsin and Shanghai have for the
past two years discussed little else but the
coming partition" and the probable 'tivi-
sion'' OF the empire, until the natives have
become thoroughly alarmed No wonder
the people have come TO look with suspi-
cion or hatred upon all foreigners and are
filled with resentment against a dynasty
that has 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
their rights, and the present uprising is in
tent on either relieving the throne from
foreign coercion OF on establishing new
dynasty in its stead. Foreigners, as usual
have shown a disregard of established Gus
toms and laws that they would not dare
display in any other capital of the world
Guards sent to protect the legations have
roamed about Picking trespassng where
Cinnamon themselves are not allowed to
go, creating disturbances and alarming the
superstitious by the reckless discharge of
firearms from the city wall, while their re-
ported attempts to enter the Forbidden
City. those sacred precincts reserved ex-
clusively for the Son of Heaven. could not
fail TO incense the people and gain recruits
for the rebels.
The bombardment OF the Taku forts was
worse than a mistake: IL was a criminal
blunder. They could have been taken as
easily as they were whenever the neces-
sity arose The Chinese army would prob
ably have prided itself on its protection
OF the foreigners had the foreign forces
shown their intention TO rely on that pro-
lection. but the action at Taku threw the