Daily camera., 1900-08-31
Explanatisn Of the Critical Sit.ation
at Pekins-Prssressive Chinese
Pat Down by the Minions Of
tie Dovaxer Enrress.

Globe Democrat, just here from Shang-
hal, has long been honorary secretary
of British society for the diffusion of
Christian and general knowledge
among the Chinese. He has held in-
innate relations with men Of the first
political and social rank in the empire,
and has been in touch with the reform.
ers of China, replaced and humiliated
when the turn of affairs put into power
the empress dowager. He is in this
country and in England in an endeavof
to induce the governments to propose
to Russia, Germany and France com-
bined note to China upon the subject Il
the treatment of these reformers.
Rev. Mr.. Richard says it is more
than likely that the emperor has been
put to death already, and he fears some
other leading men have gone the same
way. He knows some of them have
been robbed of their fortunes, others
sent into exile, and all of them humili-
ated in all possible ways. Speaking of
recent Chinese history, Rev. Mr.. Rich.
ard said;
"Five years ago there was formed In
China society whose membership
spread in three years from Peking to
the capitals of all the provinces, and
numbered among its promoters the en-
peror, the prime minister and several
leading viceroys and governors. 1t had
for its aim the undermining of China.
1t expressed the opinion that old meth
ods, while well enough in their time,
would not do for China if China were
to keep pace with other nations. 1t ad-
vocated many reforms in education, in
religion, in society and in material
progress.
''The reform edicts which it issued,
and which astonished the world BY
their exhibition Of readiness to adopt
new ideas, represented the best
thought Of China. Responding to
them, great syndicates were formed in
Europe and America for the building of
railways and the development of the
vast resources of the empire. 1t seemed
as if the day of deliverance was at hand.
Into the midst of this wonderful
awakening came the appeal of the con-
servativsi party in China, alarmed at.
the progress of reform ideas. The ap-
peal was addressed to the dowager en-
press, a woman of a million, born
most any man orSwoman who ever
lived. Coming into little power, she
assumed good deal more, and is now
the despot of China. Whether the en-
peror is alive or not ! do not know.
One can hear in China that he is and
that he is not. But L know that 100000
taels are offered for the capture of one
of the chief reformers, Kang Yeu Wei.
This man is, to my own knowledge,
one Of the progressive men Of the
world, and has been, in my opinion,
guilty Of nothing worthy of punish
ment.
"In their dire distress these reform
ers have appealed to US again and again
for help. Shall the foreign powers
stand by and see their friends bounded
out Of their homes and out OF the coun-
try? 1 think the western nations
ought to unite in representation to
the Chinese government that they de-
sire to uphold the integrity of its en-
pire, and to again give it a chance to
adapt itself to modern requirements.
This representation should, with EN-
phasis, set forth that China must stop
prosecuting, perhaps numbering, her
native reformers.
apart from Christian .considera-
tions and the obligations resting for
that reason upon Christendom to in.
terfere to save their lives, these reform.
est movements Of any time. They are
friendly to foreign nations, and stand
ready, if given the opportunity, to de-
velop their country, and thus to in
crease trade with all outside nations.
In China reside one-fourth the human
race. Apart from the comparatively
few millions who live on the sea coast.
the entire population speaks one Ian
guage, and they are thus easy to reach
and easy to do business with.
II know the Boxers and their work.
know them to be Of the same mind as
are the reactionary leaders now in
favor with the dowager empress. They
may not have direct understanding
with the government, but they know
quite we'll where the government
stands, and, mark my word, the gov
ernment will not really interfere with
them. Unless you have been there you
cannot appreciate tne terrible force of
the hatred which these Boxers have
for foreigners. She devils is not near
ly strong enough term. There appears
to be crisis in China, similar to some
that have gone before. l fear that a
repetition Of former scenes will result.
The murder of some American mis-
sionaries, while deplorable, is not the
greatest of the evil. Civilized govern
ments ought now to step in. Ifthey do
not dosoI tremble for what may result,
1 have until recently been on the spot,
and have some knowledge of China. aft
er 3O-years' residence there, nearly
all of them spent in study of Chinese
conditions, and fairly intimate &C.
ouaintance with men of affairs"