New-York tribune., 1900-10-07
CAUSEOF BOXERO OUTBREAK
COMMERCIAL MAN LAYS IT TO INJU-
DICIOUS ACTS BY MISSIONARIES
PLENTY OF FOOD IN
PEKING, HE SAYS.

san Francisco, oct. s CSpeciaD.-Charles z. Coy,
commercial representative of the Field Mercantile
Company. Of this city in the Orient, was pas
senger on the steamer Coptic. which arrived here
on Monday. He has been travelling over his terri
tory for the last three years and Is familiar with
the conditions which ne thinks led up to the pres
ent war China. He believes the activity Of the
missionaries of various denominations is accounta-
bic for the outbreak and says that the exercising
OF a little judgment would have prevented the
misery suffering and death that followed the Boxer
outbreak. He says:
The trouble in China has been breeding for long
time, every one knows who has had occasion 70
have business or personal relations Win Ih4L par
OF the world in the last two years: The Chinese
as far back as two years ago and these prepara-
tions were not as secret the world has been led
to Calcutta. and during my regular trips came to
know that some sort OF armed movement was con-
Ny knowledge Of the Chinese leads me TO believe
they are quiet unassuming 2eaeeable people; pie
against all foreigners unless they firmly believed
that some Of their rights were being violated by me
representatives of foreign countries As a matter
sonaries the unofficial representatives, Of the
countries from which they come. They look TO
commercial negotiations with foreign merchants
increase that idea These practices are. however.
universal, the course pursued by the mis-
sonaries has not been one which would strengthen
the faith Of such a supersutous people IN the
It Is well known that the missions throughout
China have always acted as cites OF refuge Io1
Waca g meg are sl%J95. knn9Ss that 16u9E girls
are Tranficailv sold to their husba nds-or worse by
their parents-without giving them voice in the
matter II a daily occurrence to have these girls
10 find them in the missions under the care Of the
# the following out Of this line Of action by the
wotsu ret g ~ tbe morals Of the
Chinese people the proceeding would be all right,
N IN ba es1i i +b6I,sand and Years more The people
in he he iaf
best in the world, and that any infringement Of
shGI GIPeof oy 6Io 6Sz'5 at 5hsr lives and H6eTties
Then again the undi3iomaac manner 6 IN Nv ~liTI 9s
position Of T % ng Rs alw@gi grs fro ives Of
good work but the only way the Chlnese peoPe
m RES y 70 interfere with the operation
Of several OF the well founded customs of the coun-
try has resulted in great deal Of friction Ihls Is
Of foot binding. This practice will always con
tinue in spite OF the nlsslqna@les @ OF any one ne e r.
All the Chinese want IS TO De lett seNgrely atoAJ ~ III
regard TO their personal liberty and believe that
taken place
In speaking Of terrible hardships which mission
aries were reported TO have suffered at the hands
OF the Boxers. Mr. Coy said:
The reports of the trials undergone, BY the mis- mis-,
grossly exaggeTated. II the later reports TO the
military officials at Hong-NoRg and Shanghai are
board the COptic with were Imprisoned in
Pekng all through the siege. FROM ILeIn IedFile1
mat 10 the churchmen in the northern part Of
China We're given ample warning Of the outbreak
and they were told TO remove their women ana
children TO places Of safety. The report that the
hesieged were forced to eat horse and mule flesh is
only partially true. The facts now appear to be
that horses and mules were butchered in Peking
bur the flesh not for missionaries, but for the
Cbristiarized Chinese who were within the walls.
Vast stores Of wheat. rice and other foods were dis
covered in Pekng after the troops gained entrance
to the city, and various kinds Of daintes and luxu-
rfes were also found where they were al the dis
position Of the missionaries.
I believe that all civilized nations should combine
40 avr7aT q =
from INV further interference in this matter.