The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-15
HOUSTONIANS IN CHINA.
A Letter Received Yesterday from J. |.
ilendry, Now al Shanghai.
PfKlN SITUATION TRYING AND PROVOKING
says Chinese officials Arc Generai,y
Creatures of Circumstances, aud
Uncertainty Attends Actions.

Mr.. c. w. Sedgwick OF Houston on yes
terday received letter from his son-in-
law. Rev. j. L. Hendry. now a; Shanghai.
where he had to go for safety several
weeks ago. M Hendry and wife are mis-
sionaries in China and are well known in
Houston. The following is the full text
Of the letter.
Shanghai China. July 81, 19oo.-My Dear
Father: regret TO say that / have
littlo or ne news to relate. The
situation in Pekin is still veiled in mys-
terry. Whether all have been massacred
weeks age. or whether part have
been killed and a part still alive,
there is no telling up to this
time. 1t is a situation a. once mos
trying ana provoking 10 all foreigners
Many believe that the onicials nave iuil
Information regarding the whole matter,
Dut from reasCns BEST tuogn TO tnen-
sMves, refuse 10 give OUT this lnfOrma-
tIun. Ii can no, De certainly known a
TINS time Just how the matter stands, o.
COURSE. and still i believe that tue vif.-
Gals themselves are largely in the dark
concerning the real state OF affairs in the
capital. ii Hung Chang Is to arrive here
from the south this morning. He has few
friends among the foreigners IN This city.
There has been much talk regarding MIN
and mis- mission. and it has been seriously
suggested that on his arrival he should pc
arrested and pui In prison. Il Is scarcely
possible that such a thing could be done
NOW, especially in open view of the grand
reception ana send of he so recently had
at Hong Kong BY the English officlais.
And then 1t would not be a prudent meas
ure, 1t seems to me as no beneht could
accrue to our cause from such rasl
course on the part OF tie foreigners. Be
sides, such Z course would doubtless b.
considered unfriendly, as we'll as a break
ing OF faith with the viceroys Of this part
O. the empire, and might speedily lead tC
most dangerous and disastrous results tC
all foreigners. We have not, at he pres
ent time. sufficient force at comman-
here to meet any and every emergency
SO it is best for our interests TO treat thC
cid man ciyilly and make what use W,
can of his presence to help rHard oul
cause. He claims to be regularly com
missioned b. the empress dowaser a
viceroy OF Chill province, the section
now so much involved in this trouble.
am glad TO be able to report state
Of peace in these parts. How long Il vii
last. no one can tell So far our Chimes
officials have kept their word. and FOR one
the most OF the foreigners put no conn
dence in their promises or pledges. /
must be conceded that much uncertaint.
attends the actions OF most Chinese OIL
Gals and that they are generally Great
ures of circumstance StlH these mel
are officials OF long experience, and ar
in possession OF much information con
corning the strength OF the foreign pow
ers. and in consequence know that ther
can be but one result 10 this outbrea
against foreigners. So. viewing the cas-
from a purely selhsh standpoint, tines
men would have abundant reason TO MAX
good their promises 10 the powers.
III one thing we may be certain, an
that is this had II not been for the irienC
~ attitude OF these two viceroys towarl
u.s. all foreigners in the interior with a
mission property, would have weeks as
been swept away. This | am satisfied
not stating the case too strongly.
! send herewith an appeal from u
Americans In mass meeting assembled
this city. ! was present, These resol,
lions were unanimously Garfield ] a
glad to see that our appeal has not bee
in vain for already the news comes tn
our government is sending several tho
sands more troops to China The pre-
ence OF these troops will have inc efre
in the settlement Of this terrible state
affairs. We are all we'll Weather swe
tering hot Children talk war from mol
to eve. poor things. Prr for us. All sol
love. Yours affectionately.
j. L. Hendry.