Graham guardian., 1900-10-19
CHINESE REFORMERS
Information About the "Boxers" by
a Missionary from Shanghai.
Explanation OF the Critical situation
at Pelxing-Progressiv Chinese
Put Down by the Minions OF
the Dowager Empress.

outside of China must do something
at once or the murders will not end
with native Christians and few stray
missionaries. The lives of hundreds Z.
Chinese of the first rank in position,
education and wealth are in danger
and will be sacrificed unless China is
compelled to save them"
Rev. Timothy Richard, says o New
York correspondent of the st. LOU
Globe-D Democrat, just here from Shane
hal, has long been honorary secretary
Of British society for the diffusion OF
Christian and general knowledge
among the Chinese. He has held III
innate relations with men of the frs
political and social rank in the ,.Lpire
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 endeavor
TO induce the governments to propose
to Russia, Germany and France com
bined note to China upon the subject Of
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 Pekiug 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
servative party in China, alarmed at
the progress of reform ideas. The ap-
peal was addressed to the dowager en-
press, woman of a million, a born
ruler, stateswoman the equal of al
most any man or woman who ever
lived. Coming into a little power, she
assumed a 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 know that 100000
taels are offered for the capture of'onC
of the chief reformers, Kang Yed Wei
This man is, to my own knowledgc
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 agaiI
for help. Shall the foreign power
stand by and see their friends houndeJ
out of their homes and out of the coun
try? l think the western nations
ought to unite in representation tC
the Chinese government that they de
sire to uphold the integrity of its EN-
pire, and to again give it a chance 4
adapt itself to modern requirement
This representation should, with en-
phasis, set forth that China must stol
prosecuting, perhaps numbering, hel
native reformers.
apart from Christian consider
tions and the obligations resting fo
| that reason upon Christendom to il
| terfere to save their lives, these reform
! ers are the leaders of one of the great
est movements of any time. They ar
friendly to foreign nations, and stan,
ready, il given the opportunity, to dc
velop their country, and thus to il
crease trade with all outside nations
In China reside one-fourth the humaI
race. Apart from the comparatively
few millions who live on the sea coas
the entire population speaks one Ian
guage, and they are thus easy to react
and easy to do business with.
81 know the Boxers and their work
know them to be of the same mind o
are the reactionary leaders now il
favor with the dowager empress. The!
may not have direct understanding
with the government, but they knov
! quite we'll where, the government
stands, and, mark my word, the gov
ernment will not really interfere wit
| them. Unless you have been there yoI
cannot appreciate the terrible force Q
the hatred which these Boxers hay
for foreigners. she devils is not near
ly strong enough term. There appear
TO be u crisis in China, similar TO som
that have gone before. fear that
| repetition of former scenes will result
| The murder of some American mis-
sionaries, while deplorable, is not tn
greatest of the evil. Civilized govern
ments ought now to steps in. If they d
not dosoI tremblc for what may result
have until recently been on the spot
and have some knowledge of China, aft
er n 30-years' residence there, nearl.
all of them spent in study of Chimes
conditions, and fairly intimate &C
quaintance with men of affairs,"
-
l hereby give uo,Irc to whom
| may nnn nnnn thnf nnN NuilN Ri Il