Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-06-25
THE TROUBLE
in CHINA.

4 "a , "
A Former Iowan, Resident in China.
Tells OF the Outbreak.
THE doom of Pekin and the Man
churian dynasty, there seated on Its
oriental throne OF grandeur, is TO be the
inevitable result of the present hostile
demonstration toward foreign influence
on the part of the secret but wide ex-
tending and powerful society of Box
ers in the Chinese empire" Such is
the opinion expressed by recent resi-
dent of Tien sTsin, who arrived in Mus
,catine Thursday, says the Journal. The
party who makes this assertion is S. G..
HILL brother of w. S. Hill. the Second
street groceryman. Muscatine. At one
time he resided in Muscatine himself
He is now on a tour around the world
and With his mother, Mrs. NJ. j. Hill
of Sioux City, is visiting for a few days
at this place.
Mr.. Hill was seen by Journal re-
porter Thursday and in answer to
many queries made some statements
which assist greatly in an intelligent
understanding of affairs in that far
away land, where the western civiliza-s
ton has, after encircling the globe,
met its foe, stepped in prejudice, and is
now engaged in conflict for the final
supremacy.
What was the condition of affairs
when you left China" was asked.
"on the 9Th of May sailed from
Shanghai said Mr.. HILL land at that
time but one foreigner in all China am
ticipated the present outbreak. That
was the American consul, Mr.. Fowler,
at Che Foo. whose term Of service has
exceeded that of any American in
China. True, indeed, there had been
reports carried into Pekin that such an
uprising of the Boxers was to occur.
but 1t was not believed. While was in
Pekin a short time before my depart
ure, the report came to the foreign le-
cations that 10000 Boxers We're psepar-s
Ing 10 attack the city and Kill every
foreign resident. No one attached any
Importance to this fumor. 1t was a
profound surprise TO me to learn OF the
disturbance since my arrival AS Mr..
Hill had his residence at Tien Tsin. tht
very heart of the uprising he considers
himself Very fortunate In his absence.
What class of people compose the
Boxers society?" "Oh, they are a
Very respectable set of people, indeed.
Their society was formed for the mu
tual benefit and physical culture of
themselves and for the promotion Of
good government. II is hut one of
thousands of secret organizations.
They frequently kill native officials
who do not conform to the ancient Gus
toms. They hate a foreigner, but their
feeling is most bitter against their own
people who allow themselves to come
under foreign Influences. They are es-.
native Christians. They realize that
treaty rights and do not believe any
Hos them have been killed. They are
coming TO hold their poor old govern
Ement in derision because concessions
are made foreigners. Then 1t Is that
mob law is breaking out all over the
Eland. Piracy abounds and the only
man who has shown himself capable of
dealing with these lawless manifesto
| tons is Ii Hung Chang. now with one
! foot in the grave. Decrepit old China
| weak. lettering thing, unconscious OF
Tits seniie decay. and powerless TO re-
sist changes wrought by time, must
soon be cast into a pitiable state of
| humiliation.
And yet continued Mr.. Hill, there
are those VINO contend that il the
whole broad realm. with its teeming
millions, could produce but one man oil
strong character and rnasterful leader
ship he could command mighty army
! which would fairly sweep the for
leigner and the last yistage of his in
! fiuence off the land. The private SOL
4 der is a desperate and vicious fighter,
4 his commander a book worm of intel
i lect but devoid Of physical courage"
What In your opinion, Mr.. Hill, liz
the position taken by the Chinese gov
ernment in the present demonstra-
i ton. Every act of the mob is sane
4 toned and encouraged. No doubt about
Mt. The government has chafed and
fretted under the Irritating pressure OF
4 the foreigner, which it was powerless
4 to resist. No avenue of escape from
the most repulsive concessions was
possible. And now a secret and intense
a delight is felt in the discontinue to
which the hated guest is subjected
What is the condition of the native
/ army, can they hope for any success 2?
They have not to exceed 10000 vel
! armed troops. The foreign forces sta
4 toned at the forts, where admissible
4 have been few in number but before
Il their superior military genius the Chi.
E nese can make but feeble resistance
a But 1t is a mistake to suppose that they
have never been warriors. Many {
4 revolution and foreign invasion has oc,
4 Cured during their long history
q About once in 300 years new dynast,
comes to the throne. In 1850 the Mon
Rolians established their supremac!
and now the Manchurians hav,
Preached the limit OF their rule. TIL,
heir apparent is almost an imbecile II
statesmanlike qualities. The empress
dowager represents the most conserva
~ tive element in the empire. She ha
the confidence OF all who believe in tn,
4 Chinese way OF doing things. But a
one time this dynasty was feared am
hated alike. When IT came to tn,
throne the custom OF wearing tpi,
tails came into vogue. This was
sign of submission and even now al
edlct stands on the statute books max
ing 1t punishable by death to be fount
without this mark OF recognition of su
perior authority. The Chinese do no
look upon the present order OF thing
! as unnatural. but necessary condi
; ton that they may pass thru grea
national crisis and then be left alon