The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-04-19
DR.. AMENT
IS HERE
Missionary Who
Was Charged
With Looting.
COMPLETELY
EXONERATED
His Explanation Clears the Whole
Story Up and Frees Him
From Blame.

Among the passengers on the Nippon
Maru who stopped ashore last night was
the Rev. DR.. W. S. Ament. who was
prominently identified with. the siege OF
Peklng and whose name is a familiar
one in the dispatches owing to his ar
rest by the Germans on charge OF
looting, his subsequent release and COM
plete exoneration. DR.. Ament, who is
at the head of the American Board Of
Missions in China, with former head
quarters in Peking. is on his way to con.
suit with the Board in New York. to re-
cuperate his strength, and to make di-
rect answer to the malicious charges
preferred against him. He ent a por-
ton of last evening looking about the
City, and was the guest overnight of
Mr.. w. A. Bowen. at Punahou.
When asked his opinion as to the fu-
ture of China, DR.. Ament shook his head
obviously and said it was very DARK in
deed. There was everything to initiate
against the Empire rising from its pres-
ent disordered state. Missionary work
had practically come to standstill. but
he hoped that there would be new era
of Christian work for the Empire, and
that when reorganization had completely
set in a change for the better would &C.
crue.
AS to Russia,s attitude on the Chinese
question DR.. Ament stated the last word
received on leaving Yokohama was that
Russia had withdrawn from the Man
oaurian convention, and this in his opin.
ION teak away all probability of a rup-
tu.e pet"sen Japan and Russia.
II was reparted in Peking when
ie1t' SAID ne, that Japan was endeavor-
ing 10 ma an any VINO would unite with
her against Russia, but no Power SEEM
ed willing to join her. Russia also with
/ drew in the same way. The absolute re-
lection of the proposals of the fSwers
caused Russia to withdraw from TIA
| convention, but she. claims she has no
desire to hold Manchuria as portion of
Russian territory.
"Russias aim has been to secure the
good favor of China. 1t is evident she
wished to pose as the friend OF China and
doubtless does desire her welfare. She
is the most influential power in reking
a. the present time. Russian diplomacy
is the most virile of a. Although Rus
sia retired from the convention, she will
not practically retire from Manchuria.
She will stand on her old contract with
| China and retain a tract OF territory fif-
teen miles wide. following the course Of
her railway from the place where it
breaks off from the Irans-Siberian Rail-
way and goes down 10 Pert Arthur. That
gives her justification for keeping her
troops more or less in number in Man
churia- The whole impression seems to
be that although Russia relinquishes
Manchuria in name, she does in fact re-
tain her possession of the country Rus
sia moves like a glacier. slowly but
surely
What has been the effect of the de-
parture of the United States troops from
China?" was asked
Il don't think it viii have any special
effect, because the United States has
not been aggressive in tie adjustment Of
affairs since the raising of the siege In
fact, / think their presence has really
complicated mattess BY reason of their
being so easy with the Chinese. thus
raising their hopes of weak settle
ment. The Chinese never fail TO inter-
pret ienieney fer weakness. so that l be-
heve il may help the settlement of af-
fairs by their Withdrawal.
'As to the diplomatic side of the
United States in the Chinese question.
Mr.. Conger has always taken the stand
should be dealt with summarily.
-Pek.ng is now policed by foreis
| troops. The city is divided up into dis
| tricts over which the various Power
| have jurisdiction. Business seems to
| have revived wonderfully in the city OF
| late, money is easier there and the place
/ is cleaner today than it has been for so
years. The foreign soldiers have COM
| PEELED the criminal classes to assist In
cleaning up the capital. There is now a
| great deal Of commercial activity. The
armies, of course, have brought money
| there and in the general upheaval a
| great amount of buried treasure has
| been brought to light. so the so-called
! looting has not been without its good re-
suits"
what about your alleged connection
with the looting of Peking?" was the
/ query directed TO Dr. Ament.
THE fact is I have never had any con-
nection with looting. statements to the
contrary, Notwithstanding, said DR..
| Ament, with an amused smile. The
statements that I assisted in footing
came from three sources. In the first
! place, / was chairman of what was call
ed the Committee Of C9nhscated Goods.
during the siege TO look after goods that