Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-23

| ing the lease of Wei Hal Wei" so that she
could keep an eye on Russia, who was
building massive Notifications with fever
iSh haste just across the narrow gulf. Italy
was pressing her claims on the Bay of San
Nun, in the province of Chekiang, while
japan, robbed of the SpOils of victory, was
attempting to regain prestige and compen-
safe herself by making claims on the prov
ince of Fukien.
Causc for Alarm.
Such was the condition of China. and it
is small wonder that patriotic Chinese were
filled with apprehension There were ru-
mors of palace intrigues of discord in the
imperial clan, of strife between the en-
peror and empress dowager. A formidable
uprising existed in the northwest prov
inces. Most Chinese believed that the pres
ent dynasty had run its course and that
the struggle for the succession was about
to begin and many We're casting about for
some man of destiny to whom they could
offer their allegiance.
Many plans were discussed by the va
riOUs governors and mandarins for saving
their districts and provinces from the raw
ages of revolution and civil war or the
reign of anarchy that might ensue should
the various powers attempt to intervene
on account of the unsettled condition of ma
tiOnal affairs.
All was confusion, distress and alarm
The rulers to whom the people looked for
direction were busy. each striving to save
his own property and head. Under such
conditions there could be no well-fOrmed
plan of procedure in most of the prov
iRces.
Looking to This Country.
In Fuliien alone there were, among the
leaders. a number of men who were insti
gated by motives of patriotism They be-
lieved In their duty to the people under
them, and they We're ready to lay down
their lives in carrying it out. Secret meet
fngs We're held, and they listened to the
eloquenCe and learning of Ling HshiO, then
a mere boy in years. but by virtue of hay
ing already Won his second degree a man
In wisdom and authority. He and several
other influential men pointed out the des-
perate situation. pointed out also, the way
of hope The United States alone, of all
the great powers had been friendly and
without design on Chinese territory or SOW
ereignty. The treatment accorded to the
natives by Americans had usually been in
pleasing contrast to the harshness of other
foreigners.
So in the belief that 1t was the best, If
not, indeed. the only way to secure the
peace for which their people lOnged and
which they needed for the development of
their great commerce, the leading officials
of the province, Joined by one or two from
adjoining provinces whom they had called
in for consultation. advised the prepara-
ton of a petition to the President of the
United States, asking that province to be
annexed to this country, or at least that
the President issue proclamation extend
ing American protection over it.
Preparing the Petition.
1t is said that the sense of the entire
gathering was that such petition should
be presented. AS to the exact nature of
the document there was much discussion.
Many plans We're advanced. and finally
compromise petition was completed, en-
ho1yiug what were believed to he the hest
features of the various suggestions and
practically throwing the province on the
mercy of the United States, with but few
untmportant conditions.
1t is worthy OF note that when these Chi
nese officials had prepared their petition to
the United States they did not seek the
United States consul in FOOchow, but an
American missionary, the Rev. George B.
Smyth, D. D., president Of the Anglo-Chi-
nese College in that city, who had endeared
himself to all Chinese by his work in their
behalf. DR.. Smyth is a New Yorker, edu-
Gated in the College of the City of New
York and Drew Theological Seminary, who
went to China missionary in 1882 and
was soon placed IN charge of the educa-
tional work of his church in Foochow.
Presenting the Paper.
The company of patriots which bore the
petition to DIR. Smyths house was headed
by one of the censors of China. The censors
are in way the highest officials of the
empire for it is their duty to criticise
wrOngdOing and incompetence to correct
abuses and recommend reforms; their right
extends even to criticising the throne
while their prerogatives include immunity
from responsibility for their criticisms
1t was late at night when this band of
conSpiring mandarinS reached the home of
DR.. Smyth, and the old censor carefully