The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-06-25
Talk by a Returned Mis-
sionary.
HIS LIFE IN CHINA
Recent Hostiiities There Were
Caused by Operations Of Rus
sic, France and Germany
Regard for United States.

Rev. Charles w. Swan, missionary
from China, visited his brother, Thomas
Swan. of 1927 Woodland avenue. Fri
day. He has been missionary in
China for seven years and expects to
return to that country in September.
He was warned to leave by the Ameri-
can consul in his district, on account
of the uprising of the Boxers.
He stated to News-Democrat repre-.
sentative Friday afternoon as follows:
"My station Is situated at Lien Chow,
city of about sixty thousand popula-
tion, In south China. South China Is
ruled by Viceroy Ii Hung Chang. There
were In my district no organized bodies
Of Boxers, but there were few here
and there who were members of the
Boxers. During the hostilities around
Peking. the few Boxers in south China
STIRRED A REVOLT
and burned the homes of christians.
destroyed fourteen chapels, but no lives
were taken. Through the officials of
south China. who are friendly to for
eigners, full indemnity has been re-
ceived from the head government, for
the damage sustained, so that now sew
eral Of the chapels are already rebuilt.
The Chinese christians also received in
demnity. This speedy settlement Of
affairs Is very encouraging to the miB-
sionaries and foreigners as whole.
''The recent hostilities in China were
caused by the operations Of Russia,
France and Germany. Germany seized
an entire sea port in Shan Ting and the
land surrounding 1t, where they opened
mines, regardless of the Chinese. They
even went so far as to station guards
at their mines.
"Li Hung Chang, in my estimation.
Is the
GREATEST DIPLOMAT
In China. He is a particular friend OF
the empress dowager, although he dis.
obeyed her order that he should exter.
inmate all christians in southern China
He is very crafty and in his dealings
acts rather from policy than from priu.
ciple.
"As for mission work we are making
genuine and gradual progress in chris
tlanizing the Chinese. In my district
there are four Presbyterian churches
with an aggregate of two hundred men,
bers. OF all the denominations there
are three hundred places of worship
with an aggregate membership Of
3.100. Our work is done mainly on
the Sabbath and on market day, which
is each fifth day.
"The head Of the Chinese government
is the empress dowager, who resides at
Peking. The entire country Is divided
into provinces. the provinces into dis
tricts, which are ruled by local mag
lstrates. Each officer Is held respon.
sible for the actions of the people in
his district. The officials as a rule
oPPRESs THE PEOPLE
by various methods to obtain their
money.
"There Is no inducement In China
for q foreigner. All food stuffs are very
high In price, since half of the supply
is imported from Europe and America.
Butter, for instance, ranges from 80 to
As cents throughout the entire year.
In my missionary work In China
have met with but one hostile demon.
stration. While working about three
hundred miles from my station was at.
tackled by number of natives, but es.
capped unharmed. While walking
through the streets of Lien Chow
often have been insulted and jeered at
by the natives.
"The United States Is looked upon by
the Chinese as country that is trying
to help them from their miserable con.
dition while Russia and France arc
looked upon as their oppressors. The
outcome of the recent hostillties will
be that China, shall be opened to the
commerce Of the world and the speedy
asoendency OF the christian religion.