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

| laid on the table before him a formidab BILE
| looking document written vermillion
paper. on which all official communications
| in China are inscribed. DR.. Smyth looked
| in wonder from one to another of the Chi
neSe officials before him, and, using the
| ceremonial form employed ON occasions of
import, finally said:
| Venerable sirs, what have l done to re-
| ceive the favor of a visit from you, my
| elder brothers, to this. my miserable hut"
] The old censor who headed the delega-
| ton went straight at the matter without
the usual preliminary formalities, answer
| ing:
Teacher Gin China it is the custom to
address all missionaries by this title, 1T
is at your feet that have come tonight
| to learn wisdom. The Kingdom of the
Great Pure g threatened with return to
the time of the Three Kingdoms, when the
country was divided among warning fac
tions The inha btants of the Happy Es-
Enlistment CFukien) are peaceable and
law abiding, but they have heard that their
territory has been claimed by a foreign
power. They shudder to think of the de-
Nastatlon that will come upon them should
their country become battlefield between
the armies of rival claimants to the Chrome.
Why They Sought Annexation.
we have not forgotten" continued the
old censor, the bloodshed and barbarities
of the great TAPPING rebellion, which ex-
terminated and depopulated provinces, ana
we desire, If it is possible, to save the poo
pie of this district from suffering in such a
manner The sons of Han Chinese have
from time immemOrial exercised the right
of selecting their own rulers, and we he
lieve that the happiness and prosperity of
our people will be greater and more surely
secured under the beneficent rule of the
great America than it would under that of
the power which We have heard has claimed
our province for itself (Japan). 1t Is insult
ferabe for our people to think that they
shall be ruled over by the miserable dwarfs
(JapaneSe).
Our province is rich. The great Amer
lea already comes to us for the tea leaves
that have made the hills of Bohea famous
Wherever the sun shines. We believe that
your country would find n commerce rich
and profitable enough with our people to
repay 1t for the boon for which We now
humbIy pray: Teacher, all this is written
on the Vermillion scroll which We beg you
ID accept from us. Do you, therefore take
this our petition and present it to the ruler
of your country, the President of the great
America, and say that we beg for an edlct
tproclamation) anneXing this province of
the Happy Establishment to his dominion.
If this may not be we beg that at least he
will extend his protection over our terri
tory aud over our miserable people, who
are threatened with great sorrow and loss
unless he in his beneiicence shall conde-
Scend to save u.s.
Amazed the Missionary.
When the censor had ceased speaking
DR.. Smyth stood for moment dumfound-
ed. He attempted to explain to the as
sembled mandarins that such a thing was
impossible; that our people would not look
with favor on such proposition; that the
President had no power to do such a thing;
that he was not an absolute ruler they
We're but could simply carry out the will
of the people. The petitioners, however,
We're unconvnced, and they insisted that
DR.. Smyth should go TO Washington as
their ambassador.
Teacher" said the old censor. I'VE do
not understand, but you are wise. Here is
money. Whatever you Will is yours. &c
and make the prayer for U.s. Present this
petition to your President. You Will ex-
plain 1t to him and he Will understa and.
He will not deny our prayer and leave us to
the mercy of those who would plumber and
destroy u.s..
DR.. Smyth then explained to them that
Hawaii had but recently made a similar
petition to the United States and while it
had been favorably received by one Pres-
dent. a succeeding President (Cleveland)
| had denied it's prayer. The censor referred
the matter to the members Of the delega-
ton, and they insisted that the attempt be
| made. Then DR.. Smyth, who had begun to
examine the petition, called their attention
! to the fact that 1t lacked what to Ameri-
cans would be prime requisite. The peti.
ton, 1t was true, was signed by them the
| leading officers and officials of the province,
| but 1t bore evidence that 1t expressed
| the will or desire of the people over whom
| they ruled. Americans would certainly not
| consider an offer made by officials alone,
said DR.. Smyth, unless they We're satisfied
| that the people themselves desired this
thing. For a moment the mandarins were
nonpiussed, but when they compprehended
the American attitude of mind they quickly
accepted the implied challenge. One of the
younger men spoke up, saying:
Acting for the People.
elm this we are acting not for ourselves,
but for the people. They will be Of the
same mind as We are. II it Is desired, we
will secure the names of the people to the
petition"
And I will guarantee that we will have
the signature Of every important merchant
and business man In the great parts Of the
province" added the old censor.
IAN this will take time said DR.. Smyth
greatly relieved by the suggestion which
would give him opportunity to consider the
matter maturely and consult with others
about 1t If that seemed best. Take back
your petition. until you have the supple
mental petitions with the signatures. Then
all can be presented together, and / will
aid you to the best Of my ability and judg-
ment.'
AS the delegation was retiring after
thanking him. DR.. Smyth said:
DO you not know that you are imperil-
Ing your lives by this course and that you
would be beheaded If this were known in
certain quarterS?'
To which the old censor replied with a
proverb which may be transiated-"The
man of virtue will do the right though his
life be forfeit and the others murmured
their assent.
Before the circulation Of the petitions had
fairly started there was so marked change
| In the aspect of affairs that the documents
were Withdraw from circulation. with the
understanding, however, that the matter
| might be brought up at any time which
might seem favorable. 1t is an open secret
| that from that day to this many influential
men of the province have been hoping that
the annexation might some day be brought
about.
A Rich Province.
Fukien IS one Of the richest provinces in
| China, and would be one of the most eagerly
| sought in case of partition. 1t lies ON the
| southeastern coast of China, opposite the
| Island Of Formosa. Along it's northern and
| western borders runs high range Of noun.
| tains which literally cuts this province out
| from the rest Of the Chinese empire. From
| this great range down toward the coast
| reach out ranges OF minor hills which give
| to the province an agreeable diversity OF
| scenery that has been compared to that OF