The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-24
FUKIEN, UNITED STATES.
GREAT COAST PROVINCE, ONCE
PETITIONED TO BE TAKEN IN.

THE Petition Still Held in Allegiance.
II was just After the Japanese
vince Drew Up the Petition and
presented 1t to DIR. Smyth, a Pro-
Ufnent Missionary, for Transmits
sion to the President of the United
states-While Alterations Sugges-
ted by Him Were Being Made, the
POLITICAL situation Changed So
THAT the Document Was With
drnwn-.A Chinese Censor Headed
The Delegation-One of the Leaders,
n brilliant Young Statesman, Has
since Been Beheaded by the EN-
press.
copyright, 1901, by G. M. Walker.)
washington, March 22.-While the
covers are plotting and planning, each
for its share of the vast Chinese Empire,
should the partition of the Empire be the
outcome of the present uncertain condi-
lions. there is one great province of
China, which, unknown to the other pow
ers. is only waiting the chance to become
a part Of the United States. This is the
seacoast province of Fukien, with a pop
clation of 100000 people, rich cities and
great and growing commerce. Such mas
been the feeling of the people of the
province toward the United States that
formal petition for annexation was once
prepared, sealed and signed for transmits
sion to the president and when it was
withheld at the advice of an American
missionary, who told the petitioners that
their prayer would be unavailing at that
time The matter was held in allegiance
and is, to all intents and purposes in that
condition to-day.
No piece of history so important as this
is kept secret without the most potent
of asons. In this case the reason is not
far to seek. The petition was practically
the first step in the act Of secession
Should it have become known to the rul-
ing powers of the Empire, not only all
those prominently implicated, but thou
sands of suspects would have been be-
headed Human life is cheap in China.
Fukien would have been drenched in
blood. Conditions are changed now. A
leading spirit in the movement-the man
who to-day would be the first 20 suffer,
has suffered the penalty of his straight
forward and courageous patriotism.
Standing for what he believed to be the
Empires only hope, radical reform, the
brave and brilliant young statesman, Ling
Hshio was beheaded by order of the EN-
PRESS at the time of the famous coup d
etat of 1885, when he was but twenty
years old. OF the other chief petitioners,
all are now in positions of safety from
Identification and the petition itself is
where it may be at any time presented
to the President and Congress of the
United States; but where no official Chi
nese hand can discover it's hiding place.
So it is that now for the first time the
story of the Chinese province that want
ed to join the United States can be told.
II was shortly after the collapse of the
Imperial arms in the war with Japan.
that the movement for the annexation of
Fukien to this nation was Inaugural ted.
China lay helpless at the mercy of her
conqueror, and the Powers were tearing
at her like jackals. Korea had been taken
from her and set up an independent
power for the control of which, however,
both Russia and Japan were eagerly striv-
ing. The great island of Formosa had
been given to Japan, but the main land
had been saved to the empire, though
at a heavy monetary cost, by the inter-
vention of powers who had proved even
more rapacious than Japan. Russia had
secured Port Arthur, the Gibraltar of
China. Germany, on mere pretext, had
seized Kiao Chau and was driving the
population from the seized territory, dis
possessing people from homes, some Of
which had been held in their families
for over two thousand years. France
had increased her claims in South China,
and England, though she had not aided
- in relieving China from the demands of
Japan, nevertheless felt justified in ''ac-
oepting the lease of Wei Hal Wei" 50
that she could keep an eye on Russia who
was building massive Notifications with
feversh haste just cross the narrow
gulf. Italy was pressing her claims on
the bay of San Nun in the province of
Chekiang, while Japan, robbed of the
spols of victory, was attempting to re-
gain prestige, and compensate herself by
making claims on the province of Fukien.
Such was the condition of China and
It is small wonder that patriotic Chinese
were filled with apprehension There
were rumors of palace intrigues of dis
cord in the Imperial Clan. of strife be-
tween the Emperor and Empress DoWa-
ger. A formidable uprising existed in the
Northwest provinces. Most Chinese be-
heved that the present dynasty had run
Its course and that the struggle for the
succession was about to begin, and many
were casting about for some man of
destiny to whom they could offer their
allegiance. Many plans were discussed by
the various governors and mandarins for
saving their districts and provinces from
the ravages of revolution and Civil War,
or the reign of anarchy that might ensue
should the various powers attempt to IN
tervene on account of the unsettled con-
dltion of national affairs.
All was confusion, distress and alarm.
Inc 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 fell-formed
plan of procedure in most of the pro-
vnces
In Fukien alone there were, among the
leaders, a number of men who were in
sugated by motives of patriotism. They
believed in their duty to the people I'M
der them and they were ready to lay
Gown their lives in carrying it out. Sc
cret meetings were held and listened to
me eloquence and learning of Ling Hshio,
tnen mere boy in years, but by virtue
OF having already won his second degree,
man in wisdom and authority He and
several other influential pen 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 sovereignty. 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 it was the best, II not, indeed.