The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-16

sulaH portion OF the goods carried to the
1nr,stian missions by the native Chris
taken by Mr. -, OF the American Mis-
sior.ary Society,""
Well, your Excelleucy. that splendid
property was really the headquarters OF
the Boxer movement and was occupied by
one or the Manchu princes. Boxer. II
was hlled with valuable goods and much
wealth IN silver, etc, but had been de-
serted by the owner, who fled when the
allies came into Picking. The Rev. DR.
- at the head of the mission
VINO had just came out of the siege with
MS assistant missionaries and native
christians, found his own mission and
the homes of his people entirely de-
stroyed- He had TO have some place and
TOOK these premises, hosting the United
states flag over them. He moved in al
once with the other missionaries and a
large number of native converts. The
goods he found stored there he sold al
private sale and public auction and real
lzed large sum Of money, 1t Is true
put Dr. IS mission has large claims
Tor property destroyed, and he has cred
tied the amount Of money he secured from
this sale, | understand. against that
claim, and when the day for settlement
comes this. will be deducted from the
amount to be paid"
Here Ii cracked another joke. took sew
eral puffs from his pipe and laughed
heartily.
NOT OPPOSED TO MISSIONS.
Are you opposed to the Christian mis-
sions In the middle kingdom, your Excel
lency?' asked
Il have never been against them.
think teachers and medical missionaries
have done a great deal of good. But see
the missionary in a new light now. He
has confronted trying situation, where
all restraint has been thrown off, where
murder and theft have run riot, and the
missionary has not been equal to the or
uedI' MS religion has not been proved here
to be what 1t is held up to be by its adj
vocates. Here was the opportunity for a
crucial test Of Christianity, but the chances
Ior footing were too much for IL. Our
people nave criticised thei missionaries
more for going to much trouble in tell
ing the people of the middle kingdom what
heathens they are and what idolators their
officials are. 1t is most offensive to the
numblest to have his government insulted
In that manner. The middle kingdom is
the Oldest government the world has ever
known; II is thousands of years old We
nave had troubles, but what Christian ma
lions on earth, even the smaller ones,
nave had less strife than we have? While
our population is the largest of any coun-
Try, our domestic wars have been insignifi-
cant when compared with those of the
great Christian powers. / hear very often
OF great discomfort among the people in
=
and England. The people of the middle
Kngdom are contented and patient peo-
ple.'
Your Excellency, In regard to the al
iegeu conduct or the missionaries here in
the matter Of purchasing and otherwise
securing loot, / believe the Christian peo-
pie in the United States and Great Britain
VINO are supporting them will demand q
Iul investigation into these charges. be-
cause they have been given such great
emphasis by every army and navy officer
and soldier without exception, I believe.
My opinion is that their conduct will be
satisfactorily explained"
"Of course said Ii, at will be salts
factorily explained. 1t will be the idea
TO vindicate when an investigation is
ordered. Englishrlen and Americans liv-
ing here, who are not missionaries, have
explained to me frequently what power
the missionary is at home; the people
believe the missionary can do no wrong.
Your newspapers are afraid of them and
the subject, and, of course, they will help
vindicate' them. The exorbitant indeun-
mites some of these missionaries are be-
ginning to claim are almost as bad as their
footing. During the last week or two they
have begun helping themselves TO vacant
lots along Legation street that belong to
Chinese people, and are actually building
upon them, intending to hold this valuable
property as their own"
A POSSIBLE CHANGE OF CAPITAL.
Your Excellency," said /, what are the
chances for some other city than Pekine
being the future capital?"
"a change is possible, IL the foreign
troops continue TO remain here" said Ii
Would the imperial family return here
from shen-si if the allied troops al left
Peking?"
mot until spring. 1t is too late. for they
are $500 Ii (nearly 100 miles) from here
N Eron ~
to occupy the imperial palace. now that II
has been entered by foreigners"
IF they are to have palace at all, they
Will have to occupy this one, for they are
unable to build new one.'
Why hasn't the opportunity presented
itself 10 the Chinese people TO throw of
the yoke of the Manchu dynasty, which
comprises but 5z per cent. of the empire
population?'
''Impossible There is no one to arise
TO take the leadership. Beyond this, can
How early in the spring does your Ex-
cellency think the Empress and Emperor
will return to Peldne?"
Tell me how early in the spring the
strong a guard as they wish for the lega-
uons, and can answer your question
better"
AMERICA LEAST SELFISH.
1T is said that you are great friend OF
Russia, your Excellency"
Russia withdrew her troops from Pc
king and 1 am grateful for that, but am
q friend of the United States, of Great
Britain, and want to say a great deal for
Japan. OF the other powers do not care
to say anything. Great Britain has wanted
territory and concessions. but to her credit
she opposes the partition of this empire
The United States and Japan have been
our best friends. look TO America for
She will be the least selfish of any Of the
powers.
"As Picking is districted now, with a
section of the city under the military con-
troll of each of the powers, except Russia
which turned over her district TO the
French, IL is plain which OF the powers
are treating with justice the people who
are returning to the city TO try and re-en-
gage in their usual callings. and prepare
IS best they can for the severe winter just
upon them. In the Japanese, the Ameri-
are swarming with people. but only in
these sections. In other districts the streets
are deserted and the few Chinese people
who venture into them are looted of the
smallest articles that may be found in their
possession by soldiers"
do you think there Is any likelihood OF
trouble, not to say war, between any two
or more OF the powers over this ques-
ton here?"
The cunning old diplomat pulled at his
pipe and smiled as the interpreter re-
peated the words.
II don't know" he answered
RUSSIA AND CHINA.
HAS it not been the policy of the i'm