Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-05-17
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MISSIONARIES AND LOOT.

The question Of the part missionaries
took in the looting Of Chinese homes
Is one that--like Hamlet's ghost.--wll
not down The explanations given By
Rev Ament and ex-Minlster Conger, do
not appear to be entirely satisfactory
to the American conscience. Occasion
ally reports come Of doings Of mission
aries, that cannot be explained on the
supposition that only an equitable
amount was collected from places in
which property had been destroyed and
lives sacrificed.
One Of these reports Is In the form
of remarkable confession by the Rev.
Gilbert Reid, published in the North
China Herald, and copied by the New
York Evening Post, as follows:
"a few days after the relief, while
the American troops were encamped In
mud and on the city wall | carried a
note from the American Minister, and
conducted some American officers. es-
peclally deputed, 10 certain palace as
possible future headquarters for the
American army. The palace was that
of Prince Ii, head of the cabinet, which
had decided TO support the Boxers and
fight foreigners. Not to our surprise,
Prince Ii and attendants had fed, but
much 10 our surprise we found French
soldiers and French priest surround
ed with vast wealth-iron safes contain
Ing nearly 300 900 taels OF silver, trunks
laden with magnificent furs, silk, and
satin and rooms adorned with the finest
OF Chinese art. For a moment | forgot
the tenth commandment / had no
house, no art, no books, no silver. no
clothes except a suit made for me by
missionary ladies while | had been ly-
ing In the hospital The only trouble
was, the French were there, and were
not Kind enough TO leave. The French
general came in and told us that on
that morning that section OF the city
had been voted to the French. Seeing
our downcast cOuntenances he mag
unanimously said, II am very sorry, gem
tlemen, but each one may take a me-
mento." | selected two elegant furs
and moved on,
Having lived IN Pekln, was able,
| better than foreign soldiers or war COR
respondents. to discriminate real friend
and foe, those whose places should be
| looted and those not. For weeks | was
! busy IN seeking protection for the
| friendly disposed. and In encouraging
shops to reopen their doors with proper
passports Now and then | branched
| out to loot from those who were our
| enemies. and | only regret | didn't have
more time to loot from such despcable
wretehes, instead Of leaving so much to
| others, including not few loot critics.
| IL. however those from whom ! have
| looted want their things back, let them
| meet me face to face and ! will take
the matter into consideration. II has
| also grleved me that 80 many really
good people think that my loot Ia good
| enough for them to want The friends
OF looters are beyond my calculation,
| At this late date Il should he known
that lootng under all circumstances Is
| wrong and therefore none need apply
for loot, on sale or donated
II the Chinese question is ever settled,
and normal conditions established. a
thorough inquiry into the doings OF the
christian" missionaries ought to be
Instituted. That Is due to the public that
is constantly appealed to for contribu'
lions for the missionary cause. That
public has a right to know what kind
Of men and women It supports as al
legged representatives Of the Gospel Of
the Nazarene.