The Irish standard., 1901-11-30
THE BISHOP OF pEK1N.
What He Says on Iootlng In the
Chinese CAPITAL.

bishop of Pekin, has been repeatedly
accused of looting and other INSIDE
meanors after the siege of Pekin, says
the New York Sun. Although those
attacks were already refuted, it was
deemed advisable to ask the bishop for
more complete justification of HIM
self and missionaries. Occasion was
taken to obtain his views ON the pres
ent and future condition of the Chris
tan church. in China. The following
is the answer of the eminent prelate,
just received by the Association for
the Propagation of the Faith, and
communicated by the Rev. DR.. Freri,
director of the American branch of
that society, with headquarters at st.
Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Md:
Pekin, Aug. 20, 19O1.-Your letter of
June 20 contains many questions. l
will try to give an answer to them,
without expecting that all will share
my views on the matter.
You say that "there are few who
entertain any hope for the future Of
China, and that there is general ex-
.pectation of another anti European and
anti Christian movement"
Such is not my opinion
Whatever some may think, last
years expedition has not had a mega
tive result for the missions, in fact it
is that expedition that saved them.
This is beyond doubt. 1t is very pos
sible, however, that it increased the ill
will of those already opposed to Chris
tan missions, but it has also produced
fear which may be in the future the
beginning of wisdom. 1 doubt wheth-
er China will soon expose herself to
another catastrophe similar to that Of
1000, in which empire and dynasty
came very near laundering. We may
have here and there occasional out
breaks and assassinations, but I do
not anticipate another general persc-
cution. Personal revenges and local
annoyances will doubtless harass our
Christian settlements, but they will
escape ruin and will rise again more
flourishing than ever. The Chinese
people-properly speaking the coum-
tryman, the workingman, the business
man-have no hatred of the Christian
religion. The terrible outbreak Of last
year was the work Of fanatics, high
waymen and revolted soldiers, COM
mandel by princes as ambitious as
they were, ignorant.
The entertainments of Europe in
China were used as the pretext for the
rising against Europeans and the
Christians generally. 1 said several
years ago that Niao-chou would be
Pandora's box out of which would
come all sorts of evils, and l believe
l was not mistaken. AS for a re-
awakening of Chinese patriotism fail
to see it, in fact never found real
patriotism in that eminently selfish
people. One day while conversing with
some representative men who held no
official position asked their views on
political question
''It is the business of the manda-
rims" they answered, ito concern
themselves with politics; they are paid
for it, but as we are not, we let it
alone"
During the Chinese-Jupanese war,
when the enemy was only few days.
march from Chan Kee Rowan, meet
ing one day some prominent business
men said to them:
"What are You going to do? The
Japanese may be here i'm fifteen days."
They answered.
Delighted to hear it. The Japanese
have money and we will do a good
business with then!"
Will our work be hampered by the
expedition?
AS far rs our work among the ma
tves is concerned do not think so.
The storm has assuredly disturbed our
missions and it will be several years
before they enjoy perfect peace; but
the pAgans have witnessed with Won
der the constancy of Catholics who
most willingly shed their blood for
the faith; we had hardly two cases Of
apostasy in hundred victims. OF
course the taking of Pellin by the al
lies was followed by much excitement;
fires, massacres, complete ruin and the
horrible sufferings Of a sixty days
siege irritated the Christians; but
everything little by little quieted
down, and you can now hardly find a
dozen who have not submitted to the
orders Of the bishop. Our Christians
in city and country having lost their
all now live with THE pagans and in
perfect harmony. These poor pagans
have suffered themselves great deal
and they often call on us. We saved
large number Of them when the al
lied forces entered the city and by
extending our protection to them en-
abled them to resume business. They
We're grateful and numbers came from
various parts Of the city, led by the
principal citizens, to offer us presents
and Inscriptions on silk, lacquer o.
precious wood in which we were
thanked as friends Of the people,