The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-01-06
ARE THE MISSIONARIES REsPoN-


Looting as a Christian form of activity
in the East was supposed to be purely
military institution, survival of the bar
barism and brutality of war in past cen
turtles. The latest dispatches from China
tend to the belief that it is not wholly a
military necessity. The statement of the
correspondent of the London Daily Mail
that much of it has been instigated by
. American and European missionaries
seems wholly incredible on it's face, and
would be entitled to but little considera-
ton were the veracity or responsibility
of the source from which it comes at
all to be called in question.
TO intelligent and disinterested observ-
ers it is beyond denial that the so-ealled
rights of the native Christians have been
made the pretext on which much Injustice
has been done to the mass of the Chi
nese people, especially in the vicinity Of
Christian missions. This is the first
time, however, that an intimation has
been made that the seemingly needless
military incursions into the interior of
China have been made at the instance
Of the missionaries.
1t must be exceptionally gratifying to all
Americans that our troops over there have
taken little or no part in these raids
The dispatch from Gen. Chaffee showing
that the part borne by our troops in the
recent exDaditioI, into +Ea i,,+orio,. c,o++a,,
up by the German military representa-
tives was merely that of verifying or dis
proving the reports that Christians had
been murdered. and that no aggressions
were offered whatever. This dispatch
rather promotes the belief that the pre-
text has been advanced either by the mis-
sionaries or the military commandments
that the expeditions of which complaint
is so general were entered on for the pro
lection of Christians or the punishment of
their murderers.
While matters are in this somewhat
embarrassing situation, and peace seems
as far off as ever before, Count Valdez
see comes to the front with dispatch
to his wife, which distinctly recalls the
singular announcements made from time
to time by the German emperor on the
Chinese situation. peace is in sight at
last. Hurrah" exclaims the commander
in-ehief of the allied forces. AS well might
he have exclaimed: ''The moon is in
sight. HurrahY' while that Iuminary re-
manned securely hidden beneath vast
expanse of clouds There is a ring of
insincerity and unreality in his words
which Will not escape the sense of the
American people.
1t is a pity that matters are thus still
in state of turmoil in China The mis-
sion OF the United States is undoubtedly
one of peace. The danger of Rsmember-
ment seems less than it has been, not
withstanding the information that Eng
land and Germany are likely to unite with
a view to aggressive action regarding
the policy of. Russia. With the joint
note signed, we viii at least have peace
for scne time to come. But the action
of the several powers thus far has not
INDICATED that the future is clear for
the integrity of the empire. Possessed
of the fullest assurances that their treaty
rights will be respected in any event, the
only duty which the United States have
in China is to see normal conditions re-
stored as speedily as possible and with
draw from the country, leaving the flu
ture to take care of itself