Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-29


against their own WILL An official
treaty" on the missions would there
fore be welcome TO them. and must
come sooner or later.
The suggestion is made that a COM
mission be appointed to deal With all
missionary questions IT. says the
North China Herald Great Britain
should take the lead By appointing
commissioner as competent as Sir
James Mackay has been and one having
the confidence OF the missionary COM
munlty as Sir James has had that OF
the commercial community and equally
ready to consult those specially con-
cerned. It is probable an arrangement
could be made that would prevent
many a threatening but needless coll
Hsion. one of our correspondents sug-
gcsted, some months ago, that II COM
mission should ever be appointed. an
associate should be selected from the
missionary body who could render such
assistance as Mr.. G.. ]. Dudgeon has
done on the commercial commission.
This Is nothing but fair and IN fact
any commission approaching the ques-
ton with preconceived antipathy to
missions would utterly fail In reaching
a satisfactory settlement"
This Is pretty broad suggestion
that the European powers force their
missionaries upon China, and author
lie them to NEEDLE In all Chinese af-
fairs that can, by any means, be class
ed as missionary business. II is no.
torious fact that many foreign MS
sionarles are not content with such
privileges MS courtesy or international
treaties guarantee, They demand rights
that no civilized country Is willing to
bestow upon aliens They have but lit
tie regard for the rights Of the natives,
In whom they see but prejudices and
error. Were they given power to en-
force their Views upon the people,
through such commission, II is TO be
feared that the threatened outbreak
would be precIpitated. instead OF pre-
vented. II the Shanghai paper is anx-
Ious TO remove the danger OF friction,
It might advise the missionaries to
withdraw from all places where their
presence is q menace to the peace. II
they would exercise little more d.s-
cretlon both at home and abroad, they
would have greater influence for good,
The European powers had better not
NEEDLE with the religious affairs Of
China. The country Is being opened up
to commerce gradually and perhaps as
quickly az this can be done safely. M.
WI. the retiring Chiiese minister.
pointed this out In his farewell ad-
dress, when he said
"China IL progressing, II being such
q large country with such large pop
ulation and with people educated TO and
brought up In such conservative way,
you cannot, although the idea of reform
IL taking root, expect IL to make sud
den and radical change as you might
think possible In smaller country. hut,
nevertheless, China has made reason
able reforms In many ways within the
last few years. Her commerce VIII be
developed and will be increased with
that Of this country. The Pacific coast,
In particular, would reap a large har-
vest by having q larger trade with
China"
This Is probably true, and 1t suggests
the wisdom OF letting the reformatory
movement work out the salvation OF
the country without the interference Of
class OF foreigners, many Of whom are
religious bigots, Incapable Of apprecIat.
ing anything good outside their own
very limited horizon.
The cry raised that there Is danger
OF another outbreak similar to that of
1900, Is no doubt false alarm. China
does not want TO run up against an
other invasion sure To end In disaster.
The western nations ought to take
wise course In their treatment Of the
Chinese people. II they do, the com.
meieial relations viii become more init.
mate, and with the expansion OF trade,
other civilizing agencies viii be vel
coined, and in this way. China will be
benefited. But at present il would seem
necessary to avoid all that can lead to
strife Let the missionaries go wher-
ever they are welcome and can go in
peace, but let them not endeavor to
force themselves and their little no.
lions on the people, For that Is sure
to bring evil consequences. there as
elsewhere In the world.