The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-06-25
a sTUPENDoUs TASK.

Rev. H. C. DuBose's Noble Work Among
the Chinese.
The Rev. DR.. H. c. DuBose,
formerly of Darlington, but now a
Presbyterian missionary at Soochow.
Chan, who delivered an interesting
discourse in the Sumter Presbyte-
ian Church Sunday night, has been
given a years leave Of absence, in
recognition of is arduous labors in the
Flowery Kingdom, but he does not in
tend to spend his holiday idly. He
has been in Washington to confer
with WI Ting Fang, the Chinese min
lister, about conditions in China, and
especially in regard to the opium
habit, which the missionary declares
is China's curse. The other day DR..
DuBose called at the Chinese legation,
carrying letters of introduction to
Minister WI from Gov. En- of Kiang-
su province, Gov. Nieh Of Anhwer
province, and from other Chinese
officials Of high rank whom DR.. Du-
Bose has won as friends during his
thirty years. labors in the orient. The
Chinese minister gave the missionary
cordial reception, and upon learning
that the latter was a native of South
Carolina recalled with pleasure the
visit he made to the Charleston expo
sition.
Minister Wu fully appreciates the
danger which threatens China" said
Dr.. DuBose upon his return from the
Chinese legation, "and is in sympathy
with the efforts being made to check
+ the opium trade. He realizes that
opium is the curse Of his country and
that England is responsible for the
wide use of the: drag, which has be-
come general throughout China since
its Introduction, rs years ago. The
United States is in no way connected
with the opium trade, but, as told
the Chinese minister, sentiment in
this country against the continuation
of the. sale Of Indian opium to China
by the English is the only thing which
can check the deadly traffic, and my
purpose in going to Washington was
to consult the distinguished diplomat
in the hope that some means looking
to the eradication of the horrible
habit might be devised.
Minister WI told me that he had
discussed the question with the Brit
ish officials, and he believes that the
English nation is slowly awakening to
the condition of affairs in the far east.
[ do not mean to charge the English
people as a whole for the promotion of
the opium traffic, for that would not be
just. But there are few people in
Great Britain who at all realize the
exact state of affairs in China.
Opium is admitted to China under
treaties with England and the English
have monopoly Of the trade.
"Opium is raised in India" con-
tinued DR.. DuBose, under the direc-
ton of government agents, who watch
its production carefully and do all in
their power to keep the product up to
the highest possible standard. The
duties derived by the Chinese gov
ernment from the imported opium are
mortgaged for long time in advance.
Consequently it is practically i'm
possible for the Chinese government
to legislate against the trade at pres
ent. Any prohibition of the trade
would be in violation Of the treaties
with England and would interfere
with the finances of the Kingdoms.
"When opium was first brought to
China it was used only in thu coast
cities. Its use spread to the interior
cissies but was confined many years to
persons living in the cities, as persons
living in the country could not afford
to buy the drug. Now it is used quite
generally among the farmers, and its
use is increasing at an alarming rate.
The duty derived annually from opium
importations now amounts to about
5000, 600, 600 taels.
"Several of the southwestern pro-
yinces in China. are now devoted
almost exclusively to the production OF
peoples for opium manufacture, and
poppy raising is gaining a strong foot
hold in other parts Of the kingdom.
The population of the kingdom is de-
creased by this new industry and tae
danger Of famines increased. !"
Referring to the mission work In
which the United States and Eng land
are engaged in the Flowery Kingdom,
DR.. DuBose said that before the Box
er troubles there were 1900 mission
aries in the kingdom, but many of
them left at that time and have not
yet returned. He predicted, however,
that since the troubles in China there
would be large influx of missionaries
into the country.
"It is wrong impression which
has gained ground in some quarters, :"
he said, 'that missionaries are in
danger in China today. Most of the
governors are friendly to the foreign
ers and are doing all they can to pro-
tect them. The missionaries had no
trouble in Soochow at the time of the
Boxer troubles. Governor Nieh, who
was then in charge of the province in
which Soochow is located, had Just
come into Office at that time, and be-
fore he entered Office he had prepared
10, 900 circulars ordering that foreign
ers be protected. These circulars were
] tho