The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-24
GOODNOW HANDS
ONE TO BIGEL0W
The Consult eneraI Makes a V9or-
Gus Retort to the Correspon-
dents Structures.

Is John Goodnow, American consul gen.
eral at Shanghai, replies to the attack
made recently by Poultney Bigelow in an
address before the students of the Uni
versity of Minnesota in chapel several
weeks ago on the occasion of the latters
visit here. Mr.. Goodnows letter is dated
at Shanghai, Feb. 20, and is written to his
brother, Charles Goodnow. The letter in
dicates the nature Of Mr.. Bigelow's at
tacks which were made in an address at
the University of Minnesota hapel. Mr..
Goodnow writes:
You asked me What have you done to
Bigelow?" l have done nothing to Bigelow
] have never met Bigelow. ! am told that
he was in Shanghai d short time in 80:
but he did not come to the consulate, and
cannot find single American 70 whom
he talked.
He made the same statement last winter
in New York that he made at the university
On Jan. g. | was written to at once by peo-
pie who heard the lecture, and was asked
as to the truth of the statements. l tele-
graphed 'Bigeow lied; and at once wrote
an answer to his statements. AS he is still
making the same statements. I can only
assume that he is malicious, not simply
ignorant
Pure Fabrication Charged.
His statements with regard to the marriage
of missionaries is made out of whole cloth
and is entirely without foundation. When
Americans in China are married in the pres
ence of consul they receive a certificate to
that effect and a copy of that certificate is
sent to the department of state for perpetual
record. The fee for such witnessing is 81,
which is an official fee No other fee is ever
charged
Marriages are legal is performed by min
lister authorized by the laws of his state
to perform the marriage ceremony. There
has been absolutely no friction on this sub
ject between me and the missionary bodies,
every member of which, think, Is my friend.
Mr. BigeloW should have thought up some
more probable accusation and not this one
so easily and certainly contradicted
Mr.. Bigelow refers to the fact that my
predecessor assaulted me in the club. The
reasons which governed my action then
seemed good to me at that time and still
seem good to be after the lapse of four years.
My action has not lost me the friendship of
an American When I was at home last
winter President Mckinley told me he had
thoroughly investigated that matter without
my knowledge and fully approved my ac-
ton.
Mr.. Bigelow says, by the report, that I
have done much to lower the nations stand
ard in the orient. have been fortunate
enough to be commended by such men (who
have been here as Senators Beveridge and
Dietrich, General Corbin and Colonel John
ston, Bishops Cranston. Wilson and Moore,
Frank G. Carpenter, Oscar King Davis, John
F. Bass and other we'll known Emen and news
paper people.
made four American enemies since I have
been here; my predecessor; Satterlee (alias
Sylvester), an American whom I convicted
of sending arms TO the Filipincs; Etzel, an
American who taught the Filipnos how to
use the Maxim guns against the American
soldiers and Poultney Bigelow.
That my superors approve of my record
is shown by the fact that they have made
me member of the commission to negotiate
the new commercial treaty with China.
What GoOdnoyv Has Done.
have been enabled during my time here