The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-09-24
The BOXER REBELLION IN CHINA.
Fears Entertained That situa-
ton is as Serious as in 1900.

Washington, Sept. lS.-China is on
the verge of another Boxer uprising
which may equal that of 1900, accord
ing to mail advices received at the
state department from Minister Conger,
dated last month. TIE troubles ap-
pear to arise principally from extortion-
ate taxation combined with resent
ment against the pesence OF mission
aries.
Mr.. Conger's first advice is dated
Aug. 6 from Pekin and he reports
serious anti-foreign riots near Chen
Tu in the province of SEE Chuan in
which number of native Christians
had been massacred and chapels de-
stroyed. Mr.. Conger appeared to have
acted with energy upon telegraphic
complaints from DR.. Canright, an
American medical missionary at Cheng
Tu, not only addressing the Chinese
foreign Office by letter but calling
there in person to impress upon the
officials the Importance of an immedi-
ate and effective action and finally sue
ceeded in causing the removal of the
local Chinese officials who had failed
to repress the riots ard preserve life
and property.
Mr.. Conger encloses with his report
the communications that passed be-
tween himself, DR.. Canright and the
foreign Office. Under date of June 20
from Chen Tu, DR.. Canright tele-
graphed: SEE. .Chuan repeating 1900.
Chapel burned, 10 Christians killed.
Boxers multiplying four months; off,
cials taxed
DEMANDED PROTECTION.
Mr.. Conger Immediately telegraph
ed Dr.. Canright to demand adequate
protection for missionaries and che. ma
tive Christians from the local officials.
He also addressed note to Prince
Ching at the foreign Office, stating
that there were several American mis-
sionaries and many chapels and con-
verts in SEE Chuan, and that it was
necessary that immediate provision be
taken to stamp out these toubies at
their very inception.
In his answer Prince Chingne closed
cory of an imperial edict saying
Such fierce and lawless breaks
should certainly be quickly put down.
They must on no account be allowed
to spread. We command KWei- -Chun
to strictly order the troops to disperse
the rebels and their followers, to seize
the ringleaders and to punish them
according to the rigor Of the law and
so nip the rebellion in the bud. -
I Another dispatch from the foreign
Office to Mr.. Conger, dateci July 3,
states that the viceroy reported that
the missionary killed was a Chinese and
that quite a number of leading Box
ers had been captured and punished
and a sharp lookout was being Kept
for those still at large.
Mr.. Conger again had occasion to
address the foreign Office on July 30,
informing them that DR.. Canright
had again reported, that robberles
and massacres were occurring daily :
that all were in great danger and
that he had demanded protection IN
vain. The minister urged the foreign
Office to take more effective measures
in order to avoid the fearful response.
bility of further loss of life and pro-
perty. % The foreign Office replied
that several edicts had been issued
directing the vlceroy to suppress the
troubles.
A Letter of later date from Minister
Conger transmits two imperial edicts,
ordering several changes among pro-
yinciaI officials as result of the dis
turbances. The most important of the
changes, Minister Conger states, is the
removal of Kwei Chun as vicery OF SEE
Chuan province because Of his failure
to suppress the recent serious disturb
ances in the territory l1nder his juris-
diction.