The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-01-04
BIG WAR EXPECTED IN CHINA

|
 1 The American Bible Society's Repre- | sentative's View and Forecast. l Charles F. Cannon superintendent of colporteurs for the American Bible
 society in northern China, writes thus | to the society concerning the present
 situation in the Chinese empire: 7 Regarding the situation a great deal
 could be written, with excellent argu-
 ments on every point of view. Both the
 extremes of optimistic and pessimistic
 opinions are held by people of eXperl-
 ence. and even the signs of the times
 are self contradictory and misleading
 so that the truth is deeply hidden
 While at Shanghai l was discouraged
 by what I learned. The Chinese, in
 obedience to the powers, were, it is true,
 issuing edicts of sorrow for the past
 and promise for the future, but nearly
 all were subtle. and their Interpretation
 by scholars could readily be base re-
 factions on the powers and approval of
 the dark past. Unfortunately, the
 masses are unable to read imperial
 edcts, each village being dependent
 upon scholar or two able to interpret
 each edct as received Then, too, ob
 served that the Chinese government
 was openly violating the provisions of
 the protocol. Thousands of boat-loads
 of small arms and ammunition were
 passing weekly up the Yang tse- Kiang,
 the arsenals were being enlarged and
 worked day and night. Cargoes of ex-
 plosives were being received, and the
 dowager had issued instructions to all
 officials to recuperate the army, and to
 inform her as to the fighting strength of each division and the time required to concentrate the forces at a given point. There were and are many other unpromising features, which weighed heavily upon the minds of those inter- ested.
 On the other hand, the dowager has issued voluntarily several edicts of decidedly reformatory nature, and the attitude of both officials and people is better than ever before known Much apprehension was felt as to the period of transition in Pekin from foreign mill itary control to Chinese government, yet the change was made in perfect or der, and Pekin is now as quiet and peaceful as any city could be. The sol diers who, under General Mich, were fighting us here last year, now guard the roads, and are as jolly and friendly as possible, while the people generally welcome the foreigner and encourage his work. Large bands of boxers still exist and meet, but they are now known as rebels, robbers. etc, and in fact, they prey upon all alike while the soldiers who fought with them before now shoot them on sight. The officials meet us with every show of friendli- ness, and are doing their utmost to aid us in settling Chinese claims and ex- tending our work. There never was such perfect freedom between Chinese i and foreigners
 My own views take a medium course. must believe that the end is not ye md that within ten years, and possibly 1 within five, strife will again be the or Ter, and war ensue the like of which he world has never known For cen .uries China has been making repeated | attempts to expel the foreigner. each lime with more power and success. each time better equipped and better planned. She is now preparing as nev- 1T before, buying vast quantities of su- oerior weapons and recognizing her trmies on correct basis. Therefore, he next attempt will be gigantic in orce and terrible in execution. It will esult in a universal upheavaI and the lnal dfsmemberment of this empire It terrible cost, To offset this is the that has come to many minds, the power of the reform party nd the Christian influence that is now O great. These may gradually prevail nd stay the power of superstition and ignorance. God grant 1t. The whole ituation is so complex the arguments n both sides so conclusive, that no 1 nan can say what is or is to be. Aside from the rebel bands all give 'elcome to us and our colporteurs, and UT Bibles and portions are purchased lmost greedily. People most indiffer- mt before are now anxious to learn all hey can of the religion so much feared y officials, and for the truth of which 1ousands have forfeited their lives