Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-18
The Country on the Verge Of
an Uprising.
ACTS OF VIOLENCE
ADVICES RECEIVED FROM MINIS
TER CoNGER.
Massacre Of Native Christians-Chap-
els Destroyed--Edict Ordering Pun
ishment - Removal of a Viceroy.

uprising Wnlcn may equal that of 1900, ac-
cording to mail advices received at the
State Department from Minister Conger
dated last month The troubles appear to
arise principally from extortfonate taxa
tion combined with resentment against the
presence of missionaries. and thus is justi-
ned the judgment of the Department of
State. which pointed out to the powers that
the demand for excessive indennties would
result in serious internal troubles in China
Mr. Congers first advice bears date of
August 6, from Pekin, and he reports seri-
Gus anti-foreign riots near Chentu In the
province of Sze-ch'uan, in which a number
of native Christians had been massacred
and chapels destroyed. Mr.. Conger ap-
pears to have acted with energy upon tele-
graphic complaints from Dr. Canright an
American medical missionary at Chentu,
not only addressing the Chinese foreign
office by letter. but calling there in person
to impress upon the officials the import
ance of an immediate and effective action
and finally succeeding in causing the re-
moVal of the local Chinese officials who had
tailed to repress the riots and preserve life
and property.
Mr.. Conger encloses with his report the
communication that passed between him
self, DR.. Canright and the foreign office.
Under date of June % from Chentu DIR.
Canright telegraphed: "SZechuan repeating
1869. Chapel burned, ten Christians killed.
Boxers multiplying four months; officials
taxed
Mr.. Conger Immediately telegraphed Dr.
Canright to demand adequate protection
for missionaries and the native Christians
from the local officials. He also addressed
note to Prince Ching at the foreign office,
stating that there were several American
missionaries and many chapels and con-
yertS in Szechuan and that it was neces-
sary that immediate provision be taken to
stamp cut these troubles at their very in
cept,o1.
The Imperial Edict.
In his answer Prince Ching inclosed
copy of the following imperia, edict:
Some time ago a number OF local out
laws banded together in the district Of
Tze-yang and made trouble; whereupon 1
dispatched troops to disperse them. The
leading criminal, Lii Kang- chung and 9TH
ers were. arrested and executed; but now
the magistrate of the place, Ma Ch'eng-
chi, reports that at T'ien-ke-chiao in his
district outlaws over a thousand strong
suddenly made night attack and de-
stroyed church which the British or
American society had built. The preacher
Church eng wei, and four church members
were also killed. they also burned some
houses and killed three Christians. | sent
troops in all haste and deputed besides an
official with rank of taotai to proceed with
braves to attend to this matter.
Such fierce and lawless outbre axis should
certainly be quickly put down. They must
on no account be allowed to spread. We
hWel-cnln TO strictly order the
troops to disDerse the rebels and their fol-
lowers; to seize the ringleaders and to pun
ish them according to the rigor of the law,
and so nip the rebellion in the bud.
I'VE feel a great pity for the missionary
or preacher and others, who, for no fault
of theirs. have lost their lives. and COM
mand that adequate relief may at once be
given.
'As for Ma Ch'eng-chi, the magistrate,
CT Tze-yang, who, 1t is SAID, has not long
been in the office, because he rem.ss
in taking precautionary measures. we de-
mand that he be removed from Office, and
that he be given a limited time within
which to capture the criminals.
LAS there may be outlaws in other places
who rouse the suspicious of people, spread
rumors and make trouble. the local au-
thorites should be sternly instructed TO
make careful search and put stop [, elf
such things; to take special precautions 50
as to get rid of bad characters and to en-
courage the law-abiding people. They
must give real protection to the chapels
and missionaries without the least rerliss-
ness.
Besides sending a telegram to tie vice
roy of Szechuan that he should at once
carry out the imperial will, as III duty
bound we have reverently copied the edict
and sent 1t for your excellency's informa-
ton.
With Compliments of the Season,
PRINCE OF CHING.
Ministers of the Board of Foreign Affairs.
Dated 21st day of the 9TH Moon
June 26. 1922
Another dispatch from the foreign officer
to Mr. Conger dated July states that the
viccroy reported that the missionary killed
was a Chinese and that quite number Of
leading Boxers had been captured and pm
ished and sharp lookout was being kert
for those still at large.
Daily Robberies and Massacres.
Mr.. Conger again had occasion to address
the foreign office on July 80 informing
them that Dr. Canright had again reported
that robberies and massacres were occur
ring 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 responsibility of a further loss
of life and property.
The foreign Office replied that several
edicts had been issued irecting the viceroy
to suppress the troubles. 1t had received
telegram from that official stating that the
rebel Hsiung Ch'ing-he of Jen-shou-hsien
made his appearance suddenly at the head
of crowd and burned chapel and some
thirty odd houses early in that moon, and
also killed a Christian. They also commit
dispatched troops to the scene. who killed
some 20 or more people. The leader of tha
riot was also captured, and orders were
given to have him beheaded and his head
exposed. The rebels at other points were
also attacked by the government troops and
routed. Three or four hundred of them
were killed. The judge Of the province
ported that there was no need for the mis-
sionaries to seek temporary refuge.
The Viceroy Removed
a letter Of later date from Minister Con-
ger transmits two imperial edicts, order
ing several changes among provincial Of
ficials as a result of the disturba noes. The
most important of the changes, Minister
Conger states, is the removal Of Kwei-
chun as viceroy of Swe-chaun province
and the appointment of Tsen Chun-hsuan
as acting viceroy Of that province: Tht!
change was doubtless made by the Chinese
the failure of Kwei-chun to suppress the
recent serious disturbances In the terri-
tory under his jurisdiction. The minister
further stated that 1t would take three
months for the new appointee to reach his
post, and added that 1t was hoped that
even the news of his coming would tend to
impress the disturbing element in the Prov