St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-21
w. c. T. u. Text Letter.

The Washington correspondent OF the
Union Signal writes as follows about the
movement to Danish opium from the
Chinese empire:
On November 10 Secretary Hay gave a
public hearing to the International Re-
form Bureau, the W. c. T. u, the Presby-
terrain Temperance Committee and to
representatives of all the Protestant
evangelical missionary societies of the
United States. The societies have petit
toned him, in view of the anticipated re-
opening of international Chinese ques-
lions at the close Of the present war, to
use his great diplomatic influence to in
duce Great Britain to withdraw the
treaty provisions by which China has
been compelled since 1853 to legalize the
opium traffic previously prohibited.
The hearing was opened by Hon.
Charles Lyman, president of the Reform
Bureau, who submitted the Bureaus ap,
peal for this action Tin the name of con-
science and commerce." The remainder
of the hearing was conducted by the Blu
reau's superintendent, DR.. Wilbur F.
Crafts, who in short address reviewed
the historic presidents and facts bearing
on the case; namely. that China used
opium only incidentally until it was in
PRODUCED for vicious pur poses by the Port
uguese and British; that China fought
this smuggling with prohibition until the
Opium War compelled, first the tolera ton
of the smuggling in 1912, and in 1858
the legalizlng of the sale; that the Chi
nese still desire to prohibit it; that the
British government has so far yielded to
agitation as to adopt gradual prohibition
in Burmah; that the British people are
thus encouraged to renew efforts for
China in which American aid is welcomed
that the destruction of the buying power
of at least one-fourth of the people in the
largest market of the world affords solid
commercial grounds for interna tiona1
interposition.
These same points were ampi6ed by
four missionaries from China, by Rev.
Frank D. Gamewel1, the hero of Pekin,
and Mrs. S. L. Baldwin, twenty years in
China, for the Methodists; by DIR. Will
| liam Ashmore, fifty-four years in China
representing the Baptist Missionary IN.
| ion, and by Rev. w. L. Beard, represent
| ing the American Board. and who is
about to return to China for the Y. Nd.
| G. A. Brief remarks were made by Rev.
]. F. Hill, representing the Presbyterian
| Temperance Committee, by Rev. E. HUI
Der, representing the German Evangelical
Synod, and by Mrs. w. E. De Riemer,
| formerly missionary in China, represent
| ing the W. c. T. T., for which Mrs. Gin
Ton oultu diSo SpOkS. joshua LeVSf1DS
of Baltimore and Mrs. Ellen F. Watson
of Pittsburg, and DIR. F. D. Power and
DR.. Prettyman of this city, were also
among those present.
Secretary Hay in his reply quoted words
| that had been previously quoted from the
| Declaration of independence, "a decent
| respect for the opinion of MANKIND as
expressing the power of international
public opinion that would be great
factor in achieving the purpose of the
hearing. Resolutions in support Of this
| movement should be adopted by all
societies favoring the movement, and for
| warded by Secretary Hay. The follow
ing form is suggestive and is suitable for
Chambers of Commerce as well as for
missionary and temperance societies:
To the Honorable the Secretary of
State: Undersigned societies and indi
viduals earnestly petition you to use your
great diplomatic Influence for the with
drawal of the treaty by which Great
Britain has forced the opium traffic
upon China to the moral injury of its
people and to the detriment of all legit;-
mate commerce.