Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-30
HIS VIEW OPTIMISTIC
Rev. G. A. Killie's Opinion Of
Chinese Progress.
THE DAWN OF NEW ERA
PEOPLE STEADFAsT WHERE THEY
HAVE GIVEN ALLEGIANCE
Reference to Causes Which Induced
Boycott Of American Goods-Quotes
Minister Rockhiu.
THE DAWN OF NEW ERA

III SNt6 OF inc IACL tnAt tue ktoV. CudIleS
A. Killie. formerly pastor Of the Fourth
Presbyterian Church OF this city and just
returned from sixteen years in China. was
captive In Picking during the Boxer up
rising In. 1900, and previous to that, during
his frequent trips into the Chinese interior
was more than once in danger OF his life at
the hands OF Chinese fanatics. he is opu-
mistic In regard to the future Of the Chinese
empire.
THE Chinese are great people, he says.
'Strong mentally and-especially in the
northern provinces-strong physically. Their
honesty is generally recognized in the
orient, where they are preferred for posi-
tons such as cashiers of banks because OF
their trustworthiness. They are steadfast
where they have given their allegiance.
During the Boxer uprising three hundred
of my own converts were massacred In a
settlement outside Of Picking. They could
have saved their lives had they been willing
to recant."
The effect Of recent events, he says, has
been to make all classes in China eager for
western, and especially American. learning.
Since 1900 more educational works have
been sold than In all the previous years OF
the empire. Magazines and newspapers.
edited by Americans and Europeans at
Shanghai, 60 into the most remote corners
Of the nation. The dowager empress, who
zation, has changed. This Is generally
ascribed to the influence OF Mrs. Conger, of
whom the empress is said to be very fond.
Mr.. Killie is fitted to speak authoritative
ly Of Chinese conditions During sixteen
years he was a missionary among the Chi
nese. Entering Picking the night before the
attack on the foreigners. he was made lieu
tenant to the fertilization committee under
Mr.. Gamewell. For his valuable services
during the Siege he was made a member
of the Military Order Of the Dragon. and
was permitted to make photographs OF all
portions of the forbidden city. including the
Interior Of the imperial palaces. His col
lection OF photographs can hardly be
equaled. There are views of the public and
private apartments Of the dowager empress
and the emperor. One of the views shows a
little silver mechanical toy on table. with
which the emperor was playing just be-
fore the alarm of firing drove him to- fee
for his life. The temples where they wor-
ship, the audience chambers, group OF
the princesses of the imperial household
and copy Of the portrait which the en-
press presented to Minister Conger are in
his collection.
Descriptive Of Picking Siege.
Mr.. KillIe gives a most graphic account Of
the famous Picking siege during the Boxer
struggle 'It was not an anti-Christian
outbreak" he says. but an anti-foreign
movement. The Chinese had been over
wrought by aggressions and changes and
were not chatting at the missions. There
was no trouble in or around my mission
until the frenzied invaders came to de-
stroy everything foreign. This outbreak
Is directly chargeable to the aggressions of
foreign countries. England Is perhaps most
to blame by insisting upon the opium trade
with the Chinese, which is so destructive to
those people. The Germans SELLING ports
to the fire, for the Chinese resent the TAX
ing of this sacred territory by the foreigner.
Add to the other causes, there was failure
of crops for two years and the people suf-
roads SO as to divert commerce from time
honored lines seemed the climax. When
the outbreak began the railroads were the
object of bitter attack.
when we arrived at Picking. seeking
shelter, we found that nothing had been
done to fortify the place. There was a
wall around the compound, but 1t was
light and. would have crumbled quickly.
Within the compound were representatives
of twenty-seven nations. Our defensive
work consisted in reinforcing the walls.
which we did with brick and stone and
earth and heavy timber During a part of
the time that Mr. Gamewell was ill had
the entire charge of this work. When 1t
was done we had walls seven feet wide
and of great strength. Yet at times they
would lombard the wall until 1t seemed to
tOtter.''
Believes New Era Has Dawned
A remarkable new era, Mr. Killie believes
has dawned in China. The demand for
books and newspapers Is astonishing One
Of thu most assuring features of progress.
he thinks. Is the club organized by the
women of the nobility in Picking. This or
ganization meets monthly to discuss the
live questions Of the day. and 1t il evident
that the women of China ARE not going to
be kept In the background any longer.
w. Killie's estimate Of the dowager en-
press - ~ emphatic as his opinion-of the
American poyco... There Is i.v uoupr that
the empress dowager 10 one of the most
wonderful women in the world" he says.
"She Is over seventy years OF age. but she
does not look to be more than forty or for
ty-f1ve. She is bright and alert and has q
wonderful mentality and great executive
ability. The wa yshe rose to her present
position is OF itself wonderful story. for
she is not tho legal ruler of the empire, as
every one knows. Before the Boxer upris-
ing she and the emperor were kept in igno-
rance OF many events which were occur
ring in the empire. for they lived such a Sc
cluded life that sucn course was possible
by the officials. / know 1t to be fact that
neither of them knew that the city was at
tackled or that the, soldiers were near until
the shooting commenced. and the conse-
quence was that they had to fee without
proper clothing or other necessaries."
The National Boycott
With regard to the Chinese boycott of
American imports, Mr.. Killie speaks in no
uncertain terms.
THE Chinese believe they are being very
unjustly treated In this country The point
they make Is that while the treaty between
the United States and China permits the adj
mission into this country OF students, mer-
chants and some few other classes. the
officials manage It SO. that they can arbi-
trarily discriminate against any Chinese
they wish. They. feel that the United
States Ii not acting In good faith.
1.-THE boycott of American goods came as
a surprise because the Chinese have been
very patient I'm the past China Is in the
process of awakening. In the past I'VE
years she has regarded America as her first
and best friend.
1.-THE day before leaving Picking I had an
interview with the American minister Mr.
Rockhtll. He was much disturbed at the
repeated outbreaks. and regards the feel
ing OF hostility to the United States as
widespread. He said the Chinese authors
ties some time before had promised that
they would use every means to put a stop
to 1t. but yet In the provincial capital.
Poating Flu. the week after that promise
was made the entire city was covered
with placards calling on all loyal Chinese
to refuse to purchase any goods OF Ameri-
can manufacture.