Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-13
NO CAUSE FOR ALARM
OPINION OF GILBERT REID ON
CHINESE SITUATION.
In a Letter Written to Secretary
Foord of the American Asiatic
Association.

According 10 letter written by Gilbert
Reid president of the American Associa-
ton of China, to John Foord, secretary of
the American Asiatic Association. the fear
which seems to exist in some quarters of
another uprising in China is not well found
ed. and the opinion is expressed that the
circumstances are not such rs to make
necessary the flight of foreigners in the
interior TO the ports. 1t is admitted. how
ever that there is a ferment in the po-
litical ideas Of China, and that while riots
may be expected to appear at times, there
is less hesitation 10 take a foreigners life.
The letter is as follows:
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CHINA.
SHANGHAI, nth April, 1906
John Foord Esq. Secretary American
Aslatic Association. New York:
Dear Sir-At the meeting OF our execu-
tive committee yesterday had under
consideration the alarming reports which
prevail through the United States as to an
other wide uprising In China against for
eigners, and l was requested to prepare for
your benefit the views which we hold In
common Though this is difficult of exact
statemenD to the present character of
Chinese feeling toward all foreigners
Alarm Not Justified.
LAS far as we can Judge, the alarm in
America is greater than facts Justify Some
think that all foreigners In the interior
should retire TO the ports, while others have
even gone so far as to regard 1t unsafe In
all parts Of China. Shanghai well as
elsewhere. We who live on the ground may
be blinded, but we can really see no good
cause for such fear and sOliCitude There
appears to be no movement like the Boxer
uprising in which the government was it
self implicated. Certainly SOME time before
such an uprising there would appear signs
of what is coming.
Nevertheless there is a ferment In the
political ideas OF China. AS heretofore. riots
may be expected TO appear here and there,
especially under provocation. There is less
hesitation to take a foreigners life. Be
yond the usual anttpathy TO foreigners,
there has grown up a party of progress
sives. who seek to restrict or annual the
power and privileges of foreigners acquired
under the treaties, and who by patriotic
demands and appeals may easily arouse and
infiame the more ignorant classes, thus
leading TO riots There is, moreover, a
revolutionary party, consisting of diverse
elements which would be only too glad to
emhron China with foreign powers. As a
consequence. foreigners in interior places
cannot feel as secure as they did before the
Boxer outbreak. For missionary societies
10 warn their agents and to counsel eau
ton is emineEty wise. but to fear for
American merchants who live at the ports
and particularly at Shanghai, is TO carry the
logic of events to conclusion that cannot
be substantiated. Their trade may be ham
peItd or restricted. UuI their ilNeS are not
endangered The existing well-organized
police force under foreign control, together
with our trained volunteer forces. and the
presence Of men-of-war in our harbor are
- guarantee of security and fair measure
&c gutctuess.
Glad Government Is Alert.
We are none the less glad that our gov
eminent is on the alert To have a gun
boat stationed AL the time at Shanghai at
Canton and on the Yang-tze. and TO have
troops in the Philippines available to meet
any emergency IN China. gives sense of
safety 60 Americans. If there is any trou-
hie fOrebOding the central government is
not conniving as In 1900 but is anxious to
furestall It. The only fear and this rea-
scnable one is that the government with
It's ManChu predominance Will find itself
too weak To hold in check or 10 safely d.
rect the growing power of a popular and
uon-ufi!Clal Independence. 1t is for this
reason that, though ideas Of popular sou
ereignty may at first glance stir our en-
thusiasm, We regard it far safer for all
the governments 90 give support to the ex-
listing Chinese government than to give
countenance TO any party or movement
distinct from or antagonisuc 10 the gov
eminent that is.
In expressing these views II Is more for
your own information. but you are at lib
erty 20 make use OF them in any way you
see fit
4 remain. dear sir. yours most respect
flny
lsigued) GILBERT REID.
president Of the American Association
% China