New-York tribune., 1906-02-24
VIT JUSTIFIES BOYCOTT.
No 4nti-Foreign Feeling in China
A Modest Tribute.

psk,ne. Feb. 23-wu-Ting-fang former Chi
,.se Minister 20 the United States. I'm inter-
aau, ,o-day on the situation In China, spoke in
,,nnort OF the boycott He is now living quietly
4, peking devoting his time TO codifying the
laws OF China, one Of the numerous reforms
rnser way He suffered for long time from
sesfness. owing 10 the explosion Of the bomb
near him at the railway station last Septem-
her but has now recovered. Wu-Ting-fang said:
China is al a crisis and is passing through a
transition stage. Her statesmen and people feel
fhst China needs reform, but there are great
differences OF opinion regarding the means
There are several classes OF reformers
There are those who speak foreign languages
and have been abroad and have hao experience
m both sides OF the question. They favor SEN
sible and useful reforms. but not too radical, so
as 10 make China first able 10 stand upon her
own feet. These sensible Eeforroers are ieW-
an one Of them.
The ruling classes also know that something
should be done, but they are ct their wits end
The third class is composed of young students
who too rash They need training and ex-
perience.
Financial reforms should be carried out in the
srst place, but without foreign advice and capi-
sl il would be impossible TO do so under present
ditions. / was working out q scheme which
TO be abandoned because IL was necessary TO
On foreign advice. The new coinage is a
gap.
he thing on which the majority OF Chinese
many rights by concessions and territorial
grants and by the way her people have been
treated by foreigners In China and foreign coun-
tries Many Chinese who have gone abroad to
America Australia and the Philippines write
home, complaining OF arbitrary Determinations
made against the Chinese which dare not be at
tempted against other foreigners Therefore
every one is angry, and hence the boycott Of
American goods illustrating the feeling against
The unjust exclusion laws. IT has spread over
sll China. and is solely in retaliation against
unjust discrimination. and is not anu-foreign.
The Chinese people and officials good
terms with all foreigners. and have no hostile
feelings toward them. The Chinese merchants
have tie best feeling toward foreign merchants
The majority Of the people in the interior are
Indifferent 70 al foreigners travelling in the in
terror, who write that they are well treated, with
signs OF hostility against them.
These rumoTs OF anu-foreign feeling are not
well founded. Sensible men advise boycotters
and egitators 10 be reasonable and only to boy
oott goods, and not 10 treat persons unkindly,
but 10 continue their friendship as before.
Unfortunately. disturbances in several places
are now arising from the boycott, but this is no
Sign OF an outbreak against foreigners
The trouble in the province of Hoo-Nan has
uubsided. the acting Governor having sent troops
70 the scene OF the disturbance. The govern
ment acted promptly, as in the case OF all the
recent outbreaks. but IL is difficult TO foresee
where uprising is likely to occur. In parts
o. the interior where there are Catholic mis-
sions strong Boxer organizations have been
maintained since 1900, and the Catholics in
the villages have lived almost in a state OF
siege, their houses being fortified and the in
habitants armed and constantly prepared to re-
tist attack
dispatch from Chow-K Kia- Kou. province
o. Hoo-Aan. says that the Benevolent and
Righteous Society has been drilling for months
In anticipation OF a proposed uprising on March
6 The officials prohibited holding the lantern
festival at the end Of the New-Year celebrations
lest Il result IN disorders. An attack on the
catholic settlement IN Yun-Chow threat
sned, but Il failed. although five persons were
Killed. The Inhabitants Of Yun-Chow were
panic stricken. the gates were closed the height
o' the walls was Increased. and the officials Of
tered a reward OF 900 taels for the capture of
ne leaders Of the disturbance. Soldiers arrived
on the scene February II. and the Boxers fed.
The locality is now duieter