The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-03-28
FAMINE THREATENS
CHINESE DYNASTY
STATIONARY SOCIETIES USE RE.
LIEF AS CAPITAL.
GREAT UPRISING FEARED
United States and Other Nations
Seek to Avert This for Sake
Of White Residents In
China.

Washington, March rs. = From
Shanghai adyices received at the
state department 1t appears that the
ruling dynasty in China is seriously
alarmed over the effect OF the spread
of famine through the country and
the opportunity 1t offers to seditionary
societies to enlist converts to the
cause directed against the govern
ment.
The suffering of the people is used
as capital, it is said, in that judicious
assuaging of want places the persons
given assistance under obligations to
the societies. The governments In
ability to relieve suffering it is said,
has been magnified and the hardships
of the people attributed to lack Of
sympathy by the government for the
poor classes.
Geenral Uprising Feared.
The Information received here indi-
Gates that propaganda has been or
ganized to further the circulation of
stories of the character outlined and
it is said that state department Of
ficials fear that spread of hysteria
may engender a general uprising. II
such should be the result there is
danger that the government might
not be able to control the situation.
American and other foreign interests
then would be jeopardized. So great
is the concern that diplomatic and
consular officials in China have been
instructed to keep Washington ad-
vised in regard to the situation and
every turn taken.
That the Chinese government
recognizes the danger is shown by the
fact that Viseroy Tuan Fang. of Yam
king. has Yemorialized the throne for
s1,000,00Q to purchase East Indian
rice to feed his people. Undoubtedly
this step was taken to Offset the work
that has been done by the seditionary
societies as well as to relieve the i'm
Mediate suffering In taking his ac-
ton the viceroy predicted a general
uprising in the famine stricken dis
tricts unless prompt relief is pro
yised in regard to the situation and
trouble that has been stirred up by
the anti-government societies.
America to Send More.
An extra effort will be made in the
United States to broaden the scope
of the movement to find relief for the
Chinese. Already there have been
large sums of money collected and
dispatched to China to be used in the
% IL he To-,
ture the transport Buford will sail
from San Francisco with a shipload
of provisions given by Louis Klopsch,
editor of the Christian Herald. A
general movement throughout the CIV
ilized world to aid the sufferers, 1t is
believed, will enable the Chinese gov
eminent TO strengthen its hands and
possibly suppress uprising and riots.
For the protection of foreigners in
China the United States and European
countries are prompted by self, as
well as humanitarian, interest to
come promptly to the assistance Of
the celestial empire.
That any movement which threat
ems the overthrow of the present
dynasty in China gives alarm to the
United States and every European
nation which has interests and peo-
pie in China is not denied. The life
of every white person in China is be-
Iieved by officials of the state depart.
ment to depend upon the continuance
Of the Chinese government as 1t
stands, the Boxer uprising being cited
as an instance of what might result
if the present government should be
weakened.