Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-09-15
SUBMITS A REPORT
DIR c. w. Foss Informs Genera,
Council at Minneapolis of
His Tour in East.
INSPECTED MISSION WORK
EXPLAINS Conditions to Church Body
i'm Session AT finneapolis-
Tells Of Uprising.

DR. c. W. Foss. professor of history
| and economics at Augustana college.
returned this morning from Minneapo-
lis. where he submitted his report be-
| fore the general council of the Luth-
Gran church of his trip of investiea-
ton to the councils mission fields in
India. DR.. Foss reported hat he
found the mission work well advanced
and prospecting. The general coun-
ellis mission field is conferred in the
GOdavery river delta. one of the most
fertile regions of India The English
government has spent millions of dol
lars on an irrigation project by which
constant supply OF water is assured
in that region and makes the occur
renee Of a famine impossible.
Rajahmundry is the principal city
of The mission district and is the CEN
ter of the ancient Telegu culture DR..
Foss found that all denominations ca
nv on their mission work in the same
manner. He visited - different mis-
sion fields and found the methods used
very much The same in all branches
of the work Besides the vernacular.
English is the sole language used by
all the mission societies from all parts
of Europe. No-stress. is laid kby any
denomination ON scetariaEism. the
only objcct being TO convert the ma
lives To Christianity, DR., Foss be-
lievcs that he work of the general
councils mission is bearing fruit and
deserves 10 be encouraged and sup
ported in the future.
DR.. FOsS had intended TO also visit
the AususJana synod's independent
mission field in Persia. but was pre-.
vented from doing so because of the
civil war raging in Persia at that
time. He had reached the frontier be-
tween Russia and Persia when he was
forced to turn back with his family
and recroSS the Black sea to Constan
tinople. He reached there just as the
young Turk movement reached its
crisis in the deposition of the sultan.
Explains Conditions.
The city was in Il fever of excite
Gent." said Or. Foss, but the feeling
was wonderfully well concealed. There
was an air of expectancy. however.
that pervadel everything. and only
spark was necessary To plunge the en-
tire country into terrible civil war.
Bnt as il was. everyone was cool and
quiet and there was little disturbance
of any kind | believe il was the most
quiet and successful revolution of its
kind known 10 history"
The Armenian massacres in Asia
Minor, according to DR.. FoSS. were in
stigated by The sultan in order TO di-
vert attention from the real issue and
create feeling against the Armenian
Christians. The young Turks. how
ever. refused 10 be misled by this
movement, hut followed up their pur-
pose unerriUgly until they succeeded
i'll deposng he sultan
DR.. Foss believes that the young
Turk revolution was all that saved
Turkey from ultimate ACKNOWLEDGMENT
by the European powers.
There is now hope for Turkeys
future said Dir. Foss. If Christians
ty is adopted. They do not lack skill
and ingenuity in politics. bnt what
they need is reform in moral and eth
les. and nothing will do this but Chris.
tlanity. Unless this is brought about
Turkey will never be success under
constitution government The peo
pie are too ignorant and depraved TO
rightly use and appreciate the right of
franchise. The composition of the
Turkish empire is of such a heterogen.
, eous element that an absolute mon
archy is the only government by which
it can be held together under present
conditions"
Near Earthquake Scene.
After leaving Constantinople DR..
Foss and his family proceeded to
smyrna, thence TO Athens. and then
to Italy. Nj Aetna was visited. at the
loot OF which are gathered nearly all
me refugee of the Messina earth
quake. MeSsina was also passed and
viewed from the ship. The tour was
then continued through Italy from Ma.
pies TO Genoa and Milan. and then
through Switzerland The remainder
OF DIR. Foss' tour led through Germany.
Sweden, Denmark France and Eng
land