Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-12
THE TROUBLES IN CHINA.
Situation as Seen by YorkviIe Lady
on the Ground.

Correspondence The forkyille Enquirer
Kiangyin, China, Nov. 10.-It has
occurred to me that my friends among
the readers Of The Enquirer are doubt
less taking a very special interest In
affairs in China at present, and that
they might be interested to hear some
thing from one of their own number.
You are seeing very full accounts
in the home papers Of events In this
great empire, and anything I could
write of affairs in general would be
very stale news when this letter
reaches you more than a month hence.
II shall therefore confine myself to more
personal matters and to events in our
immediate locality.
Kiangyin is situated on the Yangste,
about eighty-five miles from its mouth,
Just where the river narrows down for
the last time before reaching the sea-
The banks at this point are crowned
with beautiful hills from three to four
hundred feet in height, making this
an ideal place for strong fortifica-
tions. The forts have been equipped
with modern guns for the past fifteen
or twenty years, and the government
has planned to greatly increase the
strength of the Notifications.
Just one word about the past his
tory Of Kiansyin. When the Manchus
captured China 26O years ago, many
fled from the city before the siege Of
eighty-one days began, but Of those
who remained not one man, woman
or child capitulated-all were either
slaughtered or committed suicide. The
people of the city take great pride in
this fact, and one can easily under
stand why there Is little love in their
hearts for the present ruling class.
At the time Of the TAPPING rebellion
the people of Kiangyin again endured
terrible suffering, so we find in them
Ia fearful horror Of warfare
There has been more or less excite
ment in the city ever since the begin
ming of the present hostilities, largely
increased, Of course, by the fact Of the
big guns on the forts, which the people
feared might be turned on the city by
the government troops for its destruc-
ton. Since Sunday morning (this Is
Friday panic has prevailed. All gov
ernment schools have been dismissed,
and the women and children have been
fleeing from the city night and day,
some going by boat, some by wheel
barrow and others walking, all with
the one thought of getting fifteen or
twenty miles into the country, beyond
the range of the fort guns. 1t Is thought
that from seven to nine-tenths Of the
women and children have fed, and ex-
citement has been at white heat.
How our hearts have ached for the
people in their terror! You have read
Of the fearful floods Of the Yangtse
during the past summer. This Is one
Of the most fertile parts Of the empire,
but the destruction Of the floods was
so great that, 1t Is estimated, there
will be at least 100000 destitute ones
in this county alone during the coming
winter, and, with few exceptions, all
have suffered to a greater or less ex-
tent. In addition to their fears Of gov
ernment troops, there is the great fear
that many Of these poverty stricken
ones may arise as bandits, numbering
and plundering.
1t Is needless to say that the people
80 tho oit,, ora revolutionary ta thA
core. The women and children have
fled, but the men have remained at
their posts, and in the midst Of panic
much fine diplomacy has been carried
on during the past days. To protect
themselves from bandits the city Is
being patrolled at night by relays OF
citizen guards, and, in addition, a spe-
cial guard of soldiers has been furnish
ed for our protection. We did not ask
for the soldiers-the officials Of the
city asked that they might be allowed
to send them. We are treated with the
greatest kindness and courtesy, and
have never admired the people OF
Kiangyin more than during the pres
ent crisis With a fixed determination
to free their city from Manchu rule,
they have retained their GOODNESS OF
and have used every precau-'
tion to prevent bloodshed. One Off
cial after another was won over until
all but one, Manchu in charge OF
one of the fort batteries, had signed
the revolutionary documents This
man finally agreed to leave, the citi-
zens furnishing about $500 for his
travelling expenses. We were informed
at an early hour this morning that
revolutionaries would take over the
city at noon, when salute of twenty
one guns would be fired. Our mission
hospital hoisted the Red Cross flag,
and was ready to take care Of the
wounded should fighting occur. But
without q drop Of bloodshed the city
has been won, and during the after
noon the white flag Of the revolution
aries has been flying from the fort
hills and throughout the city. Every
one is wearing the happiest Of smiles,
and, while we are neutral, 1t is i'm
possible for one in whose veins flows
the blood of '76 and Of the SOS, not
to sympathize.
We can not know what the future
may hold The government may try
to recapture the forts and there may
be fearful fighting later on. Thus far
we have gone quietly on with every
department Of mission work. A few
children have been taken from the
schools by anxious parents, but it has
been a great Joy to see the unwaver-
ing trust in God shown by the Chris
tians and their splendid calm in the
midst of panic and excitement. We
trust this may be time Of spiritual
for them, and that the cause
of Christ in China may be greatly ad-
vanced as a result Of the present up
heaval.
With every kind wish, I am
Yours very sincerely,