The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-10-18

ION the contrary, it will raise US n
their estimation far higher than we
realize. Am 1 not right, gentlemen"
Cunning to the American missionaries).
LAS old residents in China, Your
Excellency, we can assure you that the
Bishop is absolutely correct" they an
swered in one voice
And who is the one person among
the Chinese to whom you would en-
trust this delicate mission?' inquired
the Minister
The Bishop thought for a moment or
two and then conferred with his col
leagues. The first and the very best
person that we can think Of" he an
swered, lis Mr.. Wang Foo of Hong
Kong. He knows his own people and
our people probably better than any
one ON the coast and his standing is
such as to secure him instant respect
They will listen to him quicker than to
anyone else. and he seems to have an
almost magical power over them"
He is a Christian. I suppose?' ~
mo, Your Excellency. he is a devout
Confucianist of the highest type, and
that Is one reason why I take especial
pleasure in commencing him to you"
| The result of the above conference
was a telegram sent that very night
from the Legation to the Consulate in
Shanghai, instructing them to confer
Immediately with Wang Foo as to the
best means of adjusting the threatened
revolt Of the wheelbarrow coolies.
You must remember, SIR" said the
great Chinese detective. addressing the
British Consul. who had just joined
ms
Headquarters in Shanghai, a few days
after his arrival from Hong Kong,
that this matter of their greasing the
axles of the barrows is not only a
question of the expenditure of a few
cash for the lard"
"Oh, see," interrupted the Consul,
its a matter of their religion. like the
greasing Of the cartridges that started
the mutiny in India
mo, not at ALL in this particular case
It doesn't happen to go against a re-
ltgious prejudice as it did in that
answered Wang Foo; Its matter OF
tae white man coming and taking away
a native consolation and enjoyment
which has been theirs for ages
| Why, what consolation can they
possibly find in that awful squeak,
squeak that racks the nerves of every
European in the Settlement" asked
i the Inspector.
I That squeak, as you call It," an
swered Wang Foo with a smile, "is
to his ears the sweetest music in the
world. 1t is the CHEEKY voice of the
bird which sings to him as he wheels
along and lightens both his heart and
his burden. You take it away and
you make his life just so much drearier
and his load, which is heavy enough
as it is, just so much harder for him
to lift and push along"
is that really what they believe -
asked the Consul
1T certainly is. sir. Why, haven't
you ever noticed the farmer when he
goes out to plough his little field here i?
He takes his little kite with him and
puts it up in the air and fastens a
tiny whistle to its tail, and then as~he
ploughs it sings and whistles to him
and cheers him on with its bird-like
note"
why. yes. I've often noticed the kite
but never heard the music" smiled the
Consul.
Perhaps that's because your En-
glish ear is not attuned to their har-
monies, sir, or discords, as my friend
Mr.. Gubbins, would call them, 1 sup
pose"
And do you mean to tell me that
| JUST
on account of that little thing?"
Little to you, sir, but not to them
. and there is just the difference. why
should the white man for whom the
| coolie tolls and labors day in and day
out begrudge him the little cheer of
his barrow's song? That is the way
he looks at it. gentlemen, and that is
what he resents. Why do you make
his burden heavier than it is? Do you
not see the point?''
And do you think they will refnse
to obey the order if we try to enforce
it?' asked the Inspector
Wang Foo looked thoughtful and
serious. After a moment he spoke.
They may, if they can secure con-
certed action. 1t may eventually come
to a serious race riot unless it is
handled very judiciously and that m
the end means bloodshed, which we all
t should SO bitterly regret You may
carry your point by force of arms. but
what is the use? You have antagon-
, lied the most patient and faithful set
of laborers in the world and stirred
up bitter race prejudice which it will
take years to live down. Is it worth
, it? Gentlemen, 1t is noti'
In the sheds around the Temple OF
| ANH OH w NAACCF tie gnu VI wal JdSt
beyond the British Settlement limits,
a great concourse OF barrow coolies
were listening to the words or feaaer
and exhorter. ftOur Lord of the yell
: low Jacket he said. referring to the
token Of nobility which adorned the
, great wooden image of the divinity,
shall decide the great question for
u.s.
"Shi, shi,' they all cried: "hwang
ma kwa Lao Ye yao ting," eyes. yes,
our Venerable Lord of the Yellow
Jacket shall decide iti'') IF by the
midnight hour of the flrst day of TIE
feast the ocean-rnan does net relene
and restore US s.e sweet music of or