CO129-499-4 Canton situation- governor's despatches 18-3-1927 - 22-4-1927 — Page 150

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

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Enclosure No.3.

THE CHINA SITUATION

151

MARCH, 1927.

(1) The Chinese Government's opposition to Christinaity is

not a genuine opposition to Religion qua Religion, it

is not an opposition to Christian teacaing as such.

Such opposition as this is arises from: -

(a) The missionary is linked up with the foreign powers

and his work is carried on under the protection of

what are regarded as unequal treaties. By "unequal"

I do not think we are necessarily to understand

"unfair" cr"unjust" but rather treaties that have

been dictated by "superior" powers to an "inferior"

power.

-

(b) Too often in the past the mission and its adherents

have formed an "imperium in imperio" this has

been specially true of the Roman Church, but other

co unions have a share of blame in the matter. I

have known personally of Christian (Chinese) agents who by virtue of their connection with the foreigners

have not hesitated to browbeat Chinese officials.

This most naturally has been the cause of prejudice

and resentment.

There are indications that:-

If and when the "unequal" treaties are revised, the

Government will welcome the help the Church can give, especially along the lines of education and social service. (2) Rexistration of Schools: So far as I can understand it

the object seems to be to give the Government a reasonable

control of education. Religios freedom is granted so

long as religion is not made a compulsory subject, and the

staff except in the case of Government Schools

not required to join in Kwok Man Tong. At the present

-

are

moment

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