August 21, 1895.|
tors of the outrage. Archdeacon Wolfe and Mr. Eyton Jones read the service, and the English Consul, the Vice-Consul at Pagoda, Mr. Banister and Mr. McClelland carried the little coffin con, taining all that was left of Mr. and Mrs- Stewart out of the chapel to the grave; the other. coffins were put in the grave during the night. Mr. Banister spoke a few words after the service, asking that something be done to show the horror felt, but he could not go on, and completely broke down. Altogether it was the most appalling spectacle ever seen in this place.
Each coffin had an inscription, and I thought that on Lena's (the nurse) most appropriate. It was "
Faithful unto death." The poor girl, as as you will see from the statement, died defend. ing the baby under her charge.-Mercury cor- respondent.
INDIGNATION MEETING AT AMOY. We have been furnished with the following minutes of a meeting held at the Masonic Hall, Amoy, August 6th, 1895, to consider certain resolutions regarding the recent massacre of missionaries in the neighbourhood of Foochow :-
A large number of residents being in atten- dance,
Mr. Orr proposed and Mr. Cass seconded that Mr. C. T. Gardner, C.M.G., H.B.M.'s Consul, take the chair. Carried nem. con.
The Chairman stated that the meeting had been convened contrary to his advice, as he should have preferred waiting fuller information before taking action, but the fact that nearly every European and American "man
" in Amoy was present, showed that the community was determined to take immediate action. Under these circumstances the question was, what action would it be most desirable to take P
The distressing news from Foochow follow ing so closely on other attacks on Christian missionaries in other parts of China, indicates that the Chinese Government has not taken adequate measures to protect the Europeans in China. There is in China a party-numerically small, but influential-that is actively malevolent to us; this party is apt to stir up the ignorant and superstitious natives against us by vile slanders, and to them are joined habitual criminals who attack us for the sake of plunder. Mr. Gardner did not believe the Central Go- vernment was hostile to Europeans, but ex perience showed that it will not incur the un- popularity of taking adequate measures to restrain the malevolence of certain influential subjects, nor to enlighten the ignorance of the superstitious common people anless pressure is brought upon it by the foreign Governments.
The community of Amoy lived in more in- timate relations with the Chinese than at other ports of China; it would, therefore, perhaps be able to help in giving such information to people at home as might result in the home Govern. ments putting sufficient pressure on the Peking rulers to take adequate measures for the future security of the subjects and citizens of Western States residing in China.
In Foochow the victims were principally British subjects: a fow American citizens had been wounded. In China the interests of all Western nations are identical; the same con- dition of things that causes outrages on the members of one nationality endangers the security of every white man in the Empire.
Mr. Orr asked for further particulars of the outrage.
The Chairman replied that as far as was known ten persons were killed and three wounded, including several ladies and children.
This was confirmed by Mr. Suenson, who gave the names of the victims, as they had been privately telegraphed to him, viz., Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and child, who were burned alive, the Misses Stewart, Saun lers (2), Gordon, New combe, Yellup, and Marshall, who were most brutally murdered. Two or three others (be lieved to be Americans) were wounded, whilst somo were still missing and supposed to be in hiding, Another child of Mr. Stewart's has since died from its injuries. A public meeting had been held in Foochow yesterday.
Mr. Cass had also received telegrams confirm ing these reports, and stated that meetings had been held at Hongkong and Shanghai. He appealed to the meeting on the ground of common humanity to support the following re solutions:-
1. That this meeting express its abhorrence of the revolting massacre at Kucheng', the
'
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
terrible details of which are probably unfit for publication or discussion.
2. That it considers any monetary offers from the Chinese Government in compensation should not be accepted further, that the execution of a few innocent Chinese by their officials, as is customary in these instances, will not adequately meet the requirements of the case.
3. That should the British Government pass this matter over in the manner they have hitherto done, foreign life and property are absolutely unsafe in China. 4.-That the severest retribution be demanded, which shall include the punishment of actual offenders, including every official and literati in the province of Fohkien and the holding by a foreign force of the ports of Amoy and Foochow until ample retribution
has been exacted.
5.-That a telegram of condolence be de. spatched to Her Most Gracions Majesty the Queen, head of the Church of England, on the cruel death of the members of that Church.
'
6.-That a sympathetic telegram be sent to
the friends of the outraged victims. 7. That these resolutions be telegraphed to Lord Salisbury, H.M. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.. 8.-That all non-British subjects present at this meeting be entreated to use their infiu- ene in the name of our common humanity to give force and effect to these resolutions as best they can through their national re- presentatives.
Mr, Orr seconded, adding that unless some- thing were done, and done promptly, repetitions of this outrage would probably take place all over the Southern provinces.
The Chairman said that as a British official he could not support the resolutions as they stood, though heartily agreeing with the general tonour of them. He moved to amend the first clause by omitting the words "the terrible de- tails of which are probably unfit for publication
or discussion."
:
Mr. Leyburn seconded and the amendment
was carried..
Mr. Gowland moved an amendment to clause 2 as follows:-Money compensation having been found utterly inadequate should not be accepted. Seconded by úr. Boyd and carried anauimously, The Chairman moved to omit the words "the British Government" in clause 3, which was agreed to.
44
147.
Meeting Amoy community unanimously ex- pressed abhorrence Kucheng Massacre consider common safety involved urge strong prompt measures stern retribution and material guaran- tees obtained also that no blood money be accepted."
The Committee decided not to send the tele- gram to Her most Gracious Majesty the Queen referred to in clause 5.
C
The Meeting was the largest and most nnanimous ever held in Amoy on any subject.
INDIGNATION MEETING AT TIENTSIN. An indignation meeting in reference to the recent anti-foreign outrages was held at Tientsin on the 10th August and the following telegrams were sent to the Press in London aud America :-- "The foreign community express their sympathy with the friends of the Kucheng victims. They consider the Chinese officials guilty. Both British and Americans blame the continued apathy of their governments for the situation, They regard England's demands in reference to the Kucheng massacro as useless. As before, the officials will buy innocent heads as substitutes for the actual criminals. The communityprotests against the Szechuen commission and the impli oated officials thereon. England and America must send an ultimatiem to Peking and theaten re- prisals; to trust to diplomacy is useless. The attention of the Press to the matter is implored.”
CHINESE ON THE MASSACRE. The following, which we take from the Mer. cury, is a rough translation of a leader in the Sin-wen-pao referring to the riots at Kucheng. While it seems fairly reasonable, the sting in the tail should not be neglected :-
China's calamities are at present very great. The war with Japan had barely been settled when the anti-missionary riots at Changtu broko Rev. Mr. Sadler thought a standing Com-out. Owing to this outbreak telegraphio mittee should be appointed to guard against such instructions were sent from Peking to all the outbreaks. Trouble was being experienced elso- Viceroys and high officers reminding them that where but nothing was being done here. and at the missionaries must be protected. These any moment there might be an uprising. These officials at once took all possible measures (!), but things originated at headquarters, the people in spite of this the Pingyang riot in Chekiang being stirred up by the officials and literati. occurred, and now the Kucheng massacre is Great firmness is necessary and pressure should reported. In this, besides the houses and pro- be brought to bear on the home. Governments. porty destroyed, a great number of mission. aries were killed and tortured, so that the occurrence is much more serious than any that preceded it. Yesterday a meeting of the local foreign officials and merchants was held and the banks were closed for this reason (!) The foreigners in Foochow held a meeting over this affair also yesterday, and it is remarkable that though these places are so far apart yet meetings were hold on the same subject at the same time without consultation with each other. By this means the smartness and rapidity of action of the foreigners will be seen. It is said that in consequence of this massacre the Hongkong Government is to send a force to Foochow, and this, if true, is frightful, and will cause our Govern- ment much trouble. When the news of the Chengtu riots reached Peking, the Princes and Ministers of the Tsungli Yamen at once offered to pay for any damage done, but this the American Minister refused to accept, he saying He frequently he had no power to do so. begged (note) that the leaders of the mobs be arrested, and men-of-war of various nationalities were running
down up and
the Yang. tsze, taking orders.to their nationals, and to pre- pare for their defence. This Chengtu afair was rapidly nearing settlement, but now, on account of the Kucheng affair, we cannot say when it will be settled. When the Japanese took posses- sion of our territory and our army was oon- stantly defeated, the foreigners said it would be a good lesson to the Chinese. But, on broken out, and they are all much more serious the contrary, rist after riot bas than heretofore. By the treaties the mission aries are entitled to reside in the interier and to have protection, but the ignorant people will not obey the Imperial order, but have, ou the con- The remainder of the resolutions were carried trary, tortured poor kind-hearted missionaries unanimously, and on the motion of Mr. Sadler with the greatest cruelty. Their idea in aot- the following were elected a Committee to carrying thus is to wipe away the disgrace on out the objects of the meeting: -Messrs. the nation. When the Kiangsi ripts took Broadbent, Cass, Kip, Orr, Price, and Wales, Mr. Sadler's name being added by general cou- sent.
The Chairman objected to the wording of olause 4, though agreeing that previous modes of punishment had not acted as a deterrent, and he agreed that some material guarantee should be exacted from the Chinese, but held that the nature of the guarantee should be left to the home Governments to determine. He moved as an amendment-
That the severest retribution be demanded, which shall include the punishment of all who have contributed actively or passively to the lamentable event, and that an adequate material guarantee be demanded."
After some discussion as to the nature of the guarantee the amendment was adopted.
It was resolved that the first four clauses of the resolution should be cabled to the Foreign Office and the fifth to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Mr. Gardner objected to the latter on the ground of its boing an unusual course to
pursue.
place Sin Wen-ching was governor, and as the people were then acting from the same motive, he prohibited the officials from punish- On 7th August the following telegram was ing the people, telling his subordinates:-" The dispatched to Lord Salisbury, a copy at the same foroiguers have been in our country for a time being cabled to H.B.M's Minister, Pe-long time against our will, and we should now king :-
"Lord Salisbury, London.
allow the people to take revenge, You officials I need not trouble yourselves, as I will myself pun-
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.