240
as honest manner. All this, of course, dis- turbed the happy-go-easy life of men and petty officials. For his pains, the captain was thoroughly disliked by all under him. Pro- posing to make more sweeping reforms and dismiss the superannuated men around him, he found that he had stirred up a hornet's nest in the shape of secret societies. Orders from higher officials to disband these men brought the trouble to a climax with the above results. Captain Kao received per sonal injury and was made a prisoner. General Li in command has been recalled and his place taken by another man, General Yü. The orders to disband the troops have been revoked and the turbulent elements have settled down into their pristine lethargy.
To illustrate the carelessness and ignorance of the Chinese when one would think they ought to know better. a large supply of foreign manufactured metallic cartridges were stored in the magazine and great numbers of these were not exploded. To these the people helped themselves freely. One man wishing to see what was in these strange little brass tubes placed one on a stone. fook another stone and began to pound it. The cartridge exploded, and the ball passed through the man's body, kill ing him almost instantly.-N. C. Daily News correspondent.
́THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
THE MISSIONARY DEPUTATION TO and aims of Christian Missions, which the
PEKING.
Reports have from time to time arrived at Shanghai concerning the visit of the Rev. Timothy Richard, as a representative of the Protestant Missions in China. to Peking. to memorialise the Chinese Government for the removal of certain hindrances that hamper the work of missionaries in China, more particularly the insulting references in Chinese books in circulation, arousing the prejudice and opposi tion of the people, and the suppression of anti- Christian proclamations which lead to riot and pillage, as at Chengtu. The Rev. J. Wherry. a coadjutor of the Rev. T Richard, who arrived recently at Shanghai, communicated to the Shanghai Mercury the particulars as to the progression of the task they had undertaken, up to the period when he left Peking, but the arrival of the Ref. T. Richard afforded us an opportunity to get fuller and later details on the subject, which this gentleman with his customary courtesy was pleased to oblige us with. In conversation with a representative of the Mercury, he said he left Shanghai to proceed to Peking in Sep tember last, to present, if possible, personally a Missionary Memorial to the Chinese Govern- ment. In the Memorial it was asked that the Emperor should instruct the Tsungli Yamen tu investiga the whole question, in conference with the missionaries, and this was at once granted by the Throne. The Rev. T. Richard and Rev. J. Wherry, and after Mr. Wherry's departure the Rev. H. H. Lowry, were also invited to visit the Tsungli Yamen whenever they wished. After the mission- aries had visited some members of the Tsungli Yamen privately, they called upon the British Chargé d'Affaires and American Minister, who very readily acceded to the request to introduce them to the Tsungli Yamen for the first time. The call upon the Ministers was in order that the official call
on the Tsungli Yamen should be correctly
made, and the two Ministers at once re- sponded with their co-operation. Mr. Denby and his son very readily decided to accompany the deputation and his decision was much appreciated. On November 14th this formal interview with the Tsugli Yamen took place, and it lasted about one hour and half. At that interview the Memorial was presented and the Chinese Ministers saw by it that an investigation was desired, and arrangements were made for a second interview. The Memorial asked for three things:-First, the real suppression of Chinese literature antagonistic to Christianity, because the missionaries believe such literature is at the root of the riots, and so long as such books are in circulation there is no hope of pre- venting anti-missionary riots; second, that real liberty be granted to the mandarins, as well as to the people, to become Christians;
[March 18, 1896.
third, a real cultivation of friendly feelings in motion. The Rev. T. Richard "constantly with the missionaries, as they have no other end met the leading members, and, with the Rev. G. in view but of helping China. The results of the Reid and Mr. W; N. Pethick, did their best to deputation and Memorial may be considered as guide the members in their efforts towards light follows:-At the first private interview with the and liberty. A great number of officials at Tenngli Yamen, two loading members, Peking were, however, opposed to the move. Weng Tangho (virtually the Prime Min-ment, and are completely ignorant, the ister) and another, said they considered censors excelling the rest probably in that what the missionaries were asking that qualification. Some of the old Con- for was reasonable, and after the public servatives hearing of the Club, and finding interview the Government informed the that the Reform Society had not memorialised missionaries that they were at liberty to visit the Throne, found a cause for complaint in the Yamen whenever they desired. The this irregularity. The Reform Society, al- Tsungli Yamen furthermore informed the though they had not really memorialised the British and American Legations that what was Throne, was not acting without consulting the asked in the Memorial would be granted and high authorities in Peking, and had their con- an Edict would be issued in a few days to that sent. The explanation was that the opposition effect. So about December 1st the Edict was was simply a question of party. The society expected daily upon the assurances of two was consequently disestablished, but now there members of the Yamen. But unfortunately is a movement to reconstruct this Reform there came that famous Edict which Society on a far better basis, with a view degraded for evermore two men, one a China- to influence a wider circle and make it man and the other a Manchu, and that China- extend all over the Empire. In the last inter- man was one of the members of the Tsungli Yamen
view the Rev. T! Richard had with the Prime whose attitude was most friendly towards the Minister, the latter raised questions of reform missionaries. From that time Wong Tangho and distinctly said he was anxious to had not sufficient support to carry out his have the Reform Society re-established and original intention. But the missionaries con- placed on a satisfactory footing. Sun Kianai, tinued to have several interviews with the the Imperial Tutor, had also been reading Taungli Yamen. and important questions were Mackenzie's Nineteenth Century, and this led to raired which gare the missionaries good an interview between him and the Rev. T.
Richard. opportunities for explaining the real position
Chinese Ministers were not previously aware of, Besides these conversations, several documents were handed to the Ministers, bearing upon the question of religions liberty in general. and Weng Tungho seemed to be in earnest to know the real state of matters. There was no immediate action taken by the Tsungli them Yamen on what the deputation laid before Seeing that the Tsungli Yamen were aries feeling they could not do anything more uot asking any more questions and the mission- | in regard to the matter with the Tsungli Yamen. tions to thank them for introducing the de- they called on the British and American Lega- putation to the Yamen, and to ask the British Chargé d'Affaires and American Minister to press the matter. as the miksionaries were leaving and hoped that the foreign officials would not lose sight of the memorial but continue to press the matter from time to time. Up to the time of the departure of the Rev. T. Richard, there had been reply made by then concerning their memorial. the missionaries was leaving, he did him the But Weng Tungho having learned that one of honour of calling upon him and explained the situation, remarking that there were difficulties raised both by his superiors and his colleagues. but that, nevertheless, he personally highly appreciated the services that were being rendered by good missionaries to China. So far as he himself was concerned, the slanderons literature would certainly be prohibited, and a better feeling of friendship ought to be cultivated between the mandarin and the missionary. As far as the permission for mandarins to become Christians was concerned, all the Prime Minister said was, they had never been inter- dicted from becoming converts to Christianity. Therefore, whilst the Protestant missionaries
did
no
succeeded in presenting the Memorial to the not get all they wished, still they
Throne, which many at first doubted; they from the highest man in the Empire alone was almost secured an Edict: and the good will
worth a visit to Peking.
REFORM.
So far as general reform is concerned the Rev. T. Richard sent a letter and some of his books to Weng Tungho, saying that if he could spare the time the writer would like to have an interview with him and discuss the question of reform in China. After a little time the Prime Minister granted the interview, along with another member of the Tsungli Yamen, and the rev. gentleman laid before them a general scheme of reform. After speaking for about au hour Weng Tangho thanked the Rev. T. Richard very heartily, and said he would be gratified if the interviewer would commit what he had stated to writing, so that the question could be studied. This the Rev. T. Richard did; and this was also laid before the Emperor dur ing the time the Reform Club in Peking was
Like Weng Tangho, the Tutor is a most agreeable man, gentle in his ways, with a great liking for discourse, and seemed anxious to bring about suitable reforms to meet the needs of China. "It is a thousand pities," said the Rev. T. Richard, that these two men, who occupy the immediate right and left hand of the Emperor, should not have had some experience of foreign affairs. Without know- ledge of foreign affairs it is impossible to guide China aright, but with this knowledge, though China is almost in a hopeless condition, much might be done with good and well in- formed men.'
AN OVERDUE STEAMER.
Singapore, 9th March. Grave fears are entertained for the safety of the steamer Teresa, Captain Slaker, which is now considerably overdue. The Teresa belongs to Messrs. Wee Bin & Co., of Market Street,
and she left this port on the 20th of last She was last heard month for Macassar. of as having left Boloeling for Macassar,` via Ampenan, but although this is only A voyage of a day and a quarter she has not sino been heard of. On the 5th inst., just as the steamer Macassar was leaving Sourabaya for Singapore, Messrs. Wee Bin wired to her to go in search of the missing vessel, and a Dutch gunboat is also rendering assistance. But no news has as yet been received, and great anxiety is felt as to the safety of the ship. This anxiety will be greatly intensified among the European residents of Singapore by the fact that the Rev. G. M. Reith, late Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, is a pas- senger on the Teresa. The vessel is insured in five different offices for the total sum of $100,000–Straits Times,
.
VICEROY LIU INCLINED TOWARDS WESTERN PROGRESS.
[COMMUNICATED.]
Viceroy Liu Kw'enyi before he went up north was known to be extremely anti-foreign. While there he was thrown into intercourse with foreigners, especially with Herr von Hanneken, and therefore was able to see and hear a deal that he did not know before in regard to Western ideas, so we do not wonder at hearing that he is more favourably inclined We are now informed towards foreigners. that he is thinking of making a number of improvements in and around Nanking. When he arrived at Nanking from the north,*& short time since, when landing, those who came to meet him naturally thought, he would like to go to the yamen by the new- Maloo, but they were greatly mistaken; simply gave his hand a wave of contempt and told them to proceed by the old round-about
he
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