The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1906-03-10 — Page 9

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March 10, 1906.]

transmitted to the French Minister and so to the French Consul-General at Shanghai, will, as our contemporary remarks, scarcely carry public knowledge of the affair any further, but is not without interest :-

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On the 29th day of the first moon in the town of Nanchang itself, the Catholic mis- sionary Lacruche had invited the sub-prefect Chiang to a dinner, without ceremony, to discuss the religious matters of laupon and an affir between Catholics and Protestants which bad occurred at Yukiang.

On both sides there was discussion about these subjects. A knife and a pair of scissors were taken, and it was said that the death of the sub-prefect would at once settle the matter. The sub-prefect then took up the small knife on the table to commit suicide, but the pain prevented him from completely killing himself. He states that someone then enlarged the wound with two outs with scissors, and these latter wounds are very serious. The sub-pre- fect is not able to speak to tell more at present, but when he regained consciousness he himself

wrote these details.'

It would appear from other reports that Wang is the Chinese name of Pere Lacruche.

ANOTHER ACCOUNT.

The Rev. Dr. Spencer Lewis (of the Methodist Episcopal Mission) Nanking, has sent the following account to the N.-C. Daily News :- Having been present in Nanchang at the time of the riot of the 25th of February, I will venture to give you an account of the same. arrived at Nanchang on the evening of Thurs- day, 22nd February, at about the hour when occurred the unfortunate affair between the

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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE

REPORT.

proceedings. student attempted to address the crowd, stating From them we learned that a the object of the meeting, and that there was to be no resort to violence. This was not what answered with ories of, “Ta. Ta," Beat, Beat,” the crowd had come together for and this was quite drowsing the voice of the speaker, and making it impossible for him to be heard. From this on the cnfusion increased, ending with smashing of the chairs and tables, and a rush for the Roman Catholic place. As was feared, starting place for the mob, and the officials had the mass meeting proved the rendezvous and sent no soldiers to the meeting to prevent this.

When the mob reached the Catholic place, the soldiers who were on guard fired a rolley rush, and there was no further pretence of of blank cartridges, at which the mob made a defence. The place was set on fire, and the priests, attempting to escape, wers killed, and their bodies thrown into a pond, with exception of one whose escape seems little seized,

less than marvellous. He was the only one of the seven foreign priests and teachers there who escaped. and he had received several with mud and water when wounds about the head and was half covered some soldiers succeeded in rescuing him.

There was another Roman Catholic placa outside the city whose destruction speedily followed, but no lives were lost tere. A priest priest, who lived outside the city, took him and lay there sick of typhoid fever, and another carried him away to the house of a convert.

He death either caused or hastened by what he has since died after reaching Kiukiang, his passed through. There were also five French nuns at this place.

There woro three Protestant missions in town, the Brethren, the China Inland, and the Methodist Episcopal. The missionaries of the

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THE DEVELOPMENT OF MANCHURIA.

A JAPANESE INVESTIGATION COMMISSION

says the Jiji, what is called the Manchuris In

The Japanese Government has organised vestigation Commission, General Kodama is at the head of the Commission, the other mem- bers consisting of the Vice-Ministers and Commission has already held two meetings, at bureau chiefs of various departments. The which ways and means for the proposed in- vestigations in Mancburia were discussed, but it will be some time before the plans of the Apart from the Government. work, it is Commission

important

will be actually carried out. for those who in Manchuria that full inquiries as to the are interested

should be undertaken with as little delay natural

resources, etc., of the country

natural wealth is generally admitted. Commen- as possible. That Manchuria abounds in cing with the regions watered by the Sungari, known as the granary of Manchuria, the extent of fertile laud well adapted for agriculture is of this only 20 per cent, is computed to be at said to comprise half the entire provinces, and present under cultivation. The mineral deposits include coal, gold, silver, iron, lead, etc., while Inorative industries developed in timber-felling and cattle-raising. are expected to be So far, however, investigation in these matters superficial character; such as are manifestly has been rather limited, and of a somewhat inadequate for the promotion of commercial enterprise. For this reason, the exploration at the earliest possible moment. of Manchuria by exports should be carried out

Now that the whole of Manchuria has been thrown open to foreigners, and no fewer than

French priests and the Nanchang magis rate. Brethren mission were Miss Warr, living by sixteen cities and towns have been opened to

While there are different stories, the reports agree that the magistrate was invited to a feast by the priests for the purpose of talking over unsettled questions arising from a former riot or riots. The outcome was that the magistrats received two wounds in his neck. The people say that the wounds were produced by a priest, the priestssay they were self-inflicted, When the pro- vincial judge, with other officials, arrived upon the scene, he proceeded to take down the evidence of the wounded man, who, being unable to speak, wrote that he had been assailed by a French priest whose Chinese name is Wang. This, I may say, is the only version of the affair which came to our ears through Christian or non-Christian sources during the nearly three days which elapsed before the breakingout of the riot. That the people believed this, and that this belief led to the riot, there can be no question. The priests, on the other hand, claim that the magistrate retired to a a room alone and com mitted suicide, or attempted it. One rather incredible story is that the suicide was pre- meditated, that the magistrate had an under- standing with his attendants that when he had committed the deed and called out, they were to batter down the doors and rush in. One is inclined to doubt that there was either meditated suicide or assault. The fact seems pro- to be that the matters of difference were such as had produced much friction. If to this was added much wine drinking there might ensue an excitement leading to the unfortunate result.

Of course there was much excitement through out the city, and no little apprehension on our part that a riot might take place. This was especially the case when ou Saturday evening there was handed to us a printed notice of a mass meeting to be held the next morning at ten o'clock to consider the deceitful stabbing of the Nanchang magistrate by the French priest. To this meeting were invited all classes, from offi- cials down: The purpose as to consider measures to prevent China from being treated with contempt by other countries, to get back the powers of their (fovernment, etc. It was to be a deliberatire assembly, and there was to be no resort to violence. The notice was signed by the whole body of students.

We wired to the American Consul-General at Shanghai of the meeting, urging adequate protection, and wrote to the foreign office in Nanchang, protesting that if such a meeting was held it might result in a riot, which, onos begun, could not be easily stopped. We also sent two men to the meeting to report to us the

herself, aud Mr. and Mrs. Kingham and two children, living only two or three minutes walk from the Catholic place. The most

of

We hear

lived a long distance way from the Catholics the Methodist Episcopal missionaries and the mob did not reach them. that the Kinghams two or three times before they attempted to were urged to leave

and the body of Mrs. Kingham thrown into a to 80. They were beaten to death, stripped, a pond. Mr. Kingham lived for a few hours afterwards, and the older child til the next day. The younger child was saved by a soldier, clothing took her to the house of the amah. who caught her, and coverig her with his The soldiers came to Miss Warr. and surround ing her, took her to their camp. The crowd place, but word being sent, the soldiers came on were throwing stones into the China Inland the run, and the two families were also taken to the camp.

The Methodist Episcopal missionaries were so far away that they were able to save quite a little food and clothing after they heard of the riot. Some officials came and took them first, to a mint near by. From there they were put on to a boat, and just before dawn to a steam launch which the Governor had chartered to take away the fugitives. The other fugitives were brought on board the launch at different times in the night, and next morning at eight o'clock a stert was made for Kiukiang, which Mr. Quirmbach, of the M. E. mission, remained was reached at 10.30 on Tuesday morning.

with

a Chinese official at the mint, and is giving information of later events by telegrams and letters,

No further rioting occurred after Sunday. Catholic priests er teachers, and Mr. and Mrs. In all there were killed of foreigners six Kingham and one child. All the Catholic property was destroyed and the property where the Kinghams lived. All other property of missionaries remains intact.

Mr. Werner, the British Consul at Kiakiang, received a telegram yesterday mording from the Governor that the magistrate was still alive. The Consul was to start to day for Nan- chang in a gunboat.

if the projectors are unable to acquire the plant Singapore is to have a fourth daily newspaper and goodwill of the Bastern Daily Mail, which projectors of the enterp: ise are certain “native came into existence abont a year ago. The millions ires.”

trade, there is no doubt, continues the Jiji, that people of all nationalities will gradually be at- if the Japanese were to neglect to turn to good tracted to Manchuria. It would be a great pity account that which they have obtained as the people. It is, however, essential that careful result of so costly a war, while benefitting other

opening of any enterprise, and for this purpose and exhaustive investigations should precede the it is desirable that an expendition, consisting of practical men, should be organised. The explors- tion of Manchuria, when accomplished, would not data, but the researches are likely to prove of only provide commercial meu with valuable much value to science. The country, 360.0 0 quare miles in extent, comparatively andis- turbed by the hand of man for many centuries, is doubtless full of tremendous possibilities, both from an industrial and scientific point of view. The cost of the expedition should be subscribed for by merchants, manufacturers, and other public benefit, concludes the Jiji, the Govern- wealthy people. Since the undertaking is for ment should also contribute to the fund, and official experts may be included in the expedi- tion with advantage.+ Japan Chronicle,

THE WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM MANCHURIA.

contemporary observes that headquarters of all Manchuria is going on arace. A vernacular The withdrawal of the Japanese Army from

of the headquarters of army divisions is rmy corps have already returned, and the last expected to leave Tairen by the middle of April.

order and discipline prevailing. On the other The prompt action of the Japanese army in the withdrawal has fully demonstrated the perfect hand, the movement of the Russian army is very slow. So far no more than four army corps have left Marchuria, and even then they than half these forces are still remaining in have only quittel the soil of Manchuria. More the seaboard districts of Siberia. A large proportion of the total force of the Russian army in Manchuria will remain there after the completion of the withdrawal by the Japanese.

disturbances in Russia, but there is reason to troops may be due to the weather and the The delay in the movements of the Russian

believe, says a Japanese contemporary, that Russo-Chinese negotiations over the Man- Russia is delaying the withdrawal pending the churian question.-Japan Chronicle.

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