Since the events recorded in our last letter, stirring scenes have again appeared. fact the usual annual riot has occurred, this time against a member of the English Baptist Mission. We have already nien tioned how opposition had been raised against a member of that Mission on account his of renting a house in the south suburb. Not resting content with a process of law, or even with open reviling, @ more daring' method was adopted. A mob-was formed under the leadership of the gentry, and remembering their success in previous years against an American missionary they boldly entered the house, dragged the Englishman from his room, and amid hoots and derisions the gentlemen of silks and satins trampled on their foe, hauled him around the court, and then locked him up, while others seized his worldly effects, and. either smashed them or appropriated them Word having gone into the city, two of the for private use and as a pleasing memorial.
American missionaries at once hastened to inform the District Magistrate, who dispatched some soldiers to the scene and arrested a few ragamufiins. Later on the injured Englishman, accompanied by one of the Americans, had an interview jat the Taotai's yamen, in which not only was he favoured with words of consolation, but in which he learned that is house must be sealed up till the matter had been investigated. Considering the glaring outrage—more glaring than any hitherto committed—all the English and American missionaries present in the city, consisting of the Anglican Mission, the English Baptist Mission and the American Presbyterian Mission, united in a strong presentation to the British and American Ministers of all the outrages that have occurred the last few years not only in the capital but in other cities.
This last occurrence proves more plainly that the real responsibility rests with the Governor Chang Yao. He has failed to give justice to the lavfel petitions of the missionaries and has defiantly ignored the action of the Legations and the Tsungli Yamen. That he is reported to be on familiar terms with the Seventh Prince is a matter of congratulation, if he would only show some of his power in suppressing riots and protecting the peaceable and well-i. We wait to see which Legation will be the first to bring about a more commendable mode of management of foreign affairs among the officials of Shantung.
An American missionary who has visited the city of Chi-ning Chow reports that the property purchased by the Roman Catholics and which led to a riot is still sealed up, while the German Bishop continues to agitate his cause. The Protestant missionary on referring to the local official the question of renting property as in the last ten or a dozen years, secured permission 80 to do along with the promise of protection. Owing to the excited state of feel existing against foreigners, he content himself with a mere stay at an inn in order to avoid further trouble and opposition.
It appears that the south-western part of the province is largely exempt from the famishing condition of the central or northern parts and especially of a portion of Honan, There has lately fallen a large amount of snow, which has cheered the people by its promise of a good spring crop. Such indeed is to be hoped for by us all.
9th January.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.