In reading the editorial in the Daily News for 16th December, concerning the opposition to the Protestant and Roman Catholic missionaries in different part of the province of Shantung, one cannot help acknowledging a perplexity in the affair. A certain lady recently remarked in conversation, "I have given up reading two things, one the Irish troubles, and the other the Chi-nan-fu riots." To simplify the matter, a little review is necessary.
The first opposition was in the autw of 1886, when a Roman Catholic Bishop sought for property in city of Yen-chow-fu, and also for an interview with the officials located there. Both objects failed. Then came opposition to an American missionary, who was merely stopping for a few days in Yen-chow-fu, but who, being classed, with the Roman Catholics, could obtain no interview with the officials, and accordingly no protection.
In the last of May, 1887, a riot was raised against a Protestant Christian in Chi-nan-fu, due to the prominent part he had taken in the purchase of a property for the American missionaries some five years previous, 'This riot was in the south suburb, led on by the smaller gentry of that suburb, and resulting in the native' Christian being frightened into giving up the deed of ly the property he had just purchased, and in the original landlord being forced tu give over this property to a Public Club composed of all the prominent families of the city.
This success spurred on the disturbers of peace, and the headmen of the east suburb finally combined in trying to force the American missionaries to yield the lease or mortgage of a small school-house property in their suburb, this being the only piece of property owned by the Protestant iis. sionaries outside of the city proper. In carrying out their plans they stirred up two riots. When the case finally went up to the Governor in the month of July, he ordered the local officials to decide the matter according to the meaning of the deed. The local otticials therefore decided that there' need be no haste in redeeming the property; and hinted that if no more opposition arose, the hold on the could last until the expiration of the lease, property If another property should be secured, this one could be given up, if so desired.' In all this opposition of the east suburb, the only. man connected with the gentry proper, the wealthiest' man of the city and in heart friendly to foreigners, acted the part of mediator and so helped the officials to decide somewhat justly though rather dilatorily.
After this came a short period of peace, in which all the officials promised to subscribe to the Hospital Fund of the American' missionaries. Also the general foeling seemed to be that it was useless to oppose the foreigner, for sooner or later he would be able to secure property.
In the last of August there was taken a perpetual lease or mortgage on a amall property in the south-east suburb, The missionaries promised to give up the schoolhouse property, if so desired, or if not desired, this new piece would be used for the proposed hospital. In the management of the matter the previous requests of the officials were followed in tote. At the outset the officials seemed favourable. The leading men composing the gentry, also promised the otticials that they would not oppose. In a short time anonymous placards were issued, reviling not only the foreigner, but the officials for assisting in the purchase of property, and the gentry, because they did nothing.
Just about this time occurred a riot in the city of Yen-chow-fu, when some property which the Roman Catholic Bishop succeeded in purchasing, was despoiled, and when an interview was refused the Bishop by the officials of that city. Also an English Protestant missionary passing theough the city was. attacked. dllueeds and forcibly turned out of his course.
Immediately there appeared trouble in Chi-nan-fu. The District Magistrate had already injured the case by needless delay, The smaller gentry—among whom was 4 native doctor—eontinually urged the head of the gentry to take the lead in opposing tha saeonatin oon a petition waa pre: Proper, and ofeech of thesuburis. Thehesd pared, signed by all the gentry of the city
of the gentry is an ex-Governor of Honan, degraded from office, a Hanlin, and. one who headed the opposition in the famous
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.