To the Editor of the Nortn-Caixa Datty News.
Sin,—What may we consider to be some of the chief causes of the troubles now going on in various parts of China? There can be no doubt as to the natural feeling of the Chinese with regard to foreigners, Though we have come into connection with them for many years, and a kindly acquaintance has been formed between them and ourselves, so far at least as intercourse has obtained, yet in view of the immense population, and especially the pride and prejudice of the literary and ruling classes, the friendship has born of a very limited kind. The wildest ideas of us still exist in the minds of the grest majority, and the general feeling is that we are altogether different from them, and that our aim and object is revolutionary in all its bearings, socially, politically, and religiously. This we conceive to be a main principle underlying the conceptions and actions of the Chinese in reference to us, and fostered and intensified by various current events, the present movement may thus be readily accounted for.
The late war with Japan and the overwhelming defeat of the Chinese was an astounding occurrence in the history of China, Not that affected the common people to any great extent, for really they knew and cared very little about it, but the native Government, the high' authorities, and many of the scholars who were able to read the news on the subject, felt the degradation and dishonour it brought upon them, In some degree it awakened them from the slumber of ages, and impressed them with their inferiority in military and naval power to the small country of Japan, which they had hitherto despised. Hence they were led to do something in the way of reform, and while in the act of doing 8", the Kin: peror was induced to take strong measures and to issue a series of edicts which portended changes of the greatest magnitude in the whole order of things. This was too much for the obdurate conservatives in the capital, of whom the Empress Dowager was the leading spirit. She is a remarkable woman, and held the reins of government for 30 years in a most efficient manner, and with universal respect. She had resigned her position as Regent, but resumed supreme authority, practically dethroned the Emperor, banished and killed the chief Reformers, and issued the strongest edict: against the proposed lines of reform. While publicly she ordered the Viceroys-and high authorities to pursue a course-of peace and tranquillity under their jurisdiction, they were secretly enjoined to suppress the reform movement that was no doubt gaining headway in the country. This was everywhere well-known and acted on, as indispensable to the enjoy ment of her favour. -Meanwhile the adherents of various secret societies took courage: and came to the front. One. of these, specifically called the Boxers, from their' mode of drill, largely inoreaged in
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.