To the Editor of the "Nonra-Catxa Day News."
Sin,—The following golden words are from Gxptain J. P. Roberts, one of the oldest and hest known Shanghai residents. He has had nearly forty years' experience in China and gives it' as his opinion that the fundamental mistake in dealing with the Chinese Government lies in treating it as x civillyed nation. Iam sure you will do your readers a favour in letting them see his own true words. He is quoted as saying: The only course that will impress the Chinese or render them respectful to this(American) government is toretaliate by chopping off the heads of those responsible for the recent massacre of Ministers, and the higher the rank of the persons executed, the more impressive the act becomes to the Chi Treaty obligations are un-se known, or unregarded by Chinese men. The sooner foreign Powers recognise this fact, the s-oner trouble in China will cease To continue to dea! with barbarous hordes, as we would with an enlightened people, is to continue such outrages as we have just experienced. Partition of the country will undoubtedly follow present events, and will be a good thing for the Chinese." After a few statistics, he adds: "Outside of the treaty ports not one Chinese in 500 knows there wasa war between China and Japan, and if he does, he believes China whipped Japio and secured a large indemnity." I have seldom fallen upon truer words or wiser counsel. Whatever partition may take place let us not forget that there will still remain this frugal industrious people, beautiful mountains, ills and vales, broad lakes, winding rivers, fertile fields, and mineral wealth. All we need is to secure a better government, and it cannot be worse unless the Turks are admitted to a share.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness in giving this a place in your interesting columns, Tam, ete., A weir-wisner To Curva.
23rd August.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.