KUANGTUNG, (from A connesvoxpEst.)
It is believed by many that a better state of fecling—a feeling less hostile towards foreigners—is gradually comin, mite evidence among the people of Kuangtung. Notwithstanding the bloodthirsty picards, and other indications of fierce antagonism which flooded the delta two suonths since, no demonstration was mede, and during the last few weeks the perennial habit to indulge in abuse, seems to have been forgotten. There appears to be a tendency to let the dead bury their dead. Morcaver a change has come over the responsible leaders of the people. When the Black Flags went to the assistance of the Empress Dowager, vii the North River, from Canton, they relieved the monotony of the river journey by looting chapels, lifting shops, and the dwelling houses of well-to-do Christians, and, in other ways, made things decidedly unpleasant, for the objects of their detestation. If there was any attempt at repression on the part of their officers, it was only a feint; there was no serious effort made to hold them in check. On their return journey, the Black Flags passed through the prefectural city of Lokcheung in the north of Kuangtung, and sornd of them thought they would renew their depredations; they therefore attacked a Roman Catholic mission, which 2, rather strong in that city. Here they reckoned without their host, for the native Chiistians, being somewhat warlike, not only barricaded and defended the mission, but, when they saw how small the force of the besiegers was, made a sortie, and carried the attack' into the enemy's camp. Indeed the fight ended in the utter rout of the detectment of the Black Flags. Two were killed, three were taken prisoners. These dauntless three had a very unpleasant time, which only ended with the loss of their heads. The Roman Catholic warriors handed. them over to the district magistrate, who declined to meddle in the affair, for such an outrage must be tried under martial law, by the officer commanding the troops. So the prisoners were haled back to Lau I, their leader, who gave orders that they should be beheaded on the spot. Another spirit obviously has got hold of the ex-robber chief. Moreover, when he reached Yingteh, the scene of the most daring acts of vandalism, and blood-curdling cruelties, which his men perpetrated on the Chinese when they were going north, the general himself landed from his flotilla, and went and inspected the extent of the damage done, and he did this in conciliatory spirit. It is obvious therefore that Lau I has had his eyes opened by some one, and that the condition of affairs does not strike him quite as it did four months ago.
Then, too, in the south-west of Cantor, in the Sonui and Hoiping districts, across which there stretched, some three months ago, that sudden zone of hate towards Christians, and lust of loot on the part of the roughs, the district magistrates, have themselves come forward with the ive branch of reconciliation, and an offer of an indemnity; how far the forces behind have helped to convert the Chinese to this praiseworthy state of mind, the uninitiated perhaps may not be allowed to say. One thing is certain, H.B.M. Consul has, in a most commendable manner, kept the question of indemnity before him, as a goal towards which to press, and though at times in the days of frantic excitement, he was judged to be rather indifferent about things, because he stood calmly at the wheel, when others were frantically shouting in the storm, the issue has proved his judgment to be correct, and his pertinacity in holding fast to the thing which his judgment commended as right, is now bringing forth fruit. I believe that, at present, only the representatives of three British missions—Anglican, London Mission, and Wesleyan—have been approached in this district. If this is so it may be safely said that the Consul has had something to do with this result; and it may further be affirmed, that the knowledge that, at present, Great Britain has her battalions of Indian soldiers in China, is not without its influence on the minds of these country officials, who have been directed by the Viceroy to settle up these claims, without waiting for them to be entered on the final balance sheet which is to be presented at Peking or elsewhere. The Consul has worked with a purpose, and now the results are beginning to appear. From these two districts the magistrates have sent their deputies, who have been entrusted with full authority, to meet the missionary at the British Consulate, and they have in the most conciliatory spirit discussed the whole question, and promised to pay in full all claims that are reasonable, and into any that may seem too high. One pleasing aspect of the question was that the officials requested to meet the native minister of the Wesleyan Church, and to discuss the more or less uncertain claims with him. The wheel of fortune has turned. He, for whose head the officials were offering $200, is now sought out in order to assist the latter in coming to some just conclusion, as to the amount of money to be paid to the poor people, who were fleeced of their all. Is is worthy of notice that this particular native minister who has the charge of five societies, is a man of great ability and greater piety. There is hope for China yet, whilst she can produce such men, out of her barbarism.
Tt was finally decided that the losses of the natives should be generously met, and already we happen to know that a large amount has been deposited in the bank on account. All this indicates that a new and conciliatory attitude has been assumed by the officials of the south, and, as the people take their cue from their rulers, the same tendency is observable all round. Some are sceptical, and say that this is only a lull before a new outbreak, like the lull in the centro of the typhoon, but we think that there is no reason to be pessimistic, for if there be no further extensive outbreaks in the north of China, the troubles in the south may be regarded as, for the present, at an end. Gunboats are still in evidence in Canton, but the population now know that their presence does not mean immediate bombardment of the native city, and many find that the money which the men spend, is not an amount to be despised. On the whole then things bid fair to lead to a peaceful conclusion.
The Mr. Sze, who lost his head a reward for his attempt to blow up the governor's yamen with dynamite, is almost forgotten. But. the mandarin have still in their possession a Dr. Young, who is a Christian, because of some documents of doubtful meaning found on him. Ho is charged with complicity with the unfortunate and silly plot. He is still in prison. He has been examined and subjected to torture more than once, but no further evidence can be extracted from any quarter. The documents found on him: he avers, are the results of fraud. The officials are therefore in a dilemma. There being no evidence forthcoming to incriminate the prisoner, they hesitate to lay their ruthless hands just now on a native Christian if it can be avoided; on the other hand, they are naturally suspicious lest there should be a dash of revolutionary spirit in the doctor. and so they hesitate, though he be a Christian, to release him. Tt is generally thought, however, that he will be released.
The rebellion in. the Huichon district on the East river, behind the new British hinterland. seems to have expended all its energies for the present. They and their pretentious and portentous flags, on which were emblazoned the characters Hang and Sun. hard either like Caesar "gone into winter quarters," or like Achilles, are sulking in their tents. At any rate, nothing has been heard of them for several weeks. and it would appear that notwithstanding their ambitions proclamations, and hich-sounding phrases, in which they promised eternal peace to the people, they have been scattered or disheartened by their contact with the Impenalist soldiers.
3rd December.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.