(Written for the "N.C, Daily News.)
Shen Tun-ho, who las s9 energetically settled the missionary cases in Shansi, is exceptionally able and promising official. His career has a special interest for foreigners. He was for 17 years the Politienl Agent of the Chinese Govemnment in the Yangtze Valley under the well-known Viceroy Liu. In 1900 he was degraded, at the impeachment of Kang Yi, us being too dangerous character, having too many pro-foreign proclivities and much influence. It would have bosn too dangerous to degrade Liu, and the next best thing was to banish' his right-hand mn, for the post roads, Shen received over 200 telegrams of synspsthy from all parts of the world. According to Chinese custom, he went to the actual place of banishment, served" single day and then returned and retired in Kalgan, When the Boxer hweane turbulent he warned all sionaries of their peril, and many owe their lives to his timely advice and help. He was spotted ax a marked man, and in self-defence fortified his house and armed and drilled 40 men for its defer he Boxers attacked, but were repulsed, Then Shen became sufficiently powerful to take the aggressive and he soon Cleared the whole Boxer rabble out of the city. The very day he di ye Tartar General said to Shen: "You take a very different method with the Boxers from that pursued by the Governor Yit Hsien he. has just killed some 5} foreigners." Well," replied Shen, "if s", take my word for it, a punitive forewn army will visit thix fis prophecy was correct. When the Court lace before six months have passed." And
passed to T'aiyuw, Shen had to hide, but soon he was aS anxiously sought after ax before he had been suspected and maligned. The whole officials of the Kalgan dist-let, who grovelled in the dust before the Boxer leaders, asked Shen to come their rescue. "He stipulated that first of all the entire Tartar troops be disarmed that he be given full supplies and power t+ raise, drill and command an efficient 'At once al! power was p'
jis hands and he sct to work to preify the district. On the approach of the Germans and troops of the Allied Forces, Shen went out to meet the Commanders. Some of his men were +h and he himself arrested, but he was so able to state his case and secure immuni y from attack for various cities. He became personally responsible"to the Germans fur the peace of the district, and refused to hind over the city to their command Soon his ability became kn-wu and he was asked by both Waldersee and Li Buy chang to except important posts, long aft-r, he was comminded to go Taiyuanfa and settle with the Governer how to keep out the foreign troops. As in Kalgan, he went in person Commanders and aakeatr for the protection of fureigr He established police posts and organised Pacific measures. So long as there was the likelihood of a visit from foreign troops he was able-to carry out such measures as he thought best, but now that Dughear has passed he finds it difficult to initiate anything progressive, Shen is a man of exceptional—ability and possessed of illimitable common-the indi<pensable qualification of a according to Lord Roseved part of his education and speaks English with fevedom, His tact and intelligence mark him out as one the Chinese Government cannot afford to pass by, Perhaps the most interesting fact in his career is that, before his degra"ation his name was the third on the list for appointing s Ambassador Great Brituin—an office he would fill with honour.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.