Ir is generally recognised in China, both by foreigners and natives, that. the Protestant Propaganda in China' is purely religious, the medical and educational branches of it being also carried on in the interest of religion The Roman Catholic Propagan la is! suggest that the priest is consciously encouraging oppression and li tice in order to make nominal converts to the religion of the conquerors of, Manchuria; but, speaking no Chinese, he is entirely at the merey of his interpreter; and knowing how Protestant and' Roman Catholic priests conversant with the language of the country are yet often the victims of the wiles of their native distants, it partly religious and largely political; lis not to be wondered that an eager ib is, in fact, in consequence of its! new-comer, perhaps with instructions value as a political institution that the Church is protected abroad while it is persecuted at home by the French Government. To the party at present in power in France, the Church is an article entirely for exportation, not for home consumption. No member of a Congregation is allowed to teach in a school in France, but the more Chinese boys he can instruct in French the better. No one who hashyed in China would attempt to depreciate the value to the Chinese of the religious work done by the French missionaries; but it does seem to usa pity that there is so much policy mixed up with it. A third Church, and one which has hitherto shown little or no desire to make proselytes, is now becoming active, with a very suspicious activity, in North China, the Russian branch of the Holy Greek Church.
From a correspondent in Chibli we hear. that Russian priests, who have their headquarters at Peitaiho, are prepati the way for an active propaganda in that province, when the time is ripe for a further movement. Their work is spreading, and the methods adopted are such as to attract all the worst characters of the districts in which they operate. Ina little town near the Great Wall where in June there were about a dozen converts to the Greek Church, there are now over eighty. Any and all are welcome; their families no less than the men themselves are reckoned as belonging to the Church. The priest has made a round of several towns, and, though he speaks no Chinese, by unhesitatingly giving protection and assistance in any case of dispute or litigation, he has made it clearly evident, that for any man in any way under a cloud there is nothing better than to join.the Greek Church. We do not mean to in his pocket from Port Arthur, should have his enthusiasm played upon by his interpreter.
The impression among European onlookers is, that Russia having practically established herself in Manchuria is preparing to extend her sheltering arms over Chihli and is beginning to smooth her way by gaining over the people in the eastern marches of the province. It is a significant fact that the Greek Church is known among the people asa "Kuo Chiao" (National Church), a charge from which the Protestants are considered to be entirely, and the Roman Catholics partially, free. As our correspondent i does not need a prophet to di whereto this movement will grow. There are some who still believe,
ening of Peking, and the brave words notwithstanding the Apencent awake telegraphed to the Viceroys and Governers of the Eighteen' Provinces, that the cession of Manchuria to Russia was definitely arranged with the Chinese Government long ago; and that the cession includes at least the northern part of the province of Chihli, and eastern Mongolia. This is said to be the reason for the Empress Dowager's determination to leave Peking and make Hsian, hereafter to be known as Changon, her' future capital. This, of course, would mean the certain disintegration of! China, and would be the beginning of endless troubles, internal and external. Recent events have shown the existence among the provincial officials, and notablz among the military officers, of an unsuspected feeling of patriotism, and this patriotism, if a leader were to show himself, would very probably result in action that would be very menacing to the present dynasty. Meanwhile, if the reports that reach us from eastern Mongolia are well-founded, as those from Chihli we know are, Russia is advancing with the Bible and the sword, and the Western Powers are too much divided among themselves Ito join Japan in restraining her. Russia is undecided about going to war at all; she could not possibly defy a European coalition with Japan to preserve the integrity and independence of China.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.