Fortunately, in Chengtu, there were "wheels within wheels," in the recent attempt to starve out the British and Americans, Everybody. realized that there was a sinister: hand stretched over the city. The daily papers were under its guidance. After the servants had been called out, and the boycott had teen in force for a few days, the rapers boasted that there was only one road for the foreigners and that was the road home. While the outer wheels were thus creat~ ing a spirit of revolution in the minds of the radical party, the inner wheels were generating a spirit of revulsion that extended throughout the city, among all classes, against this' high-handed, anarchistic movement that was able to assume the power of waylaying and seizing innocent men and women, hailing them before an vunlawfal tribunal, holding them up to the scorn of ribald mobs, forcibly parading them about' the streets as criminals. These inner wheels represented the conservative forces that recognize that wrongs, 20] called, cannot be righted by committing greater wrongs; or progress made by persecuting the innocent. They also represented the more advanced thought of a large community of Chinese who look above the arena of polities, and inter national bickerings, cognizant that new life was flowing through the nation, that higher ideals were seeking expression which could only reach their consumption by however, we cannot say that the Croat appeal. After all, for the inted speeches. idea holds out any
host part one goes to hear the men, and to enjoy his personality Gif riy). Whatever the contrary, most of us enjoy 2 good and witty speech, always! providing th> speakers bear in mind that brevity is the soul of wit and the main safezuerd agains' boredom: The ten aunute Unit, therefore seems to strike the happy medium. nobility of action. In the great war, they exclaimed, enemies fed their prisoners, then why shoul these jealous patriots plan to starve our. guests, guests" who have been in our midst for decades, who have by quiet inspirational "methods given an impetus to all the reforms Jand improvements that we are, or have become, heirs to.
Again these inner wheels includ.
that ever-growing circle of, trained Christian workers, whose influence in both the social and political life in the city cannot be weighed by their numbers. No event in recent years aroused such unity of action in the Christian community of the whole city ar the shameful treatment of Mr. Pen of the Canadian Press, when brought before the self-constituted tribunal of the "Shame Cleansing Society" (Hsueh Ch'i Hei), Fortunately this action brought about their immediate downfall.
The Power Behind As the chairman of this society was one of Liu Wen-hwei's right hand men, it was quite plain that the power behind all these unlaw-4ul doings, emanated from one of the dual leaders whose presence in the city is a constant mence. The city, metaphorically speaking, was formed upside down during the night of his capture, and Liu Wen-wei found the civie authorities including the Commissioner of police, together with citizens of repute wezing about him, lis excuse was that he had regarded the movement as a patriotic one, which in spirit should be encouraged, but he was unaware that it had' gone no far as to defy the authority of the ry, and that it had become so lawless, The result was that after two weeks of real slavery, a slavery of fear, the men and women returned to their positions, The fact that there were these inner wheels, and that they were composed of the sober steady element of the city had a reconciliatory effect upon the foreign community. At no time were there any threats against the person or property of a foreigner, The servant and food boycott did not extend to the riesha-men, who solicited patronage as usual," The people on the streets were respecul, though naturally curious as to what. ft all meant. One elderly individual who has for many years been in close contact with foreigners expressed the sentiments many, "I never expected to, live to tee this day." As the community had had sufficient notice of the strike to provide food, there no special anxiety, The good home cooking was greatly appreciated by all, The fact was that the larders were overflowing through the kindnesses of the many friends who defied the mandate to assist, Servants would return for a night and 60 some of the more difficult work such as baking, ete, "Do Not Go"
Even Ten Hsi-bou supposedly the highest official in the city, though somehow brought under the spell of inaction, fearing to arouse a con-flag ration, not knowing how widespread the movement was or how far other armies on the city over which he had no control were behind it made most friendly gestures, meeting the Missionaries in their homes and assuring them that no barm would come to them. When asked, if he would advise the departure of women and children, he answered very decidedly, no,' no, Wo not 0, do not go.'
Te would be safe to say that nine-tenths of those who left their positions did so unwillingly, and all seemed placed to return, Unbidden they went, uninvited they returned, as far as the foreigners were' concern-ea. Following their return the Canadian Press, the hospitals, and the Union University resumed their segalar work. The latter has now ig attendance about 150. students.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.