To the Editor of the folk emphasize that these bodies are the Leaders in world movement: British and American missionary bodies are just now active in passing resolutions concerning the abolition of extrality and tariff autonomy and kindred subjects.
These two points taken together give one furiously to think. The following considerations are pertinent and important. Some the facts may be new to your readers.
In the early French Treaty clatise was inserted in the French text which was ret found in the Chinese version; but since the treaty provided that the French version was to be the official one serted clause became effective and has had a potent influence on succeeding events.
'That clause enacted' that French, that is Catholic missionaries, were to be granted the privilege of residing anywhere in the interior and owning land and were folly protected in their work.
was freely stated atthe time, and was current in my early days, that the clause had been introduced by fraud and without the knowledge or consent of the Chinese Government. Be that as it may' the clause remained and was fully availed of by the Catholics." Protestant missionaries, seeing the advantage: that was being gained by—their rivals, moved their Governments, principally of course the British and American, to obtain the same privileges for' themselves, with the result that they were able and did This is cally called "Toleration Clauses. The missionary Societies have avail-fed themselves. to the utmost of these privileges and have bought land and founded residences and all kinds of institutions "everywhere, and have in vast numbers of cases used these same toleration clauses to protect their native converts from the operation of Chinese laws much to the annoyance of Chinese officials and-people, especially those opposed to the Christian, The Societies used the clauses up to the hilt till they reached to the present point where they now find strong opposition to the clauses, to themaclves, and the entire movement; they suddenly switch right round and say they welcome their abolition and that they are entirely in sympathy with the agitators' cries. Ina word the Societies hav become aware of a wave of app: rently popular feeling and they decide to make full use of the new move and ride on the wave to pop-
The Chinese are raising an antiforeign and anti-Christian "opposition and even the churches are in some cases telling the missionaries that they can go home and. their students are rioting against them, 130 they find it expedient to get in: to the new swim.
In all this there is not the slightest indication. of. leadership anywhere but actually the very opporite namely, a pitiful eagerness! to show they are in line with the popular clamour.
During all the recent troubles and hysterical outburst there wa fed a magnificent. opportuni the churches and their organizations to stand in the current and to try and cheek it or guide it, but they nothing of the kind. Now they Chinese that Codlin and not Short is their friend.
Through a long life I have tried to assist this country and people of my adoption and I yield to none in my esteem for the Chinese nation. am still ready and anxious to help them in every way possi At the same time I am absolutely opposed to the present hysteria and noisy outery.
It is not a true national move. ment but has its springs in Bolshevism which skilfully employs every agency of disorder and po-very to further its own ends. Agitators and others are fomenting strife, not for the good Country at all but ment is not a genuine and spontaneous outery of an oppressed People, but a manufactured one de signed to benefit a tiny fraction of the people, namely those who are vigorously exploiting it.
I am opposed to the abolition of extraterritoriality till' China has prepared herself for the ensuing responsibilities, because a yielding to the present fictitious agitation, will only bring disaster upon China and postpone her development. Its success will only be an incentive to all kinds of rascals and militarists to continue their efforts in their own, interests. I regard the mi assistance to this, agitation as vicious; the missionary publications seem to show that the Societies at the back of their support are also ed. not regarding solely the interests of China but their own position in the country. Many individual missionaries, to their credit, realizing the position are outspokenly opposed to the action of their Societies.
It is time for sane and thoughtfal Chinese now to come out into ion. will be really to the interest of their country, putting aside the rowdy student and agitator element and rallying to their side the solid elements of their Suntry at the same time calling upon friendly. foreigners and their governments to assist them. There are many such men in China: now is the time for them to come forward and declare themselves" even if there is risk in so doing. Until. such mon are found there is no prospect of China, advancing to a high rank amongst the nations which so many. fof us would like to see, Organized missionary societies and churches Thave had an opportunity of leader-hip rarely afforded and they have ignominiously failed to rise to the occasion, Tam, ete.
Epwanp S, Lirras Kuliag, Jan. 28, 1926.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.