China Mail 1891-05-19
From the N.-C. Daily News, 16th May.
For several days past, rumors had been circulating that a mob intended to loot and set fire to the property belonging to the Jesuit Fathers in Wuhu. The alleged reason for this was a belief that a number of Chinese children had been seized and killed, and their eyes taken out to make medicine for the Fathers. This rumor was fueled by an earlier incident where two Chinese women, claiming their sons had been kidnapped by Jesuits, went to the Roman Catholic Mission. Though their children were not there, their lamentations drew a crowd, which was eventually dispersed by the Taotai. On Tuesday morning, news arrived of an attack on the Roman Catholic Mission at Yangchow. In the afternoon, the two women returned to the Wuhu Mission, loudly bewailing their fate, which again drew a crowd. The crowd concluded that the priests had made away with the children, citing the presence of coffins on the premises as evidence. These coffins, however, were intended for deceased members of the Mission. Additionally, stories circulated about Chinese Sisters or nuns who had previously been at Wuhu, touching children's heads, leading to claims that these nuns could strike people deaf and dumb. All these discussions worked the crowd into a frenzy, leading to an attack on the Roman Catholic premises.
Foreigners initially took little notice of these threats, but on Tuesday, their confidence proved misplaced. Soon after noon, crowds began to gather around the Jesuit Fathers' premises. At about 4 p.m., they broke through the walls, burst open the doors, drove the Fathers out, and commenced looting and destroying everything they could find. They then set fire to the house where the Fathers lived—a splendid building only recently finished—as well as the cathedral, hospital, and all other buildings in the compound. The mob next proceeded to the British Consulate, throwing stones through windows and destroying flowers and other garden property. Only the timely arrival of the Taotai with some men, combined with the Consul's coolness, saved the building from being set on fire. Hundreds of savage natives were yelling and howling around the place, forcing the Consul and his wife to disguise themselves in Chinese clothes to escape their fury.
By 8 o'clock, all foreigners succeeded in reaching the Custom House, located on the riverbank. The ladies and children were sent to the China Navigation Company's receiving ship, with the Consul and a number of other foreigners accompanying them for protection. The remaining foreigners, fully armed, stayed at the Custom House, as word came that the mob intended to burn it and all surrounding buildings, which were occupied by Customs staff and owned by the Jesuits. Twice during the night, these houses were looted and set on fire. Only the prompt actions of Commissioner Mr. Woodruff and his staff, assisted by the Taotai, who behaved commendably, saved the entire property from being burnt.
On Wednesday morning, things were quieter, and people were seen carrying away anything they could find from the Fathers' houses and Customs offices that had not yet been looted or destroyed. By 10 o'clock, an immense crowd had again collected behind the Custom House, and the surrounding buildings were once more set ablaze. The fully armed members of the Customs staff charged the crowd repeatedly, extinguished the fires, and by their determination and pluck, succeeded in keeping thousands of men at bay. At 3 p.m., the arrival of three Chinese gunboats brought relief. They anchored between the receiving ships and the shore and immediately began firing blank cartridges. It was amusing to see the mob fleeing as though showers of grapeshot were falling amongst them. At 5 p.m., the men-of-war fired more blank cartridges, and soon after, it began to rain, causing the mob to melt away. By 7 p.m., the mob was quieter, and throughout the night, soldiers continued firing blank cartridges to scare people away.
Some 200 soldiers arrived from Taiping Fu on Thursday morning, providing a sense of safety for the time being. Great praise is due to Mr. Woodruff and his staff for their determined protection of the Custom House, proving that a few men armed with rifles and endowed with pluck are sufficient to deter a large Chinese mob. No rifle was fired by the Customs staff, but a few touches of the bayonet and a prick or two from a sword showed the people that foreigners were not to be trifled with. There is no doubt that the arrival of the gunboats saved the place from being looted and fired, as reliable sources indicated the mob was waiting for night to raid Jesuit property, with unknown potential consequences.
During the cathedral's destruction, well-dressed men in silks and satins were seen directing the crowd, and it seemed a pity that these individuals, rather than a few wretched individuals, were not arrested. The mob went systematically to work, pulling down buildings as if paid for the job. They carefully removed hinges from doors and windows with screwdrivers, presumably for resale or reuse, and carried away all they could in boats. Before the houses were fired, a man dressed in silks, with a fan in one hand and a red flag in the other, directed the mob. On Wednesday morning, during the second riot, rioters encouraged each other with cries of "ta, ta" and proceeded to the Roman Catholic Mission. They streamed into the compound like swarms of ants, their numbers estimated at 10,000. The rioters dug up graves on the premises and broke open coffins. Fortunately, the report that an old woman and two children were burnt to death turned out to be incorrect, as the missing woman has since arrived in Shanghai. The mob did not demonstrate against the Methodist Episcopal (American) Mission, which was some distance from the Roman Catholic premises. However, the British Consul informed the missionaries he would not take responsibility for further trouble, so they departed on the Tehhsing, though Mr. Whalley remained behind, living on a hulk with other foreigners. Two ladies who came down on the steamer lost everything and escaped only in the clothes they were wearing.
The Chinese men-of-war that arrived at 3 p.m. on Wednesday were on their way upriver, escorting H.E. Shên Ping-cheng, Governor of Anhui and late acting Viceroy at Nanking, who had left the previous week and had no knowledge of the Wuhu riot until their arrival. They anchored abreast of the yamen, and after the Consul had been on board, they shifted berths and moored inside the hulks to be able to engage the mob if necessary. Before their arrival, some fifteen rioters had been arrested and tied up, but H.E. suggested to the Taotai that he release them, as they could always be found again if needed. At 0:30 a.m. on Thursday, there was a small fire, which was quickly extinguished. At 1 a.m., the Yuenko arrived, having made a swift run from Kiukiang in response to a telegram. At 6 a.m., the Tehhsing left for Shanghai, and the Yuenko departed at noon.
The Tehhsing arrived at Wuhu at 6 a.m. on Wednesday and was soon informed of the riot. She went alongside the Li-tai, an iron hulk selected for its durability, where the ladies and children of Wuhu had taken refuge. They were all transferred to the Tehhsing, and Captain Cain and his officers and engineers did everything to make them comfortable, bringing them to Shanghai. At Kiukiang, they picked up priests who had escaped from Wuhu in a boat and had been seen by locals, having arrived an hour before the Tehhsing. While the mob was demolishing the Cathedral, Captain Cain went ashore and walked to the scene, but was not molested, despite staying some time to observe the destruction. The report that Mr. Ford, the British Consul, was wounded, appears to have been a mistake.
The French man-of-war Inconstant was nine miles below Kiukiang on Thursday at 6 p.m. H.M.S. Linnet, found by the tugboat sent to look for her, returned to Woosung soon after noon yesterday. She was detained for a pilot, but Mr. Flood went down to her in the afternoon, and she has since proceeded to Wuhu.
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Commenting on the absence of a British gunboat, the N.-C. Daily News of the 16th instant states: When the riot broke out at Wuhu last Tuesday, there was only one British man-of-war, the gunboat Linnet, in the whole of North China. She had gone out to sea for target practice and was only located last evening. We hope our contemporaries at home will address this, for it is a fact, though hardly believable, that out of more than twenty vessels comprising the British naval force in the Far East, only one small gunboat could be spared to protect all the northern and river ports, which account for over three-fourths of the British population and trade in China.
The danger of leaving treaty ports thus unprotected has been repeatedly brought to the attention of successive admirals commanding the station, both personally and through the Press. Yet, they turn a deaf ear, and when a riot occurs, like those at Kiukiang or the present one at Wuhu, there is telegraphing in hot haste, and a gunboat is finally found and sent up after all is over, the rioters dispersed, and nothing remains but the smoking ashes of British property for her to protect. The admiral is denounced, and not unnaturally, but we believe that, in fact, the admiral is not primarily to blame.
The real culprit is the Foreign Office at home. The center of government has, in recent years, chosen to treat China as a thoroughly civilized country, and Chinese susceptibilities are offended if anything suggests that the British government doubts the perfect safety of British life and property in Chinese ports under Chinese protection. We know this is utter nonsense, and we believe the British Minister at Peking and the Foreign Office ought to know it too. We must credit Sir Thomas Wade with knowing this, for he tried to prevent Chungking from being opened until it was certain that a gunboat could reach there. No doubt the Chinese Minister in London tells Lord Salisbury that the government has gunboats and soldiers and is amply able to keep its people in order, and that it is unfriendly to act as if China's assurances could not be believed. We need a Lord Palmerston at the Foreign Office again to answer such representations: to show the Chinese that true friendliness consists in preventing these riots, not in accepting assurances that they cannot occur, when, as a matter of fact, they do occur and will continue to occur, unless there is some foreign force at hand to prevent them. Two days before the riot actually broke out at Wuhu, the Roman Catholic missionaries warned the Taotai that the Orphanage was threatened with burning. If a foreign gunboat had been accessible, the threat would not have been carried out. When the mate of the Pekin was nearly killed at Wuhu, Mr. Mansfield anticipated a riot and wired for a gunboat. It was promptly known at the Taotai's yamen that he had done so, and there was no riot. The Taotai came to Mr. Mansfield and begged him to withdraw the telegram, as the Viceroy would be very angry, which he indeed was; and a special Taotai was promptly sent to Wuhu, and strong measures taken. Our authorities do not seem to understand that it is the knowledge that the gunboat is near, as well as the sight of her, that keeps down the mob. It is as a preventive measure that she is wanted, not to bombard, burn, and destroy. The Chinese gunboats are useless in such a case. The Taotai of Wuhu has no authority over the captain of a Chinese gunboat, if she happens to be in port, and if the captain saw a riot going on, he would shut himself up in his cabin and see nothing; he would never dream of landing his men and trying to check the mob. Unless he received a direct order from headquarters at Nanking, it would not be his affair at all.
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**Chefoo Report, 12th May.**
A correspondent of the N.-C. Daily News writes: Some considerable uneasiness is felt here among Chinese officials for the safety of the Chinese gun-vessel and transport Taian, which left here on the 1st May bound for Laichow Fu with His Excellency Sheng Taotai and suite on board, and 3,000 bags of rice for distribution. I hear privately that there has been a considerable amount of telegraphing during the past two or three days between here, Laichow Fu, and other neighboring stations, with the object of obtaining some definite news of her present whereabouts, but, up to this present writing, nothing concerning the vessel has come to light. I understand that Admiral Ting at Weihaiwei has been wired to institute an immediate search for the missing vessel, but naturally, the matter is kept very quiet here. It blew a furious gale on the 5th and 6th instant, and the gunboat may have been disabled, though it is strange that so long a time should have elapsed with no news of her.
China Mail 1891-05-22
China Mail 1891-05-22
THE WUHU RIOTS
The Shanghai Mercury of 16th inst. contains the following details, some of which are new. By the latest intelligence from Wuhu, the few rounds of blank cartridge fired on the rioters by the Governor of Anhui appear to have had the effect of entirely quelling the disturbance. When the W. Cores de Vries, which arrived at Shanghai this afternoon, left Wuhu at 10 A.M. yesterday, everything was then perfectly quiet. The Chinese war-vessels, which had been of so much assistance, had left the port, with Shen Ping Cheng expressing himself satisfied that no further outbreak was to be feared. Six hundred Chinese soldiers are quartered in the town from different places; the de Vries had brought one hundred from Nanking. Yesterday morning, Mr. Woodruff, the Commissioner of Customs, walked down from his residence to the Custom House unattended, without meeting the slightest incivility on the way. The officers of the Cores de Vries, which, like other ships arriving at the port since the outbreak, went alongside the refuge hulk, were able to walk freely about the Settlement and see for themselves the damage done, without the Chinese attempting to be in any way unfriendly, though the streets are reported to be still thronged with excited people. The Mission premises are a heap of ruins, as are the houses, the property of the priests, where the Customs official principally resided. Much indignation is expressed at the conduct of the officials in charge of the Telegraphs, who refused to wire intelligence to Shanghai until they had privately telegraphed to the head of the department here for permission. When the Cores de Vries left, the Customs officials had resumed their ordinary work, though in the Custom House, rifles were still stacked ready for use at a moment's notice. Pickets of Chinese soldiers patrolling the streets, blowing their horns and firing an occasional blank shot to frighten the inhabitants, still gave evidence that the fire was smouldering.
On her way down to Shanghai, the Cores de Vries passed the Inconstant, which is still anxiously looked for at Wuhu, about 18 miles beyond Nanking. She saw no sign of the Linnet. The greatest credit is due to Captain Cain and the officers of the Tehshing, who gave up their cabins to the ladies and children fleeing from Wuhu. In addition to those whose names we mentioned last evening as having come away in the Tehshing, that vessel also brought down Mrs. Cassidy and her child as far as Nanking. This port, by the way, the Governor of Anhui had just left with the three Chinese men-of-war when instructions arrived from the Tsung-li Yamen for those very vessels to proceed at once to the disturbed port. Though there were no signs of an immediate fresh outbreak of the riots at Wuhu when the Cores de Vries left, no one can tell what may happen. It is a crying shame that up to yesterday there was no sign of a foreign war-vessel there for the protection of the residents, and it will be a long time before the disgraceful neglect of the startling incidents of Tuesday and Wednesday are forgotten.
The following notes on the trouble have been supplied to us by one of the French fathers: It is quite certain that the Wuhu trouble has been premeditated. It was a regular attack against all foreigners. On Sunday night, the Customs officials were already notified of trouble brewing against all foreigners, a number of whom went afloat on board the hulks in the river. On Monday, there were general rumours of a hateful nature being propagated from the secret societies against foreigners without exception, and their covetousness of the riches of the natives of China (fang yang-tsai). On Monday again, we learned from a sure source of information that the hatred of the savage rabble was largely directed not only against missionaries, but also against the Foreign Customs. The straightforwardness and honesty of whose officers goes against the grain of the majority of the low, vulgar rabble. Tuesday showed distinctly that the movement was well planned and cleverly prepared, else it would have been impossible to direct such a large mob in unison, as really was the case. Therefore, there is not the slightest doubt that the whole affair has been premeditated.
All the missionaries' worldly belongings were destroyed, burned, or stolen. There were quarters for about thirty fathers, a fine library, and furniture, besides, of course, large supplies of stores and provisions not only for the local mission, but for the stations farther inland as well. There were also a school for boys, a chapel, servants' quarters, and other necessary buildings and outhouses. What the fire could not destroy, the vandals certainly otherwise managed to do away with. The hospital attached to the mission, for the benefit of the natives, has been destroyed too.
It is to be regretted that the local Magistrate, even after being pressed by the British Consul, did next to nothing to take steps for the protection of the endangered people. On Sunday night, two Christian women were taken up in a most brutal manner and dragged before the Police Magistrate, and were kept all night at the Cheh Sien's yamen. They were accused of having deprived two little children of the power of speech by the exercise of witchcraft, but the women had to be liberated because the charge could not be proved. The next day, a woman came and wanted her son from the orphanage, pretending they had robbed her of her child; but the charge was shown to be quite a trumped-up one. Nevertheless, quite a big crowd of desperate and threatening appearance kept banging around the place all day. It is remarkable that a few days previous to this outbreak, an abortive attempt had been made against the Roman Catholic orphanage at Yangchow, and requests through the Consul had to be made repeatedly to the Taotai before protection was afforded. In Wuhu, it was at the very last moment that the three foreign resident fathers succeeded in saving themselves. When the incensed and excited mob invaded the premises, the missionaries made their escape and embarked in a native junk, proceeding to Chinkiang.
China Mail 1891-05-27
China Mail 1891-05-27
Trouble nearly repeated the serious events at Wuhu in Nganking. On Thursday, the 14th, a rumour spread through the town that the Taotai of Wuhu had forwarded to the authorities a long dispatch in which he stated as true the calumnious and infamous deeds attributed to the missionaries. From another source, passengers who arrived by steamers helped, by their accounts and their excitement, to irritate the inhabitants of the capital. On the morning of Saturday, the 16th, placards were already posted, especially in the neighboring quarters of the Western Gate. These placards announced that on that day they intended to settle the old quarrel with the Catholic Mission, and that if they were not successful on the 16th, they would try again on the 18th.
About 10 o'clock in the morning, certain individuals forced open the doors of the missionaries' house and refused to listen to the polite request from the servants to withdraw. One of the missionaries then came forward and told them that strangers were not allowed that day to visit the house unless they came as representatives of the town's authorities. The intruders slowly retired, and the door was shut. But at the same time, information was sent to the nearest yamen and help was requested. Help arrived just in time; the crowd steadily increased, and in a short time, several hundred people arrived from all sides, massing themselves around the mission's house and orphanage. Throughout the day, the situation remained very critical. There were several alarms; they tried to break open the orphanage door. Fortunately, one of the assailants was immediately seized and punished on the spot by the Chinese officer on duty. Subsequently, the arrival of about 15 mandarins, some of high rank, successively kept the crowd at bay until the evening. Meanwhile, the Catholic Mission was not the only one in danger. An equally large crowd attacked the Inland Mission situated at the Northern Gate. The Chinese authorities arrived in time at this second point of danger, preventing further mischief for the day.
On the morning of the 17th, the rioters changed their tactics. Women came to the doors of the orphanage to reclaim children whom they had long before handed over to the mission. Although this was done very quietly, the concourse of people looked dangerous, and the authorities were requested to take further precautions. At this moment, the missionaries, knowing that a French man-of-war was at Wuhu, telegraphed to the English Consul in that town, asking him to inform the captain of the danger they were in. A reply was received a few hours later announcing the departure of the *Inconstant* under Captain de Jonquières, who was heading for Nganking. This intelligence was immediately made known to the Chinese authorities.
On the morning of the 18th, the *Inconstant* anchored below the town walls, not far from the missionaries' house. The captain immediately received a letter from the Fathers informing him of the state of affairs. He was, moreover, already on his way in a steam launch to gather intelligence. He went on board again to write a letter to the Governor of the town, assuring him of his peaceable intentions and his desire to act in concert with the Chinese authorities to maintain order and suppress the riot. But he made it understood that if the rioters did not listen to the magistrate, as was the case at Wuhu, he would not hesitate to take strong measures, leaving the responsibility for any further consequences to rest with the proper authorities. The Governor replied that order would be maintained and there was no need for alarm. He ordered the Taotai to go the next day and convey this assurance to the captain of the *Inconstant*. As a matter of fact, on the 18th, perfect quiet seemed to prevail in the town. On the 19th, the German gunboat *Iltis*, Captain Ascher, which was coming down the river, also anchored below the walls of Nganking. In the forenoon, the two captains, accompanied by some officers, came together to the missionaries' house. They informed the Taotai that he could pay his visit there. He came there with his suite, and the interview was a most amicable one. At the same time, the Superior General of the Mission, who had arrived that same morning, felt he ought to very forcibly recount the incidents he had witnessed at Wuhu, at the house he had left only when it was set on fire. From this simple statement, the share of each individual's responsibility in this lamentable event was clearly shown. After visiting the mission and its buildings, the European officers returned on board, escorted by the guard of the Chinese mandarins. The following night, Captain Ascher received orders from the German Minister at Peking to leave at once for Kinkiang. On the morning of the 20th, Captain de Jonquières came ashore alone to return the Taotai's visit. At the present moment, all danger is not yet at an end. Placards posted this evening announce for Friday, the 2nd, the total destruction of all the mission's buildings.
For some days past, the chief theme of conversation on the streets here has been the riots at Yangzhou and Wuhu. Considerable insolence is manifested in certain quarters towards foreigners, and old-time stories of the practices of Roman Catholic missionaries have been freely circulated. A rumour prevailed in Wuhu for a time that the Wuhu priests had fled to Nanking, and rioters made threats of following them to this city, which naturally increased the excitement here. The people here very generally ascribe the uprising to the well-known secret society, the Ko-lao, which is very strong at Wuhu and indeed throughout this whole district. Many officials, even some of high rank, are openly accused of belonging to it. How correct these reports may be is of course impossible to say, but they find ready credence. It is commonly reported here that the 20th of the present Chinese month has been fixed upon for further rioting at Wuhu. No reliance is of course to be placed in rumours, but it is a coincidence worth noting that yesterday a neatly printed placard was posted on the M. E. Hospital of this city with the following warning:
十天之内一起收
外頭之人不要憂
洋行的人不要喜
Shih t'ien chih nei i ch'i shou
Wai t'ou chih jen pu yao yu
Yang hang tih jen pu yao hsi
"Within ten days they will all be taken; outside men will have nothing to be alarmed about; men in foreign hongs will have nothing to be pleased about." The ten days mentioned would bring it to the 20th of the Chinese month.
The settled residents of Nanking, as a rule, seem to be favorably disposed toward foreigners, but there is a large floating population containing a great many adventurers and other restless spirits who would be glad of any opportunity to plunder. It is true we have a large army in the city, but the soldiers are nearly all Hunan men and more than suspected of connection with the secret society mentioned above. They are decidedly anti-foreign in their views and have shown their disposition in the several outrages committed by them at the foreign burying ground here. Since my last letter, these outrages have been repeated; the wall has been further damaged, and a grave again disturbed. The officials seem unwilling to take any further action in the matter, but the American Consul at Chinkiang has been notified and will, without doubt, secure redress.
On the 18th inst., Mr. von Loehr, the Acting Consul General for Germany, telegraphed to the Viceroy at Nanking, claiming his protection for the German missionary at Nganking, and received the same evening the following reply: "To the German Consul-General—I have received and read your telegraphic message. At present, in the city of Nganking, there are various officers in charge. There are also soldiers to keep the people under restraint. I shall certainly not allow ignorant persons to raise disturbances. I, the Governor General, have already sent orders by telegraph to the prefect Shiên in charge to carefully keep watch and thoroughly and securely protect (those who may be attacked). I, of the surname Liu, send this telegram." Mr. von Loehr also at once telegraphed to request the gunboat *Iltis* to proceed to the scene for the protection of a German missionary there. The only foreigners at Nganking are missionaries. The Society of Jesus and the China Inland Mission are both represented there, the latter having a considerable number of missionaries stationed there. H.I.G.M.'s gunboat arrived at Nganking on Tuesday, 19th inst., and the commander telegraphed to Mr. von Loehr that all was quiet, but the German missionary there had asked that the *Iltis* might remain for three days.
The *Shanghai Mercury*'s correspondent writes on 13th inst.: All the foreign members of the Customs staff, who were under the cool and able guidance of Mr. Commissioner Woodruff, were quite equal to the occasion. They bivouacked around the Customs premises the whole time, marching, counter-marching, and charging from time to time as occasion required. About fourteen foreign houses in all have been looted, seven of which were completely destroyed, including the Sanatorium, Mission Schools, and the partially erected Catholic Cathedral. The five new houses, four of which had been recently occupied by members of the Customs staff, were completely looted and are now occupied by Chinese. The Chinese gunboats left us yesterday morning and proceeded to Nganking, where there are rumours of fresh trouble. The river steamers have been doing a kind of 'sentry go' here, each vessel awaiting the arrival of another previous to her departure. The French gunboat *Inconstant* arrived this afternoon.
Rev. John Walley writes to the *North-China Daily News* on 16th inst.: "SIR, Since I last wrote, we have been somewhat quieter. The Futai and the attendant men-of-war left on Thursday morning, and we looked in vain for any further protection until Friday evening, when the *Inconstant* arrived, followed by a small Chinese gunboat on Saturday. But the poor Britisher is still looking for the promised Blue Jackets. When will they appear? The *Linnet* arrived next day, 17th inst." The vigorous action of the foreign residents seems to have been a good lesson and would no doubt have effectually quelled the disturbance if it had been followed up by as vigorous a show of authority, and we should have been entirely free from further difficulty. But there is still a very decided anti-foreign feeling. The proclamation issued by the Taotai, instead of soothing the angry feelings of the people, is calculated rather to irritate and is, in fact, causing an uneasy movement among them. Though the proclamation commands the people to return quietly to their homes under pain of immediate death if caught in any disturbance, yet he tacitly acknowledges that there may have been cause for the uprising by saying: "If you find that these institutions kidnap or steal children, don't create any disturbance but bring the matter before the proper authorities to be dealt with."
It is probably the result of this that there appears this morning a placard, supposed to be issued by the Ko-lao Hui, abusing in very liberal terms the foreigner in general and the Catholic Mission in particular, and then proceeding to state that Protestants and Catholics are about the same: "You have already destroyed the Catholic property, let 10,000 come together as one man on the 20th of this month and completely destroy all the property belonging to both missions on Yih-chi-shan. All Chinese living or having goods on those premises should move at once." This is how we stand at present; what the end will be we cannot say. True, we have plenty of soldiers sent from different parts to protect us, but this is not reassuring when we know that part of the prisoners taken with booty in their hands during the riot were these same protectors with their uniforms turned inside out. So I am sure you will not blame us for not placing much trust in such protection. The grave that was opened was that of one of the priests who died here some months ago. The coffin was opened and the body searched for treasure supposed to be buried there. Had not the Hsien arrived at this juncture, it is probable that other graves would have been treated in a similar way. An astonishing part of these proceedings was the cool manner in which everything was torn down and carried away. A large iron chest, supposed to be a safe, requiring ten or twelve men to carry, was quietly carried off in broad daylight. Heavy beams and planks, requiring several men to carry them, were carried in open daylight past the foreign residences. Even large bronze figures, nearly life-size, supposed to be intended for the Cathedral in course of erection, were carried past the line of soldiers on guard without any question being asked, and now stand in open places not far from the scene of the riot. It is said that some, at least, of the thieves and rioters have met with severe punishment; several have met their death by falling walls, while others, staying too long in the burning building, fell from the upper story into the burning mass below and were burnt to death. Some twenty or thirty of those taken in the act are in the hands of the officials and are said to be awaiting the executioner's knife. The desecration of the graves has caused much excitement among the men on board the French gun-vessel.
The following is a literal translation of the proclamation posted at Wuhu since the riot, referred to in Mr. Walley's letter published yesterday: "The country is betrayed and the people are ruined. Human beings are trampled down and reduced to dust. Such being the state of affairs, we humbly beg to state the following. Wuhu is a treaty port thickly populated with foreigners, who cause people injury to such an extent that it is impossible for the pen to fully describe. Lately, the Roman Catholic Mission is building churches in every portion of the place. Every convert is paid a monthly sum of $6, and it is by such means that ignorant males and females are led to enter the churches where men and women congregate together without discrimination. This breach of morality and custom is in itself a violation of the fixed laws of the State. Now, women are procured from other places and are paid to abduct children whose eyes and intestines are taken out and whose heart and kidneys are cut off. What crimes have these innocent children committed that they should suffer such horrible deaths! What makes it more lamentable is that when a child is stolen, the child's family also perish, deeply vexed that the acute mental pain drives one to wish for death—quick apoplexy or suicide generally follows. But their (Roman Catholics') sins have reached the limit, and the vengeance of Heaven is ready to burst forth. On the 3rd of this moon, two female child thieves went to Honan (South side of the River) and abducted a child by drugging him. The child's mother saw the act and called out to the child, but the child was unable to speak, looking stultified. The people, upon apprehending the two abductresses, discovered on their persons two bottles containing drugs for stupefying children. The female child thieves were taken to the Pao-chia-chu-street patrol's office and from there to the Magistrate's yamên. The Roman Catholic church priests, hearing of the matter, at once sent a bribe of 600 taels to the Magistrate, who, on receiving the money, returned the two abductresses in sedan chairs to the church. The priests of the Roman Catholic church steal and kill Chinese children, and their crimes should have been expiated with death punishment; but the god of wealth bought off their lives. Money is superior to law; the precious code and golden rules are misapplied. It shows the [magistrate's] intention of exterminating our Chinese race and of assisting the barbarian thieves. The following day, Li Shetshuen lost a child three years old, and Wang Wan-fah a child aged five years. But this is more marvelous: a one-year-old child belonging to a woman by the surname of Shen was lying in a cradle in the room and disappeared in the twinkling of an eye, cradle and all, without leaving behind the slightest trace. The devilish tricks are so numerous that people are in despair of protecting their lives. The two fathers and the mother who lost their children proceeded to the Roman Catholic church to look for their missing ones. They perceived several carcasses and dried bones of young children and also four underground cells. These discoveries caused suspicious thoughts, and the people were requested to make a search and examination. The barbarians, with their thieving conscience-stricken and their hearts fluttering, bribed the petty military mandarin Yao with 40 taels, who accordingly dispatched 40 soldiers to keep guard over the church's entrance. Swords were freely used on those who attempted entrance. A Chinese official indeed rendering barbarians help to injure his native countrymen! Two men were wounded with sword cuts on the head, blood trickling down all over their face. The hearts of the people rebelled at such an outrage. The devils' nest is torn down and burnt. The officials turned against the petty people, arrested some, and threw them in prison with their hands and feet tied. This extraordinary occurrence originated from the officials and not from the people. The officials compelled the people to create disturbance, and the people could not but produce a riot. Now, the tens of thousands of the people of Wuhu, on the 20th day, with united hearts and combined strength, destroy the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant Church and all the properties owned by them! When these are destroyed, no rebuilding will ever be permitted. Destroy again as soon as they rebuild. Chase out all the barbarian thieves; then can we rise and ascend the mat (meaning from unhappiness to happiness). Should any of the race be left here, we can never arrive at the happy [stage or place]. Only the Roman Catholic church is to be destroyed, but do not touch the Customs. If you injure the Customs, you will not escape the arm of the law. Know and remember this!" The Public Community of the whole of Wuhu. N.B.—Those who rent the houses belonging to the churches are warned to remove immediately to other places so as to avoid being involved when the time comes. "Drive away the evil, so that the good may remain in peace."
For some days past, says the *Shen-pao*, the police in the French Concession have been on the lookout for inflammatory placards, two of which have already been torn down and destroyed. The text of these documents goes on to say that the French are always the first among foreigners to cause disturbance, and it is towards them especially that the hatred of the Chinese is directed. Instances of this bitter feeling against the French have already been given in Wuhu and the other River Ports, and the placards warn the French in Shanghai that their turn will soon come, as the patience of the Chinese here, who have always hitherto exhibited generosity and long-suffering, is nearly exhausted. The placards revile the French Mixed Court Magistrate, whom, the writer says, was once a house-boy to a foreigner and is not capable of looking after Chinese interests. At the recent inquest, he sat like a block, incapable of uttering a word, and left all the work to the Shanghai Che-hsien. The placard concludes that a general attack will be made upon the foreigners in the French Concession on the 27th of the Chinese moon.
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The *N.-C. Daily News* says: We have been anxious not to cause unnecessary alarms, and we have therefore said very little about the recent unfortunate death of a Chinaman after an encounter with a French policeman; but it cannot be concealed that there is a very strong feeling at the present moment among the Chinese in the city and the settlements that justice has not been done in the matter. The Chinese do not understand that European laws do not allow a man to be convicted of murder unless it is satisfactorily proved—if necessary by a post-mortem examination—that he willfully caused the death complained of, and vague threats are being made of reprisals unless satisfaction, or what they consider satisfaction, is done. It is to be hoped that the existing disaffection will pass over without any overt manifestation being made, but there is trouble in the air, though it is not likely to break out while the *Villars* remains here. Those who are responsible for the safety of the settlements are on the alert, and all the necessary preparations have been made by Major Morrison, in the event of the services of the Volunteers being required. Already we hear of people up-country being asked, somewhat menacingly, if they are French or English, and these things are straws which show how the popular wind is blowing. Fortunately, we have had sufficient warning; and forewarned, with prudent people, is forearmed. The Taotai of Shanghai has issued a proclamation putting a stop to anonymous placards inciting people to rise against foreigners and to fabricating rumours detrimental and injurious to foreign religious orders. H.E. states that he was already taking steps in secret to discover and arrest those who are causing apprehension to the people when a dispatch was received from the Viceroy of Nanking on the same subject. The law for punishing writers of anonymous placards and concocting rumours with the intent to mislead the people and stir up trouble is death by decapitation or strangulation, according to the degree of the offense. The Viceroy mentions that Catholic priests have been sanctioned by the Chinese Government, and that ill-disposed and mischievous people are not permitted to interfere with and harm them. Natives who have embraced the [foreign] faith are admonished not to listen to rumours, or to show needless apprehension, or to be suspicious. The people of the settlements and Siccawei are to take notice of this proclamation.
At Chinkiang, on 18th May, it is astonishing to what extent the common people and even the literati in this part of China believe the old story of foreigners taking out hearts and eyes. The Catholics are thought to be specially gifted in this direction by the few who know the difference between Catholics and Protestants, but most Chinese make no distinction whatever. The native who cares to know something about the world in general will tell you that all Catholics are Frenchmen and all Frenchmen Catholics. We are often told by the Chinese of the intense hatred cherished by the natives against the Catholics. Doubtless, the Catholics are well informed of the utter contempt of Protestants held by Chinese. The conclusion of the whole matter is that there is a deep-seated animosity against all foreigners, and when a mob breaks out, all ecclesiastical and national distinctions are forgotten. To do the Chinese justice, we must remember that all the people who congregate when a riot is in progress are not necessarily rioters themselves. The foreign resident knows how easily a crowd is collected by one person standing on a street corner; and when foreign houses are being burned, the people of a whole district will come to look. The temptation to plunder is, in these cases, very strong, and many yield; but it may safely be said that a very few determined men can begin a successful riot at any of the river ports on very short notice. It may also be safely said that there are in this port numbers of the Yangzhou and Wuhu looters who are practiced in the art of egging on the plebs to burn foreign houses. The careful student of recent Chinese history observes a greater frequency of outbreaks in the past three years. Every port on the Yangtze has had trouble—and serious trouble with the Chinese. We are not done yet. The firing off of blank cartridges and the display of force, which the natives know will not be employed, are utterly inadequate to prevent riots. Last year, the writer had a house smashed before his eyes by a mob. A gunboat was then in port. The annual procession of idols appears on the 20th of the Chinese fourth moon (27th May), and a large number of irresponsible people will collect in Chinkiang at that time. On these occasions, the crowds throng every street and alley in the Concession and completely block the thoroughfares during the afternoon. It seems beyond the power of the officials to prevent this procession. Two years ago, when Chinkiang was burnt, the magistrate issued a proclamation forbidding it. It took place, however, notwithstanding the statement in the proclamation that such processions were contrary to law. The Chinese are feeling the force of numbers, and the ease and safety with which the riots of the past three years have been conducted invite further disturbances. Western civilization is a dangerous thing, unless guarded by Christian laws and an upright public sentiment. At the present writing, there is no foreign gunboat here. The Chinese, however, have sent one, and the ship is now anchored near the settlement. So, in the event of a riot, we may expect help just as we would expect one of Beethoven's Symphonies if her commander were presented with a fine upright piano. When the *Monocacy* was ordered to Chinkiang to protect the port, one of the sailors remarked, "Well, I reckon if we can't fight, we can scare 'em." When this very dangerous element of Chinese scoundrelism meets in Chinkiang on the coming fête, we earnestly hope that the Chinese gunboat will scare 'em. According to latest advices, H.M.S. *Swift* had arrived at Chinkiang.
China Mail 1891-06-01
China Mail 1891-06-01
Nanking, May 25th, 10:40 p.m. — Foreign ladies and children departed today following a semi-official warning. The Methodist Girls' School was set on fire, and other schools were attacked, though soldiers successfully dispersed the mob. No foreign gunboat is currently present here.
Nanking, May 26th, 6:15 p.m. — All is quiet, and several important arrests have been made. The Viceroy has acted most promptly in employing vigorous measures. However, it is rumored that further trouble may be expected.