UPHEAVAL IN CHINA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19119, 10 September 1925, Page 12

UPHEAVAL IN CHINA.

SITUATION AT CANTON.

INFLUENCE OF BOLSHEVISM

NEW ZEALAND LADY'S LETTER,

A description of the situation in Canton from the missionary point of view is contained in a recent letter dated July 26, from Miss Annie James, of Dunedin. Miss Jamos has been for a number of years past in charge of the maternity block in tho New Zealand mission hospital at Kong Chuen, 12 miles north of Canton.

After referring to painful partings from Chinese friends at Kong Shuen, Miss James writes: "The morning we arrived in Hongkong, oh, dear! such a sea of faces. Our boat anchored, or rather entered the harbour before daylight, and by 5 a.m. the outer decks and every available space was filled to the utmost with mothers and babies, men and women and boys, all fleeing from Hongkong to Canton. They were all scared by rumours they heard that the British would lay hands on all they could and kill them. This rumour spread to all parts near by, such as to Canton, Kong Moon and other places. One minister and his wife wanted to bring their servants with them here to the island, but these Hongkong rumours were too much for them and they refused. "All shop helpers, house servants, hospital and post office workers, indeed all engaged by foreigners, left without a moment's notice. l The one boat we had to get to Hongkong from this island (Cheung Chan) also stopped, but all tho missionaries and business British men put. their lfands to the wheel and we have had a daily boat service.

"It is very sad the way the Church has been drawn into the political trouble. It would seem as if it were inevitable, but we would liko to have seen it otherwise. The prominent Church leaders are drawing up a document to the effect that if all British missionaries will not sign it to their satisfaction they refuse to co-opetate with them in the future in mission work. . . . The Bolshevists had been doing propaganda work for some time past, and once they hold ]>ower mission work is almost an impossibility. ''There are a great many missionaries here at the island awaiting an opportunity to go back to different stations. Personally, I cannot but feel that we will not require all to return to New Zealand, but that is the feeling held bv one or two of cur number. They think that it. is opportuno to allow the Church to stand on her own feet and shoulder the whole responsibility of evangelising China. I have not como to that ooint vet.

' The latest news is that a civil war is pending, that another army from the north is coming against Canton. If only they can drive out the Russian element—but it will not be without much bloodshed and great distress for the city folk. One just longs to see China with a righteous Government to lead her into the paths of peace and prosperity."