RIOTING IN CHINA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7140, 30 May 1910, Page 7

RIOTING IN CHINA

HALLEY'S COMET BLAMED GLOOMY REPORT BY" MISSIONARY P-ROM PERTH. Sy TeiecrapH—Press Association—Copyright PERTH, May 2d The Rev. Mr Sanders, a Perth mis.siouary in ouo of the inland provinces of China, writing on March 21st, throws light on the recent rioting. He says: ''A comet suddenly appeared, and remained for a few evenings, but was evidently not Halley’s, which is not due to the unaided vision for some weeks. The comet here is a sign of bloodshed and rebellion. Its appeal - anco has greatly excited the populace, and when Halley's is visible the feais and unrest will become intensified. Secret societies and revolutionaries make the most of such things, and use them as opportunities to play on popular superstitions and stir up trouble. “ China is honeycombed with such societies. Unfortunately, foreigners invariably come in for the first shock and brunt of any trouble whatsoever. Be it comet, pestilence, _or increased taxation, the blame is laid on us. Railways aro being built, and common rumour in China point to them being sliced and divided among the Powers. "Yuan-Shi-Kai and Tuan . Pang (China’s two most able statesmen) have been summarily dismissed from office, and now comes the unexpected comet and the promise of another one more brilliant. What with these and other omens, coupled "with the superstitions of a bloodthirsty people, trouble is easily aroused. IVo are in for a year which might bring anything. Should popular ignorance prevail, and a panic arise, we shall bo in dire peril,”