RIOTS IN CHINA

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 32

RIOTS IN CHINA

PEKING, May 24

Rioters burnt a Lutheran chapel and many dAvellings at Chanchia, to the northwest of Cbangsha. It is believed that the missionaries had previously journeyed to Hankow. May 26. Mr R. Veryard, belonging to the China Inland Mission at Changsha, in the course of a vivid narrative states that the missionaries had a narrow escape on April 14. The rioters, according to the statements of the Chinese official's wife, intended to kill the Governor, but as they were unable to directly accomplish that they decided to kill the foreigners, and thus ensure the Governor's death, which they imagined would be the punishment demanded by the PoAvers. LONDON, May 25. The mobs at Yiyamg burned hundreds of houses. The officials fled and left the town at the mercy of the rioters. Several villages were destroyed. Renter's correspondent states that an anti-foreign feeling is -widely preached with the connivance of officials in the Changsha. district, the officials being anxious to divert attention from their own shortcomings. PERTH, May 28. Mr Sanders, a Perth missionary in one of the inland provinces of China, writing on March 21, throws some light on the recent rioting. He says: "A comet suddenly appeared and remained for a few evenings, but it was evidently not Halley's, which is not due to the unaided vision for some weeks. The comet is held as a sign of bloodshed and rebellion, and ae its appearance has greatly excited the populace, when Halley'e is visible their fears and unrest will become intensified. "Secret societies and revolutionaries make the most of such things, and use them as opportunities to play on the popular superstitions, and to stir up trouble. China is honeycombed with such

societies, and unfortunately foreigners nSS variably come in for the first shock and brunt of any trouble -whatsoever. Be it comet, pestilence, or increased taxation, the blame ie always laid on us. Railways are being built, and common rumour says China is on the point of being sliced and divided amongst the Powers. Yuan Shil Kai and Tuan Fang, China's two meet able statesmen, have been summarily dismissed from office, atvl 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 easily aroused, we are in for a year which might bring anything. Should popular ignorance prevail and panic arise we ahull be in dire peril."

The following message was received in Australia last week by means of the independent cable service:—" Advices from Nanking report that there are evidence* of serious unrest among the Chinese there. The natives a.ve cutting off their queues, and this action is regarded as an antidynastic demonstration."