THE CHINA RIOTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14211, 30 May 1910, Page 5

THE CHINA RIOTS.

THE IXFLL'EXCE OF THE COMET. A MISSIONARY'S FEARS. l"r«ss Association iiy Telegraph-C'opyriglit PERTH, May 2S. Mr Sanders, a missionary in one of the inland provinces of China, writing on March 21st. throws some light on the recent rioting. Ho says: "A comet suddenly appeared and remained a rew evenings, but- evidently it was not Hal'ev s. which was not due to the unaided vision for some weeks. .V comet here is regarded as a sign of bloodshed and rebellion, and its appearance has' greatly excited the populace, and when Halley's comet is visible there are fears that- the unrest will become niten^ined. The secret societies and revolutionaries will make the most of_things and use them as opportunities to play on the ponnlar superstition and stir up trouble. China is honeycombed with such societies. Unfortunately foreigners unvariahlv come in for the first shock and the brunt of any trouble whatsoever. Be it comet, pestilence, or increased taxation. the blame is laid on us. Railways are being built, and common rumour in China points to its being sliced and divided amonnst the Powers. Yuanshikai and Tuan Fong. China's two most able statesmen, have been summarily dismissed from office, and now comes the imoxpected comet and the promise of another one more brilliant. W hat with these and other omens. coupled with the superstition ,of bloodthirsty people, easily aroused, we are in for a year which might bring anything. Should nopular ignorance prevail and panic arise we shall be in -lire »eril."