CHANGSHA OUTBREAK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13056, 26 April 1910, Page 5

CHANGSHA OUTBREAK.

STRONG ANTI-FOREIGN FEELING. Press Association.—'Telegraph.—Copy right PEKIN, April 25. Changsha is quiet, but the -situation is precarious, ard the vicinity is extremely disaffected. The British Consul circularised the refugees on the 18th ins*,., emphasising the statement by officials that if one foreign life had iieen lost during the riots the whole province would have risen. It only awaited word from Changsha. Although scarcity of rice was the immediate cause of the outbreak, thb concession to Ilunanesc anti-foreign feeling. coupled with the evidence of the Changsha refugees concerning the growing intolerance of the people during recent years, is highly significant. The refugees pay a glowing tribute to Mr Hewlett, who from the 13th to the 17th, when the Thistle arrived, wa- practically sleepless. It was largely due to his efforts that no foreigner was kilted. Some native military officials stood firm and helped the foreigners to escape. AUSTRALIAN MISSIONARIES. Received April 26. 9.50 a.m. SYDNEY, April 26. The missionaries in the disaffected district of China include three Australians, viz.. Mr J. Gardiner and his wife and Mr G. F. Draffin. The cause of the rising in Changsha—alleged official trafficking in rice—is a frequent and certain reason for local disturbances. The exportation of rice—the staple food of Northern. Central, and Southern China —is prohibited by law. This is in order that when harvests are abundant, the people of China as a whole, or such portions of them as can he more or less readily reached by existing means of transport, shall enjoy the benefits of cheap rice. But if the people get it into their heads that officials in high places are “bearing” the market by shipping rice outside of the Chinese Empire, as" many have done in the past thereby - causing a local scarcity and consequent inflation of prices, then there is a rising. MLtnonarica, although quite innocent in the matter, are among the hrst victims of popular anger. Much loss of life has been directly attributable to dear rice. The scene of the outbreak, the Hunan province, has always been anti-foreign, in other words, hostile to Europeans. Travellers who ton years a<*o got into the city of Changsha did so at some personal risk. But, notwithstanding hostility to all Western people, the Hunt anese were a most progressive race. There was much foreign machinery in working order, and electric light in use at Changsha for some years, all unknown to Europeans at large In China. The people of Hunan are of a turbulent nature, but are most progressive. The great opening up of China to further Western intercourse in recent years found the Hnnanose ouite ready for reform movements which tended in any direction for the preservation of China for the Chinese.