Massacres of Christians by heathen Chinese, and horrors of the Boxers; containing a complete history of the Boxers; the Tai-Ping insurrection and massacres of the foreign ministers; manners, customs and peculiarities of the Chinese ...

Front matter

EDWIN H. CONGER UNITED STATES MINISTER TO CHINA

MRS. EDWIN H. CONGER WIFE OF UNITED STATES MINISTER TO CHIN'V

Massacres of Christians

Preface

THE hand of change is upon China. There are many of the Western world who wish that diplomats and generals, as well as foreign commercial corporations would so shape their courses that this change might come without slaughter, without the horrors of war, by peaceful means, slow and kindly patience with an ancient race. Perhaps this may yet be, but it seems doubtful for these, if not for other reasons.

Taking the "opium war" of England in 1840 as the initial point for the troubles which have led to the present uprising, the history of China becomes that of the struggles of four factors to either control the government of the Empire or dismember it — Russia, continental Europe, England, and all Chinese opposed to the Manchu dynasty. So far the impression these have made upon the Empire proper may be compared to the bite of a mosquito upon the hide of an elephant. The Chinaman does not trust the white man. He will hobnob with him, trade with him, bow to him, make him presents, give him concessions on paper, apparently yield for the time being, but trust he will not. He will tell you that by all history he has no reason for trusting foreigners.

Following the opening of the first treaty ports came the necessity for quick means of communication throughout the Empire. This led to the building of railways. Some China undertook herself. Others Belgian and German financial syndicates secured concessions for. Work on these last lines has been going on for many years. The engineers were instructed to lay out their lines on as absolutely straight courses as possible. Cemeteries, private property, temples were not to hinder them. The Belgians in 1897 an d 1898 were particularly brutal in following these instructions. The evidence is ample that they built without the

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slightest regard for the private property rights of the masses of the Chinese people.

Where a road might have been turned aside to avoid a tomb, a cemetery or a temple (with little trouble to the engineer) they ruthlessly built straight ahead. The people protested without avail. Meanwhile Russia was apprised that Germany, England and France, eager to secure coming Oriental trade, were about to seize large tracts of sea coast territory and ports. So Russia took for herself, then followed England and Germany and France. They did this under cover of thin treaties which permitted them to remain where they had squatted, for but a short period of time, but they intended to stay forever. The violating of the commonest sanctities and rites of the people continued.

Distrust, suspicion, intrigue are masters in the Eastern world. The secret societies of the Empire each watch for some new opening for the expulsion of the whites who have disturbed the traditional peace of the nation. The Manchu dynasty is threatened on all sides by the legitimate Chinese aspirants to the throne. Germany and England are distrustful of every move made by Russia. France is waiting. Only the United States is disinterested.

An edict from the throne of China said of the late uprising :

" The present conflict between China and the foreign powers had its origin in the long standing antagonism between the people and the Christian missions. The subsequent fall of the Taku forts precipitated the meeting of force with force."

The Boxers' outbreak does not, to the wisest and best informed men, appear to mean the dismemberment of China; rather it is but one of the unmistakable signs of the time that the long age of sleep and of isolation from the outside world, is ended. The Yellow Man is to come into direct contact with the White Man and the fitter will survive. Which will survive ?

Chapter I. China No Longer Sleeps

Christianity Challenged by Buddhism -Meaning of the Awakening of China— Opinion of the Famous Bishop Thoburn— Christ's Doctrines Confronted by Oriental Faiths- Miss Patterson's Letter— Testimony of World-Famous Missionaries— Bishop Anzer Sounds a Note of Warning— The Yellow Man's Portentious Strength— His Power for Evil and for Good *■'

Chapter II. General Survey Of The Empire

China's Surface Much Greater than Britain's— Many Thousands of Years of Antiquity Claimed— Density of Population Greatest Known— Labor Cheapest in the World- Perceptive Qualities Remarkably Acute— Passive Resistance, the Law of the Nation—Moral Standard Peculiar— Love of Wealth a Marked Quality— Material Comforts Never Despised > 35

Chapter III. The Recent Massacre Of Foreigners

The Boxers Regard Murder as Justifiable— The Most Powerful Known Secret Society— J Origin of the Word Boxer and Meaning— Methods of Torture of Victims— Natural Hostility to all White People- The Tai-Ping Society — Battle of the Foreign Ministers in Pekin— Death of Baron Von Ketteler 53

Chapter IV. The Ruling Powers Of China

Wonderful Dynasties of the Empire— Story of Their Origin— Cruel Power of the Emperor— The Mysterious Grand Council — Influence of Women Over the Emperors — Sacred Attributes of the Rulers— Kotowing— The Han Dynasty— Length of Life of the

Dynasty— Emperor Controls Land and Water 08

ix

X CONTENTS.

Chapter V. The Influence Of Legends

China's Mind Permeated With Mysticism— Fables and Legends Created by Native Priests- Efforts of Confucius to Show the Truth— Story of the Three Virgins— Five Points of the Compass— Origin of the Earth— Creation of Man— Story of the Rose— Power of the Winds— Venus and the Sun 84

Chapter VI. Popular Belief In Dreams

Common People Influenced by Visions— Dreams Affect Their Daily Life— Often Inspired to Massacre by Alleged Supernatural Influences — Love for Signs and Tokens — Superstitions of the Masses — Gamblers with Fate — How Self-reliance is Destroyed— The Popular Mind Enslaved— Many Seekers for the Truth. ... 101

Chapter VII. Early Dawn Of Chinese History

First Authentic Records 2,000 Years Before Christ— The Writings of Confucius— Yao and His Rule — First Contact with India— Theories as to the Origin of the Race— Early Herders of Sheep — The Sixth Century Epoch — Attacks by Foreign Tribes — Assaults by the Tartar Races 122

Chapter VIII. A Net-work Of Secret Societies

Thousands of Secret Societies Exist— Many Pledged to Murder— Taking of Human Life

Made Easy — Brotherhood of the Early Race Recognized — Hatred of the White

k> Man Preached - Loyalty Under Torture— Societies Threaten the Throne— The

Queen of Heaven's Company— The Kingdom of Great Peace 140

Chapter IX. Confusion Of Religions Exists

Three Distinct Sects in the Empire — Followers of Confucius Powerful — Buddhism Still Thrives — Worship of Spirits and Natural Objects Prevails— Converts to Christianity Less Than 2,000,000— Power of the Jesuits— What Ricci Accomplished — Extinction of the Jewish Religion— The Feng-Shui 155

Chapter X. Enormous Geographical Divisions

The Land of the Tibetan — Noblest Race in the World — Turkestan and Kashgarians— Mon*- golia and the Great Wall— Manchuria and Its Influences— Desert Wastes of Central Asia — Influence of Siberia— China Proper- Division of Provinces — Geological His tory— Acquiring Territory— Corporative Sise. 170

CONTENTS. XI

CHAPTER XL

SALUBRITY OF THE CLIMATE.

Variations in Climatic Conditions — Quantity of Rainfall — Extremes of Cold and Heat — Desert Regions— General Effect upon Natives— Seasons of Drought — Cause of Plagues — Diseases that Prevail — Medical Science — Physical Traits — Division of Seasons — Famine Periods. • • • 195

Chapter XII. Marvellous Flora And Fauna

Luxuriance of Flowers and Foliage — The Tiger is Lord— Prevalence of the Wild Boar— The Hardy Yabagre — The Yaks of Tibet — Bamboo for Building — Evergreens Especially Numerous — The Chinese Rat — How it Brings the Plague — The Value of the Horse — Passion for Flowers , 210

Chapter XIII. Complexity Of The Language

Fanaticism Governs Speech— Grammar an Unknown Quantity — Each Province has a Different Tongue — Language of the Mandarins — Location of a Word Fixes its Meaning — Figures of Speech Excessively Used — Foreigners much Puzzled — Phonetics Govern Understanding — What "Pidgeon English" Is 223

Chapter XIV. Oriental Habits And Customs

Rule of Conduct with the White Man— Fondness for Gambling— Small Feet of Women- Reverence for Ancestors— Innumerable Temples— Burial of the Dead— Use of Opium —Influence of Tea— Position of Children— Self-torture Inflicted— How the Queue Came— The Chinese Dude— Letter Writing -New Year's Time 238

Chapter XV. Remarkable Cities Of China

Pekin, the Sacred City— Shanghai and Its Trade— Shaohing of the Lowlands— Hang-Chew- Fu and Marco Polo— Tien-Tsin and Its Importance— Canton and the Pearl River- Hong Kong and the English— Exaggerated Town Population— Narrowness of Streets —Fire Departments— Police System 254

Chapter XVI. Waterways Constructed By Max

The Grand Canal— The River of Transports— Building of Great Bridges— Disappearance of the Yellow Sea— The Yellow River— Ravages by Changing Waters— Necessities for Water Routes— The Rivers of Shantung— Fighting the Floods— Character of Shipping —Opening Great Drains— Loss of Human Life 271

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Chapter XVII. Towering Mountain Peaks

Some of the Highest Peaks in the World Discovered — The Kuen-lun Range — The Gold Mountains — Mount Kailas — The Four Sacred Rivers— The Kuku-Nor— The Little Five Crested Mountain — The Tapei-shan — Monks in the Ranges — Miners and Their Life— Dangerous Trails— The Glaciers 284

Chapter XVIII. Rivers Of Tremendous Power

Headwaters of the Great India-Chinese Rivers — The Yarkand and Kashgar — Basin of the Pei-ho— The Hoang-ho — Basin of the Yang-tse-kiang — Errosive Effects of the Waters — Shifting Beds of the Streams — Sudden Inundations — Spirits Control the Waters — Geological Changes Effected 298

Chapter XIX. Agriculture The Great Industry

First Chinese Were Herdsmen — Value of Rice to the Race — Quantity Annually Used in Pekin — Cultivation of Other Cereals — Invention of the Plow — Discovery of the Silk Worm — Annual Product — Large Farms Unknown — Milk Quite Scarce — Hens Taught to Save — Size of Crops — Best Known. Gardeners 311

Chapter XX. Relation Of Tea To China

Discovery of the Herb — Effect Upon the Natives — Quantity Annually Raised — Great Tea- Districts — Revenue Yielded the People — Effect Upon the Western World — Extent of the Traffic in Tea — Russian Control of Tea Trade — Chinese Methods of Drinking — Other Drinks 325

CHAPTER XXL

CHEAPEST MANUAL LABOR KNOWN.

More Laborers than any Other Nation in the World — Scale of Wages Paid — Food Required for Sustenance— Quick to Imitate Foreigners — Value as Competitors— Virtual Slavery of Labor — Legislation Against Chinese Labor — Fear of Starvation — Intelligence of the Working Masses 338

Chapter XXII. The Deadly Opium

First Use of the Drug by the Chinese— English Interest in the Drug— The Opium War of 1840— Opposition of the Chinese— Effect of the Drug 011 the Nerves— Annual Amount Used— World-growth of the Habit— Description of an Opium Den,— Influence on America , ,,,..,... 352

CONTENTS. xiii

Chapter XXIII. Advent Of The Railroads

First Railroad Constructed— Feeling of the Chinese Towards Railroads— Concessions to Belgium and German Syndicates — Concessions to England — Where the Railroads Penetrate — Mileage at the Present Time — Chinese Opposition to Them — Demons and Devils. 365

Chapter XXIV. The Mandarin And His Power

Official Position of the Mandarin— His Relations to the People— His Connection with the Throne— How His Power Grew— His Influence in Insurrections— Number of Mandarins — Their Moral Character — The Mandarin's Family — How he Collects Taxes— Sir Robert Hart 377

Chapter XXV. Sacred Character Of The Emperor

What it is to be Emperor of China — Assassination a Powerful Weapon — Unlimited Power of the Ruler — Number of His Wives — His Moral Conduct — How He Dresses— His Palace — Revenue Granted Him — General Character of the Chinese Emperor — The Empress Dowager — Her Life Story 392

Chapter XXVI. Punishment For Crimes

Penal Code of China — How Long it Has Been in Existence— Punishment for Various Crimes — Frightful Tortures Imposed Upon Prisoners — Method of Execution — Manner of Detecting Crime — Number of Annual Executions — Populace Generally Honest— Great Criminals Almost Unknown 40G

Chapter XXVII. Exaggerated Strength Of The Army

The Navy of the Japanese War— Fighting Qualities of the Chinaman— Weapons Most Preferred—Past Conflicts and Their Results— Physical Courage Often Lacking— Arsenals and Their Capacity— Knowledge of Iron and Steel— Use of Foreign Armament— Many Foreigners With the Army 419

Chapter XXVIII. Opening The Sealed Gates

First Treaty Ports— How They Were Opened for Foreign Trade— Resistance to the Authorities—Subsequent Opening of Other Ports— The Part the United States Played— Why China Yielded to Foreign Pressure— Present Value of the Ports— Shipping Interests— The Foreign Quarters 4:jl xiv CONTENTS.

Chapter XXIX. An Era Of New Ideas

What Steam has Accomplished — Introduction of the Telephone and Telegraph — Opening of Hitherto Closed Cities — Power of the English Language — Use of Christian Hospitals — New Knowledge of Medicine — Improvement of Sanitary Conditions. — The New Plow— The Threshing Machine * 446

Chapter XXX. England And Russia

Their Relation to China — Attitude of the Lion — Ambition of the Bear — The Slav Facing the Anglo — Kelt, the Mongolian Between — Spheres of Influence — The Open Door — The Concessions Granted — Bribery and Corruption — Beresford's Visit to China — The Port Arthur District— The Shanghai Incident 459

Chapter XXXI. Mystic India And Its Relation

Early Meeting of the Hindu and the Mongol — Interchange of Religious Ideas — Commercial Trade Established — Expeditions Sent to India — Emigration from India — Relations of the Two Nations to the West — India's Influence in China — Racial Differences- Indian Troops Now In China 472

Chapter XXXII. Other Foreign Powers

Masterful Position of the United States— Where France and Germany Stand— The Philippines and How They May Affect China — Proposed Partition of the Empire — What This May Mean — Li Hung Chang, the Great Diplomat — Coming Western World Changes— Hope for the Future 488

Chapter XXXIII. Japan And Corea

Japan's War With China — Origin of the Japanese and Corean Race of People — What They May Accomplish for China — Japan's Position to Russia — Possible War on this Account — Character of the Japanese — The Mikado — Superstitions of the People- Religious Beliefs and Legends — Literature and Poetry 503

Chapter XXXIV. Ancient And Modern Chinese Schools

Breaking Up Old Systems— The Strength of the School Teacher— Patience of the School Children— Courses of Study— Difficulties of Christian Teachers— Obstacles to be Overcome— Character of the Literature— A Race Famous for Poetry— Examples of Early Poems - Prose Works 518

CONTENTS. XV

Chapter XXXV. Missionaries And Their Sufferings

First Introduction of Protestant Missions — Location of Catholic and Protestant Missions — Resistance of the Chinese to Their Presence — Famous Massacres — Educational Benefit to the Chinese — Examples of Missionaries Killed — The Early Nestorians — The Famous Testimony Stone — The Future ..,..,,,.,,,, 530

Chapter XXXVI. Horrors Of The Torture

Secret Prisons Many — Instruments of Torture Used — Branding the Body — Use of the Rack — Science Invoked to Aid Torture — Manner of Attacking White Men — Native Stoics Many — Indifference to Pain — The Philosophy of Torture— Use of Vitriol — The Knife and Sword— The Poison Cup ..,,..,,,,.. 545

Chapter XXXVII. The Law Of Marriage

The Wife and the Husband — More than One Wife — Treatment of the Children — Ideas of Life — Punishment for Infidelity — Despotic Power of the Husband — Respect for the Mother-in- Law — Fate of Widows— Method of Divorce — The Family a Holy Institution — How It Originated 557

Chapter Xxxviii. Love And Death

Association of the Two — How a Chinaman Woos— Response of His Sweetheart — Belief in the Immortality of the Soul — Burial Ceremonies— Watching for the Spirits of the Dead — Symbols of Love — Death Not Feared — Poetry of Love — Agents Who Assist Lovers for Fees 570

Chapter XXXIX. Makers Of Many Books

Great Age of Chinese Literature— When Printing was Invented — The Manuscripts at Munich —Tales of Travel — Fables for the Young — Addresses to the Gods — Manufacture of Paper — Newspaper Publication — Chinese Cartoonists — The Famous Cartoon on Germany and England t . . . . . 580