ALLIES IN CHINA BUT ENEMIES IN AMERICA.
It is a singular spectacle which this generation witnesses—the whole world at war, different nations of earth seeking to sink their international differences long enough to unite in sinking China. Japan, with the rest of the world, is there—they are allies in China. But the reign of peace among different nationalities does not necessarily follow, as instance the present trouble on the fishing grounds of the Frazer River, where 3,000 Japanese and 3,500 whites and Indians "slept on their arms" for several days, ready to shoot one another down, for a difference of five cents per fish in the price of the salmon they caught. They may be allies in China, but in the rest of the world the service of self is the basis of amity. The friend in partnership is an enemy in competition; and personal gain is of more consequence than the life of the competitor. In the midst of this turmoil the question arises, When will Christ come and bring peace on the earth? The earth will not be at peace again until He does come; but His coming is near.
s. Concerning the assassination of the king of Italy, it is somewhat startling to call to mind the number of assassinations and attempted assassinations of government officials that have taken place within the last few years. In 1894 President Carnot was stabbed to death at Lyons. In 1895 the queen of Korea was killed by a Japanese soldier. In 1896 the shah of Persia was murdered while entering a sacred shrine. In 1897 an attempt was made on the life of King Humbert. In the same year the prime minister of Spain was shot to death near San Sebastian. In this year also the president of Uruguay, Juan Idarte Borda, was killed, and attempts were made on the lives of Felix Faure, president of France, Porfirio Diaz, president of Mexico, Señor Moraes, president of Brazil, and upon the sultan of Turkey. In 1898 the president of Guatemala was killed by a Swiss clerk. In that year the king of Greece was attacked, and the empress of Austria was stabbed to death at Geneva. A shot was fired at the Prince of Wales on April 4 of the present year, while sitting in a railway carriage at Brussels. Most of these bold crimes have been the work of anarchists, whose creed is the extermination of all rulers, without respect to their individual characters, or without regard to the consequences which may come to themselves; and the spread of their doctrines and those of other secret societies of similar nature, taken in connection with the growth of the war spirit throughout the entire world, places before us the plainest of evidence that we are now in the "perilous times" which God declares through Timothy are a sign of the "last days." 2 Timothy 3.
s. An editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle of July 31 reads as follows: "Whether wisely or foolishly, we have in former years compelled China to enter into treaty stipulations to protect natives of that country who have become Christians. If we abandon China, we abandon those who by our own voluntary act have been endowed with a special claim to our protection. That the course of Christendom toward China during the past century is almost wholly without justification is true, and it is also true that the present situation is not far from a just retribution for our own misdeeds. But as matters now stand, we have obligations toward many people in China, and we can not disregard them." It was this interference with the internal affairs of China which gave the Chinese his intense hatred of foreigners; and too this interference was wrong, especially since it was done as the act of a Christian nation, yet, as this editorial implies, the forces of America will not be withdrawn from China. At least they will act in concert with the forces of the other nations in whatever action they may take. The nation is involved in the Chinese turmoil, and the way is thus being prepared for all the nations to become involved in that great war so long foretold. Emperor William, of Germany, in giving a farewell address to his troops who were embarking for China, on July 27, gave utterance to the following advice and sentiments:—
"Every civilization not founded on Christianity is sure to be brought to naught. So I send you out. May you all prove your German efficiency, devotion, and bravery; bear joyfully all discomfort, and uphold the glory and honor of our arms. If you close with the enemy, remember this: spare nobody, make no prisoners. Use your weapons so that for a thousand years hence no Chinese will dare look askance at any German. Open the way for civilization once for all. The blessing of the Lord be with you. May the blessing of God rest on your banners, and may He vouchsafe to you to find a path for Christianity in that far-off country. I wish you Godspeed. Adieu, my comrades." How Christianity can follow such a path as the emperor of Germany designs to hew out for it in China, is a matter that is not explained in any of the four Gospels. Germany lost a minister at the hands of the Chinese, and no doubt many of her missionaries have perished also; therefore the soldiers of Germany, representing "Christian civilization," are to spare none of them, and make no prisoners; to use their weapons so effectually as to spread terror through China for a thousand years; and all this in the name of Christianity. A more sacrilegious charge would be hard to bring against the Man of Calvary, who "when He was reviled, reviled not again;" who was "led as a lamb to the slaughter;" who "opened not His mouth" amid the most bitter accusations and under the most cruel scourgings; who died on the cross praying for His enemies, and with no word of railing or censure against them! What a contrast between this "national Christianity" sentiment and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ!
s. King Humbert of Italy was assassinated at his country home, Monza, near Milan, on the evening of July 30. The author of the desperate crime was Angelo Bressi, an anarchist from the State of Tuscany. Italians everywhere are mourning the loss of their king, who seems to have been exceedingly popular, in spite of the firm stand he has taken in reference to the separation of ecclesiastical and civil affairs. Many times the wrath of the Catholic orders has been vented on the king, and the serious outbreak at Milan not many months ago, in which hundreds of lives were lost, was believed to be an attempt of the ecclesiastics to overturn the government. Comparative peace has reigned in Italy since the suppression of this disturbance, and the king has gained in the favor of his people. Humbert was the son of Victor Emmanuel II., and Humbert's son, who succeeds to the throne of Italy, bears the name of his illustrious grandfather. The new king, Vittorio Emanuele, is said to be as much opposed to the Vatican as was his dead father.
s. A despatch from the British minister at Peking bearing date of July 21, has been received at London, stating that the British legation had been under fire from June 20 to July 16. Since the latter date an armistice has been in effect, but a cordon is drawn closely around the legation. The casualties in the legation up to July 21 had amounted to 62. Many women and children are included in those who are within the legation walls. From other sources comes the report that on July 8 the Chinese made a determined attack on the legation, and were repulsed, with a loss of 1,000. A despatch from the secretary of the German legation, bearing the same date as the English, states that the German, Russian, American, British, and half the Japanese and French legations were still being defended, but also states that the speediest possible advance of relief troops is urgently necessary. A report from London states that Lord Kitchener has been despatched from Pretoria to relieve General Baden-Powell, the defender of Mafeking, who is now besieged by General Delarey in Western Transvaal. General Prinsloo, commander of the Free State Boers, has surrendered to General Hunter, with 1,000 men. The main body of the Transvaal troops, under General Louis Botha, are at Middleburg, and are accompanied by President Kruger. It is reported that President Kruger has offered to surrender on certain conditions; but Lord Roberts insists upon unconditional surrender. The rebel forces of Colombia have been finally defeated at the hands of the government troops. The last fight in and around Panama is described as being a bloody one. The fight lasted five days, and it is reported that more than 600 were killed, while many hundreds more were wounded. Panama has been plunged into the deepest mourning by the loss of many of its prominent men. The work of collecting and burying or burning the dead and caring for the mangled victims who still survive, has cast a gloom over the entire republic. Notwithstanding the rain that has fallen in India, the viceroy reports that that country is still in a sad plight, as sufficient rain for the growing of crops has fallen in but few districts. One-quarter of the inhabitants in the central provinces are on government relief. The governor of Bombay reports 5,073 deaths from cholera during the week ending July 21. The statistics show that less then one-third of those attacked recover. The viceroy reports the situation serious and critical in several of the provinces. Official reports from Manchuria show that the Russians in this province are sorely pressed. The opposition to Russian influence is increasing, and the Russian troops have been compelled to retreat from Moukden southward. The withdrawal of this column was accomplished with much difficulty, fighting continually and surrounded by Chinese troops. Chinese troops are menacing other towns along the Russian frontier, and fighting is going on at various points. Altho it is impossible to get authentic news from China, yet the indications are that hundreds, if not thousands, of native Christians and missionaries have been killed in the disturbed provinces of that country. It is now feared that the foreign ministers and their families are held by the Chinese Government as hostages, and that their lives will be taken as soon as the foreigners begin their march on Peking. There has been a reign of mob violence in New Orleans for several days. Two negroes, resisting arrest, killed four white men, two of whom were policemen. The whites thereupon organized mobs, who set upon and beat or killed every negro whom they could find unprotected. Several hundred extra police were sworn in, and the militia ordered out, before the disturbance was quelled. England has finally conceded to Russia the control of the railway from Tau to Tien-Tsin, which was built by English capital. It was the dispute over the control of this railway which was hampering the advance of the foreign troops upon Peking. England's surrender in this matter is expected to hasten the advance on the Chinese capital. A battle is reported to have taken place in Yucatan recently between Mexican soldiers and the warriors of the Yucatan tribe, in which the Mexicans were badly worsted and lost heavily. These Indians were armed with modern weapons of war, and mustered a force of 6,000 to oppose General Bravo, who had a force of about 3,000 men. The two-days fiesta which was arranged in Manila to commemorate the proclamation of amnesty to the Filipinos is declared to have been a complete failure. The people were passive and unenthusiastic. Failing to see any tangible results of amnesty, they say they can see no reason for celebrating it. John Clark Ridpath, America's great historian, died at the Presbyterian hospital, New York City, on July 31. Dr. Ridpath was born in Indiana, in 1840, graduated from Ashbury University (now De Pauw University) at the age of 23, and became one of the most noted writers of the day. A New York paper recently gave an account of a two-hundred-dollar monument that had been put up in that city over the grave of a dead dog. Comment is unnecessary; but it is certain that there are more profitable and useful channels through which to let our means and our affections flow. A despatch from Minister Conger, dated at Peking July 21, gives the same information in substance as that from the English minister, mentioned in these columns. The despatch states that ammunition is low, and that another attack by the Chinese would probably mean a massacre. A report from Japan states that Mount Azuma has become an active volcano. The eruption occurred on July 17, and streams of lava poured down the mountainside, destroying villages in their path. The loss of life is not known, but it is believed that as many as 250 persons perished. The transport Hancock sailed from San Francisco for China on July 29, with battalions of heavy artillery and 500 marines on board. On the day following, 900 infantry and cavalry arrived from Eastern stations, to sail for the same destination, August 1. The commander of the revenue cutter Bear reports that the situation along the Cape Nome coast is very serious, owing to the total lack of sanitary arrangements. According to his report, typhoid fever is raging, and smallpox is on the increase. It has been discovered that through an error in the treaty with Spain, two islands of the Philippine group still belong to that nation. It is expected that the United States will buy the islands. Thirty miners were suffocated in the La Paz mine, near Monterey, Mexico, on July 29, by the burning of a portion of the mine.