CHINESE TROUBLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1927, Page 2

CHINESE TROUBLE.

[by telegraph— per press association.] THE NEW CHINA. AITSSIONAR Y EFFORTS. PEKING, March IG. Missionary endeavour in China lias reached a- critical sliJge, possibly leading to an extensive curtailment-, as a result of restrictions imposed by the Nationalists. Several organisations are contcinplatng abandoning their work altogether, unless the recently promulgated regulations of the Canton Government are amended. Representatives of some foreign mission circles in Shanghai are leaving for Ilankow to negotiate remedial measures. The new regulations, which become effective on April 1-. basically demand that all institutions within the Kuo-uiint-atig’s jurisdiction shall be placed under Chinese control, as otherwise their doers will he closed. A movement is afoot among different organisations to unite to resist. Some have already evacuated. Other missionaries, however, are readjusting themselves to meet the regulations.

More than two thousand missionaries out of a total of eight thousand in China, arc working in areas under (Amtonese control.

Many schools will be elleetively eliminated by the new regulations, which specifically state that a Chinese must actively control them ns president-, and that tiio board of directors shall consist- of a majority of Chinese. -No pri tfile school shall he allowed to compel students to participate in religious exercises.

Another regulation says that instruction of the Kuomintang policies and principles must be added to the curriculum of the private institutions, which must accept the orders. of the party’s headquarters, observing a weekly mcinorftl service for the late Dr S’.in Yat Sen, and must participate in all mass movements. It is further ordered that a fund must he deposited in a bank to he designated by the Education Department. . „ The regulations, which are generally irritating, aim at undermining the foreign mission movement. Opinion in military circles in Shanghai is divided as to what steps to take. Some suggest quitting. Others 'are reluctant to leave millions of potines worthv of oroperty. The chief concern exists in American circles, three-quarters ot whom ate suspended from activities, and are sheltering in the coast- treaty ports. If. js estimated that the abandoned Amoricun mission property is valued at. a hundred million dollars, consisting ot colleges, hospitals, and homes, oh icily in the Szechwan Province. The majority have been wrecked by mobs, and liie.se were originally built by contributions from the United States. A majority of missionaries are pcsssimisiic regarding Christianity ever regaining its stronghold. . , 'Fhe' head of the largest United States mission said : ‘’l doubt wheillCl we will ever Christianise China. After centuries of effort and the expenditure of millions, I see only failure. As fast as Western ideas penetrate, as fast do the Chinese seem convinced that tile native religion is superior. Many Christiun converts are reverting to Buddhism. Students educated in the United States are the most hitter foes of the Christian faith on their, return to China. These preach the futility of spreading Christianity, and they utge their compatriots to adhere to their ancient faiths, The majority of the recent anti-Christian riots were instigated by students. A wave of anliCliristiunity has swept oyer the ports, penetrating to the interior. Refugees from the interior assert that mobs 'incited by Cantonese agitators .. have started to run out all foreigners.” Five thousand missionaries, mostly British, have praeticiMly quit operations. A 1 ativ of the missionaries arc now urging that China, he granted complete autonomy, hoping thus to gain privileges by their liberal attitude, but the best-in formed people have their doubts. emancipation of women, SHANGHAI, A finch 10. II: is reported from Hankow that husbands vigorously demonstrated at headquarters of the General Labour Union, crying “Down with the Women's Union,” declaring that- their homes bad been disturbed since tne so-called cmtincipation of wives became effective. They said that owing to the Nationalists preaching women’s freedom and free love, their wives no longer would return to bed and hoard, l)iit°passed the nights out. The husbands demand a return to the former customs.