MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1900. THE CHINESE REVOLT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6710, 31 May 1900, Page 2

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1900. THE CHINESE REVOLT.

Although most people look upon Chinese fighting somewhat in the nature oi a joke, there is certainly a serious element in the menacing attitude of the members of that secret society known as the " Spiritual Boxers " who are said to be marching on Pekin. They are a religious sect, and frequently run amuck, looting and murdering indiscriminately. Thej are reported to have friends in high quarters, indeed the brother of the Dowager Empress and the father of the Emperor's supposed successor are said to lead the movement. Every large village is norch-east China has a camp of the Boxers, and as their outrages are generally directed towards foreigners, every now and then representations are made to the Chinese Government, with the result that a pretence is made of reprisals and the Chinese military authorities report tremendous slaughter amongst the sect, which is supposed to satisfy the complaining Embassy, though shrewd observers know that it is all a pretence. The Spirit Boxers are a clairvoyant sort of people. They have a way of being preternaturally sensitive to things that are "in the air." They have but little knowledge, but a great deal of instinct ; the instinct that can tell that some tremendous invisible forces are abroad in the world which portend inevitable changes. But Dr Arthur Smith, who has lived among them for 20 years, and who is a discerning writer on the characteristics ol the Chinese, referring to conditions in the province of Shantung, says the whole framework of society quivers with excitement. The air is alive with ominous possibilities. Tens of thousands of men are banded together for objects which even to their own minds are vague and indefinite, led, it is difficult to say, by what common impulse. A wild desire to do something for their country, and to injure and even exterminate foreigners is openly expressed on their banners. Here is a recent edit sent forth : "Exalt the Manchoos ! Down with the for. eigners ! Kill the foreigners ! The Universal Boxers' Society demand your presence on the 7th of the next month. [ Eefusal to obey the summons means the loss of your head." The Spiritual Boxers are not a new kind of " fist" for staving off inevitable revolutions and reforms. They have existed in China for hundreds of years ; but it takes an impending crisis to force the social fever to its acutest stages. The quite revolutionary reforms which the Emperor two years ago began proclaiming gave the alarm. The missionaries- have kindled new and strangely foreboding lights all over the empire. Western ideas invade the old life in ways which, as they so sensitively apprehend, it will take the mightiest "fist" to beat back. And in view of the movement of the Great Powers of the outtide world against the immemorial order of things in the Celestial empire the Spirit Boxers could hardly be expected to remain quiescent, tame, and mute. But now that the Powers have unitedly taken up tho question, and the capital itself is threatened, something may be done towards their suppression.