The Massacre of Christians in China.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 179, 20 November 1886, Page 7

The Massacre of Christians in China.

The last number of the " Missions Catholique3 " contains a letter from the agent of foreign missions at Shanghai, relating the persecution which has fallen upon the Catholic 3 of Szchuen. The following is the report :--" Prefecture of the Taotai, July 2, ISS6. — A frightful misfortune has just fallen upon our heads like an avalanche. It is, perhaps, the ruin of the mission in Eastern Szchuen, in consequence of the weakness of the mandarins. It is the Protestants who draw down upon us all this, especially the Americans, by their stupid originality. Yesterday, about four o'clock, quite unexpectedly, for we had done nothing to give rise to the hatred of the Chinese, the mob, after demolishing and pillaging the Protestant establishments, preceeded in a masa to the large parish churcu of Chongkin and to our residence. For half a kilometre the streets were packed by a crowd of roughs. The doors held good but a moment, and we had to witness, I and six of the brotherhood, a most savage spectacle. We have lost everything— buildings, papers, money, ornaments, chalices, &c. The three priests who administer in the church have saved, like ourselves, only what was upon their persons. Towards 6 o'clock, seeing that our lives were menaced, I left, accompanied by my brethren and hooted by the crowd shouting cries ot death. I was able to reach the prefecture of the Taotai, where, an hour before midnight, Messrs B lottery, Vincot and Podechard joined me. The other threa brethren were able to reach the house ot converts devoted to us. To day the mob aro beginning to destroy what remains of our buildings 1 , and are attacking our Chris ians with mad ferocity. What a disaster ! And will it end here ? G/od knows ! Be kind enough to telegraph to Franco the misfortune which is likely to be ropeated. Our seminaries are in danger, and our beautiful domains also. Oh ! what a tiial ! What an unseen blow ! Pray for me. P. S.— lt is the period of Fon Kilo (examination) which affords opportunities for these outrages. Already one-half of our rich families are pillaged ; it may be called a real insurrection. The Mandarins can do nothing. Although warned and entreated to send us succour, they were unable to reach our dwelling on account of the crowded state of the streets. At eight o'clock in the evening, having seized everything that could be carried off, the pillagers set fire to the building, which was reduced to ashes. Mr Bourn, the English Consul, who had taken refuge in our house, together with Messrs Lenoir Deesolmes, and Rogie, concealed themselves in a corner, and only quitted their hiding-place when driven forth by the flames.

A correspondent of the "Pall Mall Gazette " suggests the institution of an Imperial Gallery of Art in London, for the exhibition of the beet specimens of colonial art.