Towards the end of the year 1900, Wu Ting Fang, the Chinese minister at Washington, made the chief address before the American Academy of Political and Social Science at Philadelphia, speaking of the "The Causes of the Unpopularity of the Foreigners in China."
"The subject under discussion is a delicate one for me to handle. When I was asked to give my views on it, my first impulse was to keep out of the way as far as possible, but after giving the matter due consideration I considered it my duty, in view of the importance of the subject, to do my part in ascertaining the real causes and suggesting remedies for their removal. So I have come here today to speak for myself as a Chinaman who has lived among foreigners and can speak from personal knowledge.
"We find that China in ancient times was not disposed to trade and intercourse with the outer world. Foreigners came from the neighboring countries in Asia. They intermingled freely with the natives and were considered during their sojourn as Chinese. In fact, they adopted our customs and manners. On the other hand, the Chinese never manifested any ill feeling or animosity toward foreigners. In later times we find that foreigners in China were treated not only with kindness and consideration, but with great respect. Even official posts were open to them.
"Now, it is an indisputable fact that there is a strong feeling against foreigners at the present day. The question is how has this change come about? We have to go back to the events of the last half century. We find that foreigners from the west did not belong to the same class of persons as we had been accustomed to deal with. They were different in color, race and language and did not observe our customs and manners. Difficulties and disputes arising from misunderstanding resulted in warfare. In order to make peace China had to grant extraordinary privileges to foreigners and pay heavy indemnities. After such a sad experience is it a wonder that the Chinese people entertain anything but friendly sentiments toward foreigners?
"It has been commonly supposed that missionaries are the sole cause of anti-foreign feeling in China. They have translated useful works into the Chinese language, published scientific and educational journals and established schools in the country. Medical missionaries especially have been remarkably successful in their philanthropic work. On the other hand, we must not be blind to the fact that some of their brethren, in their excessive zeal to convert Chinese to their faith, have been indiscreet in their conduct. Instances are not wanting of missionaries interfering in the administration of justice in Chinese courts.
"By treaty missionaries have a right to reside in any part of China. Other foreigners are allowed to reside only in the treaty ports. In the interior a missionary cannot but excite a great deal of curiosity, especially when he retains his national dress. When he, moreover, publicly condemns the cherished traditions of China and proclaims the worship of ancestors and idols to be a useless performance, etc., the feeling of the Chinese people can be easily understood. Missionaries are placed in a very delicate situation, and not all of them are cautious and discreet.
"The general attitude of foreigners toward Chinese has had a great deal to do with their unpopularity. All foreigners in China carry with them the laws of their respective countries. The local authorities have no jurisdiction over them. Consequently they form a sort of privileged class and consider themselves more as lords of the country than as strangers in a strange land. They frequently treat the customs, traditions and institutions of the country with contempt and in this way excite the ill feeling of the natives.
"Moreover, their conduct toward the Chinese in other respects is by no means exemplary. Chinese merchants are not always met with the courtesies due to men of their position. Again, the general mass of the people receive scant courtesy at the hands of foreigners. Chinese coolies are often caned and kicked in the streets without the least provocation. The beating of chair coolies and servants is a matter of daily occurrence. Ill-considered acts of this kind are talked about and greatly incite the feeling of the natives against foreigners. It is fair to mention that there are foreigners who treat the Chinese with every consideration and who disapprove of such high handed proceedings of their countrymen. But unfortunately the mischief done by others counterbalances the favorable impression created by them.
"The general tone of the foreign press in China is also calculated to set the whole Chinese nation against foreigners and things foreign. Columns are devoted daily to denouncing the Chinese government and its officials and condemning everything which the people hold dear and sacred. The recent unfortunate uprising is a godsend to writers for the foreign press. It furnished them with material for black-guarding the government and people of China without sting. Even the diplomatic representatives of China abroad have not escaped the general condemnation. Dr. Morrison, a correspondent of the London Times, went so far as to charge my colleague in London and myself with barefaced mendacity. As for myself, I hope to be able to live down all slanders of this kind. But the mass of the Chinese people are not so philosophical. They cannot under the circumstances entertain friendly sentiments toward their slanderers.
"Events of recent years have also done much to increase the bitter feeling between Chinese and foreigners. The seizure of territory without compensation, the forcible taking of lands from their Chinese owners, the rough treatment received by those in defense of their rights -- all these have added fuel to the flame. In saying I do not wish to convey the impression that the Chinese are entirely free from blame.
"They are at fault in that they are too suspicious of foreigners and unwilling to learn from the outside world. Now the question arises: What are the remedies for this unsatisfactory state of things? First of all, foreigners should show more consideration for the feelings of the natives. Chinese customs and manners are not necessarily bad; foreign ways are not always the best. Foreigners should be more sparing in their condemnation of things Chinese. In the next place, foreigners, in their daily intercourse with educated Chinese, should remember that true politeness is the same in China as elsewhere. In the third place, the foreign press in China should assume a more conciliatory tone toward the government and people of China. Many Chinese can read foreign papers. It would be a good thing also to send only medical missionaries to China. If this is impracticable, nonmedical missionaries in China should establish schools and libraries.
"In conclusion, China should not be judged according to the foreign standard. Mistakes have been committed on both sides. Let us profit by our past experience and avoid similar mistakes in the future. It is unpleasant to criticise other people. My aim in doing so is to remote difficulties and create harmony and friendship.''
Speaking of affairs in China, Minister Wu said:
"The young emperor favored a good system of liberal education, and the common school system and the Imperial University, which were founded under his regime, were splendid reforms. My views on the subject of reform are well known. I have always believed that if they are to be successful the spirit of the people must be taken into consideration and hasty and radical movements avoided. The young emperor undoubtedly had the highest good of the empire at heart, and his efforts to inaugurate reforms and bring in western educational and political ideas were all made with the best intentions, but he was too hasty. He was ahead of the people. His mistake was in going too fast. I feel confident that the doors of the Imperial University will open again soon and the system of education reform be continued, only we shall have to begin all over again now."
The Massillon Independent, December 13, 1900
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