CHAPTER XVI - FURTHER ALARMS OF RIOTS

Summary

IN July 1895, when we heard the Taotai, who had so determinedly adopted every means within his power of enforcing order, was summoned to Peking, when we saw the grand arches at the Gate of Great Peace to welcome the Viceroy corning from Chentu, and did not know who might not come in his train, but knew that Chentu was once again placarded with anti-foreign placards, although there was no longer a foreigner there, we felt as if we had good reason to feel afraid. The examinations were to begin in live days. People said, though it seems incredible, that twenty thousand students or thereabouts might be expected. That means at least sixty thousand men, mostly between nineteen and thirty, might be expected in Chungking in the course of the next few days, counting them and their attendants. Many of them would, of course, be believing the bad reports that had been lately placarded about foreigners, many must be at least a little excited by the thought of how American and English men had scuttled and run before them. It must be conceded we nations of the West had hardly taken up a dignified position in the west of China, and that it would be hard for any Government to ensure order amongst such a band of new-comers, men who had heard all about the riots, and could not thereby have been led to feel more afraid of foreigners.