The foreigners in Southern China would appear to be in
some danger. The Mandarins there are determined not to admit that the Japanese beat them fairly, and accuse the foreigners of having assisted them by advice, and probably by magic. The people of five towns have therefore risen upon the missionaries of all denominations, and have wrecked their schools and destroyed their property. It is believed that their lives have been saved, the local Governors having received them into their yamens ; but all telegrams have been sup. pressed, and no details are forthcoming. The Shanghai correspondent of the Times says firmness is more necessary than ever ; but we suspect the authority of Pekin has received a severe shock. That attempt to keep Formosa, in spite of the Treaty, was backed by the Southern Viceroys, and does not suggest a high condition of official discipline. It is said that an elaborate plan for upsetting the Manchoo dynasty in the South only failed through an accident ; but that is probably an exaggeration. The South has never been loyal to Pekin, but has only once in this century endeavoured
formally to supersede its authority. It is possible that a great insurrection may be coming, but there is no sufficient evidence of it.
