[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
)SIR,—Please allow me to protest strongly at your applying Ito General Feng Yfi-siang the phrase " the so-called Christian general." The sentence you add shows that you quite rightly judge of a man's claim to be called a Christian by his actions and not by his opinions. But you will equally admit that 'judgment must be based on actual deeds, and not on rumours.
I have had the advantage of having been General Feng's 'guest on five occasions, • each time staying with him for a 'week or fortnight, and although I have never entertained him, have enjoyed the privilege of having groups of his officers and soldiers as guests in my home. If I may base my judg- nient on the way in which a man has in himself " the mind
Which is in Christ Jesus," showing it both by " emptying " himself of selfishness and filling himself with love to God and love to his neighbour, I can bear witness that few men have (better right to be called Christians than General Feng.
The very day before the publication of your sentiments, against which I protest, I received from the Chaplain-General of General Feng's troops, an old pupil of mine, a long account of his recent conversations with General Feng and two or three 'of his high officers. Can you find room for the two following pertinent extracts :—
" In another interview I asked Marshal Feng his opinion in regard to Bolshevism. He said, ' China is the most fertile field for Bolshe- Svism and our government is creating Bolshevism every day. Just think how corrupt officials after a short time in government service tama.ss for themselves tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, some of them even millions of dollars, while the people under them ;are robbed and squeezed and become so poor and destitute that it is impossible for them to live. This is driving the people to become
red. My principle is not Bolshevistic but Christian. On the -other hand, the Bolshevistic people are against us Christians.'
" I know many of his (Feng's) men who are in responsible positions in public service who are honest in money matters. If you ask them the reason, as I have asked them many times, they would tell you, it is because they are Christians and because of the influence of Feng. Of the many interesting details concerning the marked 'improvement in the areas around Kalgan, even after but a few months of the rule of General Feng and his appointees which my correspondent sends me, I will give but one : ' Now that Feng's men are in office in these two districts the income is almost doubled, while the people pay less.' "
May I appeal to you, Sir, to withdraw the epithet " so- called," which you used, of course, in all good faith, but on altogether insufficient evidence ?—I am, Sir, &c., [Mr. Warren's opinion of General Feng rests on personal knowledge. Our opinion was derived from newspaper reports and hearsay. Therefore it must yield to his.—En.
(Spectator.]
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