“I felt that there was a great apathy, which I had not expected, having heard even in the mountains where I live of the dangers that beset our beloved country.”
“What danger?” Prince Tuan asked loudly.
“On my way here in a small village I saw the Boxers at work,” Stanton Ware replied.
He knew by the expression in Li Hung-Chang’s eyes that he was listening and the Prince said loudly,
“Gangs of ragged beggars extorting money from the peasants for charms, what harm can they do?”
“They were recruiting among the people as I understand they have been doing all over the country,” Stanton Ware replied, “but especially in Shantung and Chihli.”
“Secret Societies have existed in China for centuries,” the Prince snapped, “and served many purposes. They have been wiped out time after time by the
