Why were the missionaries with the nationalist ?
They were on the other boat and all the Chinese started clapping .
shareThe missionaries were not with the nationalists. They were not with any side or party. They were attempting to remain apolitical, which is why they had themselves declaried "stateless persons."
The missionaries were with the nationalists because the missionaries opposed the exploitation of China and hated the gunboats and all they represented. The young nationalist leader Cho-jen was the protege of the China Light mission, and they supported his cause. They declared themselves "stateless persons" in order to disassociate themselves from the colonial powers. They did not want to be rescued by the Sand Pebbles and refused to leave with them. The sailors and the missionaries despised each other for a variety of reasons. This is explained in far greater detail in the novel.
"Pray for an early spring ... or permission to open fire."