The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-06-03


An eminent statesman and diplomat
ist of China IL now suffering 8 dis
graceful punishment which IS t. ter
inmate by his ignominious death It the
hands of the executioner some time
next autumn Nothing seems likely to
save him but the united intercession
and remembrance of the European and
American governments, to some Of
which Tchong-Hecu is known as 3
very intelligent and worthy gentle
man. He has also, for years, been so
highly respected by his own govern
ment that he has been entrusted with
many important positions as. member
of the ministry at Picking and as am
basador of China to the European
courts. He was at Paris in such ca
pacity in 1870 and 1871, the years of
the German siege and of the Commune,
and he was one of the first to present
his congratulations to President Theirs
when the republic seemed to be fairly
established, being all the better re-
ceived because he had concluded q ne
gotiation for indemnity for losses TO
French missionaries and others in the
massacre at Tien-Tsin, paying oyer to
the President the sum of 8, 450, 900
francs.
.Tchong-Heou was honorably treated
by the French authorities, and when
he returned to his own country he re-
ceived still more hattering honors.
The Emperor conferred new titles and
rank upon him, and he was exhalted
also to the Office of first Judge of the
censorship, which is equivalent to the
position of the chief justice of the su-
preme court of the United States. 50
great was the Emperor's confidence in
him that, when the Mshommedan re-
bellIon in Kuldja led to the Russian
occupation of that province, after the
defeat OF the insurgents and the death
of Yskoob Khan, Tchong-Hecu was
chosen for the very responsible post of
envoy extraordinary to st, Petersburg
to settle the busineas between China
and Russia, which was meant to in
clude restoration of the whole prov
Ince of KuldJa. Tchong-Heou agreed,
doubtless for good reasons, to treaty
at Lavadis, in October, 1879, by which
the best part of Kuldjs was coded to
Russia, and she was to be paid by CHI
ma FIVE million roubles, or four million
dollars, for the expenses of her occu-
patton of the revolted province, re-
ceiving also the right of free trade with
every part of the Chinese Empire.
Why Tchong-Heou should have coded
so much is not clearly Ineligible in
this part of the world, hut his treaty
is the cause of the threatened war be-
tween Russia and China.
The effect of the imperial and ma
tional wrath upon the once highly
honored public functIonary Is, however,
what is being considered now. The
Picking Gazette, the official jour- al of
the empire, published, soon after
Tchong-Heou's return from his mis-
sion, an imperial decree of which the
following is Translation!
The ministry of the civil service has
reported to us, after close exsmina-
ton of the case, demanding that
Tchong-Heou, ex-president of the Gen.
sorship, be deprived of his rank, &C
cording to the laws relating to diaobe-
dience. Tchong-Heou having been
honored, under our orders, with for
eigu mission, has not obeyed his in
structions and has returned to our cap
ital without our leave. This is very
serious offense. Mere degradation can
not eKpiate his crime. Our orders are,
therefore, that after being degraded Of
his rank he be given up to the ministry
of JUSTICE for punishment. Respect
thisl Done at PekIng, the 10Th day of
the 18th mooR of the 5th year Of the
reigno of the Emperor Kuang-Siu.
The dreadful meaning of this order
Is that Tchong-Heou, after suffering
all kinds of outrage, is to be executed
in the autumn, which is the official
season for such punishments. In the
meantime he Is shut up in a losthsome
Jail near the Ching-Pou, which is the
ministry of justice, that is Of punish
ment. HIS jaileIs also have the right
az we'll az the power to extort money
from him, and az he 10 rich, they are
getting from HIM about $500 day, and
his capital is expected to be thus COM
pletely exhausted by the time the exc
cutioner has to do his job.