Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1900-07-27
A ROYAL PR0CLAMATI
DIRECTING vICERoYs AND GENE RAILS
PROTECT FOREIGNERS.

Arising From the Attack on Ticn Tsin
Will be Considered by China Blame
Placed on the Missionaries.
| Wash!ngton.-The state department
makes public the following text of an
edict delivered Monday by Minister
WI to Secretary Hay This is the
edict referred to by United states Con-
sui Fowler of Chez Foo in his message
received here Monday:
"An imperial edict issued on the
1st Of the sixth moon-July 17th-
transmitted by the viceroy, Liu Kun
Yih on the 20th Of July and received
by Minister Wn on the 21st day Of
July at Z o'clock.
THE present conflict between China
and the foreign powers had its origin
In the long standing antsgonism be-
tween the people and Christian mis-
sionaries. The subsequent fall of the
Taku forts precipitated the meeting of
force with force. The imperial gov
ernment having due regard to the
Importance of International inter
course still refuse to go SO far as to
interrupt the existing rela tions. We
have repeatedly issued DEGREES pro-
viding for. the protection of the for
eign legations and also commanded
the provincial authorities to protect
missionaries. Inasmuch as there Is
still NO cessation in the employment
Of force, foreign merchants and SUBJ
lects residing In China, who form a
numerous body in the country, should
be protected without distinction.
Whereby command all the Tartar gen.
erals, governors general and governors
Of province to look after the foreign
merchants and missionaries living in
the open ports, prefeotures, depart
ments and districts, under their re-
spective jurisdiction, and to afford
them due protection n accordance
with the treaty stipulations without
fail. Last month we heard with pro-
found astonishment and regret of the
killing of the chancellor Of the jap
anese Legation, Mr. Akri, and the same
fate befell the German minister short.
| ly afterwards. The violent removal OF
the German minister, whose residence
is at the capital, and VINO was neces-
sary to the transaction of business be-
tween the two countries, affected us
very deeply 1t is the duty of the
authorities concerned to cause strin-
gent orders for the speedy arrest and
punishment of the murderers to be
carried out.
"Since the commencement of the
attack on Tien Tsin there are foreign
SUBJECTS and missionaries who have,
on account of local disturbances,
suffered death or loss of property,
through no fault Of their own. We
hereby command the governor of Pc
kin and the vlcsroy of Chi Ii to
cause Investigations to be made by
their respective subordinates of all
such claims except thoss arising di-
rectly from the said attack, with q
view to their ultimate settlement.
Moreover, local outlaws and rebell-
| ious subjects have of late given
themselves up to burning, killing and
plundering to the great disquiet of our
loyal subjects This is an utter def.
ance of law. We hereby command the
said governors general, governors and
commanders of our forces to investi.
gate the situation and to take such
measures for the punishment Of the
| offenders and restraint of others as
the necessities of the case demand.
We hereby command this, our general
edict. to be known for the information
of all it may concern. Respect this. !"
A significant statement in the above
ediot is noted In that passage which
Directs an investigation Of all claims,
Except those arising directly from
the said attack-attack on Tisn Tsin
with view to the ultimate settle
ment."
This appears to make plain not
only that the Chinese government
will settle claims Of actual loss. but
that 1t has now formally decreed an
exception to the claims arising direct
ly from the attack on Tien Tsin. 1t
seems to indicate that the Chinese
government holds that the ATTACK on
Tien Tsin was unwarranted
| Washington. The president has lis