, 1900-07-24
A CHINESE ED|CT
PROMISES SPEEDY ARREST AND
PUNISHMENT OF THE
MURDERERS.
Foreigners to be Reimbursed for Loss
of Property-Formally Decree an
Exception of the Claims for Losses
Arising Directly From the Capture
of Tien Tsin,

c"'S 49,
partment makes public the following
text of an edict delivered today by
Minister WI to Secretary Hay. This
is the edict referred to by United States
Consul Fowler at Che Foo in his mes
sage received here yesterday:
An imperial edict issued on the
first day of the sixth moon July 10,
transmitted by the Viceroy Liu Kun
Yih on the Goth day of July and re-
ceived by Minister WI on the 21st day
OF July at 7 O'Clock:
The present conflict between China
and the foreign powers had its origin
in the long standing a~ntagonism be-
tween the people and Christian mis-
sions. The subsequent fall of the Ia
ku forts precipitated the meeting of
force with force. The imperial govern
ment having due regard to h impor-
refused to go so far as to interrupt the
existing relations. We have already
repeatedly issued DEGREES providing for
the provincial authorities to protect
missionaries. Inasmuch as there is
still no cessation in the employment of
force, foreign merchants and subjects
residing in China, who form a numer-
GUS body in the country, should be
protected without distinction. We
hereby command all the Tartar gener-
ais, governors general and governors
of provinces % look after the foreign
merchants and missionaries living in
the open ports, procedures, depart
ments and districts under their respec-
tive jurisdiction, and to afford them
due protection in accordance with trea-
ty stipulations without fail. Last
month we heard with profound aston
ishment and regret of the killing of
the chancellor of the Japanese legation,
Mr.. Akira, and the same fate befell the
German minister shortly afterward.
| The violent removal of the German
minister, whose residence at the capt.
tai was necessary to the transaction Of
business between the W countries,
affected us very deeply. 1t is the duty
Of the authorities concerned to cause
stringent orders for the speedy arrest
and punishment of the murderers to
be carried out.
Since the commencement of the at
tack 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 com
mand the governor of Picking and the
| viceroy of Chih-Li to cause investiga-
| lions to be made by their respective
subordinates of all such claims, except
those arising directly from the said
attack, with a view to their ultimate
settlement. Moreover, local outlaws
and rebellious subjects have of late
given themselves up to burning, kill
ing and plundering, to the great dis
quiet Of our loyal subjects. This is
an utter defiance of law. We hereby
command the said governors gen.
eral, governors n commanders Of
our forces to investigate the situation.
and to take such measures for the pun
ishment of offenders and restoration of
order as the necessities OF the case de-
mand. We hereby command this, our
general edict, to be made known for
the information of all it may concern.
Respect this"
A significant statement in the above
edict is noted in tina, passage which
directs an Investigation of all claims,
except those arising directly from the
said attack" (attack on Tien Tsin),
| with a view to their ultimate settle
ment.
This appears to make plain not on
ly that the Chinese government will
settle claims for actual losses. but it
has now formally decreed an exception
Of these claims arising directly from
the attack on Tien Tsin. 1t seems to
indicate that the Chinese government
holds that the attack on Tien Tsin vas
u~nwarranted.