Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-11

NO IL, u.
> o'clock the next day take steps to seize
The forts by force. Lo Jung kwang being
bound by the duties of his office to hold the
rts. how could he yield to the demand?
ON the day named they actually first fired
upon the forts. which responded and kept
up a fighting al day, and then surrendered.
Thus the conflict Of forces began, but GER
tanly the initiative did not come from our
side Even supposing that China were not
conscious OF her true condition, how could
she take such step as to engage in war
with all the powers simultaneously, and
how could she. relying upon the support of
anarchistiC pOpuaCe. so INTO war with the
powers? Our p Sit.on in Ibis matter ought
to be clearly understood by all the powers
The above is a statement of the wrongs we
have suffered. and how China was driven
to the unfortunate position from which she
could not escape.
Rebels Will Ee Punished.
''Our several ministers will make known
accurately and in detail the contents of
this decree and the policy of China to the
ministers of foreign affairs in the respect
i've countries. and assure them that mill
tary authorities are still strictly enjoined to
afford protection to the legations as hith-
erto, to the utmost of Their power. AS for
the anarchists, they will be severely dealt
with as circumstances permit.
'The several ministers will continue in
the discharge of the duties of their office as
hitherto, without hesitation or doubt. This
teIegraphic decree to be transmitted for
their information. Respect this
What Minister Wu Says.
Minister WI said this morning in regard
to the assassination of Baron Won Ketteler,
the German minister in Pekin by mob
of Chinese rioters, that in attempting to
pass through the streets to reach the Tsung
Ii 1amen Baron Won ketteler took his life
in his own hands. The German minister, he
said, had requested an audience of the Chi
nese cabinet, to which they would not ac-
cede, knowing the dangers from the law
less rioters and the ant-foreign feeling that
would attend the min ster's journey through
the city. Nevertheless, the minister at
tempted to reach the Tsung Ii Yamen and
met his horrible fate.
The minister also talked of the lombard
ment of the Taku forts. The Chinese mill
tary commandant there, he said. had
authority whatever to give up the forts
upon the powers demand for their sur
render, and had no alternative but to return
the fire of the foreign fleet in kind.
As to the foreign ministers In Pekin he
said that they were requested by the Tsung
Ii Tamen, in order to insure their safety
to leave Pekn for Tien Tsin when the riot
ing and anarchy in the Chinese capital be-
came more and more rampant. This the
ministers did not take Immediate advantage
OF, and finally, later, the troubles had
spread ali through the intervening country
between Pekin and Tien Tsin, so that the
sltdNtSN SdltNN. IL safety lHtre was, ray IN
their remaining at the capital rather than
risk the still greater peril of a journey
across country.
Presentation Caused Satisfaction.
The first formal communication from the
Chinese imperial government to reach the
outside world since the beginning of the
siege of the legations, June 12 last. almost
month ago, was the note delivered by
Minister WI to Secretary Hay today 1t
appears on its face that this was an fden-
teal note; consequently every European
chanCellory IS now in possession of a copy
1t was received by Mr.. WI last night and
carefully protected from publication until
he had had an opportunity to Law it before
the State Department.
The document is peculiarly oriental in
construction and came through an extra
ordinary circuitous channel to the State De-
partment. There are incongruities at least
IN dates, of events described in the Chinese
note and the record of the same events
told in the preceding accounts that have
come by runner from Pekin. Then the note
is declared to be exculpatory, instead of ex-
pldnatOry.
Notwithstanding al these alleged defects,
its presentation gave great satisfaction
here. No matter what was the actual atti-
tude of the Chinese government toward the
Boxers, this note makes plain the fact
that its attitude now is correct Assuming
first reports that the imperial government
had encouraged the Boxers and even par
tlcIpated in the attacks upon the legations
IT is manifest that an effort is about to he
made to retrieve that mistake. This note is
regarded as the opening move in that di-
rectiOn.
Where the Note Originated.
The note is said to have originated with
the prlvy council, and at the State Depart
n1ent this body Is declared to be identica.
with the Tsung Ii Yamen, being the power
next the throne and the one which deals
EyrllIEiNElV . rha
Gus means adopted for forwarding the note
are supposed to have been resOrted to be-
cause what amounts to martial law in civ
iized countries is now in force in Pekin
and Shan Tung, that the Tsung Ii Yamen
would natura ly cOnfide the message to the
war board, now in supreme control. to Sc
cure its transmission to Shanghai.
The announced purpose of the Chinese
government to protect the foreign ministers
Is gratifying to the officials here. for 1t is
fact that they have all along been more or
less doubtful of the authenticity of the
several dispatches which have emanated
from Shanghai respecting the relations be-
tween Prince Ching and the legationers.
An Answer Not Called For.
1t Is said that the note does not call for
an answer from the State Department at
this stage. 1t Is submitted as a matter of
Information. 1t will not in itself materially
affect the military program laid down by
our government Such forces as we can
l3Hd IN emma VIII be puSned forward with
comparative rapdity to Pekin. The only
consideration that would induce the admin
istratiOn to relax that program at any
point would be the reopening of communi-
cation with Minister ConSer and his release
from any sort of duress or restraint
Possibly. now that the Tsung Ii Yamen
is communicating wi h the outer world, 1t
will permit the foreign ministers in Pekin,
II they are alive. to do the same. Our gov
ernment will probably suggest to the Tsung
Ii Yamen. through Minister Wu here, that
this be done The test thus imposed will
be crucial, and, much will depend upon the
response. 1T Is realized that an answer
cannot be expected immedia tely after the
request Is placed; 1t appears that the Chi
nesc imperial government is itself deprived
of the use of the telegraphs, and must rely
upon runners. who. in the case of this par
ticular note. occupied eleven days in reach
ing Shanghai from Pekin. Allowance must
be made for delay on that score, but as
already stated the military preparations
will proceed meanwhile.
Remey Commands in Chinese Waters.
Admiral Remey, the commander-in-ch chief
OF the United States naval forces on the