The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-27
EDICT BY CHINESE GOVERNMENT
Laying Blame on Missionaries Orders
for Suppression of Disturbances.

Washington, July 23.-The state de-
partment a mad public the follow
ing text Of an edict delivered today by
is the edict referred to by United
States Consul Fowler at Che Foo, in
his message received here yesterday:
IAN IMPERIAL EDICT."
Issued on the first day OF the sixth
Moon July 17th) transmitted by the
viceroy Liu Kun Yih on the 10Th of
July and received Wy Minister WI 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 antagonism be-
tween the people and Christian mis-
sions. The subsequent fall of the Taku
forts p~reclpitated the meeting Hf force
with force. The imperial government.
having u regard to the Importance
of international intercourse, still refus-
ed to go so far TO interrupt the exist
ing relations. We have already repeat
eddy issued DEGREES providing for the
protection of the foreign Legations and
also commanded the provincial author
tiles to protect missionaries Inasmuch
as there is 'Uill 10 cessation in the en-
Payment of force, foreign merchants
and subjects residing i'm China, who
form a numerous body in the country,
should be protected with distinction.
We hereby command all the Tartar
generals, governOrS-general and gov
errors of provinces to ook after the
foreign merchants and missionaries
living in the open ports, procedures,
departments and districts under their
respective jurisdiction, and to afford
them due protection in accordance
with treaty stipulatiOns, without fail.
Last March we heard with
profound establishment and regret
of the killing of the cham
cellor Of the japanese legation, Mr..
Akria, 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 two countries,
affected us very deeply. Tt is the duty
of the authorities concerned to aus
stringent orders for the speedy arrest
and punishment of the murdererS to
be carried out.
"Since the commencement of the at
tack in Tien TSin there are foreign
subjects AND missionaries who have,
on account of local disturbances, suf-
fered death or loss of property through
no fault of their own. We hereby
command the governor of Pekin and
the viceroy of Chi Ii to cause inveSti-
cations TO be made by their respective
S~ubordinateS of all such claims, eX-
cept those arising directly from the
said attack, with a view for h ul-
innate settlement.
Moreover, local outlaws and rebel
lious subjects have of late given them
selves up TO burning, killing and plum
dering. 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 in
vestigate the situation and to take
such measures for the protection of
the offenders and restoration of order
as the necessities of the case demand
I'VE hereby command this, our gen.
eral edict to be made known for the in
formation of all it may concern. Re
spect this"
A significant statement in h above
edict is noted in that passage which
directs an investigation of all claims,
except those arising directly from
the said attack" (attack on Tfen Tsln)
with a view 10 their ultimate settle
ment."
This appears to max plain, not only
the Chinese government will settle the
claims for actual losses, but pnat II
has not formally decreed an eNcepuon
of those claims arising directly from
h attack on Tien Tsin. 1t seems TO
indicate that the Chinese government
holds that the attack on Tien TSin was
unwarraned.
REMEY GOES TO TEN TSIN.
Washington, July 23.-The bureau OF
navigation this morning received the
following form Admiral Remey:
''Taku, July %.
Going to Tien TSin today to loo
into matters, leaving senior officer here.
Newark gone to Nagasak for dock
ing"