The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-23
SAVANNAH, GA, MONDAY, JULY 23 1900

phraseoloSy that it is impossible to do
more than approximately state its sense
Tne edict appears to state in beginning
that owing to the trouble existing be-
tween the Christians and the populace,
and to subsequent seizure of the Taku
forts, which aroused the military TO arms
tie imperial court was laying great
weight upon its international relations.
The Manchu generals, therefore, vice
roys and governors, are ordered to ascer-
tain whether the merchants and mission
aries of the various nations residing in
the open ports are being projected aud
the assertion is made that prefectg and
magistrates have been sent repeated i'm
perlal edics 10 protect the legations. Or
ders also have been sent to the provincial
authorities to protect the missionaries
While hostilities have not yet ceased,
the Chinese officials are directed to give
protection to the merchants and others of
the various nations in accordance with
treaties and must not fail 90 obey.
Murder of Foreigners.
The edict refers to the killing last
month of the Japanese chancellor, Sugi-
wanna, which it characterizes as startling
1t says that a short time thereafter the
German minister was murdered while re-
siding in the capital conducting interna-
tonal affairs. The edict expresses the
deepest sympathy on account of his death,
and asserts that stringent instructions
would be issued 10 seize the murderer,
who must be caught and severely pun
ished, after the termination of the pres
ent hostilities. together with those who
have murdered foreigners and mission
aries or taken their property without
cause. The language of the edict, as
given by Mr.. Fowler, on this subject is
very much involved, but it appears to
exempt from punishment those who have
killed foreigners Connected with the
war"
The Governor of Pekin and the Vice
soy of Chill are charged to issue instruc-
tions to investigate and then to deal in
teligently with each case of wrong-<lo-
ing. The edict states that recently evil
doers created riots, deliberately rebelled
and murdered good subjects, certainly, IL
says, a deplorable state of affairs. All
viceroys, governors and high military
authorities are ordered to obtain accurate
details, presumably of the outrages COM
mitted by Chinese and to make such
seizures and take such action as the
cases warrant in order to stop the dis
turbances.
Beside the reference to the seizure of
the Taku forts as one of the causes OF
the uprising, the significant feature of the
edict is the underlying expression of the
desire of the imperial government of
China, not only to protect the foreigners,
but to make reparation for the injuries
they have sustained. That would seem to
be the meaning of the instructions to
the Chinese viceroys and magistrates to
take steps to ascertain the extent of
these injuries. Otherwise the edict is
mainly argumentative and appears to be
an effort to- extenuate the course of the
imperial government. AS such 1t may be
properly laid aside for the present, to be
taken up for consideration in the final
reckoning, and such will be the course
of the state department.
Our Only Object.
The administration is determined to
keep aloof from any movement that would
unnecessarily entangle the government of
the Unit-d States in Chinese affairs. 1t
of course must join heartily with the 9TH
er Powers in the effort to get to Pekin,
but it does not follow from that cooper
alton that it will be led into taking part
in any chickering's or dissensions that en-
sue over the future Of China after our
people have been taken care of.
Ii is the intention OF the adm nistration
10 withdraw our forces, military and ma
val, after the Americans in Pekin have
been relieved and wash its hands of Chi
nese affairs, locking only TO the preser
walton of such privil 'ges as it has a right
TO retain for Americans.
A tr eff cablegram was received by Sec
1etary Long to-day from Rear Admiral
Kempff at Taku. He announced that the
Newark was going over to Nagasah to
be docked and cleaned Although he did
NOT say 50, it is assumed that he is going
wi her as she is his flag ship.
Five hundred United States marines
started from this city to-day direct for
China They We're placed on a special
train bound for San Frar cisco where they
will cross the Pacific On an army trans
port. This is the largest body of marine;
that has yet been dispatched to the East
ard the departure was made conspicuous
by the presence of Gen. Haywood, the
commaudant of marines, and the full Ma
r.ne band. The attachment is command
ed by Maj. Dickens.