The Yale expositor., 1900-07-27
IMPERIAL EDlCT MADE PUBLIC
Issued July II and Orders Foreigners
Protected.

Issued July II ana orders Foreigners
Protected.
Washington, July 24.-The state de-
partment makes public the following
text OF an edict delivered today by
Minister Wu to Secretary Hay. This
is the edct referred TO by United
States Consul Fowler at Chefu, in his
message received here yesterday:
"Ar Imperial Edict Issued on the 1st
Day of the Sixth Moon July 10
Transmitted by the Viceroy Liu Knu
Yih on the goth of July, and received
by Minister WI on the 21st day of July
at 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 piecipitated the meeting of force
with force. The imperial government
having due regard to the Importance of
international intercourse, still refused
to go so far as to intercept the existing
relations.
I'VE have already repeatedly issued
DEGREES providing for the protection of
the foreign legations and also COM
manded the provincial authorities TO
protect missionaries. Inasmuch as
there is still no cessation in the en-
ployment of force, foreign merchants
and subjects residing in China, who
form a numerous body in the country
should be protected without distinc-
ton.
I'VE hereby command all the Tartar
generals, governors-general, and gov
errors of provinces to look after the
foreign merchants and missionaries
living in the open ports, procedures, de-
partments, and districts under their re-
spective jurisdiction, and to afford
them due protection in accordance with
treaty stipulations without fail. Last
month we heard, with profound aston
ishment and regret, of the killing of
the chancellor of the japanese lega-
ton, Mr.. Akira, and the same fate be-
fell the German minister shortly after
ward
"The violent removal of the German
minister, whose residence at the capt.
tai was necessary to the transaction OF
business between the two countries, af-
fected 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 in Tientsin there are foreign sub
jects 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 ex-
cept those arising directly from the
said attack with view to their ulti-
mate settlement. Moreover, local out
laws and rebellious subjects have OF
late given themselves up to burning,
killing, and plundering to the great
disquietuoe of our loyal subjects. This
is in utter defiance of law. We hereby
command the said encouragement,
governors, and commanders of our
forces to investigate the situation and
to take such measures for the punish
ment of the offenders and restoration
of order as the necessities of the case
demand We hereby command this,
our general edict, to be made known,
for the information of all it may con-
Germ. Respect this"
A significant statement in the above
edict is noted in that passage which
directs an investigation of all claims
except those arising directly from the
said attack (attack on Tientsin), with
a view to their ultimate settlement" "
This appears to make plain, not only
that the Chinese government will set
| tie claims for actual losses, but that
il has now formally decreed an excep-
| ton OF these claims arising directly
from the attack on Tientsin. II seems
to indicate that the Chinese govern
ment holds that the attack on Tientsin
was unwarranted.
Central Passenger association roads
are proud of the record shown by the
! interchangeable mileage bureau.