The Forrest City times., 1900-07-13
AN IMPERIAL DEGREE.
The Priyy Council at PcIkin Proceeds
 to Tell How it Happened"

The circumstances which led to the commencement of fighting be- tween Chinese and foreigners were of such somplex. confusing and unfortunate character as to be en- tirely unexpected.
 Our diplomatic representatives abroad, owing to their distance from the scene of action, have had no means of knowing the true state of things, and. accordingly, can not lay the views of the gov ernment before the ministers for foreign affairs of the respective powers to which they are accredit- ed. Now we take this opportunity of going fully into the matter for the information of our representa- tises aforesaid.
 Tn the first place, there arose in the provinces of Chilli and Shang-Tung band of rebellious subjects, who had been in the habit of praetieing boxing and fencing in their respective villages, and at the same time clothingth their doings with spiritualistic and strange rites. The local authori- ties failed to take due of them at the time. Accordingly, the infec- tion spread withastonishing rapid ity. Within the space of a month It seemed to make it's appearance everywhere, and finally. even reached the capital itself. Every one looked upon the movement as supernatural and strange, and many joined it.
 Then there were lawless and treacherous persons who sounded the cry of: Down with Christiani- tN. About the middle of the fifth moon, these persons began to create disturbances without warm ing. Churches were burned and converts were killed The whole city was in q ferment. A yitna- ton was created which could not he brought under control. At first the foreign powers requested that foreign troops be allowed to enter the capital for the protec- ton of the legation The imDe- rial government had in view lhe comparative urgency of the occa- hoh, granted the request as an ex- traCrdinarN mark of courtesy be- Iohd the requirements of interna- uonal intercourse. Over 800 for 12n troops were sent to Pekin. This shows clearly now much care China exercised in tl.c maintenance of friendly relations with other countries.
 The legations at the capital never had much to do with rhe people. But from the time for Ggn troops entered the city. the guards did not devote themselves exclusively to the protection of their respe ective legations. They sometimes fired their gupe on the tcp of the city walls. ard some times patrolled the streets every where. There were reports of per- sons being hit by stray bullets. Moreover, they stroiled about the city without restraint. and even attempted to enter the Tslng-Hua gate (the eastern gate of tbe palace grounds). They only de sisted when admitt&nce was Dcsi- tiYely forbidden. On this account both the soldiers and the peonle were provoked to resentment. and voiced their indignation with one accord.
 "LaWless persons then took ad- vantage of the situation to do mis- chief, and became bolder than ever Tn burning and killing Christian converts. The powers thereupon attempted 10 reinforce the foreion troops in Pekin, but the reinforce ments encountered resistance and defeat at the hands of the insur- gents on the way, and have not vet been able 10 proceed. The ipslIr- gents of the two provinces of Chib- Li and Shan-Tung had by this ''AA'N N'N'NN VI tA tbiil ititlt unIOn. and could not be separated. The inn perial government was by no means reluctant to issue orders for the entire suppression of this in- surgent element. but as the trouble was near at hand, there was great fear that due protection might not be assured the legations if the an- archists should be driven to ex- tremities, thus bringing on q na- tional calamity. There also was a fear that uprisings might occur in the provinces of Chilli and Shan. lung at the same time. with the result that both foreign mission aries and Chinese converts in the two provinces might fall victims to popular fury. It was. therefore. absolutely necessary to consider