The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-30
HIS TRIAL IS ORDERED
Decree Issued Demanding Degradation
of Four Princes.
CHINA is MOVING AGAINST THE BOXERS
Much Satisfaction is Felt Here as Events Now
Seem Fastening Toward an EARLY
and Satisfactory Settlement
Of the Question.
Of the Question.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press)
Washington, Sept. 29.-Important news
came from China at the end of the day,
ly the efforts for final settlement.
China has accepted the suggestions of
the United States contained in the answer
to the German proposition and has begun
voluntarily the punishment of the reac-
tionary Chinese leaders who were re-
sponsible for the Pekin outrages.
The Department of State was informed
by Consul General Goodnow, at Shanghai,
that Sheng, Chinese Director of Railways
/ and Telegraphs, has handed him a de-
! cree of the Emperor and Empress, dated
at Taignan, September 25th, blaming
their Ministers for encouraging the Box
ers. The edict orders the degradation OF
four princes and deprives Prince Tuan
of his salary and official servants. He
is to be brought for trial before the I'm
perial Clan Court
1t will be recalled that in our answer
the State Department was careful to
state that while it did not believe in de-
handing the surrender of the Chinese
negotiations, it was resolved firmly, as
Secretary Hay had said in his note of
July Sd. that in the end the guilty par.
ties should be held to the uttermost ac-
countability. The Chinese Government
has taken this intimation to heart, and
perhaps fastened in its action by the
recent manifestation of dissatisfaction by
the United States Government at the re-
ported promotion of Prince Tuan, already
has begun the punishment of him and
the other Chinese leaders who are held
guilty.
The decree recited by Sheng is felt to
be CT the utmost Importance, as indicat-
ing a complete change of heart on the
part of the reigning dynasty. 1t means
that the reactionary influences which
have been dominant in Pekin throughout
the uprising, and have continued of late
days, have suffered a complete over
throw, and that their most conspicuous
figures are degraded and on trial. 1t is
believed here that if this action is gen.
uine it will be hard for any of the pow
ers to find reasonable pretext longer
to refuse to heed the appeals of the
Chinese Government for the opening of
negotiations looking to a settlement
The Importance of the action is shown
by the determination to try Prince Tuan
before the Imperial Clan Court This is
the supreme judicial tribunal of China
and is the only one having Jurisdiction
over the members of the imperial fam
lily. 1t is presided over by Prince Lii.
with the well known Prince Ching as
First Vice President. Prince Ii is the
first of the eight princely families of
China. and is regarded as friendly to the
~ 80
Prince Ching has been notable through
out the trouble as friendly to foreign
interests. There are five other men,
bers of the court. all of them high per-
sonages. They occupy a building at
Pekin and are in regular session for the
trial of cases affecting members of the
nobility and the highest personages.
Chinese officials here say that the refer
ence of the case to this high court is of
itself the fullest assurance of the gravity
with which the Throne regards the mat
ter. 1t is noted also that even before
the trial Prince Tuan is stripped of his
salary and official servants Being
man of large and independent means, the
loss of salary would not amount to much
If it were not that this and the loss Of
the servants is special means of humili-
alton. The names of the four Princes
who have been degraded are not known
here, either by the State Department or
by the Chinese Legation.
The action of the Chinese Government
in overthrowing the reactionaries is like
ly to give the most intense qualification
to the friendly Viceroys of the south of
China and to the Ministers here, in
London and in Europe who have so
strenuously resisted the Boxer move
ment. 1t may be specially noted that
only today Minister WI received informa-
tion that these Viceroys. including LII
Hung Chang, had memorialized the
Throne to punish the very element which
has now been overcome.