The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-09
AN IMPERIAL EDICT.
Copy of n Decree Directing Yung Lu
to Escort Ministers TO Tien-Tsin.
Associated Press Dispatch.

Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, Aug. S.-After brief
respite at the seashore, the Chinese minis
ter was again busy to-day at the Chinese
legation. He made an early visit TO the
State Department, delivering the edict of
Aug 2, which had been delayed en- route,
directing Yung Lu to select high officials
to escort the foreign ministers from Picking
to Tien-Tsin. This was turned over to
Acting Secretary Adee. and the text of the
edict made public. The edict also directed
that free communication be allowed be-
tween the ministers and their governments
on messages i'm open text. A later COM
munication dated Aug. 5, extended this free
communication without regard to the mes
sages being in open text. The edicts re-
ferred to, with an explanation, as trans
mitted to the State Department. are here
given:
can imperial edict of the eighth day of
mitted by Viceroy Ii Hung Chang, Vieeroy
Liu Kun vi and Director General Sheng,
under date or Aug. 4. 1900 10 Minister Yang,
at ST. Petersburg. and retransmitted by the
latter. under date of Aug. Z. and received
by Minister WI on the evening Of the last
named date. 1t is as follows:
Lii Hung Chang and Liu Kun vi In
response 10 their Joint memorial proposing
the sending of the foreign ministers to
Tien-Tsin received on the sth inst, (Aug.
p. this imperial edict:
Throughout the disturbances recently
caused by our subjects on account OF Chris
tian missions, which have resulted in
conflict of forces. ii has been found neces-
sary to afford protection TO all the foreign
ministers in Picking. On repeated occasions
the Tsun Ii Yamen sent notes inquiring
after their welfare. And as Picking has
not yet been restored TO order. and pre-
lutely safety the foreign ministers are be-
ing consulted as TO the proposed plan of
detailing troops to escort them safely TO
Tien-Tsin for temporary shelter, so that
they may be free from apprehension or
fear.
1--WE hereby command Yung Lu to APP
point as preliminary step, trustworthy
high civil and military officials who to-
getner with reliable and efficient troops.
shall. at such time as the foreign ministers
may agree upon, for leaving Pek1ng, and
escort and protect them throughout their
journey. Should lawless characters mani
fest evil designs upon the ministers or at
tempt TO rob them or any in any way Gre
ate trouble they (the high officials) shall at
once repress them without fail
If the foreign ministers. before leaving
Picking should desire to communicate with
their respective governments and If their
Geographic messages should be in plain
language, the Tsung Lii Yamen shall at
once attend to them without the least de-
lay. thus manifesting the utmost friendli-
ness or the imperial government. respect
this +"
Minister WI showed the utmost concern
as to the seriousness of the situation. AS to
the message from Mr.. Conger. he said: 1T
is not for me TO discuss the Conger tele-
gram, as 1t speaks for itself But at such
a moment l hope a distorted and exag-
gerated Interpretation will not be placed
on the message. Its seriousness / do not
question. but ask the public to take what
IL says and not draw differences as to
its meaning. 1t is dated at the Yamen of
the governor OF Shang-Tung. 1t is for
warded direct from the governor TO the
State Department, showing the efforts our
officials are making to get through mes
sages between Washington and Picking.
there is free communication. despite all the
statements and criticisms that this free
communication was cut off. Mr.. Conger' s
statement that the Chinese government
insists upon our leaving Picking disposes
of another story that the government was
holding the ministers as hostages. On the
contrary. IL urges them TO go, and offers
an escort to conduct them. Whether il is
safe or not Is matter of individual judg-
ment. and Mr.. Conger appears 10 regard
IL as unsafe. But L do not care TO go fur
Their into the details of the message as I
do not wish 10 be in the position OF an
anoIOyiSt "