The Van Buren press., 1900-07-28
CHINA AND THE POWERS.
Text of an Imperial Edict Issued
at Pekin, July II, Received
by Minister WI.
COMMUNICATED TO STATE DEPARTMENT.
investigation of Claims Of Foreign
ers, Except ThOse Arising From
the Attack on Ticn Tsin, Ordered,
with n View to Their Ultimate
Settlement by China.

Washington, July 24.-The state de-
partment makes public the following
text OF an edict delivered by Minister
WI 10 Secretary Hay. This is the edict
referred to by United States Consul
Fowler, az Che Foo, in his message re-
ceived here Sunday:
"An imperial edict issued on the
first day of the sixth moon (July ~.
Transmitted by the viceroy, Liu Kun
Yih, Oh the Goth of July, and received
ny Minister WI on the 2ist day OF
July, ct seven o'clock.
The Imperial Edict.
The present conflict between China and
the foi cign powers had It's origin In ths
long-staDd;ng antagonism between the
people ana Christian missions. The SUISSE
ulent fail of the Taku forts Drecipitated
the meeting of force with force. The i'm
DeIial government. having due regard to
the Importance of international inter-
course still refused to go SO far as to in
terrupt the existing relations. We have
already repeatedly issued DEGREES provid-
ing for the protection of the foreign Legal
tons anG also command the provincial
authorities to protect missionaries. mas
much as there Is still no cessation In the
employment of force, foreign merchants
aud subjects residing in China, who form
a numerous distinction, we hereby COM
niand all the Tartar generals, governors
general, and governors of provinces to
look after the foreign merchants and mis-
sonaries living In the open ports, prefec-
TIRES, departments and districts under
their respective Jurisdiction, and to afford
them due protection In accordance with
treaty supulations without failure. Last
month we heard with profound astonish-
nent and regret, of the killing of the
chancellor of the japanese legation, Mr..
Akira, ano the same fate befell the Ger
nan minister shortly afterward. The vio-
lent removal of the German minister,
whose residence at the capital was nee
essary to the transaction of business be-
tween the two countries, affected us very
deeply. II 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 attack
In Tier Tsin, there are foreign subjects
and missionaries who have on account
OF local disturbances, suffered death or
loss of property through no fault of their
own. We hereby command the governor
OF Pekin and tho viceroy of Chih-Li to
cause Investigations to be made by their
respective subordinates of all such claims,
except those arising directly from the said
tlement. Moreover, local outlaws and re-
beilious subjects have of late given them
selves w to burning, killing and plumber
ing, to the great disquiet of our loyal
subjects. This Is an utter defiance OF
law. We hereby command the said gov.
ernors general, governors and comman-
ders Of our forces to investigate the sit
uation, ano to take such measures for
the punishment OF the offenders and res
toratior OF order as the necessities OF
TIE case demand. We hereby command
this. our general edct, to be made known
for the Information Of all 1t may con-
Germ, Respect this.
a significant statement in the above
edct is noted in that passage which
directs I'm investigation of all claims
except those arising directly from the
said attack (attack on Tien Tsin), 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 it
has now formally decreed an exception
OF these claims arising directly from
the attack on Tien Tsin. 1t seems to
indicate that the Chinese government
holds that the attack on Tien Tsin was
unwarranted.