Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-12

sentiment. and voiced their indignation
with one accord. Lawless persons then
took advantage of the situation to do
mischief and became holder than ever
in burning and killing Christian con-
verts. The powers thereupon attempt
ed to reinforce the foreign troops in
Pekin, but the reinforcements encoun-
tered resistance and defeat at the
hands or the insurgents on the way
ana nave not yet been able to proceed.
The insurgents Of the two provinces
Of Chih-Li and Shan-Tung had by this
time effected complete union and
could not be separated. The imperial
government was by no means reluc-
tant to issue orders for the entire sup
preston of this insurgent element.
But as the trouble was so near at
hand. there was great fear that due
protection might not be assured to the
legations if the anarchists should be
driven to eXtremities, thus bringing on
Il national calamity. There also was a
fear that uprisngs might occur in the
provinces of Chilli and Shan-Tung
at the same time, with the result that
both foreign missionaries and Chinese
converts in the two provinces might
| =
therefore, absolutely necessary to con-
sider the matter from every point of
view. AS a measure Of precautiOn il
was finally decided to request the for
| eign ministers to retire temporarily to
Tien Tsin for safety
1t was while the discussion of this
proposition was in progress that the
German minister, Baron Won KetteIer.
was assassnated by riotous mob. one
morning. while on his way to the
Tsuns Ii iamen. On the previous dav
the German minister had written a let
ter appointing time for calling at the
| Tsung Ii Yamen. But the Yamen.
tearing ne might be molested on the
way, did not consent to the appoint
ment as suggested by the minister
Since this occurrence the anarchists
assumed more bold and threatening
attitude and consequently il was NOT
deemed wise to carry out the project
OF sending the diplomatic CORPS to Tien
Isln under an escort. However. or
ders We're issued to the troops detailed
Tor the protection of the legations to
Keep Stricter watch and take greater
pfecautlon against any emergency To
our surprise. on the 10Th of the fifth
moon (June 1G) foreign tnavaD officers
at Taku called upon Lo Jung Kwane
the general commanding. and demand
ed his surrender of the forts. notifying
him that failing to receive compliance
they would at o'clock the next day
take steps to seize the forts by force.
Lo Jung kwang being bound by the
duties of his office to hold the forts
how could he yield to the demand? on
the day named they actually first fired
upon the forts. which responded and
kept up the fighting. all day. and then
surrendered. Thus the conflict Of forces
began. but certainly the initiative did
not come from our side
Even supposing that China We're not
conscious of her true condition, how
could she. take such a step as to en-
gage IN war with all the powers sim |
UNANIMOUSLY. and how could she. relying |
upon the support of an anarchistic |
populace. go into war with the powers?
our position in this matter ought to be |
clearly understood by all the powers. |
The above is 4 statement of the wrong |
we have suffered and how China was
driven to the unfortunate position |
which she could not escape.
Our several ministers will make |
known accurately and in detail the |
contents of this decree and the policy |
of China to the ministers of foreign af- |
fairs in their respective countries and |
assure them that military authorities |
are strictly enjoined to afford protec- |
ton to the legations as hitherto: to the |
utmost of their power. AS for the an
archists they will be severely dealt !
with as circumstances permit
The several ministers will continue |
in the discharge of the duties of their !
offices, as hitherto without hesitation |
or doubt This Geographic decree to |
be transmitted for their information. |
Respect this.
The note is said to have originated |
with the privy council. and at the state |
department this body is declared to be |
identical with the Tsung Ii Yamen. be- |
ing the power next the throne. and the |
one which deals exclusively with |
foreign powers. The curious means |
adopted of forwarding the note are
supposed to have been resOrted to be-
cause what amounts to martial law in i
civilized countries is now in force in |
Pekin and Shan Tung so that the |
Tsung Ii Yamen would naturally con-
fine the message to the war board. now |
in supreme control. to secure it's trans |
mission to Shanghai.
The announced purpose of the Chin |
csc government to protect the foreign |
ministers is gratifying to the officials |
here. for they have all along been more |
or less doubtful of the authenticity of |
the several dispatches which have |
emenated from Shanghai respecting |
the relations between Prince Ching and |
the legationers.
1t is said that the note does not call |
for answer from the state department |
at this stage and will not materially |
affect the military program laid down |
by our government Such forces as we |
can land in China will be pushed for
ward with rapidity to Pekin. The only |
consideration that would induce the |
administration to relax that program
at any point would be the reopenng
of communication with Minister Con-
ger and his release from any sort of
duress or restraint.
Possibly now that the Tsung Ii va
men is communicating with the outer
world it will permit the foreign minis
tiers in Pekin. if they are alive, to do
the same. Our government probably |
will S,IypeSt tn the TSunp Ii Yamen |