The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-07-23
Imperial Chinese Manifesto Indicates
Admiral Was Right.

Washington, July 22.-Further proof
of an official character of the mistake
made by foreign commanders in the
attack on the Taku forts is contained
In a communication received at the
state department received from United
states Consul Fowler at Che Foo. He
mas transmitted an imperial edict
which was supplied to him by tele-
graph by the Chinese governor of
Shan Tung, Yuan Shi Kai. at Isl Nan.
the capital of the province 1t was
issued on July Il, and relates to the
present hostilitieS between China and
the foreign powers.
The dispatch containing the edict
came to the state department in such
confused phraseology that it is i'm
possible to do more than approximately
state its sense. The edict appears to
state in beginning that, owing to the
trouble existing between the Chris
uanS and the pOpulace, and to the sub
sequent pressure of the Taku forts
which arouses the military TO arms. the
imperial court was laying great weight
upon its international relations
The Manchu generals, vicerOys and
governors, are, therefore, ordered to
ascertain whether the merchants and
missionaries of the various nations re-
siding in the open ports are being pro-
tected, and the assertion is being made
that projects and magistrates have
been sent repeated edicts to protect the
legations. Orders also have been sent
to the provincial authorities TO protect
the missionaries. While hostilities have
not yet ceased, the Chinese officials
are directed to give protection to the
merchants and others of the various
nations in accordance with treaties,
and must not fail 70 OhpW
Express Regret For fIurders.
The edict refers to the killing last
month of the Japanese chancellor, Sugi
Yama, which it characterizes as start
ling. 1t says that short time there
after the German minister was muir
dered while residing in the capital,
conducting international affairs. The
edict expresses the deepest sympathy
on account of his death, and asserts
that stringent instructions would be
issued to seize the murderer, who must
be caught and severely punished, after
the termination of the present hostili-
ties, together with those who have
murdered foreigners and missionaries
or taken their property without cause.
The language of the edict as given by
Mr. Fowler on this subject is very
much involved, but it appears to ex-
SIlpl from punishment lIOSG VINO nave
killed foreigners connected with the
war"
The governor of Pekin and the vice
roy of Chi Ii are charged to issue in
structiOns to investigate and then to
deal intelligently with each case of
wrOngdOing. The edict states that re-
Gently evildOers created riots, deliber-
ately rebelled and murdered good sub
jects, certainly a deplOrable state of
affairs. All vicerOys, governors and
high military authorities are ordered to
obtain accurate details, presumably of
the Outrages committed by Chinese,
and to make such seizures and take
such action as the cases warrant in
order to stop the disturbances.
Besides the reference to the seizure of
the Taku forts as one of the causes of
the uprising, the significant feature of
the edict is the underlying expression
of the desire of the imperial govern
ment of China not only to protect the
foreigners, but to make reparation for
the injuries they have sustained. That
would seem to be the meaning of the
instructions to the Chinese viceroys
and magistrates to take steps to ascer-
tain the extent of these injuries. Other
wise the edict is mainly drgumentative
and appears to be an effort to eXtenu-
ate the course of the imperial govern
ment. AS such II may be properly
laid aside for the present, to be taken
up for consideration IN the final reck-
oning, and such will be the course of
the state department
Wary of ENHANCEMENT.
The administration is determined to
keep alOof from any movement that
would unnecessarily entangle the gov
of the United States in Chi
nese affairs
1t, of course, must join heartily with
the other powers in the effort to get to
Pekin. but it does not follow from that
cooperation that it will be led into
taking part in the chickering's or dissen-
sions that enSue over the future of
China after our people have been taken
care of 1t is the intention of the "a
TO withdraw our forces,
and naval, after the Americans
in Pekin have been relieved, and wash
its hands of Chinese affairs, looking
only to the preservation of such privil-
eyes as it has a right to retain for Am
ericanS