Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-16
PRINCES DEGRADED
Tuan and Chwang Sentenced to Life
Imprisonment,
LESS PUNISHMENT FOR OTHERS
Terms of a Chinese Imperial
Decree.
MINISTER'S CONFERENCE

Minister WI has received from Director
General Sheng the following cablegram,
which he communicated to Secretary Hay
this morning
AN imperial decree OF November IL de-
prived Prince Tuah and Prince Chwang OF
their ranks and Offices and riders them to
be imprisoned for life; Prince Y!h and Sec
ondary Prince Wing to be imprisoned; Sec
ondarv Prince I..en to be deprived of his
rank: Duke Ian and Wing Men to be de-
graded in rank. kangyi being dead. nc
penalty can be imposed upon him; Chao
Shu-chiao to be degraded. but retained In
office: Yu Hsien to be exiled to the farthest
boundary"
The ten Chinese officials mentioned in the
decree are among the highest in China and
comprise most # not ALL of those against
whom the powers demanded rigorous pun
ishmeut. Prince Tuln stands at the head
of the anti-fore.gn and Boxer movement
Previous edictS have degraded him and
taken away his office and servants. but
this Judgment of life Imprisonment IS the
most severe thus far ven TO any OF the
leaders reSpons be for the trouble
From a Chinese standpoint ii is an eX-
treme penalty to prince of the blood but
it remains to be seen whether the powers
will regard it as tequate to Prince TuanS
offense. The others mentioned were Tuan's
active associates, and two of them We're
specifically mentioned for punishment along
with Tuan. in Secretary Hays note OF Octo-
Der . advising the Chinese government that
this country would expect these officials to
receive their just deserts. kang-yi is one
of the officials who died suddenly after the
demands for pun .shment had been made.
probably by suicide. Yu Hsien is supposed
to be another of those who committed sui
eide. but the edict indicates that he is still
alive.
As the ministers at Pekin have also been
considering the question of punshments, it
Will speedily develop when they lay their
deman dS before the Chinese ENJOYS whether
the edict of the Chinese emperor gives pun
tshments which are regarded as adequate
to iii the crimes.
End of Negotiations in Sight.
Minister Conger has not been heard from
at the State Department for four days
past. But his latest report upon the pro-
gress of the negotiations going at
Pekin between the ministers. taken in con-
nection with the departments ample in
struction relative to that subject warrants
the officials here in confirming the Pekin
view that the end of these consultations
is within sight. Indeed, it is a matter OF
surprise that the ministers have not al
ready completed their program. for. not
withStanding the European impression to
the contrary. Minister Conger. so far from
being obstructionist, is working jealous
", by the direction of Secretary Hay, 10
hurry the negotiations to finish. That
has involved some sacrifices on the part OF
the United States government in the aspira-
tons set out in some of the famous notes
of the earlier stages of the negotiations,
Yet in the interest of concerted action and
harmony these sacrifices have been deemed
necessary.
II cannot be concealed. however. that dis
approval ia entertained of the relentless at
titude OF The German military commander
in China, and though our government has
not protested apaiHSt the punitive expedi-
tons. which it regards AS ngenuously calcu-
lated to cause fresh outbreaks among the
Chinese, it fears the results.
This Governments Attitude.
There is no hesitation in theoretically de-
nying the European implication that the
United States government is moved in its
Chinese course by sentimental and unbus-
ness-like considerations. On the contrary,
it Is pointed out that while sentiment Is on
the side OF our government IN this matter.
it is accompanied by the soundest business
considerations. for the animating purpose
of the State Department now is to prevent
the distractions Of Oh mas integrity upon
preteXts: to maintain the open door, for
which orr government has all along con-
tended. and 10 secure indemnities for the
past and guarantees for the future. 1t Is
felt that these objects can be secured with
out breaking the implied truce entered into
between the ministers and I'll Hung Chang
and Prince Ching. but the conclusion OF
the ministers councils at Pekin is awaited
with some anxiety.
Foreign Statements ContrOverted.
Advfces other than those to the State De-
partment. and yet official, strongly contro-
vert the statements in the foreign press
that American prestige in China has been
seriously injured by the failure of the
United States to Join in the punitive expedi-
ton against Pao Ting. These advices come
from the most influential Chinese sources,
and they are agreed in stating that Ameri
can prestige has been greatly advanced by
the moderate and humane course adopted
by the United States 1t is said that any
lack of prestige must be among the for
eigners residing in China, as the Chinese
themselves. from the officials down to the
people. look upon the course of the United
States as one in which strength has been
moderated by justice.