The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-07-12

lection might not be assured to the le-
cations Z the anarchists should be
driven to extremities. thus bringing on
i national calamity. There was also
a fear that uprisings might occur in
the provinces of Chi Ii and Shan Tung
az the same time, with the result that
Doth foreign missionaries and Chinese
converts IN The TWO provinces might
iail victims 70 popular fury.
Ministers Asked to Lsave.
1T was, therefore. absolutely neces-
sary to consider the matter from every
point OF view As q measure OF precau-
ton 1t was finally decided to request
Z the foreign ministers TO retire temper
arlly TO Iien Tsin for SAFETY. II was
while the discussion OF this proposition
was IN progress that the German min
ister. Baron Won Ketteler, was assassi-
! mated bY riotous mob one morning
while on his way TO the Tsung Ii va
men On the previous day the German
minister had written a letter appoint
ing time for calling al the Tsung Ii
1amen- But the Tamen, fearing he
might be mOlested on the way, did not
consent to the appointment as suggest
I'd b. the minister.
Since this occurred the anarchists
assumed a more bold and threatening
attitude, and consequently it was not
deemed wise 10 carry out the project of
sending the diplomatic CORPS TO Tien
! Isln under an escort. However. orders
were issued TO the troops detailed for
the protection Of the legations, TO keep
strict watch and take greater precau-
tons against any emergency.
Says Foreigners Fired First on Taku.
To our surprise. on the goth Of the
NTH moon June 16). foreign (navaD
officers at Taku called on 10 Jung
kwang, the general commanding, and
demanded 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
I how could he yield 10 the demand? On
the dav named they actually fired on
the forts, which responded and kept UP
ngnung all day and then surrendered.
Ihus the conflict oC forces began, but
certainly the initiative did not come
from our side. EH en- suppOsing that
/ China We're not conscious of her true
condition, how could she take such a
step as TO engage in war with all the
powers simultaneously. and how could
she, relying upon the support of an an
archiSt populace, go into war with the
powers?"
our position in this matter ought TO
be clearly understood by all the DOW
ers. The above is r statement of the
wrongs we have suffered, and how
China was driven TO the unfortunate
position from which she could not es-
cape.
Our several ministers will make
known accurately and in detail the
contents Of this decree and the policy
Of China 10 the ministers of foreign af-
fairs in their respective countries, and
assure them that military authorities
are still strictly enjOined to afford pro-
lection to the legations as hitherto, 70
the utmost of their power. As for the
anarchists, they viii 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. Re-
peat this
Shows the Right Spirit.
The document gave great satisfaction
here. as it showed assuming there was
some foundation for the first reports
that the Imperial government had en-
couraged the Boxers and even partici-
pated in the attacks on the legations
that an effort is about 10 be made 10
retrieve that mistake. The note is said
TO have originated with the privy coun-
Gil. and at the state department this
body is declared to be identical with
the Tsung Ii Yamen, being the power
next the throne, and one that deals
NH-iT1 he
The curious means adopted of forward
ing the note are supposed to have been
resorted to because what amounts 10
martial law in civilized countries Is
now in force in Pekin and Shan Tung,
so that the Tsung Ii Yamen would
naturally confide the message to the
war board, now in supreme control. to
secure its transmission to Shanghai
The announced purpose of the Chi
nese government TO protect the foreign
ministers is most gratifying to the
officials here, for they have all along
been more or less doubtful of the au-
thenticity of the several dispatches
which have enanated from Shanghai
the relations between
Prince Ching and the legationers.
Troops Will Still be Sent.
1t is said that the note does not call
for an answer from the state depart
ment at this stage. and viii not ma
terially affect the military programme |
laid down by our government. Such /
forces as we can land in China will be /
pushed forward with rapidity to Pekin. |
The only consideration that would in |
duce the administration to relax that !
at any point would be the I
Of communication with Min !
ster Conger 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 win permit the foreign min 1
sters in Pekin. if they are alive. to do 4
he same. Our government probably 1
viii suggest to the Tsung Ii Yamen, |
through Mr. WI here that this be /
lone. Much Will depend upon the re-