Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-24
London legations Secretary Says They Are About to
Go to 1ien Tsin---Chna Shows Signs Of
Weakening Europe Doubts
Ministers Safety.
IMPERIAL EDICT.

Washington, July 23.-The state de
partment makes public the following
, text of an edict delivered, today, by
, Minister WI To Secretary Hay. This
is the edict referred to by United
States Consul Fowler at Che Foo. In
. his message received here, yesterday:
An imperial edict issued on the first
day Of the sixth moon. July 10
Transmitted by the Niceroy Lid Kun
Nih on the 10th Of July and received
! by Minister WI on the 21st day of July
at o'clock:
The present conflict between China
ana the foreign powers had its origin
i'm the long standing antagonism be-
tween the people and Christian mis-
sions. The subsequent fall of the Taku
forts precipitated the meeting of force
With force. The imperial government.
having due regard to the Importance
of International intercourse, still re-
fused to 20 so far as to interrupt the
existing relations. We have already
repeatedly issued DEGREES providing
providing for the protection of the
foreign legations and also command
I'd the provincial authorities to protect
missionaries.
lnasmuch as there is still no ccssa-
ton in the employment of force. for
eign merchants and subjects residing
in China, who form numerous body in
the country. should be protected with
out distinction. We hereby command
all the tartar generals. governors gen
cral and governors Of the provinces
to look after the foreign merchants and
missionaries living in the open ports.
perfectures, departments and districts
under their respective jurisdiction and
70 afford them due protection in ac-
cordance with treaty stipulations with
out fail
Last month, we heard with profound
establishment and regret of the killing
Of the Japanese legation. Mr. Akira.
and the same fate befell the German
minister shortly afterward. The vio-
lent removal of the German minister,
whose residence at the capitol was
necessary to the transaction of bust
ness between the two countries. affect
ed very deeply. 1t is the duty of the
authorities concerned to cause strin-
gent orders for the speedy arrest and
punishment of the murdcrers to be
carried out
Since the commencement of the at
tack in Tien Tsin there are foreign
subjects and missionaries who have, on
account of local disturbances. have
suffered death or loss of property
through no fault of their own We
hereby command the governor Of Pekin
and the viceroy of Chi Ii to cause in
vestigations to be made by their re-
spective subcrdinates of all such
claims. except those arising directly
from the said attack. with view to
their ultimate settlement. Moreover.
local outlaws and rebelIious subjects
have of late given themselves up to
burning, killing. plundering. to the
great disquiet of our loyal subjects.
This is an utter defiance of law. We
hereby command the said governors
general. governors and commanders of
our forces to investigate the situation
and to take such measures for the
punishment of the offenders and resto-
ration of order as the necessities of
the case demand. We hereby COM
mand this. our general edict to be
made known for the information of all
Continued on page 81