The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-10-02
UNDER THE
IMPERIAL LASH
Deprivation of Salary and
Official Servants.
HIS TRIAL is ORDERED
Secree Issued Demanding Degradation
of Four Princes.
CHINA IS MOVING AGAINST THE BOXERS
Much Satisfaction is Felt Here as Events Now
Seem fastening Toward an EARLY
and Satisfactory Settlement
Of the Question.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Sept. 29.-Important news
came from China at the end of the day,
which in itself tends to advance material
IL the efforts for a final settlement.
China has accepted the suggestions of
the united States contained in the answer
to the German proposition and has begun
voluntarily the punishment of the reac-
tionary Chinese leaders who were re-
sponsible for the Pekin outrages.
The Department Of State was informed
by Consul General Goodnow, at Shanghai.
that Sheng, Chinese Director of Railways
and Telegraphs, has handed him a de-
cree OF the Emperor and Empress, dated
at Taignan, September 25th, blaming
their Ministers for encouraging the Box
ers. The edict orders the degradation CT
four princes and deprives Prince Tuqn
OF his salary and official servants. He
is to be brought for trial before the I'M
perial Clan Court.
1t Will be recalled that in our answer
the State Department was careful to
state that while it did not believe in de-
mandin the surrender of the Chinese
ringleaders as a condition precedent to
negotiations, it was resolved firmly, as
Secretary Hay had said in his note of
July I'd, that in the end the guilty par
ties should be held TO the uttermost ac-
countability. The Chinese Government
has taken this intimation to heart, and
perhaps FASTENED in it's action by the
recent manifestation Of dissatisfaction by
the United States Government at the re-
ported promotion of Prince Tuan, already
has begun the punishment OF him and
the other Chinese leaders who are held
guilty.
TIL decree recited by Sheng is felt to
be OF the utmost Importance, as indicat-
ing a complete change CT heart on the
part of the reigning dynasty. It means
that the reactionary influences which
have been dominant in Pekin throughout
the uprising, and have continued of late
days, have suffered a complete over
throw, and shat their most conspicuous
figures are degraded and on trial. 1t is
believed here that if this action is gem
uine it will be hard for any Of the pow
ers to find a reasonable pretext longer
to refuse to heed the appeals Of the
Chinese Government for the opening of
negotiations looking to a settlement.
The Importance of the action is shown
by the determination to try Prince Tuan
before the Imperial Clan Court. This is
the supreme judicial tribunal of China
and is the only one having jurisdiction
over the members of the imperial am
lily. 1t is presided over by Prince Ii,
with the we'll known Prince Ching as
First Vice President. Prince Ii is the
first of the eight princely families of
China, and is regarded as friendly to the
progressive element. The attitude of
Prince Ching has been notable through
out the trouble as friendly to foreign
interests. There are five other mem
bers of the court, all Of them high per-
sonages. They occupy a building at
Pekin and are in regular session for the
trial of cases affecting members of the
nobility and the highest personages
Chinese officials here say that the refer
itself the fullest assurance of the gravity
with which the Throne regards the mat
ter. 1t is noted also that even before
the trial Prince Tuan is stripped of his
salary and official servants. Being {
man of large and independent means, the
loss of salary would not amount to mucl
if it were not that this and the loss o
the servants is a special means of humili
alton. The names of the four Princes
who have been degraded are not know
here, either by the State Department OF
by the Chinese Legation.
The action of the Chinese Government
in overthrowing the reactionaries is like
ly to give the most intense qualification
to the friendly Viceroys of the south o
China and to the Ministers here, il
London and in Europe, who have St
~strenuously resisted the Boxer move
ment. 1t may be specially noted tina
only today Minister WI received informa
ton that these VicerOys. including l
Hung Chang, had memorialized I'll
Throne to punish the very element whic
has now been overcome.