The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-05

President of the Censorate Ying Men.
are handed over 70 the said board, who
shall consult and decide upon severe
penalty; and that Kang VI, Assistant
Grand Secretary and President of the
Civil Board, and Chao Shu-Cbaio, Presi-
dent of the Board of Punisnments, are
handed over TO the Board of Censors,
= who shall consult and decide upon a
penalty"
The Imperial German Charge to the
Secretary of State.
QIanded to the Secretary by the Ger
man Charge d'Ahaires, Baron Won
Sternburg. October ., 1900
'Sheng reports an imperial edict men,
tioniGg that the punishment of various
leaders has been ordered. The German
Government considers this as the first step
in the direction of peace and order in China.
and begs to propose that the powers may
instruct their diplomatic representatives
TO examine the following points and TO ex-
press their opinions on them:
lis the list contained in the edict in
regard to the persons to be punished salts
factory and correct?
''2-Are the proposed punishments in ac-
cordance with the gravity OF the crimes
committed?
'3-In what manner is the carrying out
of these punishments to be controlled by
the powers?"
The Secretary of State to the Imperial
German Charge.
(Memorandum in response to the enquiries
made of the Secretary of State, Oct. 2,
1900, by the Imperial German Charge a.
Affaires, touching the Chinese imperial
edict, in regard to the punishment of
Prince Tuan and other high Chinese
officials.)
''The Chinese Minister communicated to
the Secretary of State, on the I'd inst,
telegram received by him from Director
General Sheng, conveying the purport Of
an imperial edict, dated September %, 1900,
by which the degradation and punishment
OF Prince Tuan and other high Chinese Of
fcials is decreed.
THE Government of the United States
is disposed TO regard this measure as
proof of the desire Of the imperial Chinese
Government to satisfy the reasonable de-
mands of the foreign powers for the injury
and outrage which their legations and their
nations have suffered at the hands CT evil
disposed persons in China, although it has
been thought well. in view CT the vague
ness of the eiict in regard 10 the punish
ment which some Of the inculDated per-
sons are to receive, TO sifLify to the Chi
.aese Minister the Presidents view that it
would be most regrettable if Prince Tuan,
who appears from the concurring testi-
mony OF the legations in Pekia 10 have
been one of the foremost in the proceedings
complained OF, should escape such full
measure Of exemplary punishment as the
facts warrant, or If Kang VI and Chao
Shu-Chaio should receive other than their
just deserts.
with view Of forming a judgment on
these points, the United States Minister in
Pekin has been instructed to report
whether the punishments proposed accord
with the gravity Of the crimes committed;
and in what manner the United States and
the other powers are to be assured that
the satisfactory punishment is inflicted.
1T is hoped that Mr. ConSeT's replies to
these ilterrogatcries VIII confirm the
Government OF the United States in the
opinion which il now shares with the i'm
perial German Government that the edict
in question is an important initial step in
the direction CT peace and order in
China.
Department Of state. Washington. Oct.
3. 1s00."