The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-24
TEXT OF CHINESE EOICT.
1t Orders on RciaIs to Protect All For
eigners-China May Oppose the
Tien Tsin Claims.

Washington, July 23.-The state de-
text of an edict delivered to-day by Minis
ter Wu to Secretary Hay. This is the
edict referred to by United States Consul
Fowler, at Che Foo, in his message re-
ceived here yesterday:
"An imperial edict: Issued on the first
day of the sixth moon (July ID. transmit
ted by the Viceroy Liu Kun Yih on the
20th of July and received by Minister WI
on the 21st of July at o'clock.
THE present conflict between China
and the foreign Powers had it's origin in
the long standing antagonism between the
people and Christian missions. The sub
sequent fall of the Taku forts precipi-
teted the meeting of force with force
The imperial government, having due re-
gard to the importance of international
intercourse, still refused to go so far as
to interrupt the existing relations. We
have already repeatedly issued DEGREES
providing for the protection of the for
eign legations and also commanded the
provincial authorities 20 protect mission
aries. Inasmuch as there is still no ces-
sation in the employment of force, for
egn merchants and subjects residing in
country should be protected with
out distinction. We hereby command
all the Tartar generals, governors general
and governors of provinces to look after
the foreign merchants and missionaries
living in the open ports, procedures, de-
partments and districts under their re-
spective jurisdiction, and to afford them
due protection in accordance with treaty
stipulations, without fail. Last month We
heard, with profound astonishment and
regret, of the killing of the chancellor of
the japanese legation, Mr.. Akira, and the
same fate befell the German minister
shortly afterward. The violent removal
of the German minister, whose residence
at the capital was necessary to the trans
action of business between the two coun-
tries, affected us very deeply. II is the
duty of the authorities concerned to cause
stringent orders for the speedy arrest and
punishment of the murderers to be car
ried out
"Snce the commencement of the attack
in Tien Tsin, there are foreign subjects
and missionaries who have, on account of
local disturbances suffered death or loss
of property through no fault of their own
We hereby command the Governor of Pc
kin and the Viceroy of Chill to cause in
vestigations to be made by their respec-
tive subordinates of all such claims eX-
cept those arising directly from the said
attack with view to their ultimate set
tlement. Moreover, local outlaws and re-
bellious subjects have of late given them
selves up to burning, killing and plumber
ing TO the great disquiet of our loyal sub
jocts 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
t. take such measures for the punishment
of the offenders and restoration of order
as the necessities of the case demand.
We hereby command this, our general
edict, 90 be made known for the informa-
ton of all it may concern. Respect this. y
A significant statement in the above
edict is noted in that passage which di-
rects an investigation of all claims, "eX-
cept those arising directly from the said
attack (attack on Tien Tsn). with view
TO their ultimate settlement"
This appears to make plain. not only
that the Chinese government will settle
claims for actual losses, but that It has
now formally decreed an exception of
those claims arising directly from the at
tack on Tien Tsin 1t seems 10 indicate
that she Chinese government holds that
the attack on Tien Tsin was unwar-
ranted.