Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-23
Effort to Obtain Unmistakable Dis
patch From Conger.
REFlCENCE IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES
Imperial Edict Presented to State
Department.
TUAN IS ANNOUNC EMENT


this time to get an answer from our minis
ter which will be SO conclusive to re-
move every shadow of doubt. In this con-
nection il was reported today that Minister
WI yesterday sent another cipher cable dis
patch to Minister Conger, but there is
strong Discrimination in official quarters to
discuss the various steps being taken
while they are still in an inconclusive form.
Imperial Edict Presented.
The State Department was the center of
livelieSt interest on the Chinese situation
today, cabinet officers, the Chinese minister
and other officials having to do with the
affair following each other in rapid success
sion. Secretary Hay was at his desk by 8
O'Clock. and for an hour was busily en-
gagged with matter of such Importance
that he declined to be interrupted by any
one. About 10:15 the Chinese minister ar
rived and Was with the Secretary for some
time. On the departure of the minister,
the department gave out the imperial edict
of the Chinese government. the substance of
which had been previously made known, de-
claring that foreigners were safe the
18th instant. Its text follows:
AN imperial edict, issued on the 21st day
Of the sixth moon July ID, transmitted by
the Viceroy Liu kun-Yih, on the Goth of
July, and received by Minister Wu on the
21st day of July, at o clock
THE present conflict between China and
foreign powers had it's origin in the long
standing antagonism between the people
and Christian missions. The subsequent
fail of the Taku forts precipitated the meet
ing of force with force. The imperial gov
eminent, having due regard to the impor-
tarce of international intercourse still re-
fused to go far to interrupt the exist
ing relations We have already repeatedly
issued DEGREES providing for the protection
foreign M
manded the provincial authorities to pro-
tect missionaries. Inasmuch as there Is
still cessation in the employment of
force, foreign merchants and subjects re-
siding in China. who form a numerous
body in the country, should be protected
without distinction. We hereby command
all the Tartar generals, governors general
and the governors of provinces to look
after the foreign merchants and mission
aries living in the open ports, procedures,
departments and districts under their re-
spective jurisdiction, and to afford them
due protection in accordance with treaty
stipuiations. without fail.
Last month we heard, with profound as
tonishment and regret, of the killing of the
chancellor of the Japanese legation. Mr..
Aklra, and the same fate befel the German
minister, shortly afterward. The violent
removal of the German minister whose
residence at the capital was necessary to
the transaction of business between the
two countries, affected us very deeply. 1t
is the duty of the authority concerned to
cause stringent orders for the speedy arrest
and punishment of the murderers to be car
r1ed out Since the commencement of the
attack in Tien Tsin there are foreign sub
jects and missionaries who have, on ac-
count of local disturbances, suffere,s death
or loss of property through fault of
their own.
I'VE hereby command the governor of
Pekin and the viceroy of Chilli to cause in
vestigations to be made by their respective
subordinates of all such claims except those
frnTS bn coi1 afta a,ly =,
view to their ultimate settlement. More
over. local outlaws and rebelious subjects
have of late given themselves up to burn
Ing, killing and plunderng, 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
restoration Of order as the necessities of the
case demand. We hereby command this.
our general edict, to be made known for
the Information of all whom 1t NAV con-
cern. Respect this
significant statement in the Chinese
edict is noted in that passage which directs
investigation of all claims Except those
arising directly from the said attack (at-
tack on Tien TsiD with a 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 for
mally decreed an exception of those claims
arising directly from the attack on Tien
Tsin." 1t seems to indicate that the Chi
nese government will hold that the attack
on Tfen Tsin was unwarranted.
Prince Tuan's Announcement.
The State Department has received a dis
patch from Mr.. Goodnow, consul general at
Shanghai dated today, saying that Prince
Tuan wires that an officer Of the Tsung Ii
Yamen saw all the ministers on the 18th;
that none were injured, and that no attack
at that time being made.
He does not say to whom the dispatch of
Prince Tuan was addressed, and 1t is to a
certain extent at variance with the dis
patch of Mr.. Conger of that date describing
the legation as being under fire at that
time.
State Department Conclusion.
After mature consideration the officials
at the State Department have come to the
conclusion that by teegraphic error the
name of the informant of Consul General
Goodnow has been turned into '"Tuan'
from Yuan" The latter is the famous
Yuan Shih-Kai, governor of the province
of Shantung.
He has always maintained an attitude of
positive friendship for the foreigners. and
he has from the beginning divided with
Sheng, the director of posts and telegraphs,
the distinction Of being the only means of
communication between Pekin and the out
side world. Therefore it is extremely prob
able that he has served in the same ca
pacity in this instance.
On the other hand, If this dispatch really
came from Prince Tuan the fact would be
Of great significance. In the opinion of the
officials here 1t would indicate that this
official has either been grossly misrepre-
sented as being of anti-foreign tendency or
that he was seeking to escape responsible
ity for the outrages upon foreigners, an act
in itself significant of a breaking of the
anti-foreign party with each principal look
ing out for himself.
Minister Wu's Comment.
When the Chinese minister was shown
Consul Gooduow's dispatch relating to
Prince Tuan, he was unable to offer any
explanation which would throw light upon
the apparent contradiction between 1t and
Crner fDh