Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-07-23
CHINESE GOVERNMENT PROCESSES ITS SINCERITY IN WISHING
TO RESTORE ORDER
WILL PUNISH THE TRANSCRESS0RS
MAKES EXCEPTION OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN TEN TSN
ATTAcK-WLL SETTLE ALL OTHER CLAIMS RE
GRETS FOR PRESENT STATE.

Washington, July 23.-The state de-
partment makes public the following
text of an edict delivered today by Min
lister Wu to Secretary Hay. This is the
edict referred to by United States Con-
sui General Fowler at Che Foo in his
message yesterday:
An imperial edict issued on the first
day of the sixth moon Guly ~, trans
mitted by the viceroy, Liu Kun Yih, on
the goth of July and received by Minis
ter Wu on the 21st day Of July at Z
o'clock
The present conflict between China
aid the foreign powers had it's origin
in the long standing antagonism be-
tween the people and Christian missions.
The subsequent fall Of the Taku forts
force. The imperial government, having
due regard to the Importance of inter-
national intercourse. still refused to go
SO far as to interrupt the existing rela-
tiOns. We have already repeatedly is
sued DEGREES providing for the protection
Of the foreign legations and also com
manded the provincial authorities to pro-
tect missionaries. Inasnuch as there is
still no cessation in the employment Of
force, foreign merchants and subjects
residing in China who form q numerous
body in the country, should be protect
ed without distinction. We hereby COM
mand all the Tartar generals, governors
general and governors OF provinces TO
look after the foreign merchants and
missionaries living in the open ports,
der their respe tive jurisdiction and to
afford them due protection in accord
ance with treaty stipulations without
fail. Last month we heard with pro-
found establishment and regret OF the
killing of the chancellor of the Japanese
legation, Mr.. Akira, and the same fate
befell the German minister shortly art
erward. The violent removal of the Ger
man minister, whose residence at the
capital was necessary to the transac-
tion Of business between the two conn-
tries, affected us very deeply. 1t IS the
duty of the authorities concerned to
cause stringent orders for the speedy
arrest and punishment of the murderers
to be carried out.
"Since the commencement of the at
tack in Tien Tsin, there are foreign SUBJ
1ects and missionaries who have, on ac-
count OF local disturbances, 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 investigations to be
made by their respective subordinates OF
all such claims except those arising di-
rectly from the said attack with a view
to their ultimate settlement. Moreover
local outlaws and rebelious subjects have
of late given themselves up to burning
killing and plundeahng ito the great dis
quiet of our loyal subjects. Thas IS an
utter defiance of law. We hereby COM
mand the said governors general, gov
ernors and commanders of our forces to
i investigate the situation and to take
such measures for the punishment of Of
! tenders and restoration of order as the
! necessities Of the case demand. We here
! by command this, our general edict tc
j be made known for the information OF
! all DIT may concern. Respect this
/ A cirr mt ia q
edict is noted in that passage which di'
retcts an investigation of all claims "ex.
] cept those arising directly from the SAID
! attack (attack on Tien Tsin) 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 1t has
now formally decreed an exception of the
claims arising directly from the attack
! on Tien Tsin. It seems to indicate that
the Chinese government holds that the
attack on Tien Tsin was unwarranted.