The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-09-18
BOWS APPEASED THE KAISER
Prince Chun Apologies For the Mur>
der Of Baron Won Ketteler.
EMPEROR KWANG-SU'S LETTER

Che Ruler Of China Animated by "Feel-
inzs OF Penitence and Shame" For the
Recent Events In His Empire Ger
man Emperor Cordial to the Chinese
Prince After tho Apology Is Made.
Potsdam, Germany.-The Kaiser re-
ceived Prince Chun, who Is the head
of the Chinese expiatory mission for
the murder Of Baron Won Ketteler, the
German Minister to Pekin. Emperor
William received Prince Chun in the
throne room. The Kaiser remained
seated throughout the interview.
When the Chinese Prince approached
the Emperor he bowed low once
some witnesses said nine times. He
ultimately bowed himself out back
ward.
Prince Chun said that the Emperor
Of China had sent the expiatory mis-
sion to Germany no less of his own
will than as a compliment to the Pow
ers. The Prince added that the Chi
nese Emperor stood entirely aloof
from the Boxer disturbances in China,
but in accordance with Chinese prac-
tlces he accepted the responsibility.
He then read the following message
from his brother, the Emperor Of
China, written on yellow silk:
"Greeting: Ever since the empires
have been mutually represented by
permanent legations we have stood In
uninterrupted friendly relationship
with one another. Unfortunately, IN
the fifth month Of last year Boxers
rebelliously penetrated Pekin and the
soldiers Joined them. The result was
the murder Of your Majesty's Minis
ter, Baron Won Ketteler. a man who,
so long as he occupied his post at Pc
kin, paid careful attention to the In
terests of our countries and to whom
we were bound to pay our special
acknowledgements.
"We regret most deeply that Baron
Won Ketteler met so terrible an end
among us. The fact that we were
not in q position to take due protec-
tive measures was painful to our
feeling of responsibility. It was our
feeling Of responsibility that prompt
ed us to erect a monument on the spot
as a sign that the crime would not
remain unexpiated. Further, we have
sent to Germany with this letter
Prince Chun Tsai Fong, at the head
of q special mission. Prince Chun.
who is our own brother, will assure
your Majesty how deeply the events
of the past year have grieved US. and
how deeply the feeling Of penitence
and shame still animates us.
"Your Majesty sent your troops
from far distant to put down the Box
er rebellion and restore peace for the
welfare Of our nation. We have there
fore commanded Prince Chun to ex-
press personally to your Majesty our
thanks for your efforts in promoting
peace. We cherish the hope that your
Majesty's indignation has given place
to the old feelings of friendship. That
the relations Of our empires may be
even more extensive, intimate, and
of beneficial character than hither-
to Is our firm assurance"
Emperor William, In responding.
emphasized with clear enunciation the
most striking passages Of his reply.
mo joyous or festive occasion nor the
fulfilment Of a simple act of courtesy
he began impressively. brought your
Imperial Highness to me. but a deep
ly melancholy and serious event"
After referring to Baron Won Kettel-
er's murder, he continued:
II really believe that your high
ness's imperial brother personally
stood aIoof from the crime and the
subsequent acts of violence against
the inviolable legations and peaceful
foreigners. All the greater is the guilt
which falls upon his advisers and his
Government. These must not delude
themselves into believing that by an
expiatory mission alone they have
made atonement and obtained pardon
for their guilt. This can only be done
by their future attitude in conformi-
ty with the prescriptions Of interna-
tional law and the usages Of civilized
nations.
IF the Emperor Of China conducts
the government Of his great empire
henceforth strictly in the spirit Of
these prescriptions then his hope will
be fulfilled that the sad results Of the
complications Of the past year will be
overcome, and that between Germany
and China, as formerly, lasting peace
full and friendly relations will again
prevail and conduce to the benefit Of
the two nations and the whole human
civilization. In the sincere and earn
est wish that this may be so l bid your
Imperial Highness welcome
The Withholding Of military and
other honors from Prince Chun upon
his arrival at the palace was intend
ed to convey the idea that his errand
was one of atonement, and the same
reason dictated The maintenance of q
stern and frigid demeanor by EN-
peror William until the eXpiatory ad-
dress was read and his Majesty had
replied. Honors were then accorded
the Chinese representative. A guard
of honor formed upon the terrace
fronting the palace and as the CHI
nese Prince left the palace they pre-