The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-09-05
APOLOGY BY CHINA
PRINCE CHING PAYS RESPECTS
TO THE GERMAN EMPEROR.
BARON Won kETTLER'S DEATH
Celestial Envoy Says His Govern
ment Regrets the Killing
and Is Willing to
Atone.
BARON Won KETTLER'S DEATH
(By Associated Press.)

Berlin, Sept. 5.-Emperor williams
reception of the Chinese mission Of ex-
piation, headed by Prince Chun, which
took place yesterday at Potsdam, was
marked with all the severity consistent
with an audience nominally friendly.
The Chinese imperial envoy on enter
ing the palace was not accorded a sa
lutte by the grade du corps. The en-
peror received him seated. The buttons
and epaulets and his majesty's white uni
form We're enveloped in crepe.
Prince Chun bowed thrice on entering
and leaving. Emperor William remained
seated during the reading of the Chi
nese address.
Afterward, however, he relaxed his
stern demeanor and welcomed the en-
voy courteously. and subsequently, ac-
companied by his adiutant. he called
upon Prince Chun at the orangery.
Later in the evening the emperor,
Prince Chun and a dozen members OF
the expiatory mission took tea on an
island in the Spree.
The imperial envoy seemed impressed
with the solemnity Of the occasion when
summoned to the throne
Text of the Letter.
Following Is the text of the letter pre-
scented by Prince Chun to Emperor Will
lam:
THE great emperor Of the Chinese en-
pire to his majesty. the great German
emperor, greeting: Ever since the en-
pires have been mutually represented
by permanent legations we have stood
uninterrupted in friendly relationship
with one another. especially since the
visit of Prince Henry, whom I had the
! privilege Of receiving frequently and
| treating with on intimate terms.
unfortunately in the fifth month Of
| last year the Boxers rebelliously pene-
| trated into Pekin and the soldiers join
| ed them. The result was the murder
of your majesty's minister. Baron Won
Ketteler. We regret most deeply that
| Baron Won Ketteler met so terrible an
end.
The fact that we We're not in a posi-
! ton to take due p, elective measures were
painful to our sense of responsibility. 1t
was this feeling of responsibility which
! prompted us to erect a monument on the
spot as sign that the crime should not
remain uneXplated.
Further, we have sent to Germany.
with this letter the imperial Prince Tsun
Tsai Song. heading a special mission.
Prince Chun, our own brother, will as
sure your majesty how deeply the events
of the past year have grieved us and how
deeply feelings Of pentence and shame
still animate u.s.
Prince Chun, in delivering the letter,
| said:
Il am in a position to assure your
majesty that the emperor, my most
gracious master, stood aloof from these
complications which brought misfor-
tune upon China and loss and care upon
! Germany.
Nevertheless, in accordance with
tn ecustoms of thousands of years. the
| emperor of China has taken the blame
on his own sacred person. / have.
| therefore, the task of expressing to
your majesty the most cordial feelings
of the emperor, my illustrious master
toward your imperial majesty and the
| whole imperial family.
II hope the passing cloud Will only IN
tensify the succeeding sunshine ana mu-
tu,l f. e.. hip o. the two great en-
pires when they understand the value
of each other better"
Emperor Makes Reply
Emperor William in reply, said:
1T is no joyous or festive occasion.
nor the fulfllment of simple act OF
courtesy, which brings your imperial
hiehness to me: but deeply meian'