The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-22
Court Now POwerless to Punish Him,
for He Is at the Head of a
Large Force of Troops.
THREE TO COMMIT SUICIDE
WHICH Is NO DISGRACE WHATEVER
IN THE EYES OF CHINESE.
State Department Notified by Minister
Conger-Agreement to Foreign
Settlements in China.

PEKING, Feb. 21.-Prince Ching and ii
Hung Chang have received telegraphic In
structions from the court to notify the
ministers of the powers that an edict has
been issued regarding the punishments OF
Chinese officials, confirmatory Of the de-
mands made by the ministers, as follows:
Gen. Tung Fuh Sian to be degraded and
deprived of his rank; Prince Tuan and
Duke Ian to be disgraced and exiled;
Prince Chuang, Ying Men and Chao Shu
Chiao to commit suicide; Hsu Chen Yu,
Yu Hsien and Ki Hahn to be beheaded.
This is not exactly what the ministers
demanded, but it is considered advisable
to agree to it, as the demand for lives
has been agreed to, except in the case Of
Gen. Tung Flu Sian, whom the court is
powerless to molest. There is a private
understanding that his life will be claimed
when it is possible.
The European and Chinese secretaries or
legations and others who have lived In
China for years consider that China has
gained victory, as the only man the court
has to behead is Yu Hsien. The other two
are in the hands of the Japanese. and could
be beheaded when their execution is want
ed. Suicide is no disgrace whatever in the
eyes of the Chinese. No one believes Gen.
eral Tung Flu Sian will ever suffer punish
ment. People here say Chinese imperial
edcts are very unstable documents, es-
pecially when private edicts to the ex-
ecutive officials accompany the public
edicts. A recent decree ordered all the in
dicated officials to commit suicide; yet 1t
Is evident a secret edict was sent instruct
ing the persons implicated not to obey.
What proof it Is asked is there now that
the terms of the decree will be carried out?
Prince Ching is greatly alarmed at the
preparations for the military expedition
into the interior. He asks why they are
not countermanded. now that China has
agreed to the demands of the powers, in
stead of which the preparations continue
Mr. j. Fowler, the United States consul
at Che-Foo, has sent Minister Conger a
proclamation issued by Yuen Shi Kai, the
Governor of the province of Shan-Tung
giving protection to the missionaries and
offering a reward Of 200 taels for the cap
ture of any of the ringleaders of the re-
cent disturbances, and offering a reward
of 100 taels for the capture of others than
those actually committing outrages. The
civil and military authorities will be held
their districts. When outrages are CON-
mitted they will be disgraced and reported
to the throne. Where no outrages occur
for three years the civil and military au-
thorities will be rewarded by merit tablet
ard button.
The merchants of Tien-Tsin have sent a
memorial to General Chaffee asking him to
resume the occupation of the Formosan
concession. long ago given up and unoccu-
pied, though both the German and British
commanders talk Of annexing it. The mer-
chants point out that they will be badly
handicapped without the concession, as
they would have to pay wharfage to a
foreign power. as well as to the Chinese
officials. The general desires that the mat
ter be referred to Minister Conger for de-
cision.