Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1901-06-22
4 YELLOW CRIME
THE SIEGE IN PEKIN.
cHApTER ~x.-coNTINuEp.

together to commit arson and murder
and suffer themselves to be misled 10y
them. Good citizens most of oil desire
TO stimulate patriotism, n one would
like to know When In the history OF
the world has there ever been a strong
nation made so by c~ondoning anarchy
among the people. We know since In
vestigating that among the ranks OF the
Boxers there are many bandits and des-
peradoes, who nave We'd with each 9TH
err in footing and robbery. We have al
ready ordered Kang VI and others to
proceed to the various country districts
and acquaint each and all with u
virtuous intentions. so that there ma
be tranquility. Let Boxers who have
already entered into league disband
and be quiet. 1t Is obvious that tho
various cases of robbery and murder
which have occurred are the work OF
traitors. We shall believe no man a
bad citizen unless caught redhanded in
crime. But really bad characters must
be rooted out. and from now on no
mercy will be shown such. We order
Gen. Sung Ching to command Gen.
Ma Yu Kun to come with all speed TO
the capital and make strenuous ef-
forts TO arrest all desperadoes in the
region about Pekin. 1t is important
that only ringleaders be seized, but
the subordinates may be allowed to
scatter. II Is strictly forbidden that
the military make use Of this as O
means of causing trouble. Our hope
is that the country may be cleared OF
traitors and the country be at peace.
This edict really means that Ma Yu
Kun was to come TO Picking to seize
converts, and his soldiers were to avoid
any conflict with the Boxers.l
June 10: Recently there has grown
up much dissension between the people
generally and the Christian converts.
Rumors Of ali kinds have been rife, and
irresponsible people have seized the OPP
portunity TO burn and rob. 1t is GER
tain that the foreign ministers ought
TO be protected. (Which means the ru-
mors were that they were to be MUIR
dered with government sanction.) Jung
Lu is ordered to detail his own soldiers
and exert his authority in person In
East Legation street and vicinity to
secure their protection. He must not
be lax. Should the foreign ministers
and their families temporarily prefer
to retire 10 Tientsin, he must see they
are protected en- route. when Baron
Won Ketteler left the legation walls the
following day to visit the tsung-li-ya-
men he was murdered by these "protec-
ton guard."O But as the railway is
not now In working, and If they go by
cartroad 1t would be difficult TO secure
their safety. they would do better per-
haps' to abide here in peace as hereto
fore chad been under fire for six DAYS
at intervals) until the railroad is re-
paired and then act as they see At. Re
spect this.
June 2l-Edict: From the foundation
of this dynasty foreigners in China
have always been kindly treated "a
tremendous lle.) In Tao Kuang and
Hsien Feng's time they were granted
the privilege of trading, and they then
asked permission to propagate their re-
ligion. which request was reluctantly
granted. At first they were submissive
to Chinese control, but for the last
thirty years they have taken advan-
tage Of China's forbearance to en-
croach on u territory and trample our
people under foot while demanding our
woalth. Every concession made by
China only Increased their reliance up
on force. They constantly oppressed
the people. ~insulted the gods and sages,
end so caused the most burning indig-
nation among the populace. Hence
came about the burning Of the chapels
slaughter Of converts by the patriotic
militia (the Boxers), The throne was
anxious to avoid conflict, and issued
edicts ordering the protection of the le-
cations and enjoining pity for the con
verts. Boxers and converts were de-
olared equally the children OF the EN-
pire In u DEGREES, In the hope of OBJ
literating the existing feud between
them. Extreme kindness was shown
to the foreigners from a distance. But
these foreigners knew no gratitude and
increased their demands. A dispatch
was yesterday received, sent by the
French consul, Du Chaylard, calling on
us to deliver into their care the Taku
forts, otherwise they would take them
by force. This threat showed their ag-
gressive spirit. We have in oil mat
ters of international intercourse always
shown ourselves courteous In the eX-
treme. But they, calling themselves
civilized states, have disregarded right
and are relying solely upon force. We
have reigned now nearly thirty years,
treating our subjects as our children.
and being honored by them as q Laltg
and. too, we have been a constant recip-
tent of the gracious favor Of the en-
press dowager. (rhis edict pretends to
come from the emperor alone, evident
ly.) Moreover, u ancestors and the
gods have answered our prayer, so
that there a never been as at pres
ent such a universal manifestation Of
loyalty and patriotism. We have with
tears announced a war in our ancestral
shrine because we feel IL Is better to
commence q struggle than to seek fur
ther means of self-protection involving
as IL does eternal disgrace. All III Of
ncials. high n low, are OF the same
mind, n there have assembled with
out our call several hundred thousand
patriotic militia (Boxers), with many
who are yet but children, glad to carry
n ~ n. ~ AfAA@ - NhANr n ~
(young ruffians who looted and muir
dered all the respectable native residents
as we'll as officials who did not fly from
Picking before the Boxers entered In
any numbers). The foreigners rely up
on crafty schemes, but u trust is In
heavens justice. They depend on vlo-
lence, we on humanity (such as killing
women and children by the hundreds
at the South cathedral), not to speak
Of the righteousness Of our cause. our
provinces are more than twenty In
number, our population over 400, Quo, 600;
SO 1t will not be difficult to vindicate
our dignity. The decree further re-
quests people with money to subscribe
assistance, promising official recogni-
ton for them, and also 1t offers large
rewards for those who distinguish
themselves in action as we'll as threats
lOI lllOoG WIN dIS NlidlOiJ -
urging all to exert themselves continu-
ally in the good work DISCRIMINATING
alike foreigners and converts.)
June 24-Decree: Yesterday shops
and residences in Tung Tan Paiiou
street and Chang An street were looted
by militia with arms (Boxers). This
is a serious matter, so we ordered Jung
La to depute officers to arrest the Of
tenders. Eleven from one division and
twenty-three from another division
were arrested and executed on the
spot, the public witnessing the execu-
lions. We now comamnd the general
officers of the various divisions to give
strict orders to their subordinates that
the braves are to be kept In order.
Should these occurrences be repeated
martial law will be declared. If the Of
ice1r commanding, screen the Offend
ersssI instead of vigorously enforcing the
laws, they will be examined, and II
found guilty, severely punished. The
military governor of the city Is hereby