Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-07-17
Alisfellaneoas &eading.
BEHEADING THE BOXERS.
Execution of Two Of the Chinese
Anti-ForeiEn Leaders q Quick

Pekin Cor. London Express.
Just before Yuen Chang, a member
Of the Tsung-li-Yamen, was beheaded
here in July on account Of his alleged
foreign leanings, he solemnly warn
ed Shiu Cheng VI, the vice president Of
the board Of punishments, in the fol-
lowing language: To-day shall suffer
an ignominious death because have
striven to avert calamity from China.
In few months the foreigner will ac-
cupy Pekin and then you will undergo
a similar penalty on the selfsame spot"
This forecast was realized today, and
as the Chinaman Is superstitious and
a fatalist, perhaps the feeling that it
was his destiny may have afforded
some sort of consolation to the wretch
ed Shiu Cheng vi when he and his col
league, Chi Shiu, were being jolted in
Pekin carts through the dusty city to
their death.
Save for the skill Of the Japanese we
should not even have secured any one
for beheadal. The sad part of 1t is that
the allied forces have made 1t clear to
the Chinese that the governments of
the foreign devils" collectively are
prone to adopt the same pitiful diplo-
macy of bluff and cave in" which over
and over again has characterized their
individual policy In treating with Chi
ma. Yes, these two comparatively un-
important men, who never will be
missed" by the Chinese, have been con-
sidered by the allied Powers as suff1c-
ing to save our face, where their eleven
superiors in crime and position are al
lowed some of them to submit to a
nominal Punishment and the rest to
commit hypothetical suicide. s-
The worst that can happen to those
men is that they should really hn
Themselves, IN which doubtful case, IN
the eyes Of the Chinese, they will be
martyrs and not degraded criminals.
Truly, pitiful business! So I went to
see how England, France, Germany,
America, Austria, Italy, japan and
Russia were to "save their face" by
executing the only two men they could
lay hands on out Of the thirteen on the
famous list.
In taking leave Of their kindly custo-
dian, Colonel Shiba, Of legation siege
fame. the doomed men had said: I'VE
cannot understand the emperors edict;
but If our beheadal will tend toward
the restoration Of an honorable peace
to China We are happy to die, even In
this degrading manner"
Then they were handed over to the
Chinese authorities, and after saying
goodbye to their immediate relatives,
took their places in the centre Of the
quiet procession that passed at walk
ing pace through the thickly populated
streets Of Pekin to the place of execu
tion. The Chinese soldiers were afraid
to assume the responsibility of the prls-
oners while passing through the streets,
and 30 the Japanese were told Off TO
escort them to the vegetable market
a narrow and dingy street In the Chi
nese city, where executions habitually
take place. Arrived at their destina-
tion, the carts halted in front of
roughly constructed tent Of sacking
stretched across bamboo poles, where
sat the magistrate who was to read
over to them the history Of their mis-
deeds and formally confirm the death
sentence.
Hard by were a couple Of mats on
the ground, and by them sat the exc
cutioner's Observation-Disclosures and
dirty-looking men with unwashed
clothes that were impregnated with the
dried blood Of previous victims. One Of
them stood up. shouldering the heavy
sheathed knife that was to do the deed,
in an attitude resembling a slipshod
attention" and another held under
his arm the metal bowl that was to re-
ceive the heads. They chatted with
each other and with the crowd, and the
knife bearer would unsheath his weap-
on for the benefit of the kodak fiend,
who was present in great variety. The
narrow street and the roofs Of the ad-
joining buildings were thronged with
men, mostly foreigners. Further off,
held at bay by the foreign guards. was
an immense crowd Of Chinese.
Every variety of uniform was notice.
able and the few civilians present were
nearly all press men. The execution
er-in-chief, who stood aloof from his
companions, was by no means so re-
pulsive looking a man as one might ex-
pect; he seemed alert and intelligent.
and was neatly dressed in crimson trou-
sers. American and French soldiers
acted as police.
Chi Chiu, an elderly man of full body,
and a member of the Tsung-li- -Yamen.
was in the first cart. After the legal
formalities mad been gone through
with incredible rapidity. he walked
firmly and with dignity to the further
mat and knelt down. Instantly he
was seized, piece of string was tied
tightly around his head. his pigtail was
pulled aside. his clothes torn away to
bare the neck and his arms seized.
Four men held him while the execu-
TONER raised the heavy knife and with
one swift drawing cut, decapitated his
victim,
The head was held aloft for the world