The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-21
DECREE ISSUES.
China Accepts the Demands
Made by the Powers.
The Court Orders the Killing to
Proceed.
LACK OF FAITH SHOWN
Count Won WaIdersee Continues
His Military Preparations.
Prince Ching is Greatly Dis
turbed by What He Secs.

Pelxin, Feb. 21.-Prince Ching and IL
Hung Chang have received teleEraphic
instructions from the court to notify the
ministers of the powers that "a decree
has been issued regarding the punish
ments Of Chinese officials conhrmatory
of the demands made by the ministers
as follows:
Gen Tung Fuh Sian to lie degraded
and deprived of his rank
prince Tuan and Duke Ian to be
disgraced and eziled.
Prince Chuang. Ying Nieh and Chao
Shu Chiao to commit suicIle.
Hahn to be beheaded.'
This is not exactly what the ministers
demanded, but IL is considered advis-
able to agree to it, as in the demand
for lives it has been agreed to except
in the case Of Gen. Tune Fuh Sian
whom the court is powerless TO molest-
There is a private understanding that
his life viii be claimed whenever * is
possible. The European aid Chinese
secretaries of legation and others who
have lived in China for years consider
that China has gained a victory as the
only person the court has to bchead is
Yu Hsien. The other two are in the
hands of the japanese and could be be-
headed when their execution is wanted.
Suicide is no disgrace whatever in the
eyes Of the Chinese.
No one believes Gen. Tung Fuh Sian
People here say Chinese imperial edicts
are very unstable documents especially
when private edicts to the executive Off
cials accompany the public edicts. A
recent decree ordered all the indicated
officials to commit suicide yet IL is evil
dent a secret edict was sent instructing
persons implicated not to obey. What
proof, it is asked, is there now that
the terms Of the decree viii be carried
out.
Prince Ching is greatly alarmed at the
parations 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 con-
tinue.
Mr.. J. Fowler. the United States con-
sui at Che Foo, has sent Minister Con
ger a proclamation issued by Xuen Shi
KAi, the governor of the province Of
Shan TunE. giving protection to the mis-
sionaries, Offering a reward of 200 taeis
for the capture Of any Of the rlngleaders
of the recent disturbances. and offel'ing
a reward of 100 taeis for the capture OF
others of those actually committing out
RACES The civil and military authori-
ties will be held strictly accountable for
the good order Of their districts When
outrageS are committed they viii be
disgraced and reported to the throne.
Where no outrages occur for three years
the civil and military authorities will be
rewarded by a merit tablet and button
The merchants of Tien Tsin have sent
a memorial to General Chaffee. asking
him to resume the occupation OF the
FormOsian concession long ago given
up ana unoccupied. though both the
British and German commanders talk
of annexing it. The merchants 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 matter be
referred to Minister conger for decision
TOLD BY CONGER.
washington, Feb pa cablegram
has been received at the state depart
ment from Minister Conger stating that
the Chinese plenipotentiaries have in
formed the foreign ministers that the
emperor has agreed to all the punish
ments named in his (COnger's) telegram
of February last
The persons named in the telegram
referred to with the punishments pre-
scribed were as follows: For Princes
Tuan and Ian. degradation and exile
the death penalty for Yu Hsien. Chi Liu
and Hsu Sheng Yu. the two latter be-
ing prisoners of the Japanese, post
humous honors for the four members Of
the tsung Ii yamcn who were executed
last summer by the Chinese because OF
their intercessson for the foreigners.
The great difficulty in the way Of eX-
ecuting Gen. Tung Flu Sian being recoR-
nized by the ministers. it was agreed
that some punishment, to be determined
on later. should be administered to him
when It was possible to do so. A sub
seQuent message from Minister Conger
includes In the punishment list land IT.
is understood that they are also included
in the emperor's promise just given)
Chuazg who Is to be executed; Chao
Shu ChafO, Ying Men. Chi Hsu and
Hsu Cheng Yu. who are to be punished
in some method yet to be determined
It IS still uncertain whether Mr.. Con-
gers message marks the passage Of this
important phase of the Chinese ques-
ton relative to punishments and the
taking up Of the questions Of indemnity
and guarantees. All depends upon
whether the ministers at Peltin have de-
termined that the sentences above de-
scribed must be executed as a prelim-
mary to further progress in the neGotl-
ations but It is surmised that such is
unnecessary delay in the negotiations.
which it is apparent 10 the official mind
must consume many weeks before the
single question Of indemnities can be
cleared away. Apprehension on this
score IS based upon reports unofficial but
credible indicating the purpose OF the
Germans to claim indemrities which
both In amount and In method 0f pay
n1euf would be far beyond the ability
of the Chinese to meet unless the just
claims Of the other powers are ignored
CHINESE ATTACK RUSSIANS.
Berlin. Feb 21-The Cologne Volks
Zeitung publishes today a special disc
nounces that 500. the military governor
of 1lukden. has gathered an army ana
February 10 and IL attacked the railroad
to Shan Hal Kran and surrounded Rus
slams in Tchin ChO Tu and kabon Se-
General Fleisher sent forward two regl-
ments of reinforcements to their relief.
The Russian losses were large. The Rus
SLAMS are unable to master the uprising
or defeat the Chinese military forces
there