Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-09-11
CHlNA'S APOLOGY.
Envoy Presents to Emperor william;
Address Expressing Shame for
Won Ketteler's Murder.

Berlin. Sept. 5.-Emperor Williams
reception of the Chinese mission of
expiration, headed by Prince Chun,
which took place Wednesday at Pots
dam, was marked with all the sever
ity consistent with an audience nom-
inally friendly. The Chinese imperial
envoy on entering the palace was not
accorded salute by the Garde du
Corps. The emperor received him
seated. The buttons and epaulettes
of his majesty's white uniform were
enveloped in Grape.
Prince Chun bowed thrice on enter
ing and leaving. Emperor William
remained seated during the reading
of the Chinese address. Afterward,
however, he relaxed his stern de-
meanor and welcomed the envoy
courteously, and subsequently, &C
companied by his adjutant, 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 emperorhad evidently arranged
tue entire ceremony with view OF
impressing Prince Chun with the
feeling that the ceremony meant ex-
patton for foul crime and that only
through expiration had Prince Chun
acquired the right to be treated with
princely honors. Not until after the
ceremony did the atmosphere change.
The following is the text of the
letter presented by Prince Chun to
Emperor William:
1.-The Great Emperor of the Chinese EN-
pire to His Majesty, the Great German En-
peror, Greeting: Ever since the empires
have been mutually represented by per-
manent legations we have stood unlnter-
rupted in friendly relationship with one
another, especially since the visit of Prince
Henry, whom I had the privilege OF re-
ceiving frequently and treating with on In
innate terms. Unfortunately in the fifth
month of last year the Boxers rebelliously
penetrated into Picking and the soldiers
Joined them. The result was the murder OF
your majesty's minister, Baron Won ket-
teller, a man who as long as he occupied
his post at Picking paid careful attention to
the interests of our countries, and to whom
we are bound to pay our special acknoWl-
edgments. We regret most deeply that
Baron Won Ketteler met SO terrible an end
among US. The fact that we were not In
position to take due protective meas
ures was painful to our sense Of respon-
sibility. 1t was this feeling of RESPONSE
bility which prompted us to erect monu-
ment on the spot, as sign that the crime
should not remain unexpiated. Further, we
have sent to Germany, with this letter, the
Imperial Prince Chun-Tsai-Fong, heading
special mission. Prince Chun, our own
brother, will assure your majesty how
deeply the events of the past year have
grieved US and how deeply feelings of pen.
itence and shame still animate us. Your
majesty sent your troops from far dis.
lance, put down the Boxers rebellion anG
restored peace, for the welfare of our ma
! tons. We have therefore commanded
Prince Chun to express personally to your
! majesty our thanks for your efforts in pro
| noting peace. We cherish the hope thai
your majesty's indignation will be replaced
by the old friendship. That the relations
between our empires will be even more ex.
tensive and of a more intimate and benef'
| cent character than hitherto is our firm a.
surance.'
Prince Chun, in delivering the let
ter, said:
II am in a position to assure your MAJ
esty that the emperor, my most gracious
master, stood aloof from these compiled.
tons which brought misfortune upor
China and loss and care upon Germany
Nevertheless. in accordance with the Gus.
toms of thousands Of years, the emperor
of China has taken the blame on his own
sacred person. l have, therefore, the task
of expressing to your majesty the most cor
dial feelings of the emperor, my illus.
trious master, toward your imperial maj
esty and the whole imperial family. Ihope
| the passing cloud will only intensity the
| succeeding sunshine and mutual friendship
Joft 6a %xr,1 mir xyho <hoH, 1au
stand the value of each other better
Emperor William, in reply, said:
ut is no joyous or festive occasion, mol
the fulfillment of simple act of courtesy
| which brings your imperial highness to me
but deeply melancholy and very serious
event. My minister to the court of the
emperor of China has been slain in the
| capital of China by the nurderous weapon:
| of the Chinese soldier, acting under SUI
perior command, an unheard-of crime
which is branded as infamous by inter
national law and the usages of all ma
tons. From the mouth of your imperia
highness I have just received an express
sion Of the deep regret Of the emperor Of
China. I readily believe your imperia
| brother personally stood aloof from this
crime and the subsequent acts of violenc,
| against the inviolable legations and peace
full foreigners, all the greater gull
resting on his advisers and government
The latter must not delude themselve!
with the belief that they are able to OBJ
| tain atonement and pardon for their gull
| by the expiatory mission alone. They vii
be judged by their future conduct in &C
cordance with the laws of nations. If tn
emperor of China conducts the govern
ment of his great empire henceforth strict
~. in the spirit of these prescriptions, ther
will his hopes be fulfilled and the result.
Of the complications of the past year will
be overcome, and between Germany art
China, as formerly: peaceful and friendly
relations will again prevail In the SINGER,
wish that this may be SO, bid your impe
rial htghness welcome"
:WORKMEN BURIED.