The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-11
Prince Ghun and Emperor William.
The Apology for the Murder of
Won KetteIer--BIame the Boxers

Potsdam, Sept. Prince Chun
visited the mausoleum at Friendens-
kirche today and placed wreaths on
the tombs of the Emperor and En-
press Frederick.
Emperor William received Prince
Chun at noon, in the presence of the
royal princes, Baron Won Richthofen,
the foreign secretary, the principal
ministers and generals and the court
dignitaries. The prince read a letter,
written in yellow ink, to the emperor.
The following is the text of the
letter:
"Tbe great emperor of the Chinese
empire to his majesty, the great Ger
man emperor, greeting:
lever since the empires have been
mutually represented by permanent
legations, we have stood uninterrupt-
ed in friendly relationship with one
another, especially since the visit of
Prince Henry, whom | have the privi
lege of receiving frequently and treat
ing with on intimate terms. Unfortu-
nately in the fifth month of last year
the Boxers rebelliously penetrated
into Pekin and the soldiers joined
them. The result was the murder of
your majesty's minister, Baron Won
Ketteler, a man who as long as be
occupied his post at Pekin paid careful
attention to the interest of our coun
tries and to whom we are bound to
pay cur special acknowledgements.
We regret most deeply that Baron
Won Kettleler met so terrible an end
among US. The fact that we were not
in position to take due protective
measures was painful to our sense of
responsibility. 1t was this feeling of
responsibility which prompted US to
erect a monument on the spot, as
sign that the crime should not remain
unexpiated. Further, we have sent
to Germany, with this letter, the i'm
perial prince, Chun Tsai Fong, head
! ing a special mission. Prince Chun,
our own brother, will assure your ma
jesty how deeply the events of the
past wear have grieved us and how
deeply feelings of penitence and
shame animate US. Your majesty sent
your troops from far distnce, put
down the Boxer rebellion and restored
peace, for the welfare of our nations.
We have therefore commanded Prince
Chun to express personally to your
majesty our thanks for your efforts in
promoting peace. We cherish the
| hope that your majesty's indignation
will be relpaced by the old friendship.
That the relations between our en-
pires will be even more extensive and
of a mere intimate and bene6cent
| charcter than hitherto is our firm
assurance. !"
Prince Chun, in delivering the let
ter, said
II am in position to assure your
majesty that the emperor, my most
gracious master, stood aloof from
these complications, which brought
misfortune upon China and loss and
care upon Germany. Nevertheless, in
accordance with the customs of thou
sands 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 cordial feelings of the emperor,
nv illustrious master, toward your
imperial majesty and the whole i'm
perial family. I hope the passing
cloud will only intensity the succeeding
sunshine and mutual friendship of the
two great empires when they under
stand the value of each other better. "
Emperor William in reply said:
'sIt is no Joyous or festive occasion,
nor the fulfllment of simple act OF
courtesy, which brings your imperial
hiehness to me: but, deeply melan-
choly and very serious event. My
minister to the court of the emperor
of China has been slain In the capital
of China by the murderous weapons
of an imperial Chinese soldier actlng;
under superior command, an unheard
of crime which is branded as Infamous
bv international law and the usages OF
all nations. From the mouth Of your
imperial highness, | have just recelv..
ed an expression of the deep regret OF
the emperor of China. | really be
lieve YOUR imperial brother personally
stood aloof from this crime and the
subsequent acts of violence against
/ the inviolable legations and peaceful
foreigners. All the greater the guilt
resting on his advisers and govern
ment. The latter must not oelude
themselves with the belief that they
are able to obtain atonement and par
don for their guilt by the expiatory
mission alone. They will be judged
bv their future conduct in accordance
with the laws of nations. If the en-
peror of China conducts the govern
ment of his great empire, henceforth,
strictly in the spirit of these proscrip-
tions, then viii his hopes be fulfilled
and the results Of the complications of
the past year will be overcome, and
between Germany and China, as for
merly, peaceful and friendly relations
win again prevail. In the sincere
wish that this may be SC, bid your
imperial highness welcome. y
In the Punjab India, in 1900, there
! % i L., mo