The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-05
Emperor William Warns Prince Chun
that the Chinese Be Careful in
Their Future Conduct.
BRIEF AND SOLEMN AFFAIR
SUCCESSFUL EFFORT BY THE KAIS-
Err TO IMPRESS THE ENVOY.
Text of the Letter and Speeches-No
salute for the Prince Until After
the Ceremony Was Over.

BERLIN, Sept 4.-Emperor Williams re-
ception of the Chinese mission of expiation
headed by Prince Chun, which took place
to-day at Potsdam, was marked with all
the severity consistent with an audience
nominally friendly. The Chinese imperial
envoy, on entering the palace, was not ac-
corded salute by the gard du corps. The
Emperor received him seated. The buttons
and epaulets of his Majesty's white uni
form were enveloped in Grape. Court digni-
taries, Cabinet ministers and generals were
present.
Prince Chun bowed thrice on entering and
leaving. Emperor William remained
seated during the reading of the Chinese
address. Afterward, however, he relaxed
his stern demeanor and welcomed the envoy
courteously and subsequently. accompanied
by his adjutant he called on Prince Chun
at the Orangery. Later in the evening the
Emperor, Prince Chun and dozen mem
bers of the expiatory mission took tea on
an island in the Havel.
The Emperor had evidently arranged the
entire ceremony with view of impressing
Prince Chun with the feeling that the
ceremony meant expiation for foul crime
and that only through eXpiation had Prince
Chun acquired the right TO be treated with
princeiy honors. Not until after the cere-
mony did the atmosphere change Then,
the troops outside having saluted and the
band having played. hussars escorted
Prince Chun back to the Orangery.
The imperial envoy seemed deeply i'm
pressed with the solemnity of the occasion
and when summoned to the thrOneroom he
showed visible embarrassment. lie bowed
repeatedly while approaching the throne,
and his voice was agitated while he was
reading the imperial address. The entire
manner of Emperor William was calculated
to impress Prince Chun with the solemnity
of the ceremonial. He spoke emphaticaliy
and seriously, emphasizing particularly the
word civilized.
The ceremony lasted only ten minutes.
In the meantime the six Chinese digni-
taries of the highest rank VINO were halted
in the ante-room remained there perfectly
motionless and speechl esS, awaiting Prince
Chun return with evident anxiety. Prince
Chun retired backwards from the throne
room, bowling profusely. According 10 the
Lokal AnzeIger the Chinese envoy Will
breakfast tomorrow with the Emperor and
Empress Early to-day Prince Chun placed
wreaths on the tombS OF the Emperor ana
Empress Frederick.
There was apparently but little public in
terest in the ceremony at the Potsdam Pal
but demonstrative crowd watched Prince
Chun driving in the park.
Prince Chun was driven to the palace in
an imperial carriage in which was the new
Chinese minister, Kien Chan, and Gen Won
Hoepfner. Four royal carriages containing
the Chinese dignitaries of the ENJOYS suit
followed. The Prince, on going to the au-
dience, passed through the jasper galleries
between lines of guards. In the mean
while a guard of honor had been drawn up
outside the palace, and presented arms,
iii, H. rfasf alnx hrl
emerged. The envoys passed down the lines
of troops, saluting in Chinese fashion, with
fCldcd hands.
The Chinese Emperors letter to Emperor
William confessed "penitence and shame for
the crime (the murder Of Baron Won Kettle
Ter the German minister at Peking). which he
had been unable to prevent. The letter
''The great Emperor of the Chinese Empire,
to His Majesty, the great German En-
perOr:
Correcting! Ever since the empires have
been mutually represented by permanent
legations we have stood uninterrupted in
friendly relationship with each other es-
pecially since the visit of Prince Henry
whom L had the privilege of receiving fire.
quently and treating with on intimate
terms Unfortunately iii the fifth month
of last year the Boxers rebelliously pene-
trated into Peking, and the soldiers Joined
them. The result was the murder of your
Majestys minister, Baron Won KetteIer.
a man. who as long as he occupied his post
at Pekng. 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 Getteler met so terrible an end
among US. The fact that were not in
a position to take 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 a sign that the crime should not
remain unexpia ted. Further we have sent
to Germany, with this letter the ImperiaI
Prince Chun Tsai Fong, heading a special
mission. Prince Chun. our own brother
will assure your Majesty how deeply the
events of the past year have greved us and
how deeply feelings of penitence and shame
still animate us Your Majesty sent vour
troops from far distance put down the
Boxers rebellion and restored peace for
the welfare of our nation. We have there
fore commanded Prince Chun to express
personally 20 your Majesty Our thanks for
your efforts in promoting peace. We cher
ish the hope that your Ma jesty's indigna-
tion will be replaced by the old friendship
That the relations between our empires will
be even more extensive, and of a more
intimate and beneficent character than
hitherto, IS our firm assurance"
Prince Chun, in delivering the letter
said: Il am in a position to assure your
Majesty that the Emperor. my most
gracious master. stood aloof from these
complications which brought misfortnne
upon China, and loss and care upon Ger
many. Nevertheless, in accordance with
the customs of thousands OF years. the
Emperor of China has taken the blame on
his own sacred person. I have. there fore
the task Of expressing 10 your Majesty the
most cordial feelings of the Emperor. nv
most ilustrious master. toward your Ma i
astv and the hole imperial family
hone the passing cloud will only intensity
the succeeding sunshine and mutual friend
ship of the two great empires. when they
understand the value Of each other bet
ter.
Emperor William. in reply. said: "It is no
iovous or festive occasion. or the fulfilIment
~ a simple act of courtesy which brings
YOUR Imperial Highness to me. but a deeply
melancholy and very serious event. Nv
minister TO the court OF the Emperor OF
China has been slain in the capital of China
bv the murderous weapons OF the Chinese