Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-03
v|CEROY IN EARNEST
Determined to Crush the
Boxer Uprising.
RECENT PROCLAMATION
RIDICULES THE INCARNATION OF
THE INSURGENTS.
Civil and Military Officials Instructed
to Prohibit the Spread Of
Rebellious Doctrines.

Minister Conger's dispatches to the State
Department show that Yuan Sht-kaf, the
viceroy of Chihli is really in earnest In his
expressed determination to crush the Box
ers in his section of China. A proclamation
issued by him, dated the 10th of the seventh
moon, Is just published In the official organ,
and Mr.. Conger incloses copy, as follows:
THE heresy of boxerdom has done great
harm to the land. Some time ago 1, the
viceroy, issued proclamation on the SUBJ
ject, with instructions for the suppression
throughout the province. But now 1t Is ru-
mored that Boxers from other parts have
come and hide themselves about the coun-
try, practicing boxing in secret, together
with lamentations.
They infiame the ignorant masses. raise
doubts in their minds and induce not few
of them to learn boxing in out-of-the-way
places. 1t Is most abominable!
From ancient times to the present TINS
heresy always meant ruin. The boxing and
lamentations they practice amount, after
all, to not much more than a kind OF Jug
glery: the swallowing Of knives and nre
without any skill.
Consider what became of those outlaws
who, the year before last, Joined the Box
ers in the neighborhood of Picking and
Tientsin: who under pretense of opposing
the churches, plumber whatever they mad
a mind to; but persisted as soon as they
were fought with, leaving their bones IN
heaps.
Ridicules lamentations.
again thinking of Ii Kang Chung, and
Others who, quite recently, had the audaci-
ty to collect and drill a crowd at Ts-yiang.
and to oppose the government troops, and
how they were caught and executed, their
heads being exposed on poles; if the
charms which they carry on their persons
are Of any avail, how is it VIII they cone
in collision with good troops they are so
easily taken and the charms have no eff
Cacy at all.
''These things have occurred before your
very eyes. Those who have a particle of
sense will understand and turn over a new
leaf Those rebels harbor naught but evil
in their hearts, and plan to m Ike trouble,
which is crime not to be condoned.
The pity is that you, who used to be
loyal folk should be deceived by such he'd
retical talk, and be taken in by the rebels
with the idea that your families will be pro-
tected. Your heads are turned thinking
that by so doing you will save your life
when 1t is sure death and entire loss of
property.
GAS to the propagation of this heresy,
the throne will positively not tolerate any
such thing, SO injurious to the country.
Instructions Issued.
"All civil and military officials under my
jurisdiction are hereby instructed, at all
times to strictly prohibit all such doings
and to arrest the offenders.
This proclamation Is put out in the hope
that all the gentry, merchants and schol-
ars under my jurisdiction may take note
and understand that the propaganda and
practice Of the divine boxing (arD said to
bring happiness will bring only misfortune.
By all means attend to your peaceful avoca-
tons. Do not listen to heretical words, nor
lay yourself open to charges and serious
crime.
Il, the viceroy, will not rake up your
past, but will grant you a fresh start.
Whoever can apprehend a Boxer chief
and give him up to the authorities will be
literally rewarded.
But those who persist In disobeying and
practice boxing in secret, going of their own
will and accord with the Boxers, they will
be brought to account and punished accord
ing to the utmost rigor of the law. No
leniency will be shown"