The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-19
AN ATTACK ON CHENG-TU-FU
FIFTY THOUSAND FANATICS RE-
PULSED BY CHINESE TROOPS.
Ass~ailants Driven Back, Gates of the
City Closed and Leaders Of the
Boxers Executed

ceS SOhSSis y AaSe hoahe.
The troubles appear to arise principally
from extortionate taxation, combined with
against the presence of mis-
.sionaries, thus justifying the judgment of
the Department of State, which pointed out
to the powers that the demand for exces-
sive indemnities would result in serious in
ternal troubles in China.
Mr.. Conger's first advice bears date OF
Aug. 5, 4 from Picking. and he reports serious
anti-foreign riots near Chen-Tu. in the
province of ~Cze-Chuen, in which a number
Of native Christians have been massacred
and chapels destroyed. Minister Conger APP
pears to a acted with energy on the
telegraphic complaints from DR.. Canright.
an American medical missionary at Chem
Tu, not only addressing the Chinese For
eign Office. by letter, but calling there In
person to impress on the officials the i'm
portance of an immediate and effective ac-
ton and finally succeeding in causing the
removal of the local Chinese officials who
had failed to repress the riots and preserve
life and property.
Mr.. Conger incioses with his report the
communication that passed between him.
Under date of June 20 from Chen-Tu. DIR.
Canright telegraphed: "Cze-Chuen repeat
ing troubles OF 1900. Chapel burned. ten
killed; boxers have been multi
ply Ills " lOaA VIM 1td IotCd.
Conger telegraphed DIR. Canright to de-
mand adequate protection for missionaries
and the native Christians from the native
officials. He also addressed a note to Prince
Ching, at the Foreign Office, stating that
there were many American missionaries
and many chapels and converts in Gee
Chuen and that 1t was necessary that i'm
mediate provision be made to stamp out
these troubles at their very inception.
AN IMPERIAL EDICT.
In his answer Prince Ching inclosed a
copy of the following imperial edict: Some
banded together in the district of TIE
Yang, and made trouble; w~hereupon I dis
patched troops to dispense them. The lead
ing criminal. Ii Kang Chung. and others.
were arrested and executed; but now the
magistrate of the place. Ma Cheng Chi, re-
ports that at Chu-Ku-Chiao in his dis
trict, outlaws over a thousand strong sud-
denly made a night attack and destroyed a
church which the British and American So
ciety a built. The preacher, Chu Cheng
Wei, and four church members were also
killed; they also burned some houses and
killed three Christians. l sent troops In all
haste and deputed besides an official with
rank of taotai to proceed with braves to
attend to this matter.
such fierce and lawless outbreaks should
certainly be quickly put down. They must.
on no account. be allowed to spread. We
command Kwei Chun to strictly order the
troops to dispense the rebels and their fol-
lowers; to seize the ringleaders and to pun
ish them according to the rigor of the law,
and so nip the rebellion in the bud.
1--WE feel a great pity for the missionaries,
or preachers, who, from no fault OF theirs,
have lost their lives, and m thai
adequate relief be at once given.
las for Ma Cheng Chi, the magistrate Of
Tse- Wang. who, it is said. has not long
been in office, because he was remiss in
taking precautionary measures, we demand
that he be removed from Office, and that he
be given a limited time within which to
capture the criminals.
las there may be outlaws in other places
who arouse the suspicious OF the people,
spread rumors and make trouble. the local
authorities should be instructed to make
careful search and put a stop TO all such
things; to take special precautions so as to
get rid of bad characters and to encourage
the law-abiding people. They must give
real protection to the chapels n mission
aries without the least remissness.
Besides sending a telegram to the vice.
roy Of Cze-Chuen that he should at once
carry out the imperial will. as In duty
bound, We have reverently copied the edict
and sent 1t for your Excellency's informa-
tion."
LEADING BOXER PUNISHED.
Another dispatch from the Foreign Of
fee to Minister Conger. dated July 3. states
that the viceroy reported that the mis-
sionary killed was a Chinese and that
quite a number of the leading boxers had
been captured and punished, and a sharp
lookout was being kept for those still at
large.
Mr.. Conger again had occasion to ad-
dress the Foreign Office on July 30, stating
that DR.. Canright had reported that rob-
berries and massacres were occurring daily;
that all were in great danger, and that he
had demanded protection in vain. The min
lister urged the Foreign Office to take more
effective measures. lin order to avoid the
fearful responsibility of a further loss OF
The Foreign Office replied that several
edicts had been issued directing the vice.
roy to suppress the troubles. 1t had re-
ceived a telegram from that oflcial stating
that the rebel Hsiung Ching He, of Jen-
u made his appearance suddenly
at the head of a crowd and burned a
chapel and some thirty odd houses early In
also committed other outrages, whereupon
the viceroy dispatched troops to the scene
and killed some twenty or more people;
and orders were given to have him be-
headed and his head exposed. The rebels
at other points were also attacked by the
government troops and routed. Three or
Tour hundred of them were killed. The
judge of the province reported that there
was no need of missionaries to seek tenn
porary refugees.
ger transmits two imperial edicts ordering
several changes amongst provincial officers
as a result OF the disturbances. The most
important of the changes. Minister Conger
says, is the removal of Kwei Chun as vice
roy of Sze-Chuan province and the APP
pointment of Tsen Chun Hsuan as acting
viceroy of that province. This change, the
minister say doubtless was made by the
Chinese government because OF the failure
of Kwei Chun to suppress the recent Sc
rious disturbances in the territory under
his Jurisdiction. The minister further said
that Ii would take three months for the
new appointee to reach his post. and added
tina Ii was hoped that even the news OF
his coming would tend to impress the dis
turbing element in the province.
Tsen Chun Hsuan, up 10 a short time
ago., when he was appointed Governor OF
Kuang-Tung. was Governor OF Shan-S
province. The governorship of Kuang-
Tung province now falls 10 IL Hsing Jul
who has been Governor of Kiang-Si prov.
ince and was formerly Chinese minister &c
japan. Vevei Chun. the deposed Governor
of Sze-Chuan, has been ordered to Pekine
for an audience. Chao Erh Hsun has beer
appointed temporary Governor Of Shan-S
province, Ting Chen Toh. who was ap-
! pointed to that post, not having reached IL
Ting Chen Toh was Governor of Yun-Nar
in 1898 and has been judicial COMMISSIONS
of several provinces.
Must Suppress the Revolt.