The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-16
AN IMPERIAL EDICT
CURIOUS PRoCLAMATIONS RE.
CEIVED IN WASHINGTON.
War Indemnity is to Be Raised and
People Must Not Bear Arms.
Peace Forever is Com
manded.

Washington. Aug. 15.-The State De-
| partment has received two interesting
Chinese proclamations, one an imperial
| edict issued from the throne concerning
| the raising of the war indemnity and the
| other by Governor Yuan. Viceroy of Chi
Ii. ordering the people to stop carrying
weapons and to guard against REPETITION
of Boxer troubles.
The documents are not only curious,
but they are important as showing some
| of the results of the war. The imperial
| edict discloses that China Is seeking to
devise plan for meeting the war in
demnity, and is fearful that the heavy
tax on the people will Cypress them to
| further disorder. The edict also accuses
the Chinese officials of filling their own
| pockets with the sums taken from the
| people.
The edict is as follows:
Concerning the various new plans for
raising the new indemnity there is not a
single good one among them. *"' There
must be no oppression or irritation of
| the people. The throne has pity for the
| people and does not forget them. awaFA.
or asleep; and as a special reminder we
command the viceroys and governors to
do away with whatever may cause too
much friction in their plans for raising
the indemnity.
severity which might lead to trouble. The
people should be made to understand
Ghe circumstances( so that they would
be willing to do their duty gladly
Concerning the officials in their dis
tricts. connected with the likin who col
lect taxes. 1t is the more necessary that
a stop be put to filling their own pockets,
and that they be strictly prohibited from
practicing extortion. If any body is
found out at their old tricks, seeking only
to make profit for themselves we COM
mand that they be justly impeached so
that they may he severely dealt with.
There will be no leniency shown.
THE viceroys and governors have re-
ceived great favors from the throne ana
they should, from time to time. make in
vestigations with the special object of
affording relief. in these hard times, and
SO case the burdens of the people.
"Obey these special instructions.
Respect this"
Governor Yuan issues the proclamation
against carrying weapons as follows:
Yuan, junior guardian of the heir APP
parent, President Of the Board of War,
President of the Censorate and Viceroy of
Chi Ii. issues this proclamation for the
information of the people The private
possession of weapons has hitherto been
forbidden by law. In 1900. during the
time of the trouble good many weap
Ons were left among the people, to the
injury of various localities.
Some time ago I laid down clear rules
for giving up such arms. In case any
trained bands are still in possession of
weapons and have not complied with the
law, they must at once do so and give
them up. to prevent trouble. As to ma
tive Christians. in possession of NUM-
tiOnS of war thew must also deliver them
up. No private individual will be per
mitted to carry weapons about his per
SON Year before last. the Boxers caused
disturbances. killing. plunderng. but
these are now old scores which should
rot be raked up.
Hereafter. the people and the Chris
tians must not seek to retaliate against
each other or accuse each other and bring
on further trouble, but be forever at
peace with each other.
"Tremble and obey"