Beleaguered in Pekin 25
“June 21.—Edict: From the foundation of this dynasty, foreigners in
China have always been kindly treated. [A tremendous lie.]
“In Tao Kuang and Hsien Feng’s time they were granted the privilege of
trading, and they then asked permission to propagate their religion,
which request was reluctantly granted. At first they were submissive
to Chinese control, but for the last thirty years they have taken
advantage of China’s forbearance to encroach on our territory and
trample our people under foot while demanding our wealth.
“Every concession made by China only increased their reliance upon
force. They constantly oppressed the people, insulted the gods and
sages, and so caused the most burning indignation among the populace.
Hence came about the burning of the chapels and slaughter of converts
by the patriotic militia [the Boxers].
“The throne was anxious to avoid conflict, and issued edicts ordering
the protection of the legations and enjoining pity for the converts.
Boxers and converts were declared equally the children of the empire
in our decrees, in the hope of obliterating the existing feud between
them.
“Extreme kindness was shown to the foreigners from a distance. But
these foreigners knew no gratitude, and increased their demands.
“A dispatch was yesterday received, sent by the French consul, Du
Chaylard, calling on us to deliver into their care the Taku forts,
otherwise they would take them by force. This threat showed their
aggressive spirit.
“We have in all matters of international intercourse always shown
ourselves courteous in the extreme. But they, calling themselves
civilized states, have disregarded right and are relying solely upon
force.
“We have reigned now nearly thirty years, treating our subjects
as our children, and being honored by them as a deity, and, too,
we have been the constant recipient of the gracious favor of the
Empress Dowager. [This edict pretends to come from the Emperor alone,
evidently.]
[Illustration: TEMPLE OF HEAVEN, WHERE THE EMPEROR PRAYED
One of the most imposing temples of China; perhaps the most important,
since it was the Emperor’s place of worship before he abandoned the
capital.]
“Moreover, our ancestors and the gods have answered our prayer, so
that there has never been as at present such a universal manifestation
of loyalty and patriotism.
“We have, with tears, announced a war in our ancestral shrine, because
we feel it is better to commence a struggle than to seek further means
of self-protection, involving as it does eternal disgrace.
“All our officials, high and low, are of the same mind, and there have
assembled without our call several hundred thousand patriotic militia
[Boxers], with many who are yet but children, glad to carry a spear in
defense of their country [young ruffians who looted and murdered all
the respectable native residents as well as officials who did not fly
from Peking before the Boxers entered in any numbers].
[Illustration: Taouist Temple of ten thousand gods in Nanking]
“The foreigners rely upon crafty schemes, but our trust is in
heaven’s justice. They depend on violence, we on humanity [such as
killing women and children by the hundreds at the south cathedral],
not to speak of the righteousness of our cause.
“Our provinces are more than twenty in number, our population over
400,000,000; so it will not be difficult to vindicate our dignity.”
The decree further requests people with money to subscribe assistance,
promising official recognition for it, and also offers large rewards
for those who distinguish themselves in action, as well as threats for
those who are dilatory or cowardly, urging all to exert themselves
continually in the good work—exterminating alike foreigners and
converts.
“June 24.—Decree: Yesterday shops and residences in Tung Tan Pailou
street and Ch’ang Au street were looted by militia with arms [Boxers].
This is a serious matter, so we ordered Yung Lu to depute officers to
arrest the offenders. Eleven from one division and twenty-three from
another division were arrested and executed on the spot, the public
witnessing the executions.
“We now command the general officers of the various divisions to give
strict orders to their subordinates that the braves are to be kept
in order. Should these occurrences be repeated, martial law will be
declared. If the officers commanding screen the offenders, instead of
rigorously enforcing the laws, they will be examined, and if found
guilty severely punished.
[Illustration: Typical Peking beggars]
“The military governor of the city is hereby commanded to arrest all
desperadoes creating disturbances and execute them on the spot. Show
no mercy.”
A second decree, same date, says:
“The board of revenue is hereby ordered to give Kang Yi two hundred
bags of rice as provisions for distribution among the Boxers.”
A third decree:
“Members of our people comprised in the Boxer organization are
scattered in all parts of the region around the metropolis and
Tientsin, and it is right they should have superintendents over
them. We appoint, therefore, Prince Chuang and Assistant Grand
Secretary Kung Yi to be in general command, and also order Ying Nien
brigade-general of the left wing, and Tsai Lan, temporarily acting as
a brigade commander of the right wing, to act in coöperation with them.
“We command Wen Yui, adjutant-general of the Manchu army, to be a
brigadier-general.
“All members of the Boxer society are exerting their utmost
energies for the imperial family, so we must not be behind them in
harboring hatred and revenge for our enemies. It is our confident
hope and desire that the wishes of each and all may be successfully
consummated, and to this end it is important that every energy be put
forth, nothing lacking. Respect this.”
“June 27.—Edict: An edict appeared yesterday directing, as a stimulus
to exertion, discriminating rewards to be given to the various
army corps that have distinguished themselves [by looting?] in the
metropolitan district. Now that the left wing of the army, under
command of Sung Ching, have in sectional divisions marched to the
capital, let 100,000 taels be equally divided among the men, and let
the men be fully instructed that they are to keep good order in the
capital.”
An edict was also issued commanding the viceroy of Chihli to retake
if possible the Taku forts, and to prevent the foreign troops (the
allied armies) from creeping northward. Also another ordering the
distribution of 100,000 taels each to the Boxers and troops throughout
the Metropolitan district.
“June 28.—Edict: A censor of the central city memorializes the throne
requesting the distribution of government rice. He observes that the
patriotic Boxers had recently been slaying and burning the converts,
and that the markets are greatly disturbed, so that not only the lower
classes have lost their means of livelihood, but some of the middle
classes are also suffering want. Rather than allow the ranks of the
criminal classes to be swollen, let a distribution of food be made by
imperial bounty.
“Referring to various precedents, he asks imperial authority for the
issue of rice, and that 2,000 taels silver be allowed for expenses.
“He states that on the night of the 16th of June there was a fire in
the neighborhood of the Chien Men, accompanied by pillage, and much
alarm created. Officials took to flight and shops closed. On the
21st of June an inn in the native city was robbed, and nine persons
were caught and beheaded on the spot. On the 25th (Sunday), villains
pretending to be soldiers surrounded an official’s residence in
Second street near the inspectorate-general of customs [probably
Marquis Tseng’s] and entirely stripped it, shooting wantonly three
servants.
[Illustration: MARQUIS TSENG’S DAUGHTER AND HER HUSBAND
In their wedding finery. The familiar geranium between shows that the
Chinese have our flowers.]
“Memorialist and his colleagues will do their best to keep order;
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