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  4. Document 102

Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

Legation of the United States,
Pekin, China , April 19, 1900 .
No. 362.]

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith translation of an Imperial decree published on the 17 th instant concerning train bands and local volunteers.

These organizations have existed from time immemorial, and this decree is evidently intended to give them to understand that in the sweeping decrees against the “Boxers” they are not included, yet ordering them not to make trouble, etc.

This whole matter of the “Boxers” seems to be a very difficult one for the Government. Evidently, recognizing its weakness, it is trying to effect their suppression without alienating or angering more of its subjects than is absolutely necessary.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Inclosure.]

Translation of a decree published in the Manuscript Pekin Gazette, April 17, 1900.

The villagers in all the provinces, form train bands or local volunteers for their own protection and of their families. This system originates with the ancients, who kept watch and rendered mutual aid and assistance to each other.

If the people really attend to their own duties in life and keep the law, they can do as they like in the matter of the train bands. But it is to be feared that among these train bands the good and the bad are scattered together, and that some of them avail themselves of a pretext to annoy and cause trouble to the Chinese Christians. These persons can not knowthat we treat all alike with the same kindly feeling without discrimination. The people should, therefore, respectfully consider our wishes and not secretly cherish a desire to be hateful, which will lead to trouble and render them liable to punishment.

Let all the viceroys and governors of the various provinces issue stringent instructions to the local officers to forthwith make it known to all the people that they must attend to and follow their original calling or profession, so that good feeling may perpetually prevail among all, and thus avoid disregarding our earnest and solemn injunctions.