[Untitled]
Translation of a cablegram from His Excellency Chang Chih Tung, viceroy of Hunan and Hupeh provinces, dated at Wuchang June 23, 1900, to Minister Wit Ting-fang at Washington, left at the Department of State June 25, 1900.
Boxer rioters, in disobedience of Imperial edicts, are causing disturbance in the north, to the injury and loss of life and property of people of various nations. Within Pekin and for hundreds of li outside of Pekin Chinese subjects have sustained losses of property to the aggregate value of hundreds of thousands [of taels].
The killing of an attaché of the Japanese legation was due to the want of proper action on the part of the [Chinese] officials concerned. It was certainly not what the Imperial Government could have foreseen. It is feared that the consequent action of the foreign war ships in attacking and seizing the Taku forts may lead to a rupture.
[Page 275]Li Hung Chang has now been summoned by telegram to Pekin by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and His Majesty the Emperor, who will at once consult and come to a satisfactory understanding with the foreign powers, so as to avoid a breach of the peace. As it will be half a month before Grand Secretary Li can reach Tientsin, and as foreign forces without limit are daily proceeding thither, if further conflict of arms should occur, a solution of the situation would be attended with still greater difficulty, and further opportunity would then be afforded to riotous mobs to indulge in acts of violence and disorder to the greater injury of peaceful subjects.
As no war decree has been received by any of the viceroys or governors it is evident that the Imperial Government has no intention whatever of breaking off friendly relations. It is earnestly hoped the United States Government will confer with the governments of the several powers, urging them to telegraph instructions to commanders of their respective forces about Tientsin to refrain from further fighting, but to wait until Grand Secretary Li arrives at Pekin and receives Imperial instructions to open negotiations [with the diplomatic representatives], when the whole matter will certainly be brought to a satisfactory settlement, and no calamity of war will result. The Imperial troops, with undivided energy, will then be able to suppress the rioters. The viceroys and governors of the provinces bordering on the Yangtze and the coast have assumed the responsibility and are doing all in their power to afford protection [to life and property]. Foreigners of all nationalities need feel no solicitude. If there should be further conflict of arms in or about Tientsin it would necessarily follow that southern China would also be involved.
The situation is critically urgent. The prompt issuance of instructions as above suggested is earnestly requested.
The above has the concurrence of all the viceroys and governors, and a like message has been communicated, by cable, to the ministers of foreign affairs of the different countries.
- Li Hung Chang,
Acting Viceroy of Kwangtung and Kwangsi Provinces and Grand Secretary. - Liu Kun Yih,
Viceroy of Kiangsu, Kiangsi, and Anhui Provinces. - Chang Chih Tung,
Viceroy of Hunan and Hupeh Provinces. - Yuan Shih Kai,
Governor of Shantung Province. - Wang Chih Chun,
Governor of Anhui Province. - Yu Lien San,
Governor of Hunan Province.