Memorandum handed to the Secretary by the Chinese Minister.
An Imperial decree dated 3d day of sixth moon (June 29) has this day (July 10) been received by telegraph by Minister Wu from the taotai of Shanghai transmitted on the 1st July from the treasurer of the Chihli Province, who received it by special courier on June 30 from the board of war, who in turn received it from the privy council in Pekin. The decree is as follows:
The circumstances which led to the commencement of fighting between Chinese and foreigners were of such a complex, confusing, and unfortunate character as to be entirely unexpected. Our diplomatic representatives abroad, owing to their distance from the scene of action, have had no means of knowing the true state of things, and accordingly can not lay the views of the Government before the minister for foreign affairs of the respective powers to which they are accredited. Now, we take this opportunity of going fully into the matter for the information of our representatives aforesaid.
In the first place, there arose in the provinces of Chihli and Shantung a kind of rebellious subjects, who had been in the habit of practicing boxing and fencing in their respective villages and at the same time clothing their doings with spiritualistic and strange rites. The local authorities failed to take due notice of them at the time. Accordingly the infection spread with astonishing rapidity. Within the space of a month it seemed to make its appearance everywhere, and finally even reached the capital itself. Everyone looked upon the movement as supernatural and strange, [Page 278] and many joined it. Then there were lawless and treacherous persons who sounded the cry of “Down with Christianity.” About the middle of the fifth moon these persons began to create disturbances without warning. Churches were burned, and converts were killed. The whole city was in a ferment. A situation was created which could not be brought under control. At first the foreign powers requested that foreign troops be allowed to enter the capital for the protection of the legations. The Imperial Government, having in view the comparative urgency of the occasion, granted the request as an extraordinary mark of courtesy beyond the requirements of international intercourse. Over 500 foreign troops were sent to Pekin. This shows clearly how much care China exercised in the maintenance of friendly relations with other countries.
The legations at the capital never had much to do with the people. But from the time foreign troops entered the city the guards did not devote themselves exclusively to the protection of their respective legations. They sometimes fired their guns on top of the city walls and sometimes patrolled the streets everywhere. There were repeated reports of persons being hit by stray bullets. Moreover, they strolled about the city without restraint, and even attempted to enter the Tung-hua gate (the eastern gate to the palace grounds). They only desisted when admittance was positively forbidden. On this account both the soldiers and the people were provoked to resentment and voiced their indignation with one accord. Lawless persons then took advantage of the situation to do mischief and become bolder than ever in burning and killing Christian converts. The powers thereupon attempted to reenforce the foreign troops in Pekin, but the reenforcements encountered resistance and defeat at the hands of the insurgents on the way and have not yet been able to proceed. The insurgents of the two provinces of Chihli and Shantung had by this time effected a complete union and could not be separated. The Imperial Government was by no means reluctant to issue orders for the entire suppression of this insurgent element. But as the trouble was so near at hand, there was a great fear that due protection might not be assured to the legations if the anarchists should be driven to extremities, thus bringing on a national calamity. There was also a fear that uprisings might occur in the provinces of Chihli and Shantung at the same time, with the result that both foreign missionaries and Chinese con verts in the two provinces might fall victims to popular fury. It was therefore absolutely necessary to consider the matter from every point of view. As a measure of precaution, it was finally decided to request the foreign ministers to retire temporarily to Tientsin for safety. It was while the discussion of this proposition was in progress that the German minister, Baron von Ketteler, was assassinated by riotous mob one morning while on his way to the tsungli yamen. On the previous day the German minister had written a letter appointing a time for calling at the tsungli yamen. But the yamen, fearing he might be molested on the way did not consent to the appointment suggested by the minister. Since this occurrence the anarchists assumed a more bold and threatening attitude, and consequently it was not deemed wise to carry out the project of sending the diplomatic corps to Tientsin under an escort. However, orders were issued to the troops detailed for the protection of the legations to keep stricter watch and take greater precaution against any emergency.
To our surprise on the 20th of the fifth moon (June 16) foreign (naval?) officers at Taku called upon Lo Jung Kwang, the general commanding, and demanded his surrender of the forts, notifying him that failing to receive compliance they would, at 2 o’clock the next day, take steps to seize the forts by force. Lo Jung Kwang being bound by the duties of his office to hold the forts, how could he yield to the demand? On the day named they actually first fired upon the forts, which responded and kept up a fighting all day and then surrendered. Thus the conflict of forces began, but certainly the initiative did not come from our side. Even supposing that China were not conscious of her true condition, how could she take such a step as to engage in war with all the powers simultaneously, and how could she, relying upon the support of anarchistic populace, go into war with the powers? Our position in this matter ought to be clearly understood by all the powers. The above is a statement of the wrongs we have suffered, and how China was driven to the unfortunate position from which she could not escape.
Our several ministers will make known accurately and in detail the contents of this decree and the policy of China to the ministers of foreign affairs in the respective countries, and assure them that military authorities are still strictly enjoined to afford protection to the legations as hitherto, to the utmost of their power. As for the anarchists, they will be severely dealt with as circumstances permit.
The several ministers will continue in the discharge of the duties of their office as hitherto without hesitation or doubt. This telegraphic decree to be transmitted for their information. Respect this.