Mr. Conger to Mr. Hay.

No. 1091.]

Sir: Referring to my No. 1079, of the 2d instant, concerning the murder of two British missionaries at Ch’en-chou, in the province of Hu-nan, I have the honor to inclose copy of an imperial edict published on the 11th instant, and to be, etc.,

E. H. Conger.
[Page 176]
[Inclosure.]

Imperial edict of September 11, 1902.

With regard to the missionary case at Ch’en-chou in Hu-nan, we have already repeatedly ordered Yu Lien-san to promptly arrest the guilty parties and severely punish them, as well as to report the military officials, district magistrate, and other officers who were neglectful in giving protection, for cashiering by imperial decree.

We are now in receipt of a telegraphic memorial from the said governor, reporting that two of the criminals, Chang Pai-hou and Chang Yung-t’ai, have already been tried and beheaded; that in addition he has arrested several other rioters who are now undergoing examination, and impeaching several military and civil officials.

The acting district magistrate of Yuan-ling-Hsien, Wan Chao-hsin, was not energetic in suppressing the false rumors when they first began to spread about. Gen. Yen Wu-ling, commander of the I camp, did not take measures to secure protection, but permitted the trouble to grow to serious proportions. Both are deserving of punishment. Let them first of all be cashiered and remanded for examination in connection with the case.

Respect this.