I have no doubt the viceroy is in earnest. If he shall be properly
supported by the Throne there will be little further trouble with Boxers
in this province.
We can not, however, forget that in 1900 Yuan Shih-k’ai started out in
the same way, as governor of Shantung, but instead of being sustained by
the Court he was instructed not to use such severe measures. I think we
may hope for better things now.
[Inclosure.—Translation from Chihli
Gazette, dated 16th of seventh moon, August 19,
1902.]
Proclamation by His Excellency Yuan Shih-k’ai,
viceroy of Chihli.
The heresy of Boxerdom has done great harm to the land. Some time ago
I, the viceroy, issued a proclamation on the subject, with
instructions for the suppression throughout the province. But now it
is rumored that Boxers from other parts have come and hide
themselves about the country, practicing boxing in secret together
with incantations. They inflame the ignorant masses, raise doubts in
their minds, and induce not a few of them to learn boxing in out of
the way places. It is most abominable.
From ancient times to the present this heresy always meant ruin. The
boxing and incantations they practice amount after all to not much
more than a kind of jugglery—the swallowing of knives and fire
without any skill.
Consider what became of those outlaws who the year before last joined
the Boxers in the neighborhood of Peking and Tientsin, who under
pretense of opposing the churches plundered whatever they had a mind
to, but perished as soon as they were fought with, leaving their
bones in heaps.
Again, thinking of Li Kang Chung and others who quite recently had
the audacity to collect and drill a crowd at Tsi-yang and to oppose
the Government troops, and how they were caught and executed, their
heads being exposed on poles, if the charms which they carry on
their persons are of any avail, how is it when they come in
collision with good troops they are so easily taken and the charms
have no efficacy at all?
These things have occurred before your very eyes; those who have a
particle of sense will understand and turn over a new leaf. Those
rebels harbor naught but evil in their hearts and plan to make
trouble, which is a crime not to be condoned.
The pity is that you, who used to be loyal folk, should be deceived
by such heretical talk and be taken in by the rebels with the idea
that your families will be protected. Your heads are turned,
thinking that by so doing you will save your life, when it is sure
death and entire loss of property.
As to the propagation of this heresy, the Throne will positively not
tolerate any such thing, so injurious to the country.
All civil and military officials under my jurisdiction are hereby
instructed at all times to strictly prohibit all such doings and to
arrest the offenders.
This proclamation is put out on the hope that all the gentry,
merchants, and scholars under my jurisdiction may take note and
understand that the propaganda and practice of the divine boxing
(art), said to bring happiness, will bring only misfortune. By all
means attend to your peaceful avocations. Do not listen to heretical
words, nor lay yourself open to charges and serious crime.
I, the viceroy, will not rake up your past, but will grant you a
fresh start.
Whoever can apprehend a Boxer chief and give him up to the
authorities, he will be liberally rewarded.
But those who persisted in disobeying and practice boxing in secret,
going of their own will and accord with the Boxers, they will be
brought to account and punished according to the utmost rigor of the
law. No leniency will be shown.
A special proclamation.
