The Boxer movement spreads in the Chili province--Ships requested
to proceed to Taku--Brooks’s murderers punished and compensation
paid--The request to suppress the Boxer and Big Sword societies--The
special Imperial audience regarding the succession to the Throne--The
young Prince Yu-Chun elected heir--His tutors--Decree by the
Emperor’s own pen.
Meanwhile Boxer disturbances spread in the neighbouring province of
Chili, and Christian converts were being persecuted by them in such a
cruel manner that his Excellency the British Minister paid “a personal
visit to the Viceroy at Tientsin,” which visit, in his own estimation
and words, he “believed would put a stop to a state of affairs which,
if allowed to continue, would lead to the gravest results.”
The same petty excuses, the same promises for future punishment of
evil-doers, again satisfied the Minister, who writes (January 19) that
“the Viceroy is very earnest in his desire to restore order and punish
the evil-doers.”
As regards the spread of the Boxer movement in the Chili province, he
seems to discover that “the state of affairs is improving, and the
local officials are acting with commendable energy.”
What did other foreign Governments do in the meantime? The German
Minister was allowed the use of the entire squadron at Kiao-Chau, the
Italian the disposal of two men-of-war, and the United States one ship
to proceed at once to Taku. Sir Claude at this point “respectfully
requests that two of her Majesty’s ships be sent to Taku.”
The two ships _Hermione_ and _Brisk_ were ordered to Taku on March 25.
The murderers of Brooks--five of them--were found guilty after a four
days’ trial before Consul Campbell and two missionaries.
[Illustration: CHEFOO HARBOUR]
“One of the convicted,” writes Sir Claude, on March 29, “was shown to
have beheaded and killed (_sic_) the victim, while the other four were
accessories.” Two of the prisoners were sentenced to death, the third
to imprisonment for life, another to imprisonment for ten years, and
the fifth to banishment.
A sum of 7500 taels was paid for the cost of building a memorial
chapel, 1500 taels for a memorial at the college of Canterbury, to
which Brooks belonged, and 500 taels for the erection of a tablet on
the scene of the murder.
[Sidenote: UNSATISFACTORY TRIAL]
Fei Ch’eng, the magistrate in whose district the murder was committed,
was dismissed and denounced to the Throne, but the Yamên refused to
punish the two neighbouring magistrates, who were equally culpable. Sir
Claude, very wisely this time, recommended that Yu H’sien, the late
Governor of the province (newly appointed Governor of Shansi)--the
principal culprit--should be the first to be punished, before minor
officials. He therefore declared the trial unsatisfactory.
As was to be expected, the Imperial decree of July 11 soon bore fruit.
The Tsung-li-Yamên was asked to issue another decree suppressing the
offending societies by name, viz., “The Fist of Righteous Harmony” and
the “Big Sword Society.”
Hereunder is the note addressed by the American, British, French,
German, and Italian Ministers to the Tsung-li-Yamên.
“+Pekin+, _January 27, 1900_.
“+MM. les Ministres+,--
“Within the last few weeks I have had occasion to address your
Highness and your Excellencies, both by letter and personally, with
regard to the deplorable state of affairs which exists in northern
Shantung and in the centre and south of Chili.
“This state of affairs, which is a disgrace to any civilised
country, has been brought about by the riotous and lawless behaviour
of certain ruffians who have banded themselves together into two
societies, termed respectively the ‘Fist of Righteous Harmony’ and
the ‘Big Sword Society,’ and by the apathy and, in some instances,
actual connivance and encouragement of these societies by the local
officials.
“The members of these societies go about pillaging the homes of
Christian converts, breaking down their chapels, robbing and
ill-treating inoffensive women and children, and it is a fact,
to which I would draw the special attention of your Highness and
your Excellencies, that on the banners which are carried by these
riotous and lawless people are inscribed the words ‘Exterminate the
foreigners.’
“On January 11 an Imperial decree was issued drawing a distinction
between good and bad societies. The wording of this decree has
unfortunately given rise to a widespread impression that such
associations as the ‘Fist of Righteous Harmony’ and the ‘Big Sword
Society’ are regarded with favour by the Chinese Government, and
their members have openly expressed their gratification and have
been encouraged by the decree to continue to carry on their outrages
against the Christian converts.
“I cannot for a moment suppose that such was the intention of this
decree. These societies are, as I have shown, of a most pernicious
and rebellious character.
“I earnestly beg to draw the serious attention of the Throne to the
circumstances above described. The disorders have not reached such
a stage that they cannot be stamped out by prompt and energetic
action; but if such action be not immediately taken the rioters will
be encouraged to think they have the support of the Government, and
proceed to graver crimes, thereby seriously endangering international
relations.
“As a preliminary measure, and one to which I attach the greatest
importance, I have to beg that an Imperial decree be published and
promulgated, ordering by name the complete suppression and abolition
of the ‘Fist of Righteous Harmony’ and the ‘Big Sword’ societies,
and I request that it may be distinctly stated in the decree that
to belong to either of these societies, or to harbour any of its
members, is a criminal offence against the laws of China.
“I avail,” &c.
[Sidenote: FROM THE EMPEROR’S OWN PEN]
A special audience of all high metropolitan officials was summoned in
the Palace on January 24, to consider the succession to the Throne.
The Empress-Dowager, at the request of the Emperor, who, owing to
ill-health, could have no children of his own, had appointed young
Prince Pu-Chun, a grandson of Prince Tun, the fifth son of the Emperor
whose reign was styled Tao-Kuang (1821-51) (son of Tsai Yi, Prince
Tuan, the present leader of the Boxers). He is first cousin once
removed of the present Emperor, and is fourteen years old. An Imperial
decree in the _Pekin Gazette_ directed that he should represent the
Emperor at the ceremonies of the New Year (January 31) in the three
Palace halls. And two further decrees appointed Ch’ung-Yi (a Manchu)
and Hsu Tung (a Chinese banner-man) as tutors to superintend his
education.
Both these tutors are well known for their hatred of foreigners and
foreign customs. Prince Ch’ung (President of the Tsung-li-Yamên)
together with a Mongol prince called Na, was, on January 27, nominated
_anta_,[3] or supervisor of the prince’s household.
[3] Manchu word = supervisor of children.
In the _Pekin Gazette_ of January 24, 1900, was published the following
Imperial decree from the Emperor’s own pen:
[_Translation_]:
“When, at a tender age, we entered into the succession to the Throne,
her Majesty the Empress-Dowager graciously undertook the rule of the
country as Regent, taught and guided us with diligence, and managed
all things, great and small, with unremitting care until we ourself
assumed the government. Thereafter the times again became critical.
We bent all our thoughts and energies to the task of ruling rightly,
striving to requite her Majesty’s loving kindness, that so we might
fulfil the weighty duties entrusted to us by the late Emperor Mu
Tsung Yi (T’ung Chih).
“But since last year we have suffered from ill-health, affairs of
State have increased in magnitude and perplexity, and we have lived
in constant dread of going wrong.
“Reflecting on the supreme importance of the worship of our
ancestors and of the spirits of the land, we therefore implored the
Empress-Dowager to advise us in the government. This was more than a
year ago, but we have never been restored to health, and we have not
the strength to perform in person the great sacrifices at the altar
of Heaven and in the temples of the spirits of the land.
“And now the times are full of difficulties. We see her gracious
Majesty’s anxious toil by day and by night, never laid aside for rest
or leisure, and with troubled mind we examine ourself, taking no
comfort in sleep or food, but ever dwelling in thought on the labours
of our ancestors in founding the dynasty, and ever fearful lest our
strength be not equal to our task.
“Moreover, we call to mind how, when we first succeeded to the
Throne, we reverently received the Empress-Dowager’s decree that as
soon as a Prince should be born to us he should become the heir by
adoption to the late Emperor Mu Tsung Yi (T’ung Chih). This is known
to all the officials and people throughout the Empire.
[Sidenote: HEIR TO THE THRONE]
“But we suffer from an incurable disease, and it is impossible for
us to beget a son, so that the Emperor Mu Tsung Yi has no posterity,
and the consequences to the lines of succession are of the utmost
gravity. Sorrowfully thinking on this, and feeling that there is no
place to hide ourself for shame, how can we look forward to recovery
from all our ailments?
“We have therefore humbly implored her Sacred Majesty carefully to
select from among the near branches of our family a good and worthy
member, who should found a line of posterity for the Emperor Mu Tsung
Yi (T’ung Chih), and to whom the Throne should revert hereafter.
After repeated entreaties, her Majesty has now deigned to grant her
consent that P’u Chun, son of Tsai Yi, Prince Tuan, should be adopted
as the son of the late Emperor Mu Tsung Yi (T’ung Chih). We have
received her Majesty’s decree with unspeakable joy, and in reverent
obedience to her gracious instruction we appoint P’u Chun, son of
Tsai Yi, as Imperial Prince, to carry on the dynastic succession.
“Let this decree be made known to all men.”