A satisfactory proclamation--For the preservation of order--A
tangible agreement with foreign consuls--Confidence in provincial
governments--Manufacturers of news and insurgents--Merchants and
peaceful people to be protected.
A few days later, on July 3, the satisfactory Proclamation hereunder
was further issued by their Excellencies Chang-chih-tung, Viceroy of
the Hukuang, and Yu-Yin-Liu, Governor of Hupeh.
“Chang, Viceroy of Hukuang, and Yu, Governor of Hupeh, hereby issue
the following joint proclamation, in obedience to an Imperial decree
commanding all Governors and Viceroys of provinces to take measures
for the safety and good order of our several jurisdictions.
“The disturbances of outlaws in the north have brought about war with
the various foreign Powers, causing the hearts of the people to be
excited and endangering the public peace.
“The Viceroy and Governor therefore desire it to be known to all
that they have since received Imperial decrees dated respectively
June 25 and 26, saying that the Imperial Government will continue
its best endeavours to protect the Legations of the various Powers
in Pekin, while the various Viceroys and Governors of provinces are
required to co-operate together and as opportunity offers safeguard
the territories under their respective jurisdictions. The Viceroy and
Governor have therefore decided to obey the above decrees in this
instance, and have co-operated with his Excellency Lu, the Viceroy
of the Liang Kiang provinces, with regard to the protection and
preservation of order in our respective territories.
[Sidenote: MUTUAL CO-OPERATION]
[Illustration: CHINESE PRISONERS, TIENTSIN]
“We have all agreed upon a carefully worked-out plan of mutual
co-operation for the complete protection of all the eastern and
southern provinces, and have moreover mutually arranged with the
Consuls of the various foreign Powers that while the Admirals of the
various Powers do not enter the Yangtze River with their fleets, we
will guarantee the safety of all foreigners and foreign property in
the inland provinces, all of whom and their belongings will be under
the special care and protection of the local authorities, who will
use their best efforts to preserve the peace. This has since been
telegraphed to the Throne and entered in the records. It must be
further understood that these arrangements have been entered into and
mutually agreed upon with the special object of safeguarding the land
and the protection of the lives and properties of the masses.
“There is no better plan than the above.
“Apprehending, however, that all this is not known to our people, and
that opportunities may be sought for by local outlaws and evil-minded
people amongst our subjects to create riots and disturbances, thereby
endangering our peaceable relations with foreign countries and the
general order of affairs, we hereby hasten to issue this special
proclamation for the information of everybody. And be it further
known to all, both soldiers and common people, that the present
disturbances and fighting were really beyond the calculation of
the Throne, as may be seen in the Imperial decree above quoted,
commanding the officials of Pekin to protect as usual, by every
means in their power, the foreign Legations in the capital, while
the Viceroys and Governors of provinces are required to observe as
well the current treaties and protect all foreign settlements and
churches. All these have as their special object the preservation of
the usual order of things.
“Now, as the various Powers are willing to confide the safety of
their subjects and their various properties to the provincial
governments, and foreign fleets will not disturb the peace of the
Yangtze, it follows that all the inhabitants and merchants living in
the vicinity thereof can continue as usual their daily avocations in
perfect peace and quiet without fear of being touched or disturbed,
while on the other hand local outlaws and ruffians will not be
afforded the opportunity of taking advantage of power, &c., in
breaking the peace. The benefits to be derived from the arrangements
of the high provincial authorities for the protection of the riverine
and inland cities, and the safeguarding of the lives and property of
all our people, are so great that we feel sure that nobody will be
so foolish as lightly to seek occasion for breaking the peace, and
people will then also be able to act in accordance with the wishes
of the Throne in preserving the present order of affairs. It should
be all the more the duty of the gentry and the elders of the cities,
towns and villages, to impress all this on the minds of the people
under them, for in it alone lies the safety of the lives and property
of all, and the preservation of the integrity of our country.
[Sidenote: NO MERCY]
“We therefore hereby declare that after the posting of this
proclamation, should any one be found (and we have devised means to
make strict inquiry into it hereafter) manufacturing news, thereby
exciting the masses to collect into mobs for the purpose of attacking
any foreign settlement or church, such offenders will be dealt with
and sentenced to suffer the same penalties as await insurgents and
members of revolutionary societies. Should it be discovered that
outlaws are gathering for the purpose of creating disturbances and
rebellions, we have ready for such great masses of troops who will
instantly attack such outlaws and show no mercy to them. Finally,
if soldiers or yamên runners be found creating any disturbance and
oppressing the people, complaints should be made to the authorities,
who will see to it that the disturbers of the peace be dealt with
to the full extent of the law. We are determined to protect our
merchants and people from harm, so that they may pursue their daily
avocations as usual, that the land may enjoy peace and quiet, that
the commands of the Throne may be obeyed and the integrity of the
Empire preserved. Let all tremblingly obey our proclamation. Beware
how you disobey.
“+Chang+, Viceroy of Hukuang Province.
“+Yu+, Governor of Hupeh Province.
“Kuchang, July 3, 1900.”
No news was reaching Tientsin from Taku, in spite of all the efforts
made to communicate with the fleets. The anxiety was necessarily very
great, and messengers could not be obtained for love or money to bring
messages down. Some that had gone had never come back. They had been
seized by the Chinese and killed. Mr. James Watts, a young Englishman,
volunteered to ride down to Taku with despatches, and having a thorough
knowledge of the country started at night with three Cossacks. By
making a long _détour_ the small party reached their destination in
safety, occupying some twelve hours on their way. The bravery of this
act and the service which he rendered to the community cannot be
over-estimated, and it is to be hoped that the Government will see its
way to reward Mr. Watts as other foreign Governments have long since
done.