the reverse depends entirely upon the behaviour of the local authorities, and the manner in which they carry out the commands of the Emperor as expressed in the Edict." On the 9th instant I had received a note from the Tsung-li Yamên announcing the receipt of a telegram from Governor Yuan to the effect that three of the murderers had already been captured, that they had confessed their guilt, and had been taken to Chinan-fu, the provincial capital. The Ministers informed me that they had received another telegram from the Governor referring to the rules for international cases drawn up in 1876, which provide that the Consul of the nation concerned shall be present at the trial of Chinese offenders in such cases. The Governor suggested that to save time one of the missionaries on the spot might be authorized to be present instead of a Consul. I told the Ministers that I would consider the question, and let them have an early notice of my decision. In view of the importance of the case, I subsequently decided to send Mr. C. W. Campbell, Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at Shanghae, to Shantung, to confer with the Governor, to be present at the trial of the murderers, and to see that proper measures were taken by the provincial authorities for the restoration of order in the district. I informed the Tsung-li Yamên of my intention on the 12th instant, and instructed Mr. Campbell by telegraph to proceed to Chinan-fu as soon as possible. I inclose translation of an Imperial Decree issued on the 11th January, which is regarded in some quarters with misgiving. It seems liable to be read as modifying the severity of the Decree of the 5th January in this case, and to be construed as admitting the possibility of excuse for such Societies as the "Boxers." But in view of the divergence of opinion as to its effects, I have not thought it expedient as yet to make any remarks on the subject to the Tsung-li Yamên. If the promises of the first Edict be not faithfully fulfilled, I may then use it as a proof of want of sincerity on the part of the Chinese Government, who continually nullify their fair promises-which, however, are no more than their plain and bounden duty-by subsequent obstruction. The Marquess of Salisbury. I have, &c., CLAUDE M. MACDONALD. (Inclosure.)—Imperial Decree, dated January 11, 1900, relating to Anti-Christian Disturbances. (Translation.) Or late in all the provinces brigandage has become daily more prevalent, and missionary cases have recurred with frequency. Most critics point to seditious Societies as the cause, and ask for rigorous suppression and punishment of these. But reflection shows that Societies are of different kinds. When worthless vagabonds form themselves into bands and sworn confederacies, and, relying on their numbers, create disturbances, the law can show absolutely no leniency to them. On the other hand, when peaceful and lawabiding people practice their skill in mechanical arts for the selfpreservation of themselves and their families, or when they combine in village communities for the mutual protection of the rural population, this is in accordance with the public-spirited principle (enjoined by Mencius) of "keeping mutual watch and giving mutual help." Some local authorities, when a case arises, do not regard this distinction, but, listening to false and idle rumours, regard all alike as seditious Societies, and involve all in one indiscriminate slaughter. The result is that no distinction being made between the good and the evil, men's minds are thrown into fear and doubt. This is, indeed, "adding fuel to stop a fire," "driving fish to the deep part of the pool to catch them." It means, not that the people are disorderly, but that the administration is bad. The profound compassion and unbounded favour of our dynasty have blessed the country for over 200 years; the people eat our produce and tread our soil; they have natural goodness implanted in them; how can they, of their own free will, come to adopt bandit ways, and bring down punishment upon themselves? The essential thing is that the Viceroys and Governors of the provinces should select officers worthy of confidence, who should rule their districts well, and give rest to their people. When litigation arises between converts and people, it should be dealt with according to justice, without the slightest partiality for either side. Such conduct serves as a matter of course to fulfil the people's trustful hopes, and to quiet popular feeling in time of trouble, changing serious affairs to trifles, and causing trifling ones to disappear. The stability of the country's institutions and the consolidation of international relations alike depends on this. The Viceroys and Governors of the provinces have received the fullest and weightiest marks of our favour. If they offer their united services in these critical times, they must be able to carry into effect the determination of the Throne to treat the masses with paternal kindness, and to regard all men [1900-1901. XCIV.] 3 Y with equal benevolence. Let them give strict orders to local authorities, that in dealing with cases of this kind they should only inquire whether so and so is or is not guilty of rebellion, whether he has or has not stirred up strife, and should not consider whether he belongs to a Society or not, whether he is or not an adherent of a religion. As for our common people, let them give thought to the protection and security of their native places, their persons, and their homes. Let them not give ear to those who would unsettle their minds, and so bring upon themselves calamities and military operations. Nor let them, on the other hand, presume upon influence and authority to oppress their fellow-villagers. In this way it is our earnest hope that the hamlets will be at peace, and that thus we may be relieved of our anxious care by day and night. Let this Decree be published abroad. Sir C. MacDonald to the Marquess of Salisbury.- (Received MY LORD, March 19.) Peking, January 16, 1900. IN my despatch of the 5th January, in which I reported the deplorable murder of Mr. Brooks in Northern Shantung, I drew your Lordship's attention to serious disturbance in the neighbouring Province of Chihli, brought about by riotous proceedings of the same Society of "Boxers," at whose hands Mr. Brooks met with his death. Her Majesty's Consul at Tien-tsin, the residence of the Viceroy of the Chibli Province, had kept me fully informed of the state of affairs in the southern part of the province, and, as stated in my despatch quoted above, had frequently complained to the Viceroy of the inadequacy of the protection afforded to British life and property in the districts affected by the disturbances. In consequence of these complaints, and of my own urgent representations to the Tsung-li Yamên, guards of soldiers had been stationed for the protection of the various missionary establishments. Although these measures served to protect the European missionaries themselves, and their own Mission premises, reports from the disturbed districts showed that the native Christian converts were being persecuted and harried in a very cruel manner by the "Boxers." Thinking that perhaps a personal interview with the Viceroy might be useful in putting a stop to a state of affairs which, if allowed to continue, would lead to the gravest results, I proceeded to Tien-tsin on Saturday, the 6th instant. The Viceroy was away on a tour of inspection in the disturbed districts when I arrived, but returned on the 8th instant, and received me an hour after his return. His Excellency seemed to be fully alive to the gravity of the situation; but told me that the difficulty in dealing with the "Boxers" lay in the fact that they were composed of small bands of peasantry, some twenty or thirty in each band. On the approach of the soldiers these bands dispersed, and the peasants returned to peaceful pursuits. Within the last ten days two bands had been caught in flagrante delicto, and had been severely dealt with-a number killed, and two Chiefs executed. I pointed out to his Excellency that it was not the killing of a few misguided peasantry that would put a stop to these riotous and disgraceful proceedings, but the severe punishment of the local officials, who were the real people to blame. His Excellency told me that four Magistrates had been dismissed, and new ones appointed; these latter he had seen himself, and had impressed upon them the absolute necessity of suppressing these disturbances with energy and promptness. He further told me that he was in daily telegraphic communication with Yüan Shih-k'ai, the Governor of the neighbouring Province of Shantung, with a view to concerted movements of their respective troops, in order to surround the rioters and prevent the disturbances from spreading. I am of opinion that the Viceroy is very earnest in his desire to restore order and punish the evil-doers. The latter, however, have many secret supporters among the local gentry. By latest accounts the state of affairs is improving, the local officials are acting with commendable energy, and the Christian converts are returning to their homes from which they had been driven by the rioters. I have, &c., The Marquess of Salisbury. CLAUDE M. MACDONALD. Sir C. MacDonald to the Marquess of Salisbury.-(Received MY LORD, April 2.) Peking, January 31, 1900. IN my despatch of the 5th instant I described the disturbed state of the northern part of the Province of Shantung and the southern part of the Province of Chibli, and inclosed translation of a satisfactory Imperial Decree, issued on the 5th January, in connection with the murder of the Rev. S. M. Brooks. On the 17th instant, in my despatch of that date, I forwarded translation of a second Decree, dated the 11th January, dealing with anti-Christian disturbances, and stated that it was viewed with some misgivings, as liable to encourage the members of such Societies as the "Boxers." Subsequent reports received by me and my American, French, and German colleagues, from foreign missionaries resident in the affected region, confirmed these first apprehensions. On the 25th I conferred at this Legation with the Representatives of the three Powers above mentioned, and it was decided to address an identic note to the Tsung-li Yamên, setting forth the unfortunate impression to which the Decree of the 11th January had given rise, and requesting the issue of a Decree suppressing the offending Societies by name. I inclose copy of this note, dated the 27th instant. It had not been understood that there were also Italian missionaries in the districts in question, and the Italian Minister had not, therefore, been invited to the Conference. He has, however, sent to the Yamên an identic note. The name of the Society given in the note as "The Fist of Righteous Harmony" is the same as the "Boxers." The latter name was given in the first instance either by missionaries or news papers, but does not convey the meaning of the Chinese words. The idea underlying the name is that the members of the Society will unite to uphold the cause of righteousness, if necessary by I have, &c., force. The Marquess of Salisbury. CLAUDE M. MACDONALD. (Inclosure.)-Sir C. MacDonald to the Tsung-li Yamén. MM. LES MINISTRES, Peking, January 27, 1900. 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 exist in northern Shantung and in the centre and south of Chihli. This state of affairs, which is a disgrace to any civilized 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 illtreating inoffensive women and children, and it is a fact, to which I would draw the special attention of your Highness and your |