and Governor on the 19th instant issued the excellent Proclamation of which I inclose copy and translation.
This, joined with extra activity on the part of the Chinese police, had some effect, and the danger was thought to be past, although three fires within a few days, so far as is known all accidental, also caused no little perturbation.
On the evening of the 21st, however, two Deputies called and asked me to back Two warrants issued by the Taotai upon instructions from the Viceroy, who is said to have been warned by an anonymous letter. The warrants were to secure bad characters inhabiting two houses, oue of which opened upon the south road of this Conces sion. I complied with the request, and instructed the Municipal police to render assistance.
Eight persons were seized in the Chinese city that evening, and the raid on the houses, fixed for dawn, had to be made about 1 A.M. Over twenty men were arrested, including a Japanese, who, with a bayonet, resisted capture; but several escaped over the house-tops. One, who burst into an Italian barbers, was handed to the police and delivered over later. Another was arrested on landing from the "Tatung" next morning.
About half the prisoners, including the Japanese, who was ultimately handed over to his Consul, were sent to Wuchang for examination. Sixteen are reported to be already beheaded.
In the houses, one of which was rented at a very high rate from the godown-man of a Russian firm, and in the passenger's boxes were found flags, 240 whistles, muskets, rifles, swords, powder, and ammunition, and, among other papers, two curious English documents, of which copies are inclosed, and paper-money of the Provisional Government.
The officials state that the plot was the joint work of the followers of Kang Yu Wei and the Kolao-hui, while one of those deeply implicated is a schoolmate of the notorious Sun Yat Sen, and that it was in connection with the Tatung rising. They allege that, had it succeeded here, similar outbreaks would have followed at Hsin-ti, Shashib, Yochow, and Ichang.
Important evidence is said to have been obtained by stopping letters addressed from various places to the house raided.
Few of the men seized belong to Hankow. They come from Canton, Ningpo, Kiangsi, Hünan, and Anbui; some of them confess to having visited Japan. It is also reported that one man in the telegraphic service has fled, and that other of the official class are implicated.
Last night Hankow city was full of panic, as stories of incendiarism of the Customs Bank and other public buildings were rife. Many people had their valuables and families on boats ready for flight, and even the officials were said to have sent away their families. Extra guards were posted, and the night passed off quietly. To- day the excitement is subsiding,
The Viceroy and Taotai profess to be grateful for the assistance given by Eritish authorities. It was given because, even supposing that the movement is really a "reform movement, and that no action was to be taken against foreigners, the over- throw of the constituted authorities would let loose upon us all the disorderly rabble of the three cities, and because the present authorities, who have hitherto striven to maintain order here, are to be preferred to a self-constituted Government of high- sounding aims, but of doubtful experience and ability.
I have,. &c. (Signed) E. H. FRASER.
P.S.-News bas just come in from Yochow of risings of the "Red Flags" at Nieh, Chu-shih, and Kang Kon. These are probably part of the same movement.
E. H. F.
Inclosure 2 in No. 1.
(Translation.)
Reform" Notice found with a Reformer arrested in Hankow.
NOTICE is hereby given by the China Independent Association that the intention of the Association to rise in arms is to save our beloved Emperor His Majesty Kuang Hsü, and to bring the anti-foreign and wicked usurpers of the Government to punishment.
3
Objects of the Association,
1. To maintain the independence of China.
2. To restore His Majesty the Emperor Kuang Hsu to power.
3. To admit as a member any person anxious to preserve the integrity and independence of China.
4. To establish a firm union among the members, who must render mutual help to each other.
5. To treat with courtesy and humanity all harmless and good people who are not members of the Association.
Rules for Action.
1. The life and property of harmless people shall not be injured.
2. The life and property of foreigners shall be protected froin disturbance or harm. 3. Churches shall be protected from being burnt, and native Christians from being disturbed or injured.
4. Lawlessness of all kinds, such as robbery, adultery, drunkenness, &c., shall be prohibited.
5. All foreign Concessions in the Treaty ports shall be protected from disturbance or injury.
6. Poisonous weapons and eruel treatment towards the enemies shall be prohibited. 7. Captives shall be dealt with according to the belligerent laws of civilized nations, and shall by no means be murdered in a barbarous manner.
8. All tyrannical laws of the country shall be abolished in order to establish a civilized Government.
(By order of the Head of the Hankow Branch of the China Independent Association.)
Inclosure 3 in No. 1.
"Reform” Document found with a Reformer arrested in Honkow.
(Translation.) Ladies and Gentlemen,
August 24, 1900. WE, the members of the China Independent Association, in view of the Boxer movement which has been clandestinely instigated and encouraged by Prince Tuan, Yung Lu, Kang Yi, and the whole pack of bigoted senile reactionists, have now risen in arms and do hereby inform you--
That we will no longer recognize the Manchu Government as a political organi- zation fit to rule over China.
It is our bounden duty to make a new China of the old, and to fill the land with happiness instead of misery, and to make it a blessing to the Chinese nation in particular, and to the world in general. We resolve to reinstate His Majesty Kuang Hsü as Emperor, and to construct a Constitutional Empire which in everything shall be made a model polity worthy of the creation of the highest combined intelligence and enlightenment of the twentieth century. Its aim is to secure to the people civil freedom and constitutional liberty.
It is our firm conviction to agree with the allied Powers to put down the fanatical and insane movement, and to bring the anti-foreign and wicked usurpers of the Government to punishment.
All the foreign Concessions in the Treaty ports, churches of all kinds, and the life and property of foreigners and native Christians shall be protected from disturbance and injury.
We assure you that you need not be afraid of our actions.
(By the order of the Head of the Hankow Branch of the China Independent Association.)
[2387 p-2]
B 2
806