22
a
forward a translation of proclamation recently placarded, in Chinese fashion, at Canton, in the name of Pang Yuh Lien the Imperial Commissioner and Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Forces in the Kwangtung Provinces
of China
I, Pang, Imperial Commissioner, &c., do hereby publicly notify that, as the French are seeking to make war against China, it is necessary that our action should make due preparations: and it is also desirable to notify to every foreign country which has for years past been in treaty with the Chinese Empire that war is imminent.
His August Majesty the Emperor, by whom I have the honour to be commissioned, desires to treat all people, foreigners and Chinese, like one family, whereby every one may reap the benefits of His Majesty's benevolence.
China does not wish on account of a trifling matter to make war with foreign countries. Every nation is perfectly well aware that the French have been fostering ill-feeling towards us, by their interference with Annam, over which China has held sovereignty for myriads of years, Annam sending annual tribute to the Emperor in acknowledgment of our suzerainty. The French (aware of all this and presuming on their strength) have acted arbitrarily and in violation of their treaty with us and have made war in Annam. Now China has for a long period wished to send assistance to her vassal Annam, but fearing that the peace hitherto observed between the two countries might thereby be broken, has hitherto refrained from affording such assistance.
The French Minister, Monsieur Tricon, arrived at Tientsin last month in a French man-of-war, and it was reported that it was his intention to despatch other French war ships to attack Canton. This, however, was probably a mere ruse on the part of the French to frighten the Chinese; but it is difficult to fathom the truth or falsity of the rumour. The Emperor, being wrath at these reports, has despatched me to Canton to assume the military command here; and I have got together all the available forces both on land and at sea, with the object of defending Canton and of fighting the French if compelled to do so.
The responsibility of the disagreement rests upon the French, who took the first step, and it is therefore necessary that we should make efforts to resist them. Other nations know which is in the right and which in the wrong. In the event of war, however, the vessels of neutral nations may be mistaken, by the soldiers and people, for those of the French, and further complications may be occasioned thereby. The foreign merchants of the various Western nations have with great difficulty crossed the great ocean to come to China. The manner of conducting the various branches of trade by Chinese and foreign merchants is different, but the object of making profit is the same; hence it is my duty to notify every one, so that they may guard against future contingencies in the event of war.
His Majesty the Emperor has already issued a notice to the various foreign legations, but I must, notwithstanding, let it be known, so that foreign merchants may remove their goods and effects in time before the fighting actually commences. Neutral vessels must also observe the treaty stipulations, and the rules of international law. After this notification, any neutral vessels which may be captured by the French cannot blame China for not having given timely warning, and this caution also refers to any merchandise which may be destroyed during any fighting on land. Any claims for compensation must be made on the French, and not the Chinese. By reason of one nation breaking the treaty, it will be seen that all those in treaty with China must suffer. Other nations should calmly discuss the matter and see which party is the aggressor.
It is for the foregoing reasons I publish this special proclamation.
4th day, eleventh moon, ninth year Kwang Su.
Grave doubts are expressed as to the genuineness of this document, and the best judges seem to be of opinion that it was not actually issued by the Imperial Commissioner, but that it, not unfaithfully, represents the general feeling, at the present time, of the Chinese Official class.
At all events, it tends to confirm the opinion which has been frequently expressed.
22
a
forward a translation of proclamation recently placarded, in Chinese fashion, at Canton, in the
the name of Pang. Yuh. Lien the Imperial Immissioner and fommander-in-Chif
of
the
Imperial Forces in the Lowther Provinces
que te
of
China
I. Pang, Imperial Commissioner, ., do hereby publicly notify that, as the French are seeking to make war against China, it is necessary that our as- tion should make due preparations: and it is also de sirable to notify to evary foreign country which has for years past been in tresty with the Chinese Ex. pire that war is (wminent.
Hie August Majesty the Emperor, by whom I havO the houone to be couni-sioned, desires to treat ali people. foreigoers aux Chinese, like one family, where. by every one may reap the benefits of His Majesty's benevolence.
to
China does not wish on account of a trifling matter make war with foreiga nountries. Every nation is perfectly well aware that the French have been fostering ill-feeling towards a, by their interference with Annam, over which China has hold sovereignty for myriads of years, Annan aonding annual tribute to the Emperor in acknowledgment of our suzerainty. The French (aware of all this and presuming on their atrength) have noted arbitrarily and in violation of their treaty with us and have made war in Annam. Now China has for a long period wished to send as. sistance to her vassal Annam, but fearing that the paace hitherto observed between the two countries might thereby be broken, bas hitherto refrained from affording such assistance.
The French Minister, Monsieur Tricon, arrived at Tientsin last month in a French man-of-war, and it was reported that it was his intention to despatch other French war ships to attack Canton. This, however, was probably a mere rase on the part of the French to frighten the Chinese; but it is difi- calt to
fathom the truth or falsity of the rumour. The Emperor, being wrath at these reports, has dos. patched me to Canton to assume the military com. mand here; and I have got together all the available forces both on tand and at sea, with the object of de fendi g Canton and of fighting the French if compelled to do so.
The responsibility of the disagreement rests upon the French, who took the first step, and it is there. fore necessary that we should make efforts to resist them. Other nations know which is in the right and which in the wrong. the vessels of neutral nations may be mistaken, by In the event of war, however, the soldiers and people, for those of the Franch, and further complications may be occasional thereby. The foreign merchants of the various Western na- tions have with great difficulty crossed the great ocean to come to China. The manner of conducting the various braunhas of trade by Chinese and foreig bera is differant, but the object making profit is the same; hence it is my duty to notify every one, so that they may guard against future contingencies in the event of war.
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A
2.
His Majesty the Emperor has already issued a no- tice to the varions foreiga legations, but I must, not- withstanding, let it be known, so that foreign mar chants may remove their goods and effects in time before the fighting actually commences. Neutral vassels must alas observe the treaty stipulations, and the rules of
international law. After this notifica- tion, any neutral vessels which may be captured hy the French cannot blame China for not having given the timely warning, and this caution also
refers
to any merchandise which may be destroyed daring any fighting ou land. Any claims for compensation must made on the French, and not the Chinese. By reason of one nation breaking the treaty, it will be seun all those in treaty with China must suffer. Other nations should calmly discuss the matter and see which party is the aggressor.
It is for the foregoing reasons I publish this special. proclamation.
4th day, eleventh moon, uinth year Kwang Su.
as to the
Grave doubts are expressio
genuineness of this document, and the best junges seem to be of opinion that it was not actually risued by the Imperial fommissioner, but that it, not unfaithfully, represents the
general feeling, at the present time, of the thines Mmantain,
At all events,
Cry
Official class.
it tends to confirm which has been frequently
t'he
opinim
expressed
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