to be radically changed, and the entire system of administration reorganised.
SENTENCE UPON THE OFFICIALS IN THE SOUTH. On account of the war with France in Annan, the frontiers of Kuangsi have required special measures of defence. We therefore promulgated a Decree, ordering the Fu-t'ai Hsi Yen-hsi to march out of the barriers and command the garrisons for the purpose of thoroughly protecting the boundaries of the Empire. The said Fu-t'ai, however, delayed his advance, contenting himself with holding Liang Shan, and instructing the General Huang Kuei-lan, the Tao-t'ai Chao Wo and others to guard the Annanese town of Bac Ninh. When the French attacked that place, the General referred to failed to exert himself, and Bac Ninh was lost through his running away; a most deplorable fact, indeed! The evacuation of Bac Ninh was reported to Us by both Chang Shu-sheng and Pan Yen-hsi; the latter of whom himself memorialised Us to award him the severest punishment. Chang Shu-sheng, also, has petitioned Us to consider the penalty to be visited upon him without leniency. We have already issued a Secret Decree commanding Pan Ting-hsin to leave Kuangsi by the Chen Nan Barriers with a special commission to degrade Hsü Yen-hsi and Kuei-lan and Chao Wo and deprive them of office, and place them on their trial too. By this time Pan Ting-hsin must have reached Kuangsi. Let him immediately seize Hsi Yen-hsi, forward him to Peking, and hand him over to the Board of Punishment for the determination of a penalty. P'an Ting-hsin, acting in concert with Wang Tê-pang, will enquire into the causes of the defeat sustained by Huang Kuei-lan and Chao Wo, and if it be satisfactorily proved that they abandoned their post and took to flight, let a Memorial be presented to Us instantly, requesting Our permission to inflict penalty; they need not be handed over to the Board. The Captain Chiến Takuai, who has been already degraded, and who was entrusted with the Fo Lin fortress, lost it on the first onset of the French. The Colonel Pang Min-hsüan showed his cowardice by not daring to advance to the front, but stationing his battalion in the rear. These two are to be decapitated immediately in front of the army. The other officers who were defeated on the same occasion must be discovered, and their penalties must be decided according to the deserts of each. A Memorial will be presented to Us petitioning Our pleasure with regard to the execution of these punishments. Let there be no partiality or concealment! The position and responsibility of Chang Shu-sheng are such that he cannot be held exempt from blame; but as he was stationed too far away to afford assistance, We by a special Act of Grace commute his punishment, and order the Board of the Civil Office to consider his misdemeanour. Pan Ting-hsin will assume the Fu-taiship of Kuangsi; Pang Chi-yu will be Acting Fu-t'ai of Hunan; and Wang Tê-pang Acting General of the Kuangsi Forces.
Reverentially obey!
On account of the Franco-Annamese struggle, the border defence of Yunnan became especially important. We therefore ordered Tang Chiung to march out of the barriers with an army to afford the necessary protection. The said Governor, without obtaining any Decree from Us, returned to his province of his own accord, disregarding the affairs of the frontier; an act which caused the soldiers under him to retreat and station themselves at Shan Hai city, thus incurring the loss of their positions. The hesitating policy of Tang Chiang in every matter of importance, and his incapability to distinguish matters which require promptitude from those which are not so pressing, are deplorable indeed. A Secret Decree has been handed to Chang K'ai-sung ordering him to start immediately for Yunnan with special powers to degrade Tang Chiang and apprehend him for trial. By this time Chang K'ai-sung ought to have reached Yunnan; let him at once depute an official to bring the degraded Governor to Peking, that he may be handed over to the Board of Punishment for a severe penalty. Chang K'ai-sung is hereby appointed Governor of Yunnan, and Li Jong-ching Acting Governor of the province of Kuei-chow.
Reverentially obey!
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to be radically changed, and the entire system of administration reorganised.
SENTENCE UPON THE OFFICIALS IN THE SOUTH. On account of the war with France in Annan, the frontiers of Kuangsi have ro- quired special measures of defence. We therefore promulgated a Decree, ordering the Fu-t'al Hsi Yen-lisi to march out of the barriers and command the garrisons for the purpose of thoroughly protecting the boundaries of the Empire. The said Fo-'ai, however, delayed his advance, contenting himself withholding Liang Shan. and instructing the General Huang Kucilan, the Tao-t'ai Chao Woaand others to guard the Annanese town of Bacuính. When the French attacked that place, the General referred to failed to exert himself, and Bacniah was lost through his running away; a most deplorable fact, indeed! The evacuation of Bacninh was reported to Us by bath Chaug Shu-sheng and Hall Yen-hs; the latter of whom himself memorialised Us to award him the severest punishment. Chang Shu-sheng, also, has petitioned Us to consider the penalty to be visited upon him without leniency. We have already issued a Secret Decree com- manding Pan Ting-bain to leave Kuangsi by the Chen Nan Barriers with a special commission to degrade Hsü Yen-hst and Kuei-lan and Chao Woa and deprive them of office, and place them on their trial too. By this time Pan Ting-hsin must have reached Kungsi. Let him immediately seize Hsi Yen-hsi, forward him to Peking, and baud him over to the Board of Punishment for the determination of a penalty. P'an Ting-sin, acting in con- cert with Wang Tê-pang, will enquire into the caNISES of the defeat sustained by Huang Knei lan and Chao Woa, aud if it be satisfactorily proved that they abandoned their post and took to fight, let a Memorial be presented to Us instantly, requesting Our permission to inflict penalty; they need not be handed over to the Board. Tre Captain Chiến Takuai, who has been already degraded, and whó was entrusted with the Fo Lin fortress, lost it on the first onset of the French. The Colonel Pang Min-hsaan showed his coward- ice by not daring to advance to the front, but stationing his battalion in the rear. Theas two are to be decapitated immediate- ly in frout of the army. The other officers who were defeated on the same occasion i must be discovered, and their penalties Laust be decided according to the deserts of each. Bemorial will be presented to Us petitioning Our pleasure with regard to the execution of these punishments. Let there be no partiality or concealment ! The position and responsibility of Chang Shu-sheng aro such tht he cannot be heli exempt from blame; but as he was stationed too far way to afford assistance, We by a special Act of Grace commate his punish- ment, and order the Board of the Civil Office to consider his misdemeanour. Pau Ting- hain will assume the Fu-taiship of Kuang. si; Pang Chi-you will be Acting Fu-t'ai f Bunan; and Wang Tê-pang Acting General of the Kuangsi Forces.
Reverentially obey !
il.
Z
On accomni of the Franco-ánnamese struggle, the border defence of Yunnan became especially important. We there- fore ordered Tang Chiung to march out of the barriers with an army to alfed the But the said Gov. necessary protection. ernor, without obtaining any Decree from Us, returned to his province of his own accord, disregarding the affairs of the frontier; an act which caused the soldiers nuder him to retreat and station them- selves at Shan Hai city, thus incurring the loss of their positions. The hesitating policy of Tang Ching in every matter of importance, and his incapability to dis- tinguish matters which require promptitude from those which are not so pressing, are deplorable indeed. A Secret Decros has been handed to Chang Kai-anng ordering | bim to start immediately for Yunnan with ¦
special
apecial powers to degrade Tang Chiang and apprehend him for trial. By this time Chang K'ai sung ought to have reached Yannan; let him at ouce depute an official to bring tho degraded Governor to Peking, that he may be handed over to the Board of Punishment for a severe penelte. Chang K'ai-sung is hereby appointed Governor of Yunnan, and Li Jongching xoting Gov- ernor of the province of Kuci-chow.
Reverentially obey!
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