CO129-286 - Acting Governor Major Gen Black Governor Sir Blake & Public Offices - 1898 [11-12] — Page 70

67

tuous and the talented to carryout the new administration so

that affairs connected with the intercourse between China and

foreign nations,might be conducted with the greatest advan-

tage. But unexpectedly on the 8th, day of the 8th.moon (23rd.

September, 1898) the Empress Dowager issued instructions on

administration; being misled by slanderous words, she abolished

the administration of the Emperor and fabricated crimes aga-

inst those officials, who aided in the carrying out of the new

administration and (caused them) to be arrested and decapi-

tated, and (ordered) that those who absconded should be most

secretly followed up and arrested, and that (the possession by

them of their) houses and fields be enquired into and that their porcstions

they be sequestrated and sealed up. Their relatives have also

been implicated, so that some of them who have retired from

office and returned to their homes, have been considered to be

of their party and have been also involved in the same charges.

All the metropolitan and provincial officials in the Service

being afraid of punishment, keep silence, and dare not interfere

in the matter so that it is impossible to find a place to re-

dress grievances. Petitioners reflect that the people of all

nations are produced by the same heaven. If one does not come

to the assistance of whoever is in trouble then it is to be

feared there is a transgression of the principles of Heaven. Now, the good works which your honourable nation has practised during the last hundred years, are well known to both China &

foreign nations, such as the protection given to Greece in 1829;

the