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by forces utterly beyond our control. Your Excellencies are commanded to explain all these in detail to the various Foreign Governments to which you are accredited. Note: The char- acters “Wai-pu" are here used to signify “For- eign Governments," but the character "pa" has also the meaning of "small states or 'tribes," and is often used in connection with the Mongol and other indigenous and tributary tribes, which abound on the Northern, North-western, Western, South-western and Southern frontiers of China Proper. Trans. lator.] You are to explain the trae intentions of this Government in this matter, and that we have given stringent orders to our commanders of troops to protect as usual the various Lega tions to the best of their ability, and that this Government will take upon itself the responsi bility of suppressing and punishing these anar- chists and rebel populace.
Your Excellencies are to continue as before your duties in respect to our international rela- tions with the various Powers, and you are warned not to keep aloof and stand by as spects tors [in the present difficulties of this Govern- ment]. Let these instructions be telegraphed to the various Ministers concerned.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
the current treaties and protect all Foreign Settlements and churches. All these have as their special object the preservation of the usual order of things.
[July 21, 1900.
the back between 400 and 500 baga. He had previously had more than a thousand bags of rice stored on the premises. He had never enquired from an architect how much rice he could safely Now as the various Powers are willing to store on the premises. It was not his business confide the safety of their subjects and their to make ach an enquiry, as he only hired several properties to the provincial Governments, the store. He was in Canton n at the and Foreign fleets will not disturb the peace of time of the accident. He went on the 2nd the Yangtze, it follows that all the inhabitants inst. He had been told that there were only be- and merchants living in the vicinity thereof can tween 200 and 300 bags stored on the front part continue as usual their daily avocations in perfect of the shop on the 3rd inst. He returned from peace and quiet (without fear of being touched Canton as soon as he heard of the accident. or disturbed), while, on the other hand, local Mr. Xavier, an assistant engineer in the Public outlaws and ruffians will not be afforded the Works Department, said that on the morning of opportunity of taking advantage of panics, etc., the 4th inst. at 9.30, he went down to 230 and in breaking the peace. The benefits to be derived 240, Des Voeux Road, and found the whole of from the arrangements of the high provincial the floors and the roof, together with the front officials for the protection of the Riverine and part of the building, collapsed. He examined Inland cities and the safeguarding of the lives the party wall and found it in a very ruinous and property of all our people are so great that condition, the system of carrying away the roof we feel sure that nobody will be so foolish as.to water being defective. He was of opinion that seek occasion lightly for breaking the peace. Our the cause of the collapse was the filtration of rain people will also be able then to act in accord with water into the party wall between 239 and 240, the wishes of the Throne in preserving the current causing the decay of the mortar. On mak- order of affairs. It should be all the more the dutying an examination he found that certain of the gentry and elders of the cities, towns, and work had been done to the party wall between villages to impress all this upon the minds of 240 and 241, and this might have caused some the people under them, for in it alone lies the opening in the joists. There was also an safety of the lives and property of all, and the exceptionally heavy load in the first floors of 239 and 240. He should say that considerably We, therefore, hereby declare that, after the
more rice was stored in the shop than posting of this proclamation, should anyone be the master had stated.—An Sun, godown found and we have devised means to make keeper at No. 239, said that on the 3rd strict enquiry into it-hereafter manufacturing inst. there were between 240 and 250 bags rumours, thereby exciting the masses to collect of rice in the front part of the pre- into mobs for the purpose of attacking any mises and between 400 and 500 in the back.-U. Foreign Settlement or church, such offenders Chut Man, chief clerk at the I On In- will be dealt with and sentenced to suffer the
surance Company, said that after the accident same penalties as await insurgents and members at 239 and 240, Des Vœux Road, he visited the of revolutionary societies. Should it be discover-premises and found 2,377 bags of rice on No. 239. ed that outlaws are gathering for the purpose of He could not say how many bags of rice creating disturbances and rebellion we have ready had been on the ground floor and now many for such great masses of troops who will instantly on the first floor, because the bags on the first attack said outlaws and show no mercy to them. floor had fallen below. The enquiry was ad- Finally, if soldiers or yamen runners be found journed until the 17th, so that the books creating any disturbances, and oppressing the might be produced showing the number of bags people, complaints should be made to the au- stored at 239 on the 3rd inst. thorities, who will see to it that the disturbers of the peace be dealt with to the full extent of the law. We are determined to protect our merchants and people from harm, so that they may pursue their daily avocations as usual, that the land may enjoy peace and quiet, that the commands of the Throne may be obeyed, and the integrity of the Empire preserved. Let all tremblingly obey our proclamation. Beware how yon disobey!
PROCLAMATION BY CHANG CHIH-preservation of the integrity of our country.
TUNG AND YU YINLIN.
For the translation of the following pro- clamation, issued on the 3rd inst. at Wuchang, we are indebted to the N.-C. Daily News:
Chang, Viceroy of Hukuang, and Yu, Gov- ernor of Hupeh, herel y issue the following joint proclamation in obedience to an Imperial de- cree commanding all Viceroys and Governors of provinces to take measures for the safety and good order of our several jurisdictions.
The disturbances of outlaws in the North have brought about war with the various For- eign Powers, causing the hearts of the people to be excited and endangering the public peace. The Viceroy and Governor therefore desire it to be known to all that they have since received Imperial decrees, dated respectively the 25th and 26th June, saying that the Imperial Gov- ernment will continue its best endeavours to protect the Legations of the various Foreign Powers in Peking, while the various Viceroys and Governors of provinces are required to co-operate together, and as opportunity offers, safeguard the territories under their several jurisdictions." The Viceroy and Governor have therefore decided to obey the above decrees in this instance, and have co-operated with H.E. Lin, Viceroy of the Liangkiang provinces, with regard to the protection of and preservation of order in our respective territories. We have all agreed upon a carefully worked out plan of mutual co-operation for the complete protec- tion of all the eastern and southern provinces, and have, moreover, mutually arranged with the Consuls of the various Foreign Powers that, while the Admirals of the various Powers do not enter the Yangtze River with their fleets, we will guarantee the safety of all foreigners and foreign property in the inland provinces, all of whom and their belongings will be under the special care and protection of the local authorities, who will use their best efforts to preserve the peace. This has since been telegraphed to the Throne and entered in the records. It must further be understood that these arrangements have been entered into and mutually agreed upon with the special object of safeguarding the land and the protection of the lives and properties of the masses. is no better plan than the above.
There
Apprehending, however, that all this is not known to our people and that opportunities may be sought for by local outlaws and evil-minded people amongst our subjects to create riots and disturbances, thereby endangering our peace. able relations with Foreign countries and the general order of affairs, we hereby hasten to issue this special proclamation for the informa- tion of everybody. And be it further known to all, both soldiers and common people, that the present disturbances and fighting were really beyond the calculation of the Throne, as may be seen in the Imperial flecree above, commanding the officials in Peking to protect, as usual, by every means in their power, the Foreign Le- gations in the Capital, while the Viceroys and Governors of provinces are required to observe
INQUIRY INTO THE RECENT FIRE.
At the adjourned enquiry the head coolie was called. He said there were 1,200 bags stored in the upper storey of 239.
Mr. Hazeland said he did not think it was any use prolonging the enquiry. He was of opinion that no blame could be attached to anyone.
THE "FOOK SANG" PIRACY CASE.
The jurors were Messrs. E. G. Barrett, A. V. Apcar, F. Kiene, C. H. Lammert, F. Lemm, W. Moore, and C. S. Gubbay.
THE PRISONERS AT THE CRIMINAL SESSIONS. At the Criminal Sessions on the 19th inst., be- fore His Honour Sir John Carrington, C.M.G. (Chief Justice), Mok So Wong Tai, and Li Yun At the Magistracy on the 13th inst. Mr. were charged with (1) piracy; (2) robbery; (3) Hazeland opened an enquiry into the circum-robbery being armed. They pleaded not guilty. stances attending the death of Sze Kun, who lost his life at the fire which took place at 239 and 240, Des Voeux Road, on the evening of the 3rd inst. The house No. 239 collapsed, and The Attorney-General (the Hon. W. Meigh took part of No. 240 with it, No. 240 being also Goodman) said that at about seven o'clock set on fire through the over-turning of a lamp in the morning of the 13th May a steam 40 tons, called the Fook by the light of which the deceased was writing. launch of some -Dr. Thomson gave evidence as to the cause of Sang, left the Praya Central for Samchun, a death, burning.-A foki at No. 240 said that large town on the borders of the New Territory. on the 3rd inst. a considerable quantity of rice To go to Samchun in the ordinary course of was taken into No. 239, and at 8.45 p.m. the things the launch would go through Capsui- same evening the place collapsed, No. moon, past Castle-peak, to Deep Bay, when it He would turn to the right and go up the river to 240 collapsing immediately afterwards. was sitting opposite the deceased, the kerosine Samchun. On board the launch were 40 or lamp upset and the place caught fire. Witness 50 passengers, seven of whom turned out to ran off and was eventually taken out from be pirates or robbers. There was also a among the debris. The deceased could not chest of opium valued at about $1,000 on All went well until Castlepeak Bay escape and was burned to death.-The manager board.
Was reached. When about two miles from of the shop at 240, Des Voeux Road, said he
shore, the seven robbers produced remembered the night of the 3rd inst. At 8.45 the
One of them covered the p.m. the house collapsed. He was inside at their revolvers. the time but managed to escape; subsequently man who was steering and forced him to turn the house caught fire. Up to that evening the launch's head for Macao, whilst the other rice had been carried in to 239 for two or three six searched the passengers. When the launch was nearing Macao a confederate fishing junk days, and a considerable quantity had been
came up and the spoil was transferred from the stored on the premises.-Ip Lun Tak, master of the rice shop at 239, Des Voeux Road, launch to the junk. Two men from the launch said he only went down to No. 239 occasionally, were taken on board the junk and the rest were and was not able to remember whether he went left on the launch and told to clear off. The the 3rd inst. same night a report was made to the police, down either on the 2nd or
forward, Rice was being constantly taken into his shop. In the meantime the junk went On the 3rd instant there was less rice on the and at a certain point the spoil was taken premises than usual. He had between 200 and ashore in small boats, and afterwards the two 300 bags in the front part of the shop and at men who had been taken from the launch were
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