Grofsmächte. 2. März 1900. that they had done all that the five foreign Representatives had asked them to do. Nr. 12301. The publication in the Gazette was a demand formulated for the first time today. Baron von Ketteler expressed his agreement with his colleagues, but called special attention to the omission of the Ta Tao Hui from the Decree now communicated. The reason was that the Head of the Ta Tao Hui was in Peking at the present moment. When Yü Hsien was sent for by the Throne, instead of being sent to the Board of Punishments, he received a special mark of favour from the Imperial hands. The foreign Representatives demanded that such a man should be denounced before the country, and the only way to do so was to denounce the Society to which he belonged. || The suggestion that the former Governor of Shantung was the head of the Ta Tao Hui was received with undisguised merriment by the Prince and Ministers, but the Prince admitted that Yü Hsien was to blame for not having suppressed the disturbances. || Sir Claude MacDonald and Mr. Conger both expressed their agreement with Baron von Ketteler so far as regarded the responsibility of Yu Hsien for the disturbances in Shantung. They attributed the original Edict to his inspiration || In reply to Baron von Ketteler, the Yamên explained that the Ta Tao Hui had amalgamated with the I-ho Ch'üan. The names which were or might be assumed by these brigands were legion. As a matter of fact, the Yamên's Memorial did mention the Ta Tao Hui by name. || Marquis Salvago expressed his agreement with his colleagues. || Baron d'Anthouard did the same, adding that he had received news that very day which proved that the authorities were not affording due protection to the missionaries in Shantung and Chihli. || The Yamên assured him that every precaution was being taken. || Baron Anthouard said he had received similar assurances over three months ago, and he wanted more than words, he wanted deeds, to reassure him. || Sir Claude then read to the Yamên, in the name of his colleagues, the last paragraph of his note of the 27th February, which was handed in. Identic notes were handed in by all the Representatives present. || The Yamên repeated what they said before as to the superiority of the method adopted for promulgating the Decree denouncing the Boxers over the method suggested by the foreign Representatives. || Sir Claude said that he accepted the Decree inclosed in Yamên note of the 1st March as satisfactory, and that but for the pernicious Edict of the 11th January, and but for the author of that Edict, they would not be here to-day. That was the reason why they asked for publication in the Gazette. The Yamên (Hsu Yung-i) said that the five foreign Representatives had misunderstood the meaning of the Edict of the 11th January. The Throne was actuated by the best of motives in issuing it. It was designed to allay the bad feeling existing between the Christians and natives throughout the Empire, and to prevent such Societies as the Boxers, &c., in Shantung from committing atrocities by branding such Societies according to their deeds. The idea that it was inspired by Yu Hsien was entirely erroneous. || Sir Claude said Nr. 12301. he did not wish to Grofsmachte. 11th January. 2. März 1900. Nr. 12302. britannien. enter into a discussion with regard to the Edict of the The views of the foreign Representatives had been clearly put before the Prince and Ministers, and further discussion was unnecessary. He begged to draw the serious attention of the Ministers to the fact all five Representatives were present acting under instructions from their respective Governments, and begged that an early answer be given so that they might inform their Governments of the same. || The Yamên said they would consider the matter, and reply. Peking, March 2, 1900. Nr. 12302. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gesandte in Peking an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Ein kaiserliches Dekret ist gegen die Boxer erlassen. Peking, April 16, 1900. (April 16.) (Telegrapic.) || With reference to my two telegrams of the 10th and 23rd ultimo, I have the honour to report that the ,,Official Gazette" has now 16. Apr. 1900. published a Memorial from the Viceroy of Chihli, which embodies a satisfactory Imperial Decree denouncing by name the Boxers' Societies. I have also to inform your Lordship that the two ships ordered to Taku have now returned to their ordinary duty. Nr. 12803. britannien. Nr. 12303. GROSSBRITANNIEN. mordung von Christen bei Paoting-fu. Derselbe an Denselben. Er Peking, May 17, 1900. (May 17.) (Telegraphic.) || The French Minister called to-day to inform me that the Grofs- Boxers have destroyed three villages and killed 61 Roman Catholic Christian 17. Mai 1900. converts at a place 90 miles from Peking, near Paoting-fu. The French Bishop informs me that in that district, and around Tien-tsin and Peking generally, much disorder prevails. || The marine guard which was under orders to leave Tien-tsin has, at my request, been retained by the Admiral. Nr. 12304. britannien. meinsame Note des diplomatischen Korps an das Tsung-li Yamen über die Boxer. Peking, May 21, 1900. (May 21.) (Telegraphic.) || Boxer disturbances. || With reference to my telegram of Grofs- the 17th instant, I have the honour to report that all eleven foreign Represen21. Mai 1900. tatives attended a meeting of the Diplomatic Body held yesterday afternoon, at the instance of the French Minister. || The doyen was empowered to write, in the name of all the foreign Representatives, a note to the Yamên to the Grofs effect that the Diplomatic Body, basing their demands on the Decrees already Nr. 12304. issued by the Palace denunciatory of the Boxers, requested that all persons britannien. who should print, publish, or disseminate placards which menaced foreigners, 21. Mai 1900. all individuals aiding and abetting, all owners of houses or temples now used as meeting places for Boxers, should be arrested. They also demanded that those guilty of arson, murder, outrages, &c., together with those affording support or direction to Boxers while committing such outrages, should be executed. Finally, the publication of a Decree in Peking and the Northern Provinces setting forth the above. The doyen of the Diplomatic Body, accordingly, sent in the note this morning. Nr. 12305. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gesandte in Peking an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Die Gesandten schlagen eine Flotten demonstration vor. Peking, May 21, 1900. (21. May.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) | With reference to my telegram of to-day's date, the Nr. 12305. foreign Representatives decided at their meeting to take further measures if britannien. the disturbances still continued, or if a favourable answer was not received 21. Mai 1900. to their note within five days. The meeting did not decide what measures should be taken, but the Representatives were generally averse to bringing guards to Peking, and, what found most favour, was as follows: || With the exception of Holland, which has no ships in Chinese waters, it was proposed that all the Maritime Powers represented should make a naval demonstration either at Shanhaikuan, or at the new port, Chingwangtao, while, in case of necessity, guards were to be held ready on board ship. || My colleagues will, I think, send these proposals as they stand to their Governments. As the Chinese Government themselves seem to be sufficiently alarmed, I do not think that the above measure will be necessary, but, should the occasion arise, I trust that Her Majesty's Government will see fit to support it. Nr. 12306. GROSSBRITANNIEN. - Der Botschafter in Petersburg an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Die russische Regierung hält ein weiteres Vorgehen gegen China für unnötig. St. Petersburgh, May 23, 1900. (May 23.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) | China. || Minister for Foreign Affairs is apparently satisfied Nr. 12306. by a telegram he has just received from Peking that further pressure will be britannien. rendered unnecessary by the Chinese Government at last taking sufficiently 23. Mai 1900. energetic measures. Nr. 12307. Der Gesandte in Peking an Nr. 12307. GROSSBRITANNIEN. den Minister des Auswärtigen. Ungenügende Antwort der Tsung-li Yamen auf 12304. Peking, May 25, 1900. (May 25.) (Telegraphic.) || Tsung-li Yamên have replied to the note sent by the britannien, doyen of the Corps Diplomatique, reported in my telegram of the 21st May. 25. Mai 1900. They state that the main lines of the measures already in force agree with those required by the foreign Representatives, and add that a further Decree which will direct efficacious action, is being asked for. || The above does not even promise efficacious action, and, in my personal opinion, is unsatisfactory, I have, however, not yet had an opportunity of consulting my colleagues. Nr. 12308. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Derselbe an Denselben. An sichten der Gesandten über die Lage. Peking, May 27, 1900. (May 27.) Nr. 12308. 27. Mai 1900. (Telegraphic.) | With reference to my telegram of the day before Grofs- yesterday, I have the honour to report that at the meeting of the Corps britannien. Diplomatique, which took place yesterday evening, we were informed by the French Minister that all his information led him to believe that a serious outbreak, which would endanger the lives of all European residents in Peking, was on the point of breaking out. || The Italian Minister confirmed the information received by M. Pichon. || The Russian Minister agreed with his Italian and French colleagues in considering the latest reply of the Yamên to be unsatisfactory, adding that, in his opinion, the Chinese Government was now about to adopt effective measures. That the danger was imminent he doubted, but said that it was not possible to disregard the evidence adduced by the French Minister. We all agreed with this last remark. || M. Pichon then urged that if the Chinese Government did not at once take action, guards should at once be brought up by the foreign Representatives. Some discussion then ensued, after which it was determined that a precise statement should be demanded from the Yamên as to the measures they had taken, also that the terms of the Edict mentioned by them should be communicated to the foreign Representatives. || Failing a reply from the Yamên of a satisfactory nature by this afternoon, it was resolved that guards should be sent for. || Baron von Ketteler, the German Minister, declared that he considered the Chinese Government was crumbling to pieces, and that he did not believe that any action based on the assumption of their stability could be efficacious.|| The French Minister is, I am certain, genuinely convinced that the danger is real, and owing to his means of information he is well qualified to judge. Derselbe an Denselben. Be Nr. 12309. GROSSBRITANNIEN. schlufs, Schutzwachen für die Gesandtschaften kommen zu lassen. Peking, May 30, 1900. (May 31.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) Legation guards. || My telegram of yesterday's date. || Nr. 12309. French, Russian, and United States' Ministers, and myself, were deputed to britannien. day at a meeting of the foreign Representatives to declare to the Tsung-li 30. Mai 1900. Yamên that the foreign Representatives must immediately bring up guards. for the protection of the lives of Europeans in Peking in view of the serious situation and untrustworthiness of the Chinese troops. That the number would be small if facilities were granted, but it must be augmented should they be refused, and serious consequences might result for the Chinese Government in the latter event. || In reply, the Yamên stated that no definite reply could be given until to-morrow afternoon, as the Prince was at the Summer Palace. As the Summer Palace is within an hour's ride we refused to admit the impossibility of prompt communication and decision, and repeated the warning already given of the serious consequences which would result if the Viceroy at Tien-tsin did not receive instructions this evening in order that the guards might be enabled to arrive here to-morrow. The danger will be greatest on Friday, which is a Chinese festival. Nr. 12310. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Botschafter in Petersburg an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Graf Murawiew sieht die Lage optimistisch an. St. Petersburgh, May 31, 1900. (May 31.) Grofs (Telegraphic.) || China. Reports of discussions and decisions of foreign Nr. 12310. Representatives at Peking precisely similar to those contained in Sir C. Mac britannien. Donald's telegrams have been received by the Russian Foreign Office, but from 31. Mai 1900. a later report Count Mouravieff gathers that the danger is now less acute, and his Excellency evidently hopes that more vigorous action of the fresh troops which are being sent by the Chinese Government to check the Boxers may avert the necessity of bringing guards to Peking. Nr. 12311. GROSSBRITANNIEN. Der Gesandte in Peking an den Minister des Auswärtigen. Die Kaiserin bereitet sich zur Flucht vor. Peking, June 2, 1900. (June 3.) Grofsbritannien. (Telegraphic.) | With reference to my telegram of to-day, I am informed Nr. 12311. by the French Minister that he has learnt on good authority that the EmpressDowager is preparing to fly to Sian-fu in Shensi, owing to hostile demonstra-2. Juni 1900, tions of the Boxers against herself. || The Russian Minister, who came to see me to-day, said he thought it most imperative that the foreign Representatives |