Foreign Relations of the United States, 1901, Appendix, Affairs in China, Report of William W. Rockhill, Late Commissioner to China, with Accompanying Documents

Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.

No. 96.]

Commissioner of the United States to China,
Peking, China, May 27, 1901.

Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for your information, translation of an Imperial Edict directing the Chinese plenipotentiaries to bring to a prompt close the peace negotiations, so that the Emperor may return to his capital.

The general belief among foreigners in Peking is that the Court will not start on its return to Peking until the entire withdrawal of the expeditionary forces from Peking and the neighborhood, and until such time as the only foreign forces here are the legation guards. I heard from various sources, however, that some preparations have been made along the roads which will be followed by the imperial party, and also in the Forbidden city, for the Emperor’s return.

I have the honor, etc.,

W. W. Rockhill.

Imperial Edict.

[Inclosure.—Translated from the Peking Gazette of May 25.]
No. 96.]

On the 1st day of the fourth moon (May 18) the Grand Council, at an audience, received the following Edict:

The governor of Shun-t’ien (Peking) has twice petitioned us on behalf of the gentry and people, begging us to return (to the capital), and now again the members of the censorate unite in a joint memorial (to the same effect). All of this is evidence of the sincere affection and longing (of our subjects).

Formerly we respectfully begged the Empress Dowager to halt at Chang-an (Si-ngan) and, gazing from this great distance upon the ancestral shrines and altars of the tutelary dieties, we have been constantly filled with sorrow, and could not but most earnestly desire to return, and thus satisfy the wishes of the ministers and people of the whole Empire.

Let Prince Ching and Li Hung-chang bring the peace negotiations quickly to a close and cause the foreign troops to be withdrawn, that it may become possible for us to set a day for our return.

Prince Ch’ing and his associates, too, should publish this Edict for the information of the ministers and people.

As to the time of Our return, it will be necessary for the Court to have everything properly prepared, and we appoint Shi Hsu to put things in order beforehand.

Respect this!