The language of the proclamation is vigorous and emphatic. It remains to
be seen whether it will be enforced with “extraordinary severity” as
promised.
The viceroy goes rather far in saying that the United States has
consented to the revision of its harsh measures and is now at work
negotiating with regard to this question. Certainly I have not said or
done anything on the subject since I stopped in August last discussing
the matter informally with the Waiwu Pu. Nevertheless the proclamation
is a good one, and I hope it will powerfully tend to allay excitement in
Canton Province.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
Proclamation of the viceroy of the Two Kuang
Provinces in re the boycott of American goods.
Ts’en, by imperial appointment a junior guardian of the heir
apparent, an official of the first grade, permitted to ride on
horseback in the forbidden city, decorated with the yellow riding
jacket, honorary president of the board of war, acting viceroy of
the Two Kuang Provinces, holding also the post of governor of
Kuangtung, and superintendent of the maritime and local customs,
issues this proclamation:
I have received a telegram from the board of foreign affairs,
saying:
“We have received a dispatch from the American minister to the effect
that the viceroy of the Two Kuang Provinces is still failing to take
effective measures to suppress the boycott agitation in his
provinces in protest against the immigration treaty, and fails to
cause the people to obey the imperial edict, and that he hopes we
will favor him with an immediate reply, giving assurance that such
measures are being taken as he has requested; that if negligence to
enforce the imperial orders continues it will cause the people to
disrespect the imperial edicts, and may lead to serious disorder;
that he had received a communication from the President of the
United States saying that the American Government desired to treat
with China in justice, but, on the other hand, could not tolerate
injustice from China, and that he trusted we would see the
importance of prompt action in this serious condition of
affairs.
“As to this matter of protesting against the immigration treaty, it
is your duty to comply with the imperial edict by effectively urging
and leading (the people). Now that the President of the United
States has said that fair treatment will be given, we hope that you
will at once obey the edict requiring you to conscientiously lead
the way and earnestly labor to cause all to attend to their private
affairs and avoid stirring up trouble. We trust also that you will
promptly telegraph us in reply, detailing the measures which you are
taking in the matter.”
As to this matter of the merchants of the Two Kuang Provinces
discontinuing the purchase of American goods in protest against the
immigration treaty, I sometime ago received an imperial edict
directing me to order the merchants that they must carry on business
as usual and unite to preserve the peace, and that if any ignorant
persons should sow suspicion and stir up trouble I must deal
severely with them, so as to prevent the outbreak of disorder. This
edict I had reverently copied and published it in full for the
information of all. I also issued general instructions to all
officers in my jurisdiction to earnestly exhort and lead the gentry,
the merchants, and all the people and cause them to obey with
trembling, and I directed that if any persons should be found guilty
of sowing suspicions and creating trouble they should be promptly
arrested and fined.
Afterwards I received a telegram from the board of foreign affairs
stating that the American minister had sent them a dispatch to the
effect that the boycott of American goods in Canton still continued
and was creating trouble, and asking that this unjust agitation be
suppressed. I thereupon issued another proclamation, giving careful
warning, all of which the records will show.
I now find that although the holding of meetings and the making of
speeches have been discontinued there is perhaps some reason to fear
that ignorant persons may take advantage of the situation to stir up
trouble, and it becomes necessary to again issue a stringent
proclamation forbidding such action in order to give due weight to
international relations.
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I
have issued general instructions to all officials in my jurisdiction
to give obedience and directed that if any disorderly persons are
found sowing suspicions and stirring up trouble, posting placards,
or circulating pamphlets, trying by threats to keep others from
buying or using American goods, they must be promptly dealt with as
the circumstances may require, and in addition I now issue this
proclamation and give due notice to the merchants and people of the
whole province that they must comply with it.
You ought to know that China and the United States have for a long
time maintained friendly relations. As to the immigration treaty,
the President of the United States has already consented to the
revision of its harsh clauses, and has also consented to the fair
treatment of Chinese going to the United States. The governments of
the two countries are now at work negotiating with regard to this
question. You merchants and people must tremblingly obey the
imperial edicts and carry on trade as usual, joining together to
preserve the peace. Should there be any presumptuous persons daring
still to fan the flame of agitation, sowing disobedience to the
imperial edict, and disturbing the peace, they must be promptly
arrested and punished.
As to the mission stations and the missionaries of various countries,
their purpose is to exhort men to do good, and imperial edicts have
repeatedly been issued commanding that they be given thorough
protection. If any disorderly persons avail themselves of any
pretext to Create enmity toward the missions and make a disturbance
so as to embroil the missions or missionaries in difficulty, they
are to be regarded as no other than rebels and shall be punished
with nothing less than punishments of extraordinary severity, so as
to manifest the terror of the law. What I, the viceroy, have said
that I will do. Let everyone obey with trembling and not disregard
this special proclamation.
Issued Kuanghsü, XXXI year,
10th moon, — day (October–November, 1905).
