Real Histories
It is said that Mr. Timothy Lee, a British clergyman, originally intended to go to Shanxi because over 150 foreign clergymen and countless Chinese believers were killed there last year. After taking office, Governor Cen Zhongcheng found that the sensitive issue of the church incidents was difficult to handle, so he submitted a petition to the court to send Shen Zhongli to observe the situation. Then, Governor Cen sent a telegram to Mr. Lee asking him to go to Shanxi to help resolve the issue. Mr. Lee initially planned to go directly from Beijing to Shanxi, but after arriving in Beijing, the British envoy and Commissioner He repeatedly advised him not to go, so he ultimately decided not to go. Instead, he drafted seven guidelines for addressing the Shanxi Catholic incidents and submitted them to Lord Li Hongzhang. Lord Li highly praised them and agreed to immediately notify Governor Cen to implement the guidelines and resolve the matter. Below are the contents of these seven guidelines: During the years 2 to 12 of the Guangxu era, when Timothy Lee was in Shanxi, the relationship between officials and the populace was relatively harmonious. It was utterly unexpected that last year thousands of Chinese and foreign believers were killed, which is truly an extraordinary occurrence!
Now, the crime of killing foreigners is currently being addressed by envoys from various countries and the Chinese plenipotentiary ministers, so Mr. Timothy Lee does not need to be involved. However, regarding the regulations for handling the Chinese victims of Catholicism, I have drafted seven articles for Lord Li Hongzhang's review and implementation. First, many people in various provinces and counties killed believers, and they should, in principle, be dealt with according to the law. However, I understand these individuals were incited by the authorities and misled by the Boxers, so I am hesitant to implicate too many. Therefore, each province should only punish one ringleader as a warning to others. If the Shanxi governor can genuinely enlighten them and encourage their repentance, our church will also exercise leniency towards the principal offender.
Second, although the gentry in Shanxi who have coerced and harmed church members may avoid the death penalty, it cannot be said that they are completely without guilt. Those who have harmed the property of the faithful must compensate; those unsupported parents, orphans, and widows must be cared for. Third, a total fine of 500,000 taels of silver will be levied on the entire province, with 50,000 taels to be paid each year, to be cleared in ten years. However, this fine will not go to foreigners or the faithful, but will be specifically used to enhance the education of the people of Shanxi: to establish schools and teach practical skills, enabling both the sons of officials and commoners to learn and avoid being misled. A knowledgeable individual should be appointed from both China and the West to oversee this initiative. "During the years two to twelve of the Guangxu era, the relationship between officials and the people in Shanxi was relatively harmonious. It was unexpected that last year, thousands were killed from both Chinese and foreign churches. This is indeed an unprecedented occurrence in history."
Ladies and gentlemen, let's talk about how to resolve the church issue. First, in places where the faithful have been harmed by bandits, memorial stones should be erected to honor them, with inscriptions clearly detailing the bandits' crimes and the suffering of the innocent faithful.
Next, regarding the members of the Catholic Church, some have been killed, and some have returned to their home countries, and it may take some time for them to return. When foreign clergy are sent again in the future, the officials and citizens of Shanxi must treat them with respect and offer an apology.
To thoroughly resolve the church incident, in the future, Chinese officials must treat the faithful equally to foreign missionaries. If they break the law, they should be punished according to the law; if they have merits, they should be promoted; they should be allowed to hold official positions just as foreigners do. As long as this approach is taken, there will be no place, whether ancient or modern, where peaceful coexistence cannot be achieved. If this is not done, it will be very difficult to expect peace and tranquility.
After this meeting, the names of all principal offenders and their accomplices involved in the chaos have been recorded. If they do not repent and dare to trouble the faithful again in the future, they will certainly face legal consequences, and there will be no forgiveness!
By the way, there were originally three Catholic denominations in Shanxi: the Baptist Church, the Congregational Church, and the Church of the Way (also known as the Learning Way Church). The seven points discussed just now were agreed upon by Ye Shouzheng and Wen Ade, representing the various denominations; they are not the personal opinions of any one individual. While this matter is primarily aimed at protecting the faithful, it is also to maintain peace in Shanxi; the two are one and the same.
If we can find a way to invite Western experts skilled in railways, mining, steel manufacturing, as well as commerce and agriculture to help us, whether as overseers or consultants, and strive to accomplish these matters, it would reflect divine goodwill and enhance friendly relations between China and foreign countries, allowing us to maintain peace forever in the future. At the same time, we can learn various skills for health preservation and disaster prevention, turning previously unused land into productive land, avoiding poverty, and ensuring a steady flow of wealth that others can't take. These ideas were proposed by Fu Xiang and Zhang Xiangshuai twenty years ago, who also believed they should be pursued, but were not accomplished for various reasons. Now, as disasters deepen, it is truly regrettable! However, it's never too late to fix things. If we truly follow the above guidelines, we can turn great disasters into great blessings. So, leaders, what are your thoughts?
According to the provisions of Article 6 of the treaty, we are to claim compensation from China. Russia requires 11,820,000 taels of silver, plus 7,000,000 taels of silver for the railway in the Eastern Provinces. Germany requires 84,000,000 taels. France requires 74,200,000 taels. The UK requires 41,000,000 taels. The US requires 35,000,000 taels. Japan requires 33,600,000 taels. Italy requires 19,600,000 taels. Belgium requires 8,400,000 taels. Austria requires 3,500,000 taels. The Netherlands requires 700,000 taels. Spain requires 420,000 taels.
In total, that amounts to 42,672,000 taels of silver. This figure is as of the end of March in the Western calendar, and since then, the compensation total increases by over 13,000,000 taels of silver each month. If we round off some minor amounts, by July 1 in the Western calendar, the total compensation would be around 45,000,000 taels of silver. Therefore, the countries agreed to set the compensation at 45,000,000 taels of silver.
On the evening of March 1st, Xu Xing, accompanied by Shou Peng, Deputy Minister Tong, and Zhou Fangbo, visited the French Minister Mr. Bi, the German Minister Mr. Mu, the British Minister Mr. Sa, and the Japanese Minister Mr. Xiaocun at the De Guan, with Mr. Lian Fang helping with the communication.
Mr. Bi said, "The reason for inviting you today is to discuss the compensation issue. May I ask how much China can repay each year?"
Xu Xing asked, "How much is the total compensation claimed by all countries?" Mr. Bi replied, "As of the first day of July, the total is forty-five million taels of silver."
Xu Xing said, "China is facing financial difficulties; since the countries are considering friendship, we should sincerely ask for a reduction in the compensation."
Mr. Bi said, "This amount has already been minimized by the countries, but the losses need to be compensated. In the future, the days may vary, and careful calculations are needed; this figure is just an estimate. Today, we primarily want to understand how much China has available to offset the debt?"
Xu Xing said, "In recent years, China's treasury income has been insufficient. You must be aware of this. I believe that the customs duties on imported goods, if calculated based on the original tax regulations, have an increased portion compared to the current prices, and merchants can still add the surplus to the product price, which won’t hurt foreign merchants and will significantly help China with its repayment."
Mr. Bi said, "We have also discussed this issue, and it seems feasible. Calculating this way, China could collect about ten million more taels of silver each year. How much silver can China collect in total from regular customs duties each year?"
Xu Xing said, "If collected by the tax department, it could collect about four to five million taels of silver each year." Mr. Bi asked, "Can it actually be handed over to the tax department for collection?"
Xu Xing said, "Most regular customs duties are overseen by the customs department and are linked to it, so they can be entrusted to the tax department for collection." Mr. Bi said, "Both the additional tax on imported goods and regular customs duties will be collected by the tax department to help cover the debt; we all agree. But it is still far from enough."
Xu Xing asked, "May I ask the countries' intentions, can the repayment period be extended for a few years?"
Mr. Bi said, "Regarding the repayment period, let’s hold off on that discussion for now; we need to see what other funds can be used to offset the debt. I have heard that China's salt tax revenue is quite significant, and if the methods can be improved, it can collect even more, is that right?"
Xu Xing said, "Reforming the salt tax is quite challenging."
Mr. Bi asked, "How much does the salt tax bring in each year?"
Xu replied: "The salt tax and salt duty collect about thirteen million taels each year. The amounts from the banks in Yichang, Hubei, and Anhui have already been used to repay foreign debts, which should total one hundred eighty thousand taels to be deducted. Additionally, Changlu sells five hundred thousand piculs of salt each year. Since last year's turmoil, foreign soldiers have been transporting salt indiscriminately, and it is reported that this number has exceeded two million piculs. In the next three years, there will be no way to sell the salt from Changlu, so where will the national tax revenue come from? Therefore, currently, the salt tax and salt duty can only account for one hundred million taels per year."
Bi said: "Then this amount can offset one hundred million taels."
Xu said: "That's not right. Our country has many expenses that require this money; we can only set aside four million taels to repay the debt."
Bi said: "I’ve heard that after the grain transport reform, we can save seven million taels of silver each year."
Xu said: "The so-called reform is merely a change in the method of grain transport. Even if it is changed to collect in cash, it definitely cannot save as much as seven million taels."
Bi asked: "How much grain is transported each year?"
Xu replied: "Around one hundred twenty-three thousand piculs."
Bi asked: "What is the rice price in the southern provinces? What are the transportation costs?"
Xu replied: "One picul of rice is about four taels of silver, and the transportation costs are about two taels. If changed to cash collection, only the transportation costs would be saved; at most, two million taels would be left. Merchants transporting rice to the capital will also certainly earn less; it is impossible to sell at the original price of the southern provinces."
Bi asked: "How much rice is transported by river? What are the transportation costs?"
Xu replied: "In recent years, river transport of rice has been only around one hundred thousand piculs. The transportation costs aren't high compared to sea transport."
Sa said: "China's method of transporting rice is incorrect, so most of the rice transported to the capital becomes moldy and spoiled, worth just one tael of silver per picul. If entrusted to foreign ships for transport, the costs aren't high, and the rice won't spoil, which can save on transport costs and help cover the compensation."
Mr. Xu said: "Changing the grain transport to pay taxes in cash is not a problem. But if it’s just by ship from Shanghai to Tianjin, we’d still need to set up a currency exchange office in Shanghai and Tianjin. If using barges, we’d need to conduct checks and inspections along the way, and finally, it must be delivered to the grain depot in the capital. Considering all this, how could we possibly gather enough for the compensation?"
Mr. Sa asked: "If all grain transport is changed to cash, how much extra money can we make?"
Master Xu replied, "I previously calculated that at most it would only be an additional two million taels. Moreover, switching to cash payments is very difficult, because along the grain transport routes, the local people in the counties would use watered-down rice or inferior grains to pass off as good rice when paying their taxes, cheating the system. The grain in the granaries spoils not only due to mold during transportation and storage. If we switch to cash payments, the common people will definitely suffer and complain, and that’s not a viable solution."
Master Sa then asked, "What’s the annual tax revenue from goods coming in and out of the capital?"
Master Xu said, "Chongwenmen used to only collect taxes on goods entering the city, with no taxes on goods leaving. The annual collection is around seven hundred thousand taels, which is not a large amount. Customs at various ports are planning to hand over tax collection to the tax authorities, leaving only Chongwenmen, which is also a way to save face for China, so this money does not need to be included in the reparations."
Master Sa said, "If customs increase import taxes, we could bring in an additional six million taels each year."
Master Xu replied, "If foreign goods can agree to the tax increase, we’d really appreciate it."
Master Bi said, "The funding for the Tongwen Institute established by the Prime Minister's Office and for the envoys sent to various countries comes from customs tax revenue, with no other sources. Shouldn’t we think about getting funds from somewhere else?"
Master Xu said, "The funding for the Tongwen Institute doesn’t have a source, and the expenses for sending envoys to various countries also have no other source. We absolutely cannot withdraw embassies just because the reparations are insufficient!"
Master Bi said, "Since the Tongwen Institute has already been established, if personnel sent abroad are reduced due to the reparations issue, other countries wouldn’t want to see that happen, so we can set that aside for now. If we reduce the military salaries, we could save about three million taels each year."
Master Xu said, "It is very difficult to reduce military spending. Even if it can be reduced, we still have to pay reparations each year, so the gap is very large. The money we save would just cover our own losses."
Master Bi asked, "How much can we save on those things each year?"
Master Xu replied, "We can save some on both naval and land military expenses, but it’s tough to pin down a specific amount ahead of time. Moreover... those... are all nominal expenses anyway, so it seems unnecessary to list specific amounts; we can just calculate how much is repaid each year. Aside from salt tax, regular tax, and increased taxes on foreign goods, any shortfall can be resolved by China itself."
Master Bi asked, "How much can we repay each year, after all?"
Master Xu said, "We can manage a maximum of fifteen million taels."
Bi took out his pen and started calculating. He looked around and said to the British and German envoys, "If that's the case, it will take sixty years; that's too long. It would be better to pay it off in thirty years." Xu replied, "Three million taels a year is utterly impossible to achieve." Bi asked, "If we raise the foreign tax to ten percent, how much more can we expect to collect each year?" Xu said, "It should exceed ten million taels." Bi replied, "In that case, raising three million taels a year wouldn’t be too hard." Xu said, "Although the foreign tax is estimated to increase to ten million taels, the sales of goods are inherently unstable. If the estimated amount is too high and we fall short later, what should we do? It’s better to calculate only six or seven million taels each year. If we end up collecting more than that, we could pay the next installment early, which would be easier." Bi asked, "Is a head tax feasible? If we collect five cents in silver per person each year, we could get twenty million taels." Xu replied, "There used to be a head tax, but it was later merged into the land tax, so the land tax is actually referred to as 'land and head tax.' If we collect taxes based on headcount again, it would be double taxation." Sa said, "We could also increase the land tax." Xu responded, "Many provinces have barren areas where the revenue is already low. If we raise taxes again, the poor might end up suffering even more, making it harder for local areas to stay stable." Sa asked, "What about a property tax?" Lao Xu said, "There were previous attempts to collect a property tax, but they all failed. Once the tax is imposed, shopkeepers tend to shut down their businesses, residents complain, and local officials have no way to handle it. So this is very difficult to manage." Lao Sa said, "I heard that domestic medicine is three times more expensive than foreign medicine. If we collect sixty taels of silver per load, we could raise over ten million!" Lao Xu replied, "The production sites of domestic medicine are scattered in the interior, making it inconvenient to collect taxes. If the tax burden is too heavy, we’ll see more tax evasion, and we might not collect much money." Lao Sa said, "Stamp tax seems feasible." Lao Xu said, "We've thought about this, but it looks like we can only test it out at trading ports. Because trading ports have a relatively open atmosphere, merchants might be willing to comply, but inland residents are used to their ways and think stamps are useless. If we send people to check everywhere, it’ll just give local officials a chance to squeeze out money, which will probably bring no benefit to national tax revenue." Lao Bi asked, "How should we go about repaying the indemnity? Should it be paid in installments over the years, or should it be settled in one lump sum through borrowing?"
Old Xu said, "It's difficult to borrow money. It would be ideal to extend the repayment period and allow for installment payments. If one or two countries urgently need cash and it creates difficulties for everyone, we can help guarantee the loan; there's nothing wrong with that. Please consider it."
Old Bi asked, "Are we asking those countries willing to extend the terms to help us borrow money?"
Old Xu replied, "I can't insist that we rely on countries willing to extend the terms to help us borrow money. I believe that countries in urgent need of cash will definitely not help us borrow money. Moreover, the countries currently facing huge payments are all wealthy, so they aren't likely to be in urgent need of cash. Therefore, it's better to extend the terms a bit, allowing China to repay in installments."
Old Bi asked, "Why are they willing to repay in installments but unwilling to lend money?"
Mr. Xu said, "I want to repay the money and have no desire to borrow again. Because all countries value friendship, there's no need to play favorites with one or two countries just to secure a loan. Furthermore, if we borrow a large sum from just one country, they certainly won't provide a long repayment period, so it’s better to distribute it among various countries."
By this time, it was getting late. The host served tea and snacks to treat the guests. After the snacks, everyone said their goodbyes and went home.
According to reports, the envoys from different countries chose the French envoy to speak first, so the French envoy spoke quite a bit. The two gentlemen, as all the envoys had Mr. Xu take the top seat, although everyone contributed to the important discussions, ultimately, it was Mr. Xu who responded.
On November 3rd, I received the twelve treaties that you all and the envoys from various countries had discussed together. It is clear that everyone sincerely wants to be friends with China, and I’m really happy! I immediately telegraphed these twelve treaties to the Emperor, who quickly replied, "All twelve proposals are approved!" Then on the 17th, I received the treaty texts that you sent, along with Minister Ge's note, which stated: "For the specific implementation details of these important clauses, we hope that your country's ministers can discuss them promptly so that we can respond in person and avoid delays." I immediately signed and sealed it according to the Emperor's orders.
China has agreed to these twelve treaties, which should satisfy your countries' demands. According to the final clause of the treaties, we should withdraw our stationed troops from the capital region. However, before we withdraw the troops, it’s crucial to stop all hostilities and not send troops to harass or intimidate the common people in various provinces and counties! We also need to discuss the other specific details thoroughly. Below, I will list them out one by one: First, regarding the matter of German envoy Klinde, we’ll take care of it as agreed.
Well, on September 25th, which is the 2nd day of the eighth lunar month, a decree was issued to severely punish those ministers. The memorial stated that according to the treaties signed by the envoys of various countries, they must be punished accordingly, whether lightly or severely, in accordance with the provisions of the treaties. The memorial also mentioned that towns that mistreated foreigners within the past five years cannot hold civil and military examinations. This involves many areas under prefectures, departments, counties, and townships that need thorough investigation. Those places that mistreated foreigners must be dealt with according to the regulations. This refers to the provincial examinations for students, while the metropolitan examinations are conducted collectively by all provinces. Places that mistreated foreigners must be thoroughly investigated and handled accordingly, while other places without such incidents can proceed with the exams as usual, to differentiate between good and bad, acting as both a warning and a punishment.
Next, the third item, regarding Secretary Nishiyama Akira from Japan, will be handled as previously discussed. The fourth item, concerning the erection of tombstones, will also be handled as previously discussed. The fifth item, regarding the arms and various materials for manufacturing arms being imported into China, according to the treaties later established by various countries, remains prohibited from being imported into China. However, the issue is that bandits are rampant throughout mainland China, each armed with foreign guns and cannons. If the Chinese defense forces do not have sophisticated weapons, it will be difficult to suppress them. If the bandits cause trouble, both Chinese and foreign merchants will suffer. Therefore, we should consider setting a deadline; once the deadline is reached, purchases should still be allowed. Regarding the various materials for arms manufacturing, there are many types that the country genuinely needs, and the General Administration must report at any time and approve purchases.
The sixth item is that our country needs to come up with a way to formulate a financial plan that all countries can accept to ensure the payment of reparations. This matter of reparations must consider our country's capacity to handle it; either extend the repayment period or appropriately reduce the amount of reparations. In short, it needs to be well planned. Other countries are very clear about our country’s fiscal revenue and expenditure; this time, the reparations represent an additional strain. If we can find ways to increase revenue, such as raising tariffs, mineral taxes, and introducing postal stamp taxes, many countries are doing this now, and we hope neighboring countries will agree.
The seventh item is that countries will send troops to protect embassies, and the areas surrounding the embassies will be defended by themselves; our citizens are not allowed to reside within the embassy area. The issue of troop deployment needs to be discussed in terms of personnel numbers, and detailed regulations must be established so that both soldiers and civilians can live in peace and avoid cross-border disturbances. The boundaries of the embassy area must clearly define where it starts and ends, including the official buildings within, and the boundaries must be surveyed first to inform the residents there to relocate.
The eighth item is concerning the Dagu Fort; anything that obstructs the shipping lanes should be removed fairly.
Article 9: In the passage from Beijing to the seaside, the countries are in discussions to designate several locations for troop deployment for defense. The total number of troops stationed and their division in different locations must be agreed upon by the countries to alleviate any fears of nearby residents. The primary aim of stationing troops is to safeguard officials and merchants from various countries while ensuring that local Chinese residents can travel freely. Our nation will also make every effort to ensure the safety of people from all nations, guaranteeing safety along the route from Beijing to the seaside, and absolutely not interrupting it. If, after one or two years, the countries feel that our protective measures are adequate, troops may be withdrawn according to the situation.
Part One: Responsibilities of Local Officials to Protect Foreign Nationals
Article 10 stipulates that officials in various provinces have the duty to protect foreign nationals within their jurisdiction. If there is another incident harming foreign nationals, it must be promptly addressed and penalized; otherwise, the relevant officials will be dismissed and never rehired. Chinese local officials have repeatedly received strict orders and already bear the responsibility to protect people of all nations. If incidents harming foreign merchants and nationals occur again, they must face severe legal consequences. However, this riot was indeed caused by conflicts between the public and missionaries. To prevent future incidents, we should collaboratively develop detailed peace regulations as formal provisions, to avoid frequent occurrences, alleviate the suffering of the people, and prevent officials from being overwhelmed.
Part Two: Amendments to Commercial Affairs
Article 11 stipulates that for matters concerning trade, shipping, and commercial affairs in various regions, if modifications are beneficial to both parties, China is willing to discuss amendments with the countries. The proposed modifications from the countries aim to enhance the mutual interests of China and its partners. Any actions that jeopardize China's interests, the livelihoods of merchants, or tax revenues are undesirable to all parties involved. If the modifications benefit both parties, China will certainly agree to discuss amendments.
Part Three: Protocol for Audience with the Emperor and Other Considerations.
Article 12 stipulates that the etiquette for various countries to meet the Chinese emperor, if any modifications are necessary, should be determined through temporary consultations between both parties. The above provisions are based on the terms proposed by the ministers, along with our input, and are detailed explanations without any other changes. If the ministers deem it appropriate after joint discussion, they can attach (missing text here) the above notes to the proposed terms as the basis for future negotiations. The Ministry of Personnel's suggestion regarding the withdrawal of troops stationed in the Beijing area, except for those stationed in the capital to protect the embassy and as deemed necessary for the situation, should have a date for the complete withdrawal determined as soon as possible for all troops in the capital and in places like Baoding and Tianjin. All palaces, city walls, government offices, and warehouses occupied in Beijing, Tianjin, Baoding, etc., should be returned to China. We hope that all countries will maintain friendly relations with China, and we kindly ask for your approval to implement this.
◇ Compensation Regulations for All Countries
First, to obtain compensation, it must be proven that the damaged property was caused by the Boxer rebels last summer. (1)
Compensation claims are categorized into three types: first, compensation from various countries; second, compensation from various industries and foreigners; third, compensation for Chinese employed by foreigners. (2)
All damaged properties must be detailed in a list to facilitate the claims process. (3)
The claim list should be submitted to the minister of the respective country; if it involves multiple countries, it should be submitted to the highest-ranking minister. Once the minister verifies the list and confirms compliance with regulations, it should be directly submitted to the Chinese government for compensation without needing to specify further details. (4)
All properties eligible for compensation must be listed at their actual prices. Compensation may accrue interest at a rate of 5% for civilians and 7% for businesses. Interest cannot accrue further until the principal has been fully paid. Only items that were destroyed and comply with the stipulations of Article 7 are eligible for interest payments. Interest is calculated from the date of destruction. (5)
If goods from various industries and foreigners were requisitioned by order of military officials for storage in military camps, then that country or the military official must provide written proof; in such cases, claims cannot be made against China. Damaged property must provide conclusive evidence: a list prepared according to the laws of the respective country must be submitted to the country's minister for verification, ensuring there are no issues before making claims to the Chinese government. (6)
Damaged items must have proof submitted that they were indeed owned before the incident, which should be presented to the minister of the claimant's country for verification. If the minister finds no issues, compensation can be claimed from the Chinese government. The owner's occupation and past income may also be considered for valuation. (7) Compensation amounts will be assessed based on the market price at that time. (8) Regardless of which country or individual, a list must be submitted in accordance with the above terms to claim compensation. (9) ◇ A notice from the envoys of various countries to the plenipotentiary ministers requesting the punishment of the culprits and the exoneration of the affected ministers Here’s the situation: regarding the riot and murder case in Beijing, the plenipotentiary ministers from various countries discussed it thoroughly yesterday, listing the names of the guilty ministers and specifying the severe punishments each should face. Your court ministers' opinions on this matter have been noted and carefully considered by the plenipotentiary ministers from various countries. This document conveys the final decision of the plenipotentiary ministers to you. In the future, any crimes committed by outsiders cannot be used to excuse or justify this incident. Your court ministers have suggested that Prince Zai Xun take his own life, and the ministers from various countries have agreed. As for Prince Zai Yi and Duke Zai Lan, the ministers from various countries believe they should be executed without delay; if the Emperor shows mercy, the punishment could be reduced to exile in remote Xinjiang, with permanent imprisonment, and absolutely no further reduction in sentence. Ying Nian must be executed immediately. Gang Yi should also be sentenced to immediate execution; although he is already dead, the culpability remains the same as if he were alive and facing execution. Zhao Shu Qiao should also be executed immediately. Your court ministers have stated that Yu Xian must be executed immediately, and the ministers from various countries are in unanimous agreement. As for Dong Fu Xiang, the opinions of your court ministers have been documented by the ministers from various countries for future judgments; the ministers think it would be more effective to swiftly strip him of his military power, as this would be simpler. Li Bing Heng and Xu Tong should both be sentenced to immediate execution; although they are both dead, the culpability remains the same as if they were alive and facing execution. Xu Cheng Yu and Qi Xiu should both be executed immediately.
Regarding the decree for the sentencing of the criminals, the ministers from various countries believe it should be sent out immediately, and the execution date needs to be set quickly. Whether within or outside of Beijing, ministers from various countries will send people to supervise the execution. This shows that the representatives from various countries have been pretty lenient and haven't made too many demands. In short, it has been two months since the murder of the foreign envoy and the secretary, and they’ve been leading officials and soldiers to attack foreign lands, churches, and embassies; they’ve also cunningly set traps to lure foreigners out of Beijing to Tianjin, intending to harm them on the way; and they’ve used their strong hatred of violations of international law, which have resulted in many deaths, as a justification for the execution of officials. Now, the ministers of various countries are just focusing on this issue, with almost no further demands. I'm passing this along again for the representatives of various countries.
The last paragraph of the treaty, as well as the contents mentioned in the document dated January 26 in the Western calendar (i.e., December 7 in the Chinese calendar), and the military situation mentioned in your court's communication dated January 16 in the Western calendar (i.e., November 26 in the Chinese calendar), if the representatives of various countries take a close look at this, China should first agree to and implement the demands of the ministers from various countries. That's the whole message.
Well, according to your request, I have translated this passage into modern spoken Chinese while retaining the original text of the poetry and couplets.
First, this concerns the continued handling of official documents. In previous official documents, we've already talked about how to punish foreign officials who broke the law in Beijing and submitted memorials for rebuttal. Last year, during the turmoil in Beijing, some officials who were strongly against violations of the law were brutally murdered, and this has been recorded. Now, the plenipotentiaries of various countries have decided: the five officials Xu Yongyi, Xu Jingcheng, Yuan Chang, Lian Yuan, and Li Shan should all be immediately reinstated to their original positions to show vindication and compensation, reflecting the values of fairness and justice. This is hereby communicated, and I believe the Chinese side will definitely be on board with this. If there are similar victimized officials in other provinces, in the future, when the plenipotentiaries of various countries ask your court to issue orders regarding the crimes listed in the previous official documents, they can also announce the decree for the reinstatement of the above five officials. This needs to be communicated.
Next is the letter of plenary authorization. This letter serves as proof of communication between the plenipotentiary ministers and countries such as England, France, Russia, Germany, the United States, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Japan.
The Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty decrees: In order to enhance friendship with various countries, I hereby appoint the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Yi Kuan, Grand Scholar of Wenhua Hall, Governor-General of Zhili, Minister of Beiyang, and First-Class Baron Li Hongzhang as the first-class plenipotentiary ministers, to jointly discuss matters with the plenipotentiary ministers dispatched by various countries, to act at their discretion, to determine treaty terms, and to sign and seal with full authority. These two ministers are loyal to the state and have made outstanding contributions; they will certainly be able to handle affairs prudently and establish diplomatic relations, not betraying my trust. I will personally review the treaties, and if they are satisfactory, I will approve them. Special decree.
Finally, the envoys of various countries stationed in Beijing once again request a notification for the punishment of the principal offenders, as well as two lists.
Regarding the notification matter. Concerning the names of officials who have committed crimes in the provinces and have been punished, and how to issue notifications, the second clause concerning severe punishment will be determined by the plenipotentiary ministers, which has been communicated multiple times.
On the fifth of the second month, the seventeenth of the twelfth month of the Gengzi year, when we held the meeting, we once again stated on record. All ministers, we are sending you the list of offenders you identified, with two copies attached for your consideration: one is for those you have confirmed with solid evidence and how they should be severely punished; the other is for those accused of serious crimes with solid evidence, requesting the Chinese side to handle separately. Ministers, please submit your requests according to the situation on the list, to issue decrees separately to resolve this matter. The investigation should be swiftly executed by the Chinese side. After the investigation is completed, according to the wishes of all ministers, based on Article 10 of the agreed terms, issue decrees on the convictions of each offender and how to severely punish them, to be publicly posted. This approach will enable a much earlier resolution than your original plan of waiting for the completion of Article 20 of the agreed terms, and it can be executed sooner. This is a necessary notification.
March 31, 1901, the twelfth of the second month of the Xinchou year.
List of confirmed serious offenders recommended for severe punishment (list)
Shanxi
Bai Chang of Yangqu County was a henchman of Yu Xian. In June of the 26th year of Guangxu, he tricked and murdered over forty Western men, women, and children in Taiyuan. He deserves to be executed immediately.
Zheng Wenqin of the Guizhou provincial government conspired to murder a British officer, a foreign bishop, and four Catholics, and fourteen Protestant missionaries. His crime should be immediately punished by execution.
Xu Jiru of the Fen Prefecture pretended to agree to escort Western missionaries out of the country but secretly instructed people to kill ten men, women, and children, including Father Luo, in Wenshui County on July 12. He should be dismissed from his position and sentenced to death; if he is spared, he should at least be exiled to the frontier, never allowed to return.
Huang Tingguang of Hejin County led a group to chase and kill a family of seven Christians on June 20: the Mi couple and their children, as well as the Rong couple, Miss Jin, and Miss Dong, at Qingjiawan, which was under his jurisdiction. This crime is serious enough for him to receive severe punishment: he should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never to return!
Ma Wuguan of Taiyuan was involved in the killings of Christians there. His guilt is clear; he should be dismissed and banned from holding office for life!
Shi Fengqi, the garrison commander of Taiyuan, captured and tortured a Catholic priest to death. This crime is utterly heinous; he should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never to return!
The magistrate of Xiaoyi County was responsible for the deaths of two foreign female Christians, Miss Wei and Miss Su, on the fourth day of June. He should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never to return!
The magistrate of Daining County failed to protect three members of the Nie sisters and Miss Qi, who were murdered by bandits under his watch. He should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never to return!
In Zezhou Prefecture, several British Christians fleeing from Pingyao and Lucheng passed through here, and he failed to assist them. He should be dismissed and never allowed to hold office again!
In Lucheng County, where he governs, Christians were left unprotected, causing them to encounter numerous dangers during their escape. Dismissed; he will never hold office again in this lifetime!
Wang Dailin of Gaoping County paid no attention to the Christians fleeing from Pingyao and Lucheng. Dismissed; he will never hold office again in this lifetime!
Enshun of Changzi County similarly turned a blind eye to the British Christians fleeing from Pingyao and Lucheng, even abusing them. Dismissed; he will never hold office again in this lifetime!
The governor of Xizhou even called on the Boxer bandits to enter the city, resulting in several British Christians being driven out and killed in Quwo County. Dismissed; he will never hold office again in this lifetime, and he should be exiled to the borders, never to return!
The magistrate of Quwo County offered no protection to the Christians in his jurisdiction, and even allowed a Christian family of three to be abused to death. Dismissed, exiled to the borders, never to return!
The magistrate of Yueyang County ignored the fact that two foreign missionaries were killed by the Boxers in his jurisdiction; he did nothing at all about it. A sin! He should be dismissed and never hold office again in this lifetime!
Qin Jianhu, the magistrate of Shouyang County, captured and abused British missionaries within his territory, and even escorted them to Taiyuan without giving them any food or drink, leading to their starvation. A sin! He should be dismissed and exiled to the borders, never to return!
Mao Shifu, the judge of Hohhot, and Fan Enqing, the judge of Tokto City, both put bounties on capturing or outright killing foreigners and Chinese Christians. In the two cities under their jurisdiction, over 1,500 Christians were killed, using extremely brutal methods! They should be dismissed and executed immediately! If they are fortunate enough to survive, at the very least, they should be exiled to the borders, never to return!
In Ningyuan Prefecture, prison warden Li Minghe handed over the Catholic bishop to the soldiers to be killed. Sinful! Should be dismissed and put to death! If they are fortunate enough to survive, they should at the very least be exiled to the border and never allowed to return!
General Yongde in Suiyuan City and Deputy Commander Kui Cheng in Guihua City were both the masterminds behind the tragic incidents in those areas! Four Catholic missionaries were killed by their soldiers. Sinful! Should be dismissed and locked away for good!
Acting magistrate Guo Zhishu in Guihua City led over three hundred soldiers on July 26th last year to attack the Ironwood Gully Church, where ten missionaries were shot and burned to death, and the remaining four missionaries who fled to Huanghuakou Inn three miles away were caught and killed as well. Sinful! Should be put to death! If they are fortunate enough to survive, they should at the very least be exiled to the border and never allowed to return!
The county magistrate in Yuci County was also involved in the case of killing foreign missionaries. Sinful! Should be dismissed and never allowed to hold office again!
Hu Dexiu in Taigu County, on July 6th, had all foreigners in his jurisdiction killed. Sinful! Should be dismissed, exiled to the border, and never allowed to return!
In Datong, Yang (name missing here), in the area under his jurisdiction, six Christian missionaries (both men and women) were all killed. Sinful! Should be dismissed and never allowed to hold office again!
The county magistrate in Taiyuan, responsible for the deaths of many believers, should be dismissed and never allowed to hold office again.
The county magistrates in Ningxiang and a neighboring county all incited the Boxers to kill missionaries and believers. They should be dismissed and never allowed to hold office again.
The King of Alashan in Mongolia expelled the Catholic missionaries from Gansu, worthy of condemnation. The King of Kharakha encouraged the mistreatment of believers, worthy of condemnation. And the King of Darat killed over eight hundred believers, deserving of dethronement and imprisoned for life!
The military officials Zhang Jinsheng, Yang Bazong, He Shao, Xu Datian, and a certain Officer Liu from Ningtiao Liang in Gansu are all leaders of the Boxers. They led the Boxers in besieging a church in Xiaojiao Pan for 49 days, killing a Catholic priest. They should all be dismissed and held accountable!
Wen Xing from Luanping County ordered soldiers to bury 11 Western Catholics alive, then throw their bodies into the water. When the believers retrieved the bodies to bury them, he had the bodies dug up and thrown back into the water. He should be executed!
Yulu from Zhili recently caused trouble; he is the main instigator! He led soldiers and Boxers in Tianjin to attack people of various countries, killing foreigners. A nationwide decree has been issued! He should be stripped of his titles and his family assets confiscated!
Gentleman Zuo Luoling from Wangxiaocun was ordered by the county magistrate to go out of the city to persuade the Boxers to retreat when they were about to attack Wuyi County. Instead, he spread rumors and incited chaos. When the city gates opened, the Boxers rushed in and killed two Catholic priests. He should face imprisonment!
Zhang Bingzhe, who was transferred from Wuyi County to Qingyuan County, openly sheltered the Boxers and permitted them to wreak havoc in Shenzhou, Hejian, and other places. He should be dismissed and executed! Even if he is spared, he should be exiled to the border and never allowed to return!
The magistrate Chen Zelin from Jiangxi, when he was in Jingzhou, was invited by the local prefect Hong Shoupeng to join in the attack on the gathering place of Catholic believers in Zhu Jiahe, resulting in the deaths of two Catholic priests. He should be dismissed and barred from any future promotions.
Hong Shoupeng, the prefect of Jingzhou, actually invited Chen Zelin to join in the attack on the Catholic believers in Zhu Jiahe. He cannot escape responsibility! He should be dismissed and barred from any future promotions.
Wang Liansan from Daming Prefecture, Miao Yuke from Daming County, and Wang Jinyang from Yuancheng County all drove away the Catholic priests in their jurisdictions, robbed them, and deliberately set them up to be harmed. All three of them should be dismissed and barred from any future promotions.
In Nanyue County, Gong Ying drove the Catholic priests out of the officialdom and even deliberately created opportunities for them to be attacked. His crime is just as serious; he should be dismissed and never rise through the ranks again.
The county magistrate of Qingyuan County actually refused to protect the fleeing British Catholic priests; this is simply dereliction of duty! He should be dismissed and never rise through the ranks again.
Li Zhao-zhen from Wangdu County even mistreated the fleeing British Catholic priests; this is simply inhumane! He should be dismissed and never rise through the ranks again!
Chang Cui, the Deputy Minister of Granary, actually became the leader of the Boxer bandits in Tongzhou; this is simply outrageous! He should be dismissed and never rise through the ranks again!
The situation in the three eastern provinces is even more serious: On the sixth day of the sixth month, Jin Chang, the Deputy Governor of Shengjing, actually allowed soldiers and Boxer bandits to kill four foreign Catholic priests, two Chinese Catholic priests, and many believers. This is a heinous crime! He should be dismissed and executed immediately, without hesitation! If he can be spared, he should be exiled to the frontier and never allowed to return!
Chen Mu, the magistrate of Liaoyang Prefecture, actually killed a Chinese Catholic priest and many believers! He should be dismissed and given a life sentence!
Chang Laode, the leader of the militia from the duck factory, was also involved in the incident on the fifth day of the sixth month when three Catholic priests were killed. He should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never to return!
The Deputy Governor of Heilongjiang is also involved in the killing of three Catholic priests! He should be dismissed immediately and exiled to the frontier, never to return!
The Deputy Governor of Hulan City, Ah (missing character), actually refused to protect the Catholic priests, leading to their harm, and even displayed the head of the murdered priest at the temple gate! He should be dismissed and never rise through the ranks again!
Bayan Susu'e, an official, wanted to kill two missionaries as soon as he took office. Fortunately, a local official intervened to save them. In his anger, he went to the Xiaoshitou River Church, dug up the bodies of foreign missionaries buried there thirteen years ago, burned the church, and caused harm to the congregation. This matter warrants dismissal and execution. If he is spared, at the very least he should be exiled to the borderlands and never allowed to return.
Yulin San, the governor of Hunan Province, intervened in the killing of two Catholic missionaries in Hengzhou Prefecture. He should be dismissed and never employed again.
Hengzhou Daolongwen, those two killed Catholic missionaries had written to him for protection before, but he not only failed to protect them but also incited public outrage, which led to the missionaries being blinded and brutally murdered. He should be dismissed and executed. If he is spared, at the very least he should be exiled to the borderlands and never allowed to return.
Yueqing in Hengzhou Prefecture and Zheng Bing in Qingquan County, these two not only refused to protect the missionaries but also aided wrongdoers and even participated in the atrocities. Yueqing even issued a notice of contract violation, which resulted in the destruction of the Jesus Church. They both should be dismissed and never employed again.
Yandao Bao Zuling in Jinqiu, Zhejiang, is clearly someone who harbors hostility towards foreigners. He incited bandits to murder numerous foreigners in Quzhou. He had the ability to protect them but refused, allowing the bandits to first insult and then murder the Tang family of four and the Shima Dai family of three, a total of seven people, in front of the Daoist office. Afterwards, he reported the incident to the authorities, praising the bandits for their actions as just! He should be executed. If he is spared, at the very least he should be exiled to the borderlands and never allowed to return.
Zhou Zhide, the city defense commander of Quzhou Prefecture, was complicit in this matter. He was not only the mastermind but also personally led the bandits to commit a range of atrocities. He deserves to be executed!
Governor Liu Shutang of Zhejiang conveyed secret orders to kill foreign nationals, so the brutal events were entirely caused by him. Although he was later lightly punished and removed from office, it was already too late; he remained in Zhejiang for four months after the upheaval, and aside from dismissing important officials, he failed to arrest a single criminal. He should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never allowed to return.
Former Inspector Rong Quan also conveyed secret orders to kill foreign nationals, making him one of the key instigators behind this turmoil. Now in Hangzhou, he leads those who harbor animosity towards foreigners, and he does not hide his discriminatory behavior at all. He should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never allowed to return.
Former General Yu Junming of Quzhou killed many Westerners on June 25 right at the entrance of the Dao office. At that time, he and Bao Dao were in the office, and although he had five thousand soldiers under his command, he took no measures before the attack, which serves as evidence of his complicity in the bandits' actions that resulted in the tragedy. He should be dismissed and exiled to the frontier, never allowed to return.
Former Prefect Hong Siliang of Quzhou refused to protect the believers in this case and did not put in any effort, only being present in the Dao office that day. He should be dismissed and barred from holding office ever again.
The gentlemen of Quzhou, Zheng Liansheng, Zheng Yongxi, and Luo Laosi, were the key conspirators in this matter. They should all be dismissed.
In Sichuan, Li Changpei, the governor of Qiongzhou, condoned the looting of churches and killed many believers. He should be dismissed and barred from holding office ever again.
Wang Jiyin of Jianchang Dao, Luo Dingzhi, the county magistrate of Mingshan, former Prefect Wang Zhitong of Yazhou, and Li Nianzi, all stubbornly refused to protect the missionaries and handled the church cases unjustly. They should all be dismissed and permanently barred from public office.
The Minister stationed in Tibet, Qing Shan, upon taking office, informed officials along the way to expel Westerners from the country and eliminate the believers, causing unrest in Litang. Although he has already died, his official rank should be posthumously revoked.
Luo Fanglin, a man from Sinan Prefecture, Guizhou, is a dismissed military official. He attacked the believers in Longquan and Sinan Prefecture, causing the deaths of more than twenty people; he is the mastermind of this incident. Upon hearing about the troubles in Zhili Province, he immediately led a group to raid and destroy the homes of the believers, even killing some of them. This crime is serious enough for him to serve a long prison sentence!
Yin from Nanyang Town in Henan particularly harbors hatred against the believers, being fierce and violent, causing considerable suffering to the believers in Henan. He is to be held accountable for this matter. He demolished a Catholic priest's church and posted notices of breach of contract; this was all his doing. Therefore, he should be dismissed and should never hold an official position again!
Li Ruoxian from Xindian incited public sentiment, nearly leading to the death of the priest mentioned earlier. If the priest hadn't escaped quickly, he would definitely have been killed. Li Ruoxian should also be dismissed!
The governor of Shanxi, who was previously the inspector of Henan, Yan Zhi, issued orders everywhere, filled with hatred towards foreigners. Such a person should also be dismissed and should never hold an official position again!
A certain county magistrate in Henan treated the British priest fleeing from Henan to Hubei with hostility, treating them harshly. He too must be dismissed and should never hold an official position again!
An official in Rongze County refused to accept the British priests who were escorted from Wuzhi County, causing those priests to suffer greatly and face various dangers. He too must be dismissed and should never hold an official position again!
The pastoral official in Zhengzhou treated the British priests fleeing from Pingyao and Lucheng with extreme harshness when they passed through Zhengzhou. He too must be dismissed and should never hold an official position again!
Lin, the magistrate of Xihua County, repeatedly refused to protect the priests within his jurisdiction, leading to their expulsion and the loss of all their belongings. He must also be dismissed and should never hold an official position again!
Wang, the Assistant Magistrate of Chen Prefecture, refused to protect the priest, which led to the chaos in June. After the priest was expelled, he nearly lost his life. He was also dismissed from office and will never hold an official position again!
Cen Chunrong of Hubei Province posted defamatory notices that incited officials and civilians to harbor resentment towards Western religions. He was also dismissed from office and will never hold an official position again!
The magistrates of Hua County, Che County, and Anyang County looted the church and its belongings and set fire to the church building. Their actions warrant dismissal and investigation, and they will never hold an official position again in the future.
The former magistrate of Weihui Prefecture actually killed believers! His conduct warrants dismissal and investigation, and he will never hold an official position again in the future. Chen Shiwei, the magistrate in Wuan County, went even further, allowing the dismemberment of a deceased priest's body that was exhumed by the locals and leaving the body on the roadside. His actions justify dismissal and investigation, and he will never hold an official position again in the future.
The governor of Jiangxi, Song Shou, in accordance with the imperial decree, set fire to the church and sent people to burn, kill, and loot the church under the guise of recruiting soldiers. His conduct warrants dismissal and investigation, and he will never hold an official position again in the future. Deng Xuanyou from Nanfeng County refused to acknowledge the complaints from the believers and encouraged the people to harm the believers. His actions justify dismissal and investigation, and he will never hold an official position again in the future. Weng Baoren from Nancheng County ordered the church to be demolished. His actions warrant dismissal and investigation, and he will never hold an official position again in the future.
In Shandong, there is also the Inspector of Hunan, Hu Jinggui, who used to be the Inspector of Shandong. This old scoundrel harbors animosity towards foreigners and has been sabotaging efforts, colluding with other officials to desperately protect the Boxers, trying to shirk responsibility for the massacre of Christians. This offense is serious enough to warrant dismissal and investigation. He should never expect to hold an official position again. Qin Yingkui of En County shielded the Boxers, openly displayed animosity towards foreigners, and watched as local Christians were brutally murdered. This offense is also enough to warrant dismissal and investigation; he should never expect to hold an official position again. Tu Naixun from Xiangjin County condoned and protected the Boxers, failed to protect the residence of American missionary Hejiatun, and allowed Christians to be abused. This offense is also enough to warrant dismissal and investigation; he should never expect to hold an official position again.
Next is the list of other officials accused, requiring further investigation: including Mongolia… A Duo… Du Shalaqi Shake, Duoerjia, Geluoqi, Suonolaqi Jiaragushi Lu… Na, Fei Damo, Mo Gehai… Du Shalaqi Jia, Yingluoqi A, Qie Erduola, Er Dangbalin Jia, Langya Er Bin Sang,… Jiasha,… Jage Geluoqi… These eleven individuals have all threatened missionaries, unable to act within the church; they intended to kill them separately in other places.
In Shuangliu County, Sichuan, Gong Dingbao, in Pixian, Huang Shuxun, in Guanyin County, Wang Huzhou, in Chongqing, Chen Zhaotang, in Wenjiang County, Zhou Qingren, in Chongning County, Chen Dingxun, in Nanbu County, Yuan Yongbin, and in Dayi County, Zhao Suizhi, these eight individuals stood by as over five hundred Christian households had their homes and belongings ransacked by bandits, and the Christians were harmed and killed, with churches also being burned down.
Wang Dianjia of Yibin County has been reported for inciting hatred against Western teachings and exacerbating the chaos. Wen Kui of Xuzhou Prefecture turned a blind eye to this lawlessness in Yibin County.
Zhang Jihui from Shusinang Prefecture in Guizhou has always opposed Western teachings. Jiwen from Longquan County is fiercely antagonistic towards Western teachings, permitting Luo Fanglin to bring bandits into the area to cause trouble. When church members requested him to uphold justice and suppress the bandits, he bluntly told them that they lived in remote areas and were asking for trouble by following Western teachings, and he would not protect them.
The British consul in Hankou claims that Fu Fengyang from Nanyang Prefecture in Henan harbors animosity towards foreigners. Zhang Ling from Nanyang County is guilty of murdering church members and destroying their homes and property.
Ren Yuchen from Fuliang County, despite multiple requests for protection, refused to protect the churches in Jingdezhen, Xijiang, and Liudian, which led to the destruction of all three churches by fire. Xu Daopei from Ji'an Prefecture allowed local gentry to attack churches and church members. He Mingliang, a military officer in Ganzhou, also refused to send troops to protect the churches when local officials requested his assistance.
Tu Chunnian, the official in charge of Ganzhou and Ningdao, was asked by Liu Zhijun to issue a notice to protect Westerners, but he stubbornly refused to put it up in the two prefectures of Ganznan. What’s worse, he ignored the frequent conflicts in the two prefectures of Ganznan and took no action whatsoever.
In Nanchang County, scholars Huang Xizu, Xie Gantang, Linsheng Ma Jin, and Jiansheng Mei Suqing sent people to demolish churches.
In Nanchang County, martial artist Shan Bingyao, along with students Li Taihe, Shan Yin, Xiao Tingjie, and Shan Buao, were even more brutal, leading a group of bandits to places like... (text missing here)... and Weishui Bridge, tearing down both the churches and the homes of church members.
Lin Sheng Lin Xiangju, Lin Maoxiu, Lu Jiaru, and Lu Mingsheng from Lixixian stirred up local residents to loot churches and cause trouble.
Shi Shou from Linjiang Prefecture, Wen Ling from Shanggao County, and gentry Liang Feipeng and Zhang Wenlan also encouraged bandits to rob and cause chaos.
Xu Handu of Taiyuan Prefecture in Shanxi, following Yu Xian's orders, executed all the Western missionaries there, sparing none. This is nothing short of complicity!
On December 24, 1900, which was the third day of the eleventh month in the lunar calendar, Mr. Ge, the Spanish envoy representing the Chinese government, along with other foreign envoys, formally presented the twelve provisions of the peace agreement to the Chinese plenipotentiary Prince Qing Li Hongzhang. This draft was written in four languages: French, English, German, and Chinese, with French being the authoritative version and Chinese as the translated version. The translated Chinese text is as follows:
In the months of May, June, July, and August of this year, which corresponds to the months of April, May, June, and July of the twenty-sixth year of Guangxu's reign (1900), severe disturbances occurred in northern China, with extremely heinous crimes unprecedented in history. These actions blatantly violated international law and the principles of justice and morality. The following are some particularly serious incidents:
First, on June 20, which was the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar, Baron von Ketteler, the German ambassador to China, was killed by Qing officials on his way to the Prime Minister's office.
Second, on the same day, the embassies in Beijing were surrounded and attacked by Qing officials and Boxer rebels acting under imperial orders. It was not until August 14, which was the twentieth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, that the foreign legations were rescued by the allied forces. Ironically, the Chinese government had assured foreign governments that the embassies would be protected.
Third, on June 11, which was the fifteenth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar, Secretary Sugiyama of the Japanese legation in China was killed by Qing officials at the city gate while on official business. Additionally, foreign nationals residing in Beijing and various provinces were subjected to brutal killings, abuse, and sieges by Boxer rebels and officials; they managed to survive only by desperately resisting. Their houses were almost all burned down.
Fourth, the graves of foreign nationals in China were desecrated, especially severe in Beijing. The graves were excavated, leaving the bones exposed.
Due to the series of events that occurred earlier, to protect the lives of foreign diplomats and citizens in China and to restore order, countries sent troops. As a result, when the allied forces entered Beijing, they faced resistance from the Chinese army and could only fight back bravely. Later, China expressed remorse, acknowledged its mistakes, and was willing to make amends for the negative consequences of this incident, so the powers agreed to China's request. However, the countries discussed and decided that important, unchangeable terms must be established to prevent future occurrences. Now, I will list these terms:
Article 1: Regarding the murder of German Minister Klind, the Chinese emperor shall send a royal envoy to the German capital to express deep apologies on behalf of China. A monument shall be erected at the site of Klind's murder, matching the specifications of his rank, and the inscription shall be written in Latin, German, and Chinese, expressing the emperor's sorrow over this crime.
Article 2: According to the edict issued on September 25 (the third day of the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar), in the future, those identified by the diplomats of various countries in Beijing as participants in the unrest shall be severely punished according to the severity of their crimes, to honor the victims. Towns where foreign nationals were killed or insulted shall not hold any civil or military examinations for five years.
Article 3: Because Japanese Embassy Secretary Sugiyama Akira was harmed, China must formally apologize to the Japanese government.
Article 4: In areas within China where graves of various countries have been desecrated or excavated, monuments shall be established to symbolize China's commitment to rectify the shame.
Article 5: All individuals and institutions from various countries, as well as Chinese people working for foreigners, who have suffered personal injuries and property damage as a result of these recent events, shall be compensated fairly by China. China must formulate a financial plan acceptable to all countries to ensure how to compensate for all the aforementioned losses and how to repay national debts.
Article 7: Each country must send troops to secure their embassies and take responsibility for their surrounding defense. Chinese nationals are prohibited from living near the embassies.
Article 8: From Beijing to Haikou, a clear and unobstructed route must be maintained. All obstacles to this route, including the Dagu Fort, must be removed.
Article 9: In order to ensure a smooth and unobstructed passage from Beijing to Haikou, countries may decide to station troops for self-defense at several locations.
Article 10: The Chinese government must post notices in all provinces, states, and counties announcing the above two provisions, so that everyone knows, and permanently prohibits any military or civilian hostility towards foreign embassies. Those found guilty will face the death penalty. Those who commit crimes, kill or abuse foreigners, as well as towns where such incidents have occurred, must suspend the imperial examinations. The Chinese emperor must issue an edict to inform provincial governors, military and civil officials, and officials at all levels that they are responsible for maintaining local security. If riots occur again and harm foreigners, or if treaties are violated again, they must be swiftly suppressed and punished. Otherwise, the officials involved will be dismissed and never rehired. No excuses are allowed, and no rewards can be given.
Article 11: All treaties concerning commerce and navigation, as well as other matters related to commerce, can be amended if other countries find it more beneficial, and China is willing to negotiate modifications with them.
Article 12: The General Affairs Office of each country must be reformed, and the protocols for foreign envoys meeting the Chinese emperor should also be revised. The specific changes will be determined by each country, and China agrees to implement them.
If the Chinese government does not fully agree to the demands of other countries, the ministers of those countries should not even consider withdrawing their troops from the Beijing area.
(Mu Ziyao, Ge Kangbisa, Saxige, Deaobi, Rimeifa Yingyi, Japan, Holland, Russia)
(The above is signed in the order of the foreign alphabets)
December 22, 1900 AD
◇Postscript
After receiving the terms, Minister Liu carefully studied the twelve articles and felt that some parts could be negotiated. He added an article himself and then informed the consul of that country. He said: Article Two, regarding the punishment of the principal offenders, generally, royal relatives are not punished; this is a common practice in various countries. The Chinese government agrees to exile those princes to the border, imprison them, and permanently strip them of their titles, with their descendants also prohibited from inheriting. Other officials, except for Yu Xian, who bears the heaviest responsibility and should be executed, will be punished accordingly. However, some of these may be difficult to address for now.
Article Five, regarding the prohibition of transporting military supplies, since China has taken on the responsibility of protecting merchants and missionaries, it cannot avoid purchasing arms to guard against bandits. It would be best to delete this article. If it cannot be deleted, then do not prohibit the supply of arms, but strictly forbid selling to bandits privately. Article Six, regarding reparations, China has long been in a state of financial difficulty; the amount of reparations should be kept reasonable to avoid making it too difficult for China to manage. Article Seven, regarding the number of troops stationed at embassies, should be kept to a minimum to ensure peaceful coexistence between hosts and guests. Article Nine, regarding the deployment of troops by various countries in several locations, should also be kept to a minimum, especially to avoid sowing distrust between soldiers and civilians. Article Eleven, any amendments to the treaty must be handled properly and should not affect the livelihoods of merchants and the interests of China.
I also added an article: Churches in various regions should state that old regulations will not interfere in legal matters and establish specific provisions to find a way to ensure lasting peace. Governor Zhang of Hubei feels that the clause prohibiting the importation of arms is highly inconvenient for China, and it has also altered the protocol for audiences, affecting China's system. He has already sent a telegram requesting amendments and deletions. As for the other clauses, according to Governor Zhang's opinion, it seems they can be negotiated. However, Minister Fu believes that this is an outdated notion from twenty years ago and should not be applied today.
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