“It is hereby ordered that the generals and governors shall find out wherever there still exist merchants or missionaries, and still protect them according to the provisions of the treaties without the least carelessness. [For nearly a month after this the Empress kept ministers, missionaries, and merchants under the almost constant fire of her troops within two miles of her residence, where she could not but hear every gun fired at them.]
“Last month the chancellor of the Japanese legation was killed. This was most unexpected. Before the case was settled, the German minister was killed. Suddenly meeting this affair caused us great grief. We ought rigorously to seek the murderers and punish them.
“Excepting the fighting at Tientsin, the prefect of Shun Tien Fu, with the governor-general of this province, must command the officers under them to examine what foreigners have been causelessly killed, and what property destroyed, and report the same, that all may be settled together.
“The vagabonds who have been burning houses, robbing, and killing these many days have produced a terrible state of chaos. We order that the viceroy and military officials clearly ascertain the circumstances and unite in reducing confusion to order. Promulgate this decree in such manner that all may know.”
Group of natives, Su Chan Gardens
“July 19.—Extract from a memorial by Chang Shun: ‘Your slave has examined into what has happened recently in the whole region south of the imperial domain in stirring up trouble that has resulted in the destruction of railways and telegraphs, and a morbid chaotic madness seems to possess the masses. Lately a telegram arrived saying warships of all nations had arrived, opened war, captured the Taku forts, and Tientsin was in extreme peril. The Boxers are responsible for all this trouble. The whole world has witnessed our sorrowful condition, troubles alike within and without. The hundreds of millions of taels of silver gathered from three provinces to erect the railroads have been wiped out completely in the destruction of the road by the Boxers in the twinkling of an eye. Who is responsible for the Boxers?” [Answer—The Empress Dowager and Prince Tuan, both befooled by General Tung Fu Hsiang.]
“July 28.—Yung Lu is granted the privilege of riding in a sedan chair with two bearers within the walls of the imperial palace and inside of the Wan gate.”