“The officials of our neighboring nations on duty in Peking should receive our protection in every possible way, particularly in such times as the present [when we are planning to kill them all at once], when every exertion must be used, because desperadoes are as thick as bees.
“We have repeatedly commanded the various local officials to secure the most perfect quiet in their districts, yet in spite of these orders we have this case of murder of the Japanese chancellor occurring in the very capital of the Empire.
“The civil and military officials have been too remiss in not clearing their districts of bad characters, or arresting the proper persons, so we hereby set a limit of time for the arrest and punishment of such criminals [time not stated]. Should the time expire without a successful search for the guilty, then the responsible official will be given a penalty. [In other words, if the murderer of the Japanese is not discovered before we drive all the foreigners out, and the plot fails because of this premature murder giving it away, somebody will have to pay for it.]”
“Edict No. 2: The Boxer desperadoes have recently been causing trouble in the neighborhood of the capital, and finally Peking has become involved.
“We have a number of times issued edicts in explicit terms ordering the military commanders on duty near the capital to put an end to these disturbances. Notwithstanding which, cases of murder and arson are reported, and bad characters are circulating malicious rumors under pretense that they are only revenging themselves on converts.
“The result is that our good soldiers have become involved, and do not hesitate to disregard our commands; at the same time they believe these men leagued together to commit arson and murder, and suffer themselves to be misled by them.
ENTRANCE TO THE IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY OF PEKING
Among the notable buildings that were destroyed by the Boxers was the Imperial University of Peking. To the noble work performed within its walls can be attributed much of the rapid rise of the “progressive” or “New China” party, with whom the Emperor seemed to be so thoroughly in accord until his power was subordinated to that of the Empress.
“Good citizens most of all desire to stimulate patriotism, and one would like to know when in the history of the world has there ever been a strong nation made so by condoning anarchy among the people. We know, since investigating, that among the ranks of the Boxers there are many bandits and desperadoes, who have vied with one another in disgraceful acts of looting and robbery.