“Our provinces are more than twenty in number, our population over 400,000,000; so it will not be difficult to vindicate our dignity.”
The decree further requests people with money to subscribe assistance, promising official recognition for it, and also offers large rewards for those who distinguish themselves in action, as well as threats for those who are dilatory or cowardly, urging all to exert themselves continually in the good work—exterminating alike foreigners and converts.
“June 24.—Decree: Yesterday shops and residences in Tung Tan Pailou street and Ch’ang Au street were looted by militia with arms [Boxers]. This is a serious matter, so we ordered Yung Lu to depute officers to arrest the offenders. Eleven from one division and twenty-three from another division were arrested and executed on the spot, the public witnessing the executions.
“We now command the general officers of the various divisions to give strict orders to their subordinates that the braves are to be kept in order. Should these occurrences be repeated, martial law will be declared. If the officers commanding screen the offenders, instead of rigorously enforcing the laws, they will be examined, and if found guilty severely punished.
Typical Peking beggars
“The military governor of the city is hereby commanded to arrest all desperadoes creating disturbances and execute them on the spot. Show no mercy.”
A second decree, same date, says:
“The board of revenue is hereby ordered to give Kang Yi two hundred bags of rice as provisions for distribution among the Boxers.”
A third decree: