In view of the atrocities committed by the Chinese troops in the districts which El are the scene of the struggle between the Chinese and Dungans, the Governor-General of Turkestan recently sent the following communication to Tso Tsung-tang, Commander-in-chief of the Chinese forces:—As representative in Turkestan of an Emperor, great, just, and humane, I address myself to you, most honorable iso Tsung-tang, in your capacity of Commander-in-chief of the army of a great and friendly power, and I deem it my duty to call your attention to the manner in which the Chinese troops are now carrying on the war in the region lying to the west of Kuchen, where the population for the main part consists of Dungans.
Tt is known to you, most honorable Tso Tsung-tang, that the detachment under the orders of General. Kin Shun was occupied during two months last autumn in besieging the town of Manas.
The Chinese forces wore repulsed in several assaults, and it was not until the General promised a full amnesty that the inhabitants of the town, with the chief at their head, consented to capitulate.
'The commander of the detachment did not keep to his word as a true soldier and after the Chinese troops had occupied Manas, more than 1,500 Dungans, as well as women and children, were' basely massacred, Such acts of cruelty' and treachery are unworthy of the Commander-in-chief of a great power, and cannot but impress most unfavourably the people which the Chinese Government is desirous to bring under its authority, Such terrible cruelty can only result in the total depopulation of the country, and nest without doubt seriously compromise the interests of China herself.
T therefore consider it my duty, most honorable Two Tsung-tang, to call your serious attention to the atrocities indulged in by your subordinates, and to request that you will take measures to prevent their being repeated; for such proceedings, assuredly, are not what the Government had in contemplation, It is the duty of soldier to fight the enemy who offers armed resistance; not to slay the unarmed population, or women and children.
I put myself in direct communication with you, feeling assured that you will share my views, and that you will not allow the commanders of detachments'to tarnish the glory and reputation which dis-.tinguishes ron amongst Chinese generals.
is my hope, most honorable Tso Tsung-Yang, that a high official possessing such great authority, and enjoying the full con-Eaence of your Goverment, will td the means to stay an evil as repugnant to the laws of God as to those of humanity.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.