The following is a translation of the memorial to the Throne by the Teungli en on which the recent edict was We understand that the Foreign Ministers have stipulated that it shall appear in full in the Peking Gazette in due course The Yamen Ministers, on account of the riots against foreign religious orders that have occurred in the various provinces, request the Throne to issue stringent orders to the Governors-General and Governor to take immediate and urgent measures to restore quiet to the land and to prevent future disturbances. The memorialists hearing, in the first Part of the 4th moon, that churches in Wuhu were destroyed, ut once wired to the High Superintendent of Nanyang to despatch gunboats to suppress the riots and to give protection to the foreigners; at the same time to send deputies to make investigations and settle the cases, Then at the same time, there were anonymous placards ested and rumours spread about Shanghai. Nenking, and other places. We also desired the Provincial authorities to take great care and to devise precautionary measures. received from the Navyang Superintond-Afterwards a telegraphic meseaye was
fent and the Anhui Governor to the effect that the trouble at Wuhu took its gin from rumours that female doctors belonging to foreign religious order were stealing children after drugging them that the suspicions of the peuple could not be explained away; that a crowd gathered to make trouble; that upon this churches wore burnt and destroyed; that two rivers were executed and their heads placed on exhibition, and that the place hus settled down to its usual quiet. Not long after, however, churches in 'Tunyang and in Wusueh' in Hupeh were set on fire and pulled down, with the murder of two foreigners in' the latter place. The details have not been reported. vil characters were causing trouble in Nanking and Kiukiang, but their attempts were frustrated and they were dispersed by the Government soldiers who were Keeping watch and gave protection. If these disturbances continue the hearts of both natives and foreigners will be- full of apptebension nnd distrust. The reason is this. Discharged soldiers and secret societies are to be found in every province along the Yangtze River, Anonymous placards are posted for the purpose of agitating and misleading the minds of the populace, so as to find a favourable opportunity to create disturbances. is certain no peaceful and law abiding people are guilty of these. acts, The memo-1g West persuades People rialists find that the religion of the great to follow the paths of virtue. It has boon promulgated in all the western countries for many years. Since China commenced commercial intercourse with foreign countries, the treaties stipulate that, in all China, the believers and promulgators of the Roman Catholic and Protestant religions should one and all find protection both in person and property, and that they are permitted to con-grete to offer prayers and to sing hymns. The hospitals for the sick and asylums for infants are all good works. OF late years in all the places in the different provinces visited by calamities there were many missionaries who contributed large sums and helped to alleviate the sufferings of the people. The do good and their generosity in giving are certainly commendable. Though among the native converts and bad are to be found, still they ure subjects of China and are amenable to the jurisdiction of local authorities, In case of lawsuits
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.