The Teoling Ha (¥4) Governor of the affairs of the Red Banner at Fooshun informs by proclamation that, he has beow commanded by proclamation from the Plenipotentiary Extraordinary (Sk 22 KEE) and the Presidents Ching of the Board of Revenue and Pru (7) of the Boar! of Punishments, to issue a proclamation to publish that ever since the Entry into China of the Outer Barbarians, they have taken away our money in our warehouses, shops and market places everywhere, they have taken ion of our lands, they have allured and led men in fact in the most lawless manner. During great inuzabers to go about in bands and to the course of fifty years they have become firmly rooted. Suddenly the enraged Emperor (432) orders mo to destroy them out of existence. Then will all the people grey revie. This province of fengtien will totally burn down all the churches, chapels, hospitals of the English and French, avd all the dwelling-places of their rebellious converts. Investigation must be made without delay to discover what foreign money is lodged in warehouse or shop, what land, site of other property belongs' to every church: Already have proclamations been issued in every city to investigate and report, that all places may fact accordingly. 'Thus every man of every' rank will fully know. Every warehouse and shop possessing foreign money whether already reported of not must at once fully report. Wherever there is chapel or ty the neighbours must. report in the Villages within a month, in the city within two months, Reports are to be made to the district magistrate. All places rented by the barbarian' or his rebellious converts may revert to their original owners, all other property will be confiscated. 'The utmost despatch must be exercised to execute these orders, so that not a rootlet may remain. If any one should be found in possession of the Property of the foreigner And failing to report, his crime will' be severely dealt with and no mercy shown. Let every mau attend to and observe this special proclamation. This proclamation is copied from that received, ordering us to inform every individual within our jurisdiction. Let no man disobey. Kuang Hau, 26th year, 7th moon, 30th day.
The "Plenipotentiary" was Chin Chang This document was issued at a late date, not long indeed before the sight of the Russian uniform exorcised the Shen by which the Boxers were possessed. The copy from which this translation is made was found in a quiet village among the prettily wooded hills east of Moukden. It differs from the more elaborate ones issued at an earlier period and is to me specially interesting because of the causes assigned for the Tmperial wrath and the Boxer fury. They are (1), draining money from China, the work of commerce, (2), the seizure of land, the action of politics, and (3), the extortion of money by bands of "rebellious converts," true only of some Roman Catholics.
For many years mine was a voice in the wilderness deprecating the third cause, but the ery fellen unheeding ears. As [have spoken so strongly on that matter in the past Iam glad to-day to lieable to report that the priest in Moukden, and the other who was recently ordained Bishop of Manchuria, have restrained their converts in the city from pursuing their old tricks. They appear to have learned the lesson so fiercely whipped into the Church by the I wish I could say the same of all
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.