ARTICLE IX

Points to be oc

The Chinese Government has conceded the right to the Powers in the Protocol annexed to the letter of the 16th of Jancupied militarily uary 1901 to occupy certain points, to be determined by an agreement between them for the maintenance of open communication between the capital and the sea. The points occupied by the Powers are:

by powers.

Huang-tsun, Lang-fang, Yang-tsun, Tien-tsin, Chun-liang Cheng, Tong-ku, Lu-tai, Tong-shan, Lan-chou, Chang-li, Ch'in-wang Tao, Shan-hai Kuan.

ARTICLE X

The Chinese Government has agreed to post and to have published during two years in all district cities the following Imperial Edicts:

Publication of

edicts.

(a) Edict of the 1st of February, 1901 (Annex No. 15), prohibiting for ever, under pain of death, membership in any antiforeign society.

(b) Edicts of the 13th and 21st February, 29th April and 19th August, enumerating the punishments inflicted on the guilty;

(c) Edict of the 19th August, 1901, prohibiting examinations in all cities where foreigners were massacred or subjected to cruel treatment.

(d) Edict of the 1st of February, 1901 (Annex No. 16) declaring all Governors-General, Governors and Provincial or local officials respon sible for order in their respective districts, and that in case of new anti-foreign troubles or other infractions of the treaties which shall not be immediately repressed and the authors of which shall not have been punished, these officials shall be immediately dismissed without possibility of being given new functions or new honors.

The posting of these Edicts is being carried on throughout the Empire.

Revision of

ARTICLE XI

The Chinese Government has agreed to negotiate the amendments deemed necessary by the Foreign Governments to the treaties of com- Treaties of Commerce and Navigation and the other subjects concerning commercial relations with the

merce.

object of facilitating them.

At present, and as a result of the stipulation contained in Article VI concerning the indemnity, the Chinese GovernImprovement of courses of Peiho ment agrees to assist in the improvement of the courses and Whangpoo. of the rivers Peiho and Whangpoo, as stated below. (a) The works for the improvement of the navigability of the Peiho, begun in 1898 with the co-operation of the Chinese Government, have

As

been resumed under the direction of an International Commission. soon as the administration of Tientsin shall have been handed back to the Chinese Government it will be in a position to be represented on this Commission, and will pay each year a sum of Sixty thousand Haikwan Taels for maintaining the works.

(b) A Conservancy Board, charged with the management and control of the works for straightening the Whangpoo Whangpoo con- and the improvement of the course of that river is hereby created.

servancy board.

This Board shall consist of members representing the interests of the Chinese Government and those of foreigners in the shipping trade of Shanghai.

The expenses incurred for the works and the general management of the undertaking are estimated at the annual sum of Four hundred and sixty thousand Haikwan Taels for the first twenty years. This sum shall be supplied in equal portions by the Chinese Government and the foreign interests concerned. Detailed stipulations concerning the composition, duties and revenues of the Conservancy Board are embodied in Annex No. 17.

ARTICLE XII

An Imperial Edict of the 24th of July 1901 (Annex No. 18), reformed the Office of Foreign Affairs, Tsung-li Yamên, on the Reorganization lines indicated by the Powers, that is to say, transof foreign office. formed it into a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wai-wu Pu), which takes precedence over the six other Ministries of State; the same Edict appointed the principal members of this Ministry. An agreement has also been reached concerning the modification of Court ceremonial as regards the reception of Foreign Representatives and has been the subject of several notes from the Chinese Plenipotentiaries, the substance of which is embodied in a memorandum herewith annexed (Annex No. 19).

Court ceremo

nial at audiences.

Finally, it is expressly understood that as regards the declarations specified above and the annexed documents originating with the Foreign Plenipotentiaries, the French text only is authoritative.

French text authoritative.

Dates of evacuation.

The Chinese Government having thus complied to the satisfaction of the Powers with the conditions laid down in the above mentioned Note of December 22nd, 1900, the Powers have agreed to accede to the wish of China to terminate the situation created by the disorders of the summer of 1900. In consequence thereof the Foreign Plenipotentiaries are authorized to declare in the names of their Governments that, with the exception of the Legation guards mentioned in Article VII, the International

troops will completely evacuate the City of Peking on the 17th September, 1901, and, with the exception of the localities mentioned in Article IX, will withdraw from the Province of Chihli on the 22d of September 1901.

The present final protocol has been drawn up in twelve identic copies and signed by all the Plenipotentiaries of the contracting countries One copy shall be given to each of the Foreign Plenipotentaries, and one copy shall be given to the Chinese Plenipotentiaries.

The 6th day of the 11th moon of the 26th year of Kuang-hsü (27 December, 1900), the following Edict was rendered:

"We have taken cognizance of the whole telegram of Yi-K'uang and Li Hung-chang. It is proper that We accept in their entirety the twelve articles which they have submitted to us."

"Respect this!"

ANNEX NO. 2.

IMPERIAL EDICT OF THE 9TH OF JUNE, 1901.

[Translation.]

"We confer on Tsai Feng, Prince Ch'ün of the first rank, the title of Ambassador extraordinary, and We direct him to proceed to Germany to respectfully discharge the mission which We confide to him.

"Chang Yi, reader of the Grand Chancellery, and Yin Ch'ang, military Lieutenant-Governor, shall accompany him as secretaries. "Respect this!"

ANNEX No. 3.

DESPATCH OF PRINCE CH'ING AND OF LI HUNG-CHANG OF THE 22 JULY, 1901, TO HIS EXCELLENCY M. DE MUMM, GERMAN PLENIPOTENTIARY.

[Translation.] [Official reply.]

On the 3d day of the 5th moon of the present year (18th of June 1901), We have received from Your Excellency the following official communication:

"Messrs. Jui-liang, secretary, and Lien-fang, expectant taotai, delegates entrusted with carrying out Article I of the Joint Note providing for the erection of a commemorative monument on the place of the assassination of Baron von Ketteler, former Minister of Germany, commenced some time ago the discussion of the subject with my Legation, and have taken up the question of the plan of this monument.

"During frequent conversations they have stated that if it were necessary that a commemorative arch in marble, from Ta-li and extending the whole width of the avenue of Ch'ung-wen-men, should be erected on the spot of the assassination, the work would require a great deal of time, in view of the difficulty in transporting the materials; but as to adopting some other means, either of transferring to the place of the assassination an archway erected at the present time in some other spot, or of putting up a new arch, or of using an old archway to be transported to the place, they left this to the determination of my Government.

"I at once telegraphed my Government to inform me of its views. "The reply which I have just received informs me that His Majesty the Emperor of Germany has himself decided that a new archway extending across the whole width of the street should be put up.

"I have consequently to urgently request you to take immediate steps, so that the work may begin at once."

We, Prince and Minister, have at once directed the said secretary and taotai to act in conformity. According to the report which they have sent us, "the work was begun on the 10th day of the 5th moon (25th of June) by the foundations. But a certain length of time is necessary for getting out the stone, cutting it and for the transportation of materials; and the only thing that can be done is to watch that the workmen use their best endeavors to carry on promptly the work."

Besides having directed that We should be kept informed of the execution of the work, We deem it necessary to send the present official reply to Your Excellency, requesting you to take note of it.

ANNEX No. 4.

IMPERIAL EDICT OF THE 13TH OF FEBRUARY, 1901.

[Translation.]

Since the 5th moon (end of May) the Boxers have created trouble in the capital and have begun hostilities against friendly countries. Yi-K'uang and Li Hung-chang are negotiating for peace at Peking with Representatives of the Powers, and a whole preliminary arrangement has already been signed.

(If) We consider the commencement of these events, we find that they are attributable to several stupid Princes and Ministers, insane, absolutely ignorant, turbulent, and who have ignored the laws. They had most absolute confidence in pernicious methods and have led on the Court. Not only did they refuse to obey Our orders to exterminate the Boxers, but they have been so far as to believe in them, and, stupidly, they began to attack (the Legations). So it was that this evil fire spread abroad, and circumstances did not permit of its being stopped, several tens of thousands of evil-doers having assembled at the elbow and the armpit (that is to say, at the most important points). Furthermore, the leaders forced generals and ignorant soldiers to attack the Legations, and so it befell that inconceivable evils persisted for several months.

The tutelary deities of the Empire have been in danger, the Imperial tombs and the temples of Ancestors have trembled, the country has been devastated; the inhabitants are plunged in misery. No words can express the dangers which We and H. M. the Empress Dowager have been exposed to. Our heart and Our head are still painful; Our tears and Our resentment are confounded. It is to you, Princes and Ministers, who, by believing in evil words and allowing evil-doers free hand, have put in danger in Heaven our Ancestors and Our gods, and who here below have caused the people to endure these calamities. you ask what punishments you deserve?

Do

We have already issued two decrees. But, considering that such light punishment for such grievous faults could not be sufficient to make you expiate your crimes, We must impose upon you new and more severe punishments according to your degree of guilt.

Tsai-Hsün, Prince Chuang, already degraded, allowed the Boxers to attack the Legations. He, on his own authority, published proclamations contrary to the treaties; he lightly believed the statements of evil-doers; he unlawfully caused to be decapitated a great number of persons; he has shown himself, of a truth, vulgar and stupid. We invite him, as a favor, to commit suicide. We direct Ko-pao-hua, acting president of the Court of Censors, to go and see (that the suicide has taken place).

Tsai-I, Prince Tuan, already degraded, led away with him several Princes and Peilo (Princes of the 3d class). He foolishly gave heed