“We now state that the converts are, equally with Boxers, subjects, and must follow the rules laid down for all or be destroyed. If they will change their tenets and recant, we can see no reason why they should not be allowed to escape the net. The viceroys and governor-generals are therefore enjoined to issue the following proclamation: ‘All converts who recant their former errors, and give themselves up to the authorities, shall be allowed to reform, and the past shall be ignored. The public must be notified of this and each case will be settled by the local officials, according to regulations to be promulgated later on.’ [A nice trap to find out all the converts and exterminate them.] “As hostilities have now commenced between China and the foreign nations, the missionaries must be driven away at once, so that they may give no trouble. But it is necessary that they be granted protection _en route_. The provincial authorities must attend to all such within their jurisdiction. Let this be done speedily and with no carelessness.” “July 8.—Edict: The posts about Tientsin are of extreme importance, and troops are being massed there for their defense. The seventy-two fire companies, aggregating over 10,000 men, all animated by a spirit of patriotism, would, if united to the Boxers, greatly swell the strength of our opposition and surely turn the edge of the enemy. Respect this.” “July.—Edict: We appoint Li Hung Chang viceroy of Chihli and superintendent of northern trade [the G. O. M.’s old post]. As the guarding of Tientsin is now of utmost importance, we direct that until Li Hung Chang’s arrival Yu Lu, in concert with Prince Ching, consult as to the best measures to be taken. Pending the change of officials, there must be no slackening of responsibility.” The edict of July 12 relates the conduct of General Nieh Shih Cheng, commanding the foreign-drilled troops from Lu Tai, and censures him, but states he died bravely at the head of his soldiers on July 11. On July 15 Tung Fang, acting governor of Shansi, in a memorial, quotes the following decree transmitted to him by the privy council on June 20: [Illustration: PASSENGER WHEELBARROW This picture shows the common method of transportation in vogue in the Chinese cities of to-day; but with the opening of China to western influences the modern electric car will doubtless supersede this conveyance, and, like many other picturesque but antiquated features of the country, it will be relegated to the past.]