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Show VICISSITUDES OF THE CHINESE DIPLOMAT - IMPERIAL DECREE. A dispatch from Shanghai, China, dated August 20, says that Chung How, who concluded the Kuldja treaty with Russia and was imprisoned and threatened with death for it, has been released. Chung How was in fact condemned to death last winter, but the execution of the sentence was deferred out of concession to the protests of the foreign Ministers. Recently the sentence of death was temporarily suspended until the result of the mission of the Marquis Tseng was made known. It has ended in the release of Chung How. The following decree of suspension taken from the North China Daily News, is interesting as showing the Chinese mode of reasoning and manner of dealing in such contingencies: As Chung How, sent as our Envoy, violated his instructions and exceeded his powers, and because the treaty made by him contained many stipulations which were impracticable, our High Minister of State in Council deliberated upon his offenses and decided that he should be decapitated after the autumn assizes as a punishment befitting his guilt. But now we hear from without (outside the palace) that this matter is discussed and that many are of the opinion that the punishment of Chung How reflects upon the dignity of Russia. This is very far from being the design of the imperial throne. China has been on a footing of amity with Russia for more than two hundred years, and it is assuredly our desire that this may continue to the end of time, and that the amicable relations of friendly States may not be destroyed. Chung How, in obedience to our mandate, acting as our Minister, without deliberate and careful negotiations with Russia, recklessly gave assent to stipulations which China cannot fulfill. He has brought his punishment upon himself. The throne deals with him according to the statutes, and maintains that in thus acting the laws of China deal with a Minister of China, and that Russia is not affected in any way. But as we fear that as the report must travel to a great distance and be transmitted from one to another, the real motives which have prompted the conduct of China in this business may not be perfectly understood; that aversion and distrust may spring from a misapprehension of our motives, and that friendly relations will be unavoidably interfered with; we, therefore, acting outside of the statutes, and as a special mark of grace, remit temporary the sentence of decapitation after the autumn assizes passed upon Chung How. Let him, however, be detained in prison until the Marquis Tseng shall reach Russia, and it shall appear how the matters at issue may be adjusted, when a further decree in his case will be made known. Let the Marquis Tseng, upon receipt of this decree, inform the Government of Russia that the sentence of decapitation passed upon Chung How has been temporarily remitted, and let him state that in this act is to be seen an evidence of the friendly sentiments of China toward Russia. In the treaty stipulations which he must negotiate, let him deal with the business and reach a satisfactory solution in accordance with our will as already expressed to him. Respect this. YESTERDAY morning a tramp stopped at a gate on Galveston Avenue, and told a boy who ws sitting on the front step masticating a piece of bread, that he wished to see the lady of the house. "She is not up yet, and if you knew her as well as I do, you wouldn't disturb her." "Where is the old man?" "He is spiked to a chair, reading the siftings in the News, and it is no use for you to knock. If he won't stop to lick me, who has claims on him, you needn't hope he is going to leave off to accommodate a perfect stranger." "I only want a bit," said the tramp. "Well, just go around to the back gate, while I turn the bull-dog loose; he ain't been fed yet this morning." The tramp passed on. - [Galveston News. LOVE is composed of so many sensations that something new of it can always be said. - Saint Prosper. |