A historical Perspective During the Reign of

CHUI #9

From the year 1898 till 1900 China's imperial majesty by imperial decree the borders of Shantung which was north of the yellow sea to Sasei to the south of the yellow sea ensured that the Manchurian mandates were enforced.

The court during this period had absolute rule. The imperial family was very conservative and very protective of their bureaucracy and lifestyle. They ordered all churches devoted to Christ burned, and its entire devotee's list killed. All railroads and electric wire services were also disrupted.
In the year 1900 during the 6th month 8th day in the northern part of China near the foreign residence complex a meeting took place with all powers in regards to the recent uprisings. There were diplomatic dispatches sent to the Manchurian government asking it to look into these uprisings and what they would do to stop them. The replies from the Manchurian government were unclear. The foreign nations hinted in their communiqués that troops might be dispatched to quell these incidents it the Chinese government sidestepped in their investigations.
If Japan at this point decided to ally itself with China during these uprisings the "All nations comprising of 8 countries would form a coalition to block any resistance toward stopping these uprisings. The troops if called would remove any and all insurgents from surrounding Peking. All foreign diplomats and their families were preparing evacuation. China was preparing itself for war. The international community was waiting to see what the outcome of this showdown would be.
China during these uprisings knew it limitations and of all aspects of this dispute. There were two factions present, one with conservative principles and boundaries and the other with traditional values at stake. There was though reform afoot but as to which side it would take was anyone's guess.
The Manchurian Government with its authority and power to make things happen had unbelievable as it seems limited control over their own subversives. Prior to this there was 19 years of violent revolution. This idea plus the pressure form all nations was thought to have made China think their power plan over, and try to do something about these surmounting plaguing China. However, with the stationing of foreign troops after outbreak of violence reparations were paid to China for any and all debts.

This action opened up opportunities for other countries to station troops on Chinese soil. Russia decided to station troops up to five years at a time. Then with Japan and Russia allied together, the though was to bring about world order for China's benefit.

But some of the other nations it was believed had ulterior motives for such long stays.
Background Note:
During the Nisshin Senso (Jap/China War) 18941895 the Chinese military during this period was relatively weak. All nations after hearing this competed to help China build their economy and military. This gave these nations a chance to with this action to cultivate their "ulterior motives" Russia wanted Port Arthur, Germany wanted Koshu and Seijima, France wanted Koshu wan, and England wanted I Kai Ei and Kuro. In turn for helping during the revolution reparations were paid to China in turn for certain concessions. In addition the powers said they would help rebuild China's railroads, harbors and help them with their mines. But each nation also wanted certain rights on these lands they were helping to develop, again at China's cost.

The "Powers" wanted to also build settlements for their people who were helping to rebuild China; this then led to a firmer foothold in certain territories. That's when certain incidents started to resurface (anti foreign dissent). A German missionary was killed in Shantung another similar event in Joshu Province. This gave the Germans an opportunity to dispute their refusal for stationing of troops to protect their citizens. This led to the occupation by troops of certain rail lines and naval ports at Sainan.

Concurrently, development and construction of a railroad line and mine excavation was under way in the area of Saisen. During the occupation there was a lot of animosity form the locals toward occupation forces. A lot of land was being taken for use but in most cases no compensation was awarded. This according to the landlords and peasants was a violation they would not stand for. The Chinese people's belief was in the land they held and flowing waters they traveled on. With this disruption they set back many years.

Another problem was missionaries. In those days in Shantung and Peking missionaries had been there for some time. Especially one resident named A.H. Smith.

It was said that in addition to this mans missionary goal helped increase trade in the industries and manufacturing arena for export. In Shantung another idea popped up that eventually caught on like wildfire was the manufacturing and export of home handicrafts.
This was used for the benefit of the common man whereby he could reap large profits. Another problem, which led to more animosity, was the sharp increase of missionary population. Churches started to rise everywhere and the zealot missionaries were looking for converts everywhere. This then led to more civil disturbances and unrest throughout the country. Another area of concern with the missionaries was area customs. Who was able to perform what and to whom? One issue was grave worshipping. Among the customs this was the most troublesome. Chinese people’s beliefs could not be changed overnight. Many foreign missionaries believed differently. This led to many religious disputes and the root cause for many problems within China.
Another problem plaguing China was natural calamities. But most Chinese blamed foreigners for this problem. The missionaries believed the problem was related to God. But the locals knew otherwise. This then caused a surge toward renewing the Giwadan or Giwa Kobushi Ho Byakuren Kyu during the year 1897  1900 in Northern China. It was said that this group started in 1898 during the 5th month in Shantung province in northern China.
Shantung during this time was shutoff from mainstream China. This made it easy for the Dantai to grow and develop its large number of followers.

In 1898, which was, the next year in this saga during the autumn season every area that had a church was attacked and the followers killed. Anti foreign sentiment sprang up everywhere. Especially, in the area of Shantung the Giwa Kobushi Ho had flowered into a unified discipline. Government had confronted this group on an open plain in Shantung.

The resistance the Giwadan put up was enormous. In other areas where rioting took place which involved government forces took place at Tsinan(C) Sainan (J), 2. Tosho (J), 3. Soochow(C), Soshu (J), Tsinan was the foremost border town which recorded the most fighting.
Soon after this fighting had subsided the "Powers" had called for a successor to the Peking government, Ensegai. After this took place all illegal activities within Shantung had ceased.
The Kobushi men still kept their order and art alive by moving north and still waged guerrilla warfare. During the 5th month of the year 1900 Peking was under direct control of government forces. During this time the government was trying to make this new transition as easy as possible. During this time though railway systems were being systematically destroyed, bridges were burnt or blown up. Communication lines were being cut to enable the rebels to isolate Peking and its corrupt government.


SHINCHO NO NAIJO (State of Affairs within the Manchu Government)
Within the inner sanctum of the Manchu government the Giwadan was applying more and more pressure trying to collapse the newly established government structure. Certain high officials within the government e.g., were Choshido governor of Koho, Rikosho governor of Ryoho along with certain foreigners signed a joint pact to shelter some~ of the Kobushi Nin. After petitioning the Manchu government to sanction this act, the government finally ceded to their demands as long as the violence and rioting ceased. This was agreed to only when the foreigners were expelled.
This had to be ratified by the inner high court council. This group was made up of a very conservative group. In addition this group was strangely enough all anti foreign.
During the 9th month in the year 1898 Koshotei and Toyuiu plotted to strengthen efforts within the Chinese legal system for reformation without interfering with the political processes in place.
The penalty if caught in implementing this plot would be immediate arrest, incarceration, life imprisonment or death. Now with diplomatic peace efforts ensuing between England and Japan both countries were helping Koshotei to maintain his safety during exile in Hongkong. Meanwhile Macdonald a high-ranking English Diplomat was helping Koshotei during exile to lay low and develop new strategies.
In 1900 Koshotei's efforts were stopped. There was an attempted abduction of Koshotei by the conservative Tangun "0" Gehi no Shi Tanshun party. But through foreign intervention again the Chinese government plot was thwarted.
Though there was progress made toward reformation in regards to the Giwadan, the conservative party’s political opposition was thought to have waned during this period due to lack of support. This was primarily due to foreign intervention.
Again the Giwadan was after this still building strength. This group had shown great fortitude under such odds. The Manchu government was also showing signs of leniency toward their anti foreign views. The interior court backed this idea also as a conciliatory gesture in easing tensions and promoting a more peaceful government atmosphere.
Thusly during the 1st ten days of the 6th month of that same year the Giwadan Kobushi min who numbered 20,000 laid siege to Peking, going from place to place with their followers conducting mayhem. Fires were started at many locations within the city. The Giwadan thought of themselves as being invincible, because they combined the way of the fist with magic.
This group was also gathering money and supplies from government-sponsored sources. This help came about from two individuals one Chiken Shuku and Shoshisei. During the 6th month 10 day the interior of the Manchu government, diplomatic negotiations were ongoing with the president of government offices. His responsibility was to Tangun "0" who was part of the Imperial Conservative Party. There were other negotiations ongoing to ascertain the fate of the foreigners.
The Chinese really wanted a diplomatic solution to this whole mess. A peaceful withdrawal if you will. Once this peaceful solution was arrived at the Giwadan would also recede and along with their violence and rioting.
The English legations minister Macdonald had sent message through the communications office of the fleet moored in international waters off Peking requested 2,000 troops be dispatched as a just in case measure.
This will help augment the legation guard in case the ongoing negotiations broke down. In addition as part of the request Macdonald asked for assistance from the great powers. This force would prevent the isolation of foreigners in case hostilities rose up.
Before and after this series of events the Manchu government the anti foreign movement afoot in Peking city during the 6th month 11th day directed its efforts toward the Japanese legation. These series of events were forming a pattern for future events. Then some 20 days after these series of events the German legations minister was murdered.
This again was a non-verbal message sent by the Manchu government to all foreigners. The Manchu government denied complicity in this matter and blamed the murder on foreign intervention.

The next day the great powers had sent an edict to the Manchu government declaring war because of the previous incidents. From this viewpoint the great powers sent troops to occupy Peking, which was viewed as a self-defense ploy to protest foreign resistance in Peking. In addition by bolstering the troop strength averted a disaster of mass proportions.

All nations gladly authorized troops for this venture and with the sigh of relief from the general public who gave it an A 1 stamp of approval. The troops were strategically placed in the densely populated areas and close enough together to avoid separation during a conflict.

The troops were placed so as not to look like the colonization effort was taking place. This was only viewed as a temporary measure the powers were sending troops to suppress the Giwadan who were systematically destroying the railroads and communications links throughout China.

Japan at the time was dispersing a majority of its troops throughout the continent of Asia.
After this effort the great powers started to deploy more troops to China and surrounding areas to counter this new threat or expansion attempts that were arising in those areas. This was an important time for the great powers.
The great powers stayed in the Peking area for quite a while to observe military affairs and the current political climate. The allied powers were also there to prevent looting and other violent acts against legations and assigned personnel and other Chinese interests. They eventually stopped the looting and other acts of violence. Many countries had valuable assets in China.
During these troubled times the allies scattered and dispersed the Boxers with armed might from and around the Peking area. Their resistance and desire to fight were overwhelmed by the allied firepower and might.
In the city of Seian the Manchu Dynasty was advised to move the Imperial Court around in order to survive during outbreak of hostilities. By Imperial Edict the Manchu's chose to ignore this advice and stayed put. Envoys from other countries were closely monitoring the current political situation for signs of changes.
A high Chinese Official named Choshido Shosen yearned for peace and wanted to take control in the South. The great powers to begin with wanted an individual for past incidents handed over. There effort was aimed at Choshido Shosen. The great powers stated that special rights and privileges along with early peace would be brought about if this person were handed over. In addition Russia and England would recall their troops in the area as a conciliatory gesture. The opposition wanted the individuals for the aforementioned atrocities.

The difference here was that there was a lot of finger pointing but no evidence was found. King Kyoshin "0" and Rikosho under the full authority of the Manchu's to negotiate and agreement during the year 1900 10th month to resolve these differences.

Shumatsu (Conclusion)
Complications surfaced with this agreement between all nations. The agreement was put on the back burner until and questions and problems surrounding this agreement were resolved. There were 12 articles presented to the Manchu Government for review regarding the basics for peace. In addition to the bargain a third party was brought in to give the agreement an unbiased assessment.
This individual examined each of the 12 articles and the ability of the responsible party/parties to repay in full the reparations asked for in the agreement. Finally the Manchu's finalized the agreement and agreed in principal and was prepared for signature during the year 1901, 9th month, 7th day.
The following 7 key articles were discussed and agreed upon in order for the agreement to be binding:
1. The deportation of Tangun "0" and more authority or power in the hiring and testing of government officials and authority to administer maximum punishment for offenses of those who abuse their positions for personal gain. They had the authority, to utilize and implement capital punishment.

2. Remitting of reparations in the amount of 400,000,000 Yen. Also, an additional 50,000,000 Yen in 39 annual payments at an interest rate of 4 percent had to be paid.

3. Both countries must acknowledge the destruction and admit to the destruction of foreign cemeteries and issue appropriate apologies. In addition they must erect a monument to those who died for the war cause.

4. The evacuation of Daiko Hodai (Daiho Fort) an installation consisting of certain government ministries, to areas of operation in regions concerning navigation and communications and in the establishing of troops for emergency purposes and for the protection of assets in certain waterways.

5. Giving local authorities more latitude in charge of cases involving anti foreignism and anti christianism and directing the government toward the restructuring of penalties for certain crimes.
6. Revision of the treaties of commerce and navigation between China, Japan, and the Great Powers.
7. Submit clauses or stipulations for the reorganization of certain government agencies dealing with foreign affairs and electing an overseer to these agencies.
Again during these negotiations the government during the lst month in the year 1900 instructed that the current educational system be put back under government rule. The reformation center bank went through many changes also. In addition there were changes concerning foot binding and in the buying or selling of government positions or businesses.
Various other reforms were implemented by means of imperial edicts during the lst month of the year 1902. Peking had also setback anything associated with the Nichi Ro Senso (Jap/China War) for 5 years during the government’s new regime.
In 1898 the draft outline for all of these sweeping reforms was submitted for all foreign parties and domestic critics to review and make comments. The Manchu Dynasty's position was in preservation. But previously the Sobun Revolutionary Movement and the Shingai Kakumei (Shingai Revolution) prevented it from becoming a reality.
In addition annual installments or indemnities of 450,000,000 Yen were paid with interest a total amount of 980,000,000. This amount helped China year by year by bringing herself more into the modern day both economically and industrially.
This event along with foreign involvement flourished in China with western styles becoming more popular. Soon countries like England and the USA came to China to trade in commerce and new treaty signings. Everything was changing in China, revisions to customs, abolition of certain religious sects, the currency system, weights and measures systems.
More and more China's economic system were coming under control. During the year 1901 9th month the great powers were withdrawing their massive military forces as a conciliatory gesture. Russia was withdrawing from Manchuria during this time also. The Japanese/Russian War was winding down. The strain that war caused was considerable. But as the war was dying out things were staring to normalize.
Giwaden Shoson Yuji

Kansen inyo ni aru

Asia Rekishi Jibiki

NOTE #10 Giwadan Gitei Sho
Shinchu Joyaku

1901, 9TH MONTH

7TH DAY, Peking ni de Choin
There was a plan afoot to suppress or stop the anti foreign infighting from eight countries Japan, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, America, England and Australia. These countries comprise the then allied forces. These forces plundered Peking in many different ways. There were many incidents of arson and constant bombardment by naval forces on a variety of locations within China. This was a very cruel invasion.
During the 8th month, 20th day of that same year the province of Sian (Chinese), Seian (Japanese) Shitaigo surrendered to the allied powers (Rekkoku) after negotiating an extensive peace treaty. Here within the Manchu Dynasty a foreign the imperial court was seeking permission to help with China's internal/external affairs.

Honyakusha ni yoru