THREAT TO EXTERMINATE CHRISTIANS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 7010, 6 July 1900, Page 2

THREAT TO EXTERMINATE CHRISTIANS.

TROOPS POURING INTO CHINA. Received July 6, 9.85 a.m. Hong Kong, July 5. Circular edicts, which are attributed to the Empress, have been distributed broadcast, and state that since the 1 aku affair reconciliation is impossible, and that the entire nation is determined to exterminate Christians.

The Viceroys are warned they will be held responsible for the loss of territory.

All the Viceroys of the Yang-tse provinces, except Chekiang, profess they are determined to preserve peace.

London, June 5.

A Beuter's message states that there are 14,000 troops between Tientsin and Fekin, while General l{ich with a force of 90,000 men is advancing on Tientsin. 15,000 Japanese troops are afloat for China, and another 80,000 are ready for embarkation.

Berlin, July 5.

The Emperor declares that the towers have no idea of tha partition of China. The intention is to reestablish a powerful Chinese Government.

London, July 5.

Mr Brodtick, in tho Commons, baa stated that, though uuable to advanod, there was no reason to believe the Admirals contemplated any backward movement. The British Consul at Hankow reports that the British legation was resisting on the Ist. Hia message, however, is not so late as Beuter's Shanghai message.

The shocking news contained in the above oable will send a thrill of horror through the civilised world. The wholesale murder o! the diplomatio representatives of Powers at a court is, we should say, writing from memory without precedent, and, certainly an outrage of the gravest character It proves anarchy in the State in which it occurs and justifies the jnnion of all the Powers of civilisation to deal with the nation whose affairs have fallen into such utter confusion. The whole basis of diplomatio intercourse rests on guarantees of the personal safety of the representatives of Powers.

The representatives of the various nations at the Court of China were': —

England — Sir Claude MaoOonald, X.C.8., E.C.M.G. ; Secretary of Legation, Mr H. O. Bax-Ironside ; Military Attache, Colonel G. F. Browne, D.a.O. The other officers of the Legation include Messrs W. G. N. Deriug, H. Cookburn, C.8., J. W. Jamieson, and £r. W. Poole. United States— Mr Edwin H. Conger, with whom are Messrs H. G. . Squires, W. E, Bainbridge, and F. D. Cheshire. Russia— M. Michael de Giera. Germany— Baron de Ketteler. France— M. 8. Pichon. Japan— Baron Nishii. Belgium— Baron de Vinok dcs deux Orp. Italy— Marquis Salvago Baggi. Austria-Hungary — Barou Ozihann de Wahlborn.

Sir Clande Macdonald, the head of the British Legation, was an officer of rare diplomatio ability, as proved by the manner in which he handled publio affairs in China during previous crises, notably in contests with Russian representatives for supremacy a year or bo ago in connection with the acquisition of territory. He was a comparatively a young man, having been born in the year 1852, but had seen, a good deal of military service in one way and another. Entering the 64th Highlanders in 1872, he served through tbe Egyptian campaign of 1888, through the Suakim expedition of 1884-5, and taking up diplomatio work represented his country (at Cairo, and Zanzibar, went on a special mission to Niger Coast, and since 1896 has been Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Emperor of China, and also the King of Oorea.