she finally and most reluctantly consented, in February
1901, to the issue of a Decree (drafted by Jung Lu) in which
she abandoned to their fate those who, with her full know-
ledge and approval, had led the rising which was to drive all
foreigners into the sea. With the knowledge in our
possession as to Her Majesty's complicity, and in some cases
her initiative, in the anti-foreign movement, it is impossible
to read this Decree without realising something of the
ruthlessness of the woman and her cynical disregard of
everything except her own safety and authority. Even so,
however, Tzŭ Hsi could not bring herself at first to comply
with all the demands of the Powers, evidently hoping by
compromise and further negotiations to save the lives of her
favourites, Prince Tuan, Duke Lan and Chao Shu-ch'iao.
The Decree, issued in the Emperor's name, was as follows:--

"In the summer of last year, the Boxer Rebellion arose,
which brought in its train hostilities with friendly Powers.
Prince Ch'ing and Li Hung-chang have now definitely
settled the preliminary conditions of the Peace Protocol.
Reflecting on the causes of this disaster, we cannot escape
the conclusion that it was due to the ignorance and arro-
gance of certain of our Princes and Ministers of State who,
foolishly believing in the alleged supernatural power of the
Boxers, were led to disobey the Throne and to disregard our
express commands that these rebels should be exterminated.
Not only did they not do this, but they encouraged and
assisted them to such an extent that the movement gained
hosts of followers. The latter committed acts of unprovoked
hostility, so that matters reached a pass where a general
cataclysm became inevitable. It was by reason of the folly
of these men that General Tung, that obstinate braggart,
dared to bombard the Legations, thus bringing our Dynasty
to the brink of the greatest peril, throwing the State into
a general convulsion of disorder, and plunging our people
into uttermost misery. The dangers which have been
incurred by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, and myself
are simply indescribable, and our hearts are sore, aching with

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