Mr. Rockhill to Mr. Hay.
Shanghai China, October 28, 1900.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm as follows my telegram to you of yesterday’s date:
Have reliable information to the effect that Yu Hsien committed suicide 22d.
This information was wired yesterday to Sheng Taotoi by Viceroy Chang Chih-tung, and is therefore, I think, reliable.
In this connection I may state that I have been informed by various Chinese officials, and seen it also mentioned in the native press, that Prince Tuan and Prince Chuang have not accompanied the court to Hsian Fu, but have remained, whether by Imperial order or not I do not know, in T’ai-yuan Fu, in Shan-hsi. General Tung Fu-hsiang is said to have left the court and to have started westward to Kansu, his native province, accompanied by most of his troops.
Kang-Yi died, I believe without doubt, a few weeks ago in Shan-hsi, and the grand secretary, Hsu Tung, has committed suicide. Yung Lu is with the court.
It is also reported, but on insufficient grounds, that the heir apparrent, Pu Chun, Prince Tuan’s son, is dead.
It is thought that it will be more difficult to secure the person of Tung Fu-hsiang than that of any other of the guilty officials, on account of the devotion of his troops to him. The capital punishment of Prince Tuan will not probably meet with the great opposition foreigners have been led to expect.
I am, sir, etc.,
United States Commissioner.