载沣使德述论

on Tsai Feng's Mission to German

光绪二十七年(1901年)因义和团运动中发生的克林德事件,醇亲王载沣被任命为专使往德国谢罪。这是第一次清朝派亲王出洋。出于报复心理,德皇在礼仪问题上刁难载沣使团。德皇要求坐受国书,醇亲王行三鞠躬礼,且参赞随员须向他叩首。清朝方面不堪受辱,为此与德国方面多方交涉转圜,最终在勉强挽回清朝面子的基础上礼仪之争得以解决。在整个使德过程中,载沣表现出的民族气节、才能及谦逊赢得了中外舆论的高度评价。

Because of the Ketteler Event in the Boxer Rebellion,Prince Chun Tsai Feng was appointed spe- cial envoy to apologize to German in 1901.It is the first time that the Late Qing Dymsty had sent princes overseas.The German Emperor took revenge on China by making difficulties in ceremony and propriety. The emperor demanded that he should be seated and Prince Chun's counselors and entourages should perform the kowtow to him while Prince Chun presenting credentials.The late Qing government felt mortified at the demands and carried on negotiations with German.In the end,the dispute was settled by making a compro mise that China could barely save face.Throughout the mission,tsai feng had showed his national intergri- ty,modesty and ability,which impressed the public opinion deeply.