ABSTRACT
Baroness Ketteler had already ordered Cordes to prepare for sedan chairs and arrange armed escorts. He apparently thought that this would be a very short meeting. The minister's young American wife, also confirmed that this was Baron Ketteler's personal decision. The death of Baron Ketteler sent a shock wave through the foreign community. Eighty days after Baron Ketteler's death, the allied authorities occupying Beijing identified the alleged murderer of minister Ketteler. The traditional interpretation of the early reports of Baron Ketteler's death has played a significant part in the theory of premeditated murder. Shortly after Baron Ketteler's death, the Chinese government sent an official reply to the ministers, stating that the Chinese government would agree to allow the foreigners to extend the deadline of the ultimatum. The foreign residents in Beijing were to be taken as hostages. The Court hoped to use them to negotiate some favorable peace deal in the foreseeable future.
