Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-04
PRINCE ruAN THE LEADER.
Anti Foreign Influences Held Sway Under
His Power.

The Chinese government proved, how
ever unable to check the rising.
strength of the Boxers and appeared
to be a prey to internal dissensions.
In the unequal contest the anti-foreign
influences soon gained the ascendancy
under the leadership of Prince Tuan.
Organized armies of Boxers, with
which the imperial forces affiliated,
the coast, penetrated into Manchur!a
up to the Russian border, and through
their emissaries threatened a like rising
throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners destruction
of their property, and slaughter of ma
tive converts We're reported from all
sides. The tsung h-yamen. already
permeated with hostile sympathies,
could make no effective response to the
appeals of the legations. At this crit
ical iuncture. In the early spring OF
this year. proposal was made by the
other powers that a combined fleet
should be assembled in Chinese waters
as a moral demonstration, under cover
of which to exact of the Chinese gov
eminent respect for foreign treaty
rights and the suppression of the Box
ers
The United States, while not partici-
pating in the joint demonstration,
promptly sent from the philippines all
| ships that could be spared for service
| on the Chinese coast A small force
sent to Pel,in for the protection of the
American legation. Other powers took
similar action, until some AGO men were
| assembled in the capital as legation
| guards.
| Still the peril Increased. The legations
| reported the development of the sedi-
1 tious movement in. Pekin and the need
| of increased provision for defense
| against it. While preparations were
| in progress for a larger expedition, to
Y Z Ga lao rHC nj
| keep the railway open. an attempt OF
| the foreign ships to make landing a.
/ Taku was met by fire from the Chi
nese forts. The forts were thereupon
shelled by the foreign vessels the
American admiral taking no part in the
not at war with China and that hos
tile demonstration might consolidate
the anti-foreign elements and strength
en- the Boxers to oppose the relieving
4 column.
Two days later the Taku forts We're
captured after a sanguinary conflict.
Severance of communication with Pc
! kin followed, and combined force of
additional guards which was advanc-
ing to Pekin by the Pei-Ho. was
checked at Lang Fang. The isolation
of the legations was complete.
The siege and the relief of the lega-
lions has passed into undying history
In all the stirring chapter which re
cords the heroism of the devoted band
. clinging to hope in the face of DESPAIR
j. and the undaunted spirit that led their
BELIEVERS through battle and suffering
to the goal, it is a memory Of which my
countrymen may be justly proud thai
| the honor of our flag was maintained
, alike in the siege and the rescue, ano
: that stout American hearts have agar
set high, in fervent emulation with
5 true men of other race and language
l the indomitable courage that evel
Y strives for the cause of right and JUS
: tice.
By June 18th the legations were cut
off. An identical note from the yamer
, ordered each minister to leave Pekin
$ under promised escort within twenty
: four hours To gain time they replied
: asking prolongation of the time, which
r was afterwards granted, and requesting
v an interview with the tsung-li-yamel
|. on the following day No reply beins
a received. on the morning of the 2Oti
!. the German minister, Baron Won Ket
teller, set out for the yamen to OBJ
, tain a response and on the way wa
3 murdered.
a An attempt by the legation guard t
recover his body was foiled by the Chi
nese. Armed forces turned out agains
: the legations Their quarters wer
), surrounded and attacked The mis-
inmates taking refuge in the BIRTHS
- legation, where all the other legation
q and guards gathered for more etfecttv
!. defense. Four hundred persons wer
4 crowded in its narrow compass. TW
Il thousand converts were assembled
v nearby palace under protection {
4 the foreigners. Lines Of defense weI
i; strengthened, trenches dug, barricade
! raised and preparations made to stan
4 ct1 Will ol oft n