New-York tribune., 1900-12-04

barricade on the wall that gravely menaced the
American position. 1t held to the last, and
proved an invaluable acquisition, because com
mandlng the water gate through which the
lief column entered
During the siege the defenders lost 65 killed
135 wounded and by disease-the last all chill
dren
TREATING WITH THE TSUNG-LI-YAMEN.
On July IA the besieged had their first COM
munication with the Tsung-li-Yamen. from
whom message came inviting TO a conference,
which was declined. Correspondence. however.
ensued. and a sort Of armistice was agreed upon.
which stopped the bombardment and lessened
the rifle fire for time. Even then protection
whatever was afforded. nor any aid given
TO send to the legations small supply Of fruit
and three sacks of -four.
Indeed. the only communication had with the
Chinese Government related TO the occasional
delivery or dispatch of a telegram or to the de-
mands Of the TsUng-h- Yamen for the with
drawal Of the legations to the coast under escort
Not only the protestattOns OF the Chinese
Government that IT protected and succored the
legations positively contradicted. but irresistible
proof accumulates that the attacks upon them
were made by Imperial troops, regularly uni
formed, armed and Oficered, belonging TO the
command Of Jung Lu. the Imperial commander
in-chief. DEGREES encouraging the BoNers, or
sanizing them under prominent Imperial oHlcers.
provisioning them, and even granting them
large sums In the name of the Empress DOW
ager, are known to exist. Members Of the
Isung-N-Y Yamen who cOunselled protection or
the foreigners were beheaded Even in the dis
tant provinces men suspected of foreign sym
pathy were put to death. prominent among these
being Chang Yen HOon. formerly Chinese Min
ister In Washington.
With the negotiation Of the partial armistice
or July IL, proceeding which was doubt
Chinese Envoy in washington, the way was
opened for tbs conveyance to Mr.. Conger or
test message sent by the Secretary OF state
through the kind offices of Minister WI Ting
Fang Mr.. Conger's reply, dispatched from Pc
king on July 1S through the same channel, af-
forded 10 the outside world the first tidings that
q
hoping for succor.
THE Relief EXPEDITION.
This news stimulated the preparations for a
joint relief expedition in numbers sufficient to
overcome the resistance which for a month had
been organizing between Taku and the capital
Reinforcements sent by all the cooperating
governments constantly arriving. The
United States contingent. hastily assembled from
the Philippines dispatched from this country,
amounted some five thousand men under the
able command first of the lamented Colonel
Liscum and afterward of General Chaffee
Toward the end Of July the movement began.
A severe conflict followed at Tien-Tsin, in which
Colonei Liscum was killed. The city was
stOrmed and partly destroyed. Its capture af-
forded the base Of opera lions from which to
make the final advance, which began In the first
days OF August, the expedition being made up
Of japanese, Russian British and American
Another battle was fought and won at Yang
Tsun. Thereafter the disheartened Chinese
! troops offered little show OF resistance few
days later the important position OF Ho-si-Woo
taken. A rapid march brought the united
forces 10 the populous city OF Tung- Chow
J which capitulated without a contest.
on August IA the capital reached. After
! a brief conflict beneath the walls the relief
column entered and the legations were saved
The United States soldiers sailors and ma
rlnes. officers and men alike. in those distant
| climes and unusual surroundings. showed the
same valor. discipline and good conduct and
gave proof Of the same high degree Of intelli-
gence and efficiency which have distinguished
them In every emergency.
The Imperial family and the Government had
fed a few days before. The city was without
visible control The remaining Imperial sotdiery
had made on the night OF the 18th a last
attempt TO exterminate the besiesed. which was
calamity repelled Il fell to the occupying forces
to restore order and organize provisional ad-
ministration.
FRIENDLY vICEROYs.
Happily the acute disturbances were con-
hned TO the northern provinces. 1t is a relief
: TO recall and pleasure 10 record the loyal con-
duct Of the viceroys and local authorities of
the southern and eastern provinces. Their ef-
forts were continuously directed to the pacific
control OF the vast populations under their rule
and to the scrupulous observance sof foreign
treaty rights At critical moments they did not
hesitate TO memorialize the Throne urging the
protection Of the legations. the restoration OF
communication. and the assertion OF the I'M
perial authority against the subversiVe elements
They maintained excellent relations with the
official representatives Of foreign Powers To
their kindly disposition is largely due the sue
cess OF the consuls IN removing many Of the
missionaries from the interior to places Of
safety. In this relation the action OF the con-
suls should be highly commended In shan
Tung and Eastern Chilli the task was diff
ficut but. thanks to their energy and the
operation OF American and foreign naval COM
members hundreds of foreigners. including those
of other natiOnalties than ours. were rescued
from imminent peril
The policy OF the United States through all
this trying period was clearly announced and
scrupulously carried out. A circular note TO
the Powers dated July g. proclaimed our at
titude Treating the condition in the north
one of virtual anarchy, IN which the great
provinces of the south and southeast had
share, regarded the local authorities in the
latter quarters as representing the Chinese peo-
pie with whom sought to remain in peace
and friendship Our declared AIMS involved no
war against the Chinese nation We adhered
10 the legitimate office OF rescung the i'm
perilled Legation obtaining redress for wrongs
already suffered, securing wherever possible the
safety of American life and property in China,
and preventing a spread OF the disorders or their
recurrence.
As was then said, THE policy of the Govern
ment OF the United States is TO seek solution
which may bring about permanent safety and
administrative entity protect all rights guaran-
teed to friendly Powers by treaty and inter
national law. and safeguard for the world the
principle OF equal and impartial trade with all
parts Of the Chinese Empire"
Faithful TO those professions which. as it
proved reflected the views and purposes of the
other cooperating governments all our efforts
have been directed toward ending the anomalous
situation in China by negotiations for settle
ment at the earliest possible moment. AS soon
as the sacred duty of relieving our Legation
and its dependents was accomplished We with
drew from active hostities, leaving our Le-
cation under adequate guard In Peking as
d channel CT negotiations and settlement-a
course adopted By others of the interested
Powers Overtures OF the empowered repre-
sentatives of the Chinese Emperor have been
considerably entertained.
THE RUSSIAN PROPOSITION.
The Russian proposition looking to the restora-
tion OF the Imperial power in Peking has been
accepted as in full consonance with own