River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-12-06

anu ASKS huttbcaItOn OF nay
PauncefOte Treaty.
Washington, Dec 4.-The following
IS a comprehensive synopsis Of the pres
ent'S annual message 10 congress.
The president gives first place in his
message to the troubles in China, and
our connection with the allied forces OPP
Grating there He reviews the causes
leading up to the Boxer outbreak, and
the first murders of foreigners in Chi
nese territories. In this connection he
says:
The increasing gravity of the conditions
In China and the imminence of peril TO our
own diversified interests in the empire as
we'll as to those of all the other treaty gov
ernments, were soon appreciated by this
government, causing ii profound solicitude
The United States from the earliest days
Of foreign intercourse with China had fol-
lowed a policy of peace. emitting no occa-
sions to testify good will, TO further the
extension OF lawful trade, to respect the
sovereignty Of its government, and to in
sure by all legitimate and kindly but earn
est means the fullest measure of protec-
ton for the lives and property Of our law
abiding citizens and for the exercise OF
their benehcent callings among the Chinese
people.
Mindful Of this It was felt to be appro-
pirate that our purposes should be pro-
nounced in favor of such course as would
hasten united action of the powers at Pc
King TO promote the administrative reforms
50 greatly needed for strengthening the
imperial government and maintaining the
integrity of China, in which we believed the
whole western world to be alike conc erned.
TO these ends l caused to be addressed to
the several powers occupying territory ard
maintaining spheres of influence in China
me circular proposals of 1899, inviting
from them declarations of their intentions
and views to the desirability of the
adoption Of measures insuring the benefits
OF equality Of treatment Of all foreign
trade throughout China.
Proposals Well Received.
With gratifying unanimity the re-
sponSes oincide IN this common policy
enabling me to see in the successful ter
mts4ation of these negotiations proof Of
me friendly spirit which animates the
various powers interested in the I'M
trammeled development Of commerce and
Industry in the Chinese empire as
source of vast benefit to the whole COM
mercial world.
In this conclusion. which had the graf
lhcaton to announce as a completed en-
gagement TO the interested powers on
March 20, 1900, | hope was fully discerned a
potential factor for the abatement of the
ulstrust Of foreign purposes which for a
year past mad appeared to inspire the
pollcy OF the imperial government, and
Tor the effective exertiOn by IL of power
and authority to quel the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov
lnces most Immediately Influenced by the
Manchu sentiment
Seeking TO testify confidence in the
Willingness and ability OF the imperial
administra ton to redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils We suffered and feared,
the marine guard, which had been sent
70 Peking in the autumn OF 1899 for the
protection of the legation was Withdrawn
a the earliest practicable moment and
al pending questions were RENTED,
Iar as we We're concerned, TO the or
binary resorts Of diplomatic intercourse.
ViEOr Of the siege.
The history of the efforts made at re-
ieving the beleaguered legationers in Pc
king is thoroughly covered; no important
detail is lacking. and every eHga cement
with the Chinese forces Is mentioned,
whether our forces were engaged or not.
To show the vigor with which the siege
o nv IL
nese he quotes reports from Minister
Conger, as follows
Minister Conger, there was scarcely an
hour during which there was not firing
some of the legations. varying from n a
sing e shot to q general and continuous
att<ck along the whole line Artillery
was placed around the legations and on
ths overlooking palace walls, and thou-
sands Of three inch shells were fired, de-
strOying some buildings and damaging
all. So thickiy did the balls rain that
when the ammunition OF the besieged ran
low, hve quarts of Chinese bullets were
and recast
Attempts were made to burn the lega-
fire but the flames were successfully
fought of, although the Austrian Bel
gian, Italian and Dutch legations were
then and subsequently, burned. With the
aid of the native converts directed by
the missionaries to whose helpful coop
Grafton Mr.. Conger awards unStinted
praise, the British legation was made
veritable fortress The British minister
Sir Claude Macdonald, was chosen gen
secretary of the American legation Mr.
T. G. Squiers. as chief of staff.
Defense of the LeEatIoners.
To save life and ammunition the be-
sieged sparingiy returned the fncessant fire
of the Chinese soldery, fighting ONLY 10
repel attack or make an occasional sue
Cessful sortie foI strategic advantage such
as that of 50 Americans British and Rus
sian marines led by Capt. Myers of the
United states marine corps, which result
ed in the capture of formidable barricade
on the wall that gravely menaced the
American position. II was held to the last
and proved an invaluable acquisition, be-
cause commanding the water gate through
which the relief column entered
During the siege the defenders lost 65
the last all children.
on July Il the besieged had their first
communication with the tsung-li-yamen,
from whom message came inviting to a
conference, which was declined Core
spondence, however, ehsued and a sort of
armistice was greed upon, which stopned
the bombardment and lessened the rifle IRE
for time Even then no protection what
ever was afforded, nor any aid given. save
TO send to the legations a small supply of
fruit and three sacks of flour.
DupIicity of Chinese Governments.
Indeed. the only communication had with
the Chinese government related to the oc-
casionai delivery or dispatch of a telegram
or to the demands of the tsung-ii-yamen
for the withdrawal of the legation to the
coast under escort. Not only are the pro-
testationS OF the Chinese government that
II protected and succored the legations
positively cOntradicted, but irresistible
proof acCumulates that the attacks upon
them were made by imperial troops regu-
larly uniformed, armed and oficered be
longing to the command of Jung In The
imperial commander in chief. DEGREES en-
couraginE the 6oXers, organizing them I'M
der prominent imperial officers, provision
ing them, and even granting them large
sums In the name OF the empress dowager,
are known to exist Members of the
tsung-H-yamen who CounSelod protection
of the foreigners were beheaded Even in
the distant provinces men suspected OF for
eign sympathy were put to DEATH promi-
nent among these being Chang Yen-Hoon
formerly Chinese minister In Washington
With the negotiation of the partial arm
lsttce of July IA, proceeding which was
doubtless promoted by the representations
way was opened for the conveyance to Mr.
Conger Of test message sent by the sec
rotary of state through the kind offices of
ply, dspa tched from Peklng on July is
through the same channel, afforded to the
OUTSIDE world the first tidngs that the in
mates OF the legations We're still alive and
hoping for succoI.
Preparations for Relief.
All the preparations for relief by the
eomoined powers are gone into, and when
that object was finally accomplished on
August "a the conditions met with in Pc
king are described follows;
The imperial family and the govern
ment had fed n few days before The
city was without visible control The re-
naming imperial soldiery had made on
the night of the 18th a last attempt TO
eNterminate the besieged, which was gal
lautly repealed. 10 fell 10 the occupying
forces to restore order and organize a
provisional administration.
Our Chinese Policy
The policy Of the United States through
all this trying period was clearly an
nounced and scrupulously carried out
circular note to the powers dated
July 8. proclaimed our attitude Treat
ing the condition in the north a one Of
virtual anarchy. in which the great prov
inceS of the south and southeast had no
share, We regarded the local authorities
in the latter quarters as representing the
Chinese people with whom we sought to
remain in peace and friendship. Our
declared aims involved no war against the
Chinese nation. We adhered 70 the Ieglt-
innate office OF resCuing the tmpeEied le-
cation, obtaining redress for wrongs al
ready suffered, securing wherever pos
sibie the safety of American life and
property in China. and preventing a
spread OF the disorders or their recur-
renee
As WAS then said. THE policy of the
government OF the United States Is to
seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace to China.
preserve Chinese territorial ana admin
tAtrative entity, protect all rights guar
international Jaw, and safeguard for the
world the principle Of equal ana Impair
tial trade with all parts Of the Chinese
empire.
Faithful to those professions which as
II proved reflected the views and purposes