Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1897-1902, 1900-12-14

March ~, 100, hopefully discerned po-
tential factor for the abatement of the
distrust of foreign purposes which for a
year past had appeared to inspire the
policy of the imperial government, and
Tor the effective exertoD by IL of power
and authority TO quell the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov
inces most Immediately influenced by the
Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence in the will
ingness and ability of the imperial adj
ministration to REDRESS the wrongs and
prevent the evils we suffered and feared.
the marine guard, which had been sent to
Pekin In the autumn of 1899 for the pro-
lection of the legation. was withdrawn at
Inc earliest practical moment, and all
pending questions were RENTED, as far
as We were concerned, TO the ordinary re-
sorts of diplomatic intercourse.
SLAUGHTER BY BOXERS.
The Chinese government proved. how
ever. unable to check the rising strength
OF the Boxers and appeared to be a prey
10 internal disseISions. In the unequal
contest the anti-foreign influences soon
ship of Prince Tuan. Organized armies
OF Boxers, with which the imperial forces
animated. held the country between Pekin
ana the coast, penetrated into Manchuria
up 10 the Russian border. and through
Their emissaries threatened q like rising
throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction of
their property and slaughter of native
were reported from all SIDES.
Inc tsung-H-y amen. already permeated
with hostile sympathies. could make 20
enective response to the appeals of the
legations. At this critical junCture, in
the early spring OF this year a proposal
was made by the other powers that a
combined fleet should be assembled in
ChlneSe water as a moral demonstration
under cover of which to exact of the
ChlneSe government respect for foreign
treaty rights and the suppression of the
Boxers.
The United States. while not participant
ing In the joint demonstration, promptly
seht from the Philippines all ships that
could be spared for service on the Chi
nese coast. small force OF marines
was landed at Taku and sent to Pekin
Tor the protection of the American lega-
uon other powers took similar action.
until some 400 men were assembled In the
capital as legation guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations
reported the development of the seditious
movement in Pekin and the need of in
creased provision for defense against It,
w lille preparations were in progress for
a larger expedition to strengthen the le-
CATION guards and keep the railway open
an attempt of the foreign ships to make
a landing at Taku was met by a fire
from the Chinese forts. The forts were
tbereupon shelled by the foreign vessels.
the American admiral taking no part i'm
the attack, on the ground that we were
not at war with China and that a hostile
demonstration might consolidate the anti
foreign element and strengthen the Box
eIs 10 oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the Taku forts were
captured after a sanguinary conflict.
severance of communication with Pekn
followed. and combined force of addi-
tionai guards. which was advancing 10
Pekin by the Pei-Ho was checked at
Lang Fang. The isolation of the lega-
tons was complete
HEROISM OF THE LEGATIONS.
The siege and the relief of the legations
has passed into undying history. In all
the stirring chapter which records the
heroism of the devoted band. cIinging to
hope in the face OF despair. and the un-
daunted spirit that led their believers
through battle and suffering to the goal.
il is a memory of which my cOuNtrymen
may be justly proud that the honor of
our flag was maintained alike in the siege
and the rescue. and that stout American
emulation with true men of other race
and language. the indomitable courage
that ever strives for the cause of right
and justice.
By June ~ the legations we're cut off.
dered each minister TO leave Pekin under
a promised escort within twenty-four
hours To gain time they replied, asking
prolongation of the time. which was aft
erward granted, and requesting an inter-
view with the tsung-li-yamen on the fol-
lowing day No reply being received.
the morning of the 10Th the German min
lister, Baron Won ketteler. set out for the
yamen to obtain a response and on tho
way was murdered.
An attempt by the legation guard TO re-
cover his body was foiled by the Chinese
. Armeo forces turned out against the lega-
ions. Their quarters We're surrounded
and attacked The mission compounds
were abandoned. their inmates taking
refuge in the British legation. where all
the other iegations and guards gathered
for more effective defense. Four hundred
persons were crowded into its narrow
compass. Two thousand native converts
were assembled in near by palace under
Tense were Strengthened. trenches dug
DarrlcadeS raised and preparations made
TO stand Siege. which at once began.
From June 20 until July H." writes
Minister COnger. there was scarcely an
hour during which there was not firing
upon some part of our lines and into
some of the legations. varying from a
single shot TO general and continuous
attack along the whole line" Artillery
was placed around the legations and on
the overlooking palace walls and thou
SANDS OF 3-inch shot and shell were fired,
ing ali. So thickiy did the balls rain that
wnen the ammunition of the besieged ran
low. five quarts of Chinese bullets were
gathered In an hour in ope compound and
recast.
Attempts were made to burn the leea.
tons by setting neighborinE houses on
fire. but the flames were successfully
fought of, although the Austrian, Bel
gian, Italian and Dutch legations were
then and subsequently, burned.
ATTITUDE IN CHINA.
Americas attitude has been UNMARRIED
and was first broadly defined by circu-
lar TO the powers of July last, this
cOuntrys policy as then defined being ito
seek solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace TO China.
preserve Chinese territorial and admin
lstrative entity. protect all rights guar
anteed TO friendly powers by treaty and
international law and safeguard for the
World the principle of equal and impair
tial trade with all parts of the Chinese
empire Of course. in addition 10 this
broad and generous view os the rights
and interests of all nations. there has
since been added the question of repara-
ton for injuries received the past sum-
mer and the indemnity for the expenses
necessarily incurred in connection with
the relief Of the legations. On this pojnt
the president says: I'VE forego no lot
of our undoubted right TO exact exem-
plary and deterrent punishment of the
responsible authors of the criminal scts
whereby we and other nations have suf-
fered grievous injury"
While the hope is expressed that n
complete settlement OF all the questions
involved may be reached, IL is admitted
that the question of indemnity is ono of
grave concern" as measured in money
alone. a sufficient recompense may be
beyond the power of China to pay. The
president is disposed to think, however
that due compensation may be made by
Increased guarantees for forafcp rfybta