The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-12-07
PRINCE TUAN THE LEADER.
Anti-Foreign Influences Held Sway Under
His Power.


His Power.
The Chinese government proved, how
ever, unable to check the rising
strength of the Boxers and appeared
to be prey to internal discussions.
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 affil ated,
held the country between Pekin and
the coast, penetrated into Manchuria
up to the Russian border, and through
their emissaries threatened like rising
throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction
Of their property, and slaughter of ma
sides. The tsung-li-yamen, already
permeated with hostile sympathies,
could make no effective response to the
appeals of the legations. At this crit
ioal juncture, in the early spring Of
this year, a proposal was made by the
other powers that 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.
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
of marines were landed at Taku and
sent to Pekin for the protection Of the
American legation. 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 sedi-
tious movement in Pekin and the need
Of increased provision for defense
against it. While preparations were
in progress for a larger expedition, to
strengthen the legation guards and
keep the railway open, an attempt of
the foreign ships to make landing at
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
attack on the ground that we were
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
column.
Two days later the Taku forts were
captured after a sanguinary conflict.
Severance of communication with Pc
kin followed, and a 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,
and the undaunted spirit that led their
BELIEVERS through battle and suffering
to the goal, it is 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 hearts have again
set high, in fervent emulation with
true men of other race and language,
the indomitable courage that ever
strives for the cause of right and jus
tice.
BY June 18th the legations were cut
off. An identical note from the yamen
ordered each minister to leave Pekin,
under promised escort, within twenty
four hours. To gain time they replied,
asking prolongation of the time, which
was afterwards granted, and requesting
an interview with the tsung-h-yamen
on the following day. No reply being
received. on the morning of the goth
the German minister, Baron Won Ket-
teller, set out for the yamen to OBJ
tain a response, and on the way was
murdered.
An attempt by the legation guard to
recover his body was foiled by the Chi
nese. Armed forces turned out against
the legations Their quarters were
surrounded and attacked. The mis-
sion compounds were abandoned, their
inmates taking refuge in the British
legation, where all the other legations
and guards gathered for more efeective
defense Four hundred persons were
crowded in its narrow compass. Two
thousand converts were assembled in
nearby palace under protection of
the foreigners. Lines Of defense were
strengthened, trenches dug, barbados
raised and preparations made to stand
a siege, which at once began.