The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1900-12-07

organizing between Taku and the capt.
tai. Reinforcements sent by all the
cooperating governments were con-
stantly arriving. The United States
Philippines or dispatched from this
country. amounted to some 5000 men,
under the able command first of the
lamented Colonel I.iscum and after
wards of General Chaffee.
LEGATIONS RELIEVED.
The Imperial Family Fled Before APP
proach of Troops.
Toward the end Of July the movement
began. A severe conflict followed at
Tientsin, in which Colonel Liscum was
killed. The city was stormed and part
ly destroyed. It's capture afforded the
base of operations from which to make
the final advance, which began in the
first days of August, the expedition be-
ing made up of Japanese, Russian,
British, and the American troops at the
outset. Another battle was fought and
won at Yangtsun. Thereafter the dis
heartened Chinese troops offered little
show of resistance. A few days later
the important position of Ho-Si-Woo
was taken. A rapid march brought the
united forces to the populous city Of
Tung Chow, which capitulated without
a contest.
On Aug. IA the capital was reached.
After a brief conflict beneath the walls
the relief column entered and the lega-
lions were saved. The United States
soldiers, sailors, and marines, officers
and men alike, in those distant chimes
and unusual surroundings, showed the
same valor, discipline, and good con-
duct and gave proof of the same high
degree Of intelligence and efficiency
which have distinguished them in every
emergency.
The imperial family and the govern
ment had fed a few days before The
city was without visible control. The
remaining imperial soldiery had made
on the night Of the 18th last attempt
to exterminate the besieged, which was
CALAMITY repealed. 1t fell to the occu-
plying forces to restore order and or
ganize provisional administration
Happily the acute disturbances were
confied to the northern provinces. Tt
is a relief to recall and pleasure to
record the loyal conduct of the viceroys
and local authorities of the southern
and eastern provinces. Their efforts
were continuously directed to the pacif-
ic control of the vast populations under
their rule and to the scrupulous obServ-
ance of foreign treaty rights. AT crit
ical moments they did not hesitate to
memorabilia the throne, urging the pro-
lection Of the legations, the restoration
of communication, and the assertion
Of the imperial authority against the
subversive elements. They maintained
excellent relations with the official rep
resentatives of foreign powers. To
their kindly disposition is largely due
the success of the consuls in removing
many Of the missionaries from the in
terror to places of safety. In this re-
lation the action of the consuls should
be highly commended. In Shan-Tung
and eastern Chilli the task was diff
cult, but, thanks to their energy and
the cooperation of American and for
eign naval commanders hundreds of
foreigners, including those of other ra-
tionalities than ours, were rescued from
imminent peril.
The policy of the United States
through all this trying period was
clearly announced ard scrupulously
carried out A circular note to the
powers dated July 3 proclaimed our
attitude. Treating the condition in the
north as one of virtual anarchy, in
which the great provinces of the south
and southeast had no share, we regard
ed 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 Chi
nese nation. We adhered TO the leeiti-
mate Office Of rescuing the imperilled
LEGATION, obtaining redress for wrongs
GIreadY SuUer6Q, securing VINE r6V6T
possible 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 solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace to China,
preserve Chinese territorial and admin
istrative entity. protect all rights guar
anteed to friendly powers by treaty and
interna tionai law, and safe guard for
the world the principle of equal ard i'm
partial trade with all parts Of the Chi
nese empire
Faithful to those professions which,
as it proved, reflected theviews and pur-
poses of the other cooperating gov
ernments, all our efforts have been di-
rected toward ending the anomalous
situation in China by negotiations for
a settlement at the earliest possible
moment. AS soon as the sacred duty
of relieving our legation and its de-
pendents was accomplished we with
drew from active hostilities leaving
our legation under an adequate guard
in Pekin as a channel of negotiation
and Settlement-a course adopted by
others of the interested powers. Over
lures of the empowered representatives
or the Chinese emperor has been con-
siderately entertained.
FULL ExPIATIoN IMPERATIVE.