Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-12-13
CHINA COMES FIRST,
The Horrors of the Pekin Siege and
the Timely Rescue.

xns Horrors OF the Pekfn Siege and
the Timely Rescue.
IN our foreign intercourse the dominant
question has been the treatment of the
chinese problem. Apart from this our
feiations with the powers have been
happy.
ORIGIN OF CHINESE TROUBLES
The recent troubles in China spring
from the anti-foreign agitation which for
The past three years has gained strength
p the northern provinces. Their origin
Dies deep in the character of the Chinese
races and In the traditions of their gov
eminent. The TAPPING rebellion and the
opening OF CHINESE ports TO foreign trade
geneity and the seclusion of China.
Meanwhile foreign activity made itself
felt In all quarters, not alone on the
coast, but along the great river arteries
and In the remoter districts, carrying
new ideas and Introducing new asSocil-
tons among a primitive people which had
pursued for centuries national policy
OF isolation.
The telegraph and railway spreading
over their land. the steamers plying on
their waterways, the merchant and the
missionary penetrating year BY year
farther TO the interior, became to- the
Chinese mind types of an alien invasion
changing the course OF their national life
and fraught with vague forebcdings OF
disaster to their beliefs and their self
control.
For several years before the present
troubles all the resources Of foreign d.
plomacy, backed by moral demonstra-
tons of the physical force of fleets and
arms, have been needed to secure due re-
spect for the treaty rights Of foreigners
and to obtain satisfaction from the re-
sponsible authorities for the sporadic out
RACES upon the persons and property of
unoffendlng soJourners, which from time
TO time occurred at widely separated
points in the northern provinces, as In
The case Of the outbreaks IN Sze-Chusn
and Shantung.
Posting of anti-foreIgn placards became
o daily occurrence, which the repeated
reprobation OF the imperial power failed
20 check or punish These inhammatory
appeals to the ignorance and supersti-
Gon Of the masses, mendacious and alb
aurd In their accusations and deeply hos
tile In their spirit. could not but work
cumulative harm. They aim at no par
ticuhr class Of foreigners; they were
impartial in attacking everything for
MURDERS OF MISSIONARIES.
An outbreak in Shantung, In which Ger
man missionaries were slain, was the too
natural result of these malevolent teach
sIhoTting to the utter destruction OF for
eigners and of every foreign thing, con-
enued unrebuked. Hostile demOnstra-
lions toward the stranger gained strength
1.-THE sect commonly styled the Boxers
developed greatly In the provinces north
OF the Yang-Tse, and with the collision
IN the Immediate councils of the throne
Itself, became alarmingly aggressive. No
Foreigners LIE. outside Of the protected
Treaty ports, was safe. No foreign in
Srest was secure from spoliation.
The diplomatic representatives OF the
bowers in Pek.ng stroye II vain to check
Ibis movement. Protest was followed by
demand and demand by renewed protest.
10 be met with perfunctory edicts from
he palace and evasive and futile assur-
ences from the tsung-li-yamen. The cir
ale Of the Boxer influence narrowed about
Picking and while nominally stignatizeJ
a seditlous, 1t was felt that its spirit
peryaded the capital itself, that the i'm
berial forces were imbued with its doc.
trInes. and that the immediate counselor.
Of the empress dowager were In full sym
pathy with the anti-foreign movement.
The increasing gravity of the conditions
IN China and the imminence of peril t.
our own diversified interests In the EN-
pire as well as to those Of all the othei
treaty governments, were soon appreci
ated by this government, causing II pro
found sollctude. The United States from
The earliest days Of foreign intercourse
with China had followed policy @
peace. emitting no occasion TO testif,
good WILL to further the extension o.
lawful trade, to respect the sovereignty
Of its government. and to Issue by al
legitimate and kindly but earnest mean
}hs fullest measure OF protection for thu
Hyes and properly Of our law-abiding cit
hens and for the exercise OF their benen
cent callings among the Chinese people
UNITED ACTION OF POWERS.
Mindful OF this, It was felt to be ap
propriate that our purposes should b.
pronounced In favor of such course a.
Would hasten united action OF the power
81 Pekin to promote the administrative
reforms so greatly needed for strength
sninE the Imperial government and main
Naming the integrity OF China, In whicl
we believed the whole western world 4
Is alike concerned. To these ends cause,
% be addressed to the several power
occupying territory and maintaining
apheres OF influence In China the circula
proposals OF 1889. Inviting from them dec
farations OF their intentions and view
a 10 the desirability OF the adoption o
measures insuring the benefits of equalit!
II treatment Of all foreign trade through
cut China
With gratifying unanimity the re
sponses coinclded In this common policy
Enabling me to see In the successful ter
rnination of these negotiations proof o
The friendly spirit which anmates tn
various powers interested In the untram
rneled development of commerce and in
1usiry In the Chinese empire as sourc
Of vast benefit TO the whole commercial
world.
n this conclusion. vh,eh had tn