The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-12-04

40 SuNe uIG anu HullnNlullOu tle UO
 sieged sparingly returned the inCessan
 fire of the Chinese soldiery, fighting onl. 10 repel attack or make an occasiona successful sortie for strategic advantage
 such as that of ffty-fye American, Brit
 ish, and Russian marines led by CaptaiI
 Myers, of the United States MariE
 Corps, which resulted in the capture of {
 formidable barricade on the wall thu
 grayey menaccd the American position
 It was held to the last and proved al
 invaluable acquisition, because com
 manding the water gate through whicl
 the relief column entered.
 During the siege the defenders lost 6;
 killed, 135 wounded, and by disease
 the last all children.
 On July 14th the besieged had theil
 first communication with the Tsungl
 Yamen, from whom Il message came in
 viting to a conference, which was de-
 clined. Correspondence, however, en
 sued and sort of armistice was agreed
 upon, which stopped the bombardment
 and lessened the rifle fire for a time
 Even then no protection whatever was
 afforded, nor any aid given, save to send
 to the legations n small supply of fruit
 and three sacks of flour.
 Indeed, the only communication had
 with the Chinese Government related to
 the occasional delivery or dispatch of a telegram or to the demands of the Tsung- Ii Yamen for the withdrawal of the lega- tions to the coast under escort. Not only are the protestations of the Chinese Gov ernment that it protected and succored the legations positively contradicted, but l j1'ppSi GtiblA rrpOf tnc tboi ho n f. Jacks upon them were made by Imperial troops, regularly uniformed, armed, and otficered, belonging to the command of Jung Lu, the Imperial commander in chief. Decrees encouraging the Boxers, organizing them under prominent Im- perial officers, provisioning them, and even granting them large sums in the name of the Empress Dowager, are known to exist. Members of the Tsung- Ii Yamen who counseled, 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 Wash ington.
 With the negotiation of the partial armistice of July 14th, proceeding which was doubtless promoted by the representations of the Chinese envoy in Washington the way was opened for the conveyance to MT. Conger of test message sent by tho Secretary of State through the kind offices of Minister Wu Ting-fang. Mr. Conger's reply, dispatch ed from Picking on July 18th through the same channel, afforded to the out side world the first tidings that the in mates of the legations were still alive and hoping for succor.
 This news stimulated the prenarations for joint relief expedition in numbers sufficient to overcome the resistance which for q month had been organizing between Taku and the capital. Rein forcements sent hy all the cooperating governments were constantly arriving. The United States contingent, hastily assembled from the Philippines or dis patched from this country, amounted to some 5,00O men, under the able command first of the lamented Colonel Iiscum and afterwards of General Chaffee.
 Toward the end of July the movement began. A severe conflict followed at Iientsin, in which Colonel Iiscum was killed. The city was stormed and partly 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 being made up of Japanese Russian, British, and American troops at the outset
 Another battle was fought and won at Yangtsun. Thereafter the disheartencd Chinese troops offered little show of re- sistance. A few days later the impor- tant position of Ho-si-woo was taken. A rapid march brought the united forces to the populous city of Tung Chow, which | capitulated without contest
 On August 14th the capital was reach | ed. After q brief conflict beneath the | walls the relief column entered and the i legations were saved. Tho United States l soldiers, sailors, and marines, officers and | men alike, in those distant olimes and | surroundings, showed the same . valor discipline, and good conduct and 1. gave proof of the same high degree of in- I telligence and efficiency which have dis | tinguished them in every emergency.
 The Imperial family and the Govern ment had fled few days before. The [ city was without visible control. The re- Imperial soldiery had made on the night of the 18th last attempt to exterlninate the besiesed, which was gal lantly repeled. It fell to the occupying forces to restore order and organize q provisional administration.
 Happily the acute disturbances were confined to the northern provinces. It is . relief to recall and a pleasure to record the loyal conduct of the yiceroys and To- gal authorities of the southern and east arn provinces. Their efforts were contin- lously directed to the pacific control of the vast populations under their rule and to he scrupulous observance of foreign reaty rights. At critical moments they lid not hesitate to memorialize the Throne, urging the protection of the le- ,ations, the restoration of communca- ion, and the assertion of the Imperial authority against the subversive elc- nents. They maintained excellent rela- ions with the official representatives of oreign powers. To their kindly disposi- ion is largely due the success of the con uls in removing many of the missiona- ies from the interior to places of safety. n this relation the action of the consuls hould be highly commended. In Shan ung and eastern Chilli the task was diff cult but, thanks to their energy and he cooperation of American and foreign aval commanders, hundreds of foreign IFS, including those of other nationalities han ours, were rescued from imminent aril