The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-04

states contingent hastily assembled from tho
Philippines or dispatched from this country,
| amounted TO some 1900 men. under the able
I command first " the lamrntcd Colonel Lisc,ini
| and afierward Of General Chaffcc.
Toward the end Of July the movement began.
\ severe conflict followed at Tientsn, In whicl,
Colonel Lscum was killed. The city was
| stormch and party destroyed. Its capture az
| fordcd 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 Yang
tsun. Thereafter the disheartcned Chinese
troops offered little show OF resistance. A few
days later the important position of Ilo-si-woo
was taken rapid march brought the united
forces to the populous city of Tung Chow, which
capituatcd without contest.
Legations Relieved.
On Aug. 18th, the capital was reached. After
brief conflict beneath the walls the relief col
umn entered and the legations were saved The
United States soldiers sailors. and marines, Of
iccrs and men alike in those distant c!mes and
unusual surroundings. showed the same ralor,
discipline, and good conduct and gave proof Of
the same high degree of intelligence and eff
cheney which have distinguished them in every
emergency
The Imperial family and the government had
fled few days before. The city was without
visible control. The remaining Imperial SOL
diery had made OH the night Of the 18th a last
attempt TO externinatc the besicged. which wis
gallantly repelled. 1t fell to the occupying
forces to restore order and organize provisional
administration
Happily the acute disturbances confined
to the northern provinces. 1t is a relief to re-
call 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 pacific control
OF the vast populations under their rule and to
the scrupulous observance Of foreign treaty
rights. At critical moments they did not hesi-
tate to meinorializc the Throne, urging the pro-
lection of the legations, the restoration of COM
munication, and the assertion of the Imperial
authority against the subversivc elements. They
maintained excellent relations with the official
representatives of foreign powers. TO their
kindly disposition is largely due the success OF
the consus in removing many Of the missionaries
from the interior to places OF safety. In this
relation the action of the consuls should be
highly commended. In Slangtung and eastern
eastern Chilli the task difficult but thanks
to their energy and the cooperation of American
and foreign naval commanders. hundreds of for
eigncrs, including those of other nationalites
than ours. were rescued from imminent peril.
The American Policy.
The policy Of the United States through all
this trying period was clearly announced and
scrupulously carried out. circular note To
the powers dated July proclaimed our atti-
tldc. Treating the condition in the north US
one OF virtual anarchy. in which the great pro.
vinccs of the south and southeast had no share,
regarded the local authorities in the latter
quarters as representing the Chinese people with
whom we sought to remain in peace and friend.
ship. Our declared aims involved no war against
the Chinese nation. We adhered to the lcgiti-
mate office of rescung the imperled legation.
obtaining redress for wrongs already suffered,
securing wherever possible the safety Of Ameri.
can life and property in China. and preventing
IL spread ol the disorders of their recurrence
As was then said. 'Thc policy OF the govern
mcnt of the United States is to seek a solution
which may bring about permanent safety and
peace to China preserve Chinese territorial and
administrative entity protect all rights guaran-
tccd to friendly powers by treaty and interna-
tional law, and safeguard for the world the
principle of equal and impartial trade with all
parts Of the Chinese empire.''
Faithful to those professions which. as il
proved, reflected the views and purposes OF the
other cooperating governments, all our efforts
have been directed toward e1dng the anomalous
in China by negotiations for settle.
ment at the earliest possible moment. As soon
as the sacred duty OF relieving our legations and
its dependents accomplished withdrew
from active hostilics, leaving our legation under
an adequate guard in Pckin as channel of ne.
and setlementa course adopted by
Others Of the interested powers. Overtures OF
the empowered representatives of the Chinese
emperor have been considerably entertained.
Will Insist on Justice.
The Russian proposition looking to the restora-
ton of the imperial power in Pekin has been
accepted in full consonance with our own de.
,ircs for we have held and hold that effective
rcparation for wrongs suffered and an enduring |
that will make their recurrence i'm.
possible can best be brought about under an a,l.
lhority which the Chinese nation rcvcrences and |
obeys. While doing we forego no iot OF our |
rndoubted right to exact exemplary and deter |
rent punishment of the responsible authors and |
abettors OF the criminal acts whereby we and |
other nations have suffered grieyous injury.
For the real culprits, the evil counselors who |
have mised the imperial Judgment and diverted |
The sovereign authority to their own guilty ends, |
full eypiation becomes imperative within the m. |
fional limits of rcributive justice. Regarding |
This as the initial condition OF an acceptable set
llement between China and the powers, ! said |
in ms message of Oct. Is 10 the Chinese EN-.
peror:
u uUNl 'lIuI NEGOTIATIONS may DpBln soon
is we and the other offended governments shall
he effectively satisfied OF your majesty's ability
md power To treat with just sterness the prn
,ipal offenders. who are douhly culpable, not
ilone toward the foreigners, hut toward your
majesty, under whose rule the purpose of China
% dwell in concord with the world had hither
o found expression in the welcome and protcc.
ion assured to strangers"
Taking, as point of departure. the imperial
al rt no En I lima Ihnn,r
hing plenpotentaries to arrange a settlement,
md the edct of Sept. 25. whereby certain high
officials We're designated ior punishment, this
government has moved, in concert with the other
'owers toward the opening Of negotiations,
which Mr., Conger, assisted by Mr. Rockhill has
,cen authorized to conduct on behalf of the
-nted States.
Working Toward Settlement.
General bases of negotiation formulated by
he government Of the French republic have
'cen accepted with certain reservations as To
leals, made necessary by our own crcum.
tances, but, like similar reservations by other
powers, open to discussion in the progress of the
legotatons, The disposition of the emperor's
government to admit liability for wrongs done
o foreign governments and their nationals and
o act upon such additional designation of the
guilty persons as the foreign ministers at Pekin
nay he in a position to make, gives hope OF a
omplete settlement of all questions involved,
ssurng foreign rights OF residence and inter.
curse ON terms of equality for all the world.
| regard as one of the essential factors of a
lurablc adjustment the securement Of ADEQUATE
for liberty of faith, since insecurity
Il those natives who may embrace alien creeds
5 a scarcely less efectua assault upon the
lights of foreign worship and teaching than
'ould be the direct invasion thereof
The matter of indemnity for our wronged citi.
10 8