The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-10-06


first went 10 China as a Presbyterian
missionary 70 Ming PO. half centur,
ago. and ls widely known as the autho
Of many books dealing with China
His communication In part Is as fol
lows:
The rescue was the work Of Chris
tendon aided by japan, which deserves
70 be admitted into that honored broth
erhood. The British troops were IN,
first TO enter. coming In by the watel
gate under a portion of the wall held
by our legation guard
The first visible sign Of our greal
danger was the burning Of churches
missions and legations IN exposed plac-
a.. The enemy even set fire to Chinese
shoDs filled with foreign goods, part
from hatred 10 foreign products but
chiefly 10 the hope that the flames
driven by 4 south wind might reach the
foreign quarter. A tower Of the great
front gate was consumed on that oc-
caBion
'on the day after our flight they set
fire N iwO imperial buildings adjoin-
| ing the British legation, believing that
the flames would overlap the wall, and
50 they would have done had not our
people repelled them by tearing down
outlying structures and by pouring on
floods Of water. How II frightened us
10 hear the fire alarm when It meant a
bloodthirsty enemy at the door. 50
imminent was our peril that even wo-
men and children passed buckets from
hand 10 hand.
zone Of the imperial buildings thus
destroyed was a grand coach stand for
the palace. And this was the Houlen
Academy the focus Of learning and
summit Of the whole literary system;
It's priceless library. largely in manu-
scripts. was reduced to ashes or trOd-
den under foot Nothing shows the bit
terness OF the determination to destroy
us Ike the sacrifice Of such a monu-
ment.
AT short intervals every night and
often through the day we were subject
20 fusillads from many thousand rifles
the soldiers taking no aim but firing up
ward. In expectation OF some shots fall
ing on cur heads. Nee dless to say few
shots took effect. The same is true Of
the bombardment. In which hundreds Of
shells burst in midalr. Still In sorties
and IN conflicts at critical points our
losses were very heavy.
Not only were our men at their posts
Of danger night and day. but the wo-
men were equally on the alert and
equally brave. They made sand bags
in great number. over 10000. using cur
tains Of silk and satin as well as other
costly materials. The sand bags were
used 10 strengthen our defensas, many
OF them serving FOR parapets on house
tops where guards were stationed.
The cheerfulness Of our ladies did |
muct 10 encourage the men. All knew |
that the enemy would give no quarter |
and that women falling into their |
hands would suffer a fate worse than
death. Young women requested their I
friends 10 shoot them. and a mother OF |
six resolved to shoot her children and |
then to kill herself Stern necessity |
admits no argument. During an at
tack one woman broke down and went |
Into Mysteries and one more went mad. |
These were solitary instances OF weak
ness. In general calmness and even
hilarity prevailed.
Our provisions were running low /
when our troops approached. Horses
md mules had been eaten and dog /
neat was threatened Each night the 1
attack grew in fiercity. we feared the
snenry would escalade our walls. burst
n some weak point or spring a mine
mi blow us IN the air
"On Monday. the 18th Of August, a i
soldier walked us up to listen to the I
Machine guns of our deliverers. MOI
music could be so charming. Women
ell or each others necks and wept for
oy. Yet our friends had to wait for
iaylight TO force the gates. This they
lid carly In the forenoon, almost with
nt opposition The Chinese had been
owed by frequent defeats and now
hought of nothing but flight. The en-
'ress dowagsr and court fled the same
ay, intending to set up a new cap
tol 1T some inaccessible spot in the
ar west.
ION Sunday was held a thanksgiving
ervice conducted by an English chap
ain, In the. open air, assisted by DR..
Irthnr Smith.
Through these trying days | was
indy cared for by the United states
ninister and his excellent wife, TO
hem next after God my thanks are due.
also take occasion to thank Mr.. =
the secretary Of the legation, (,
nd his worthy wife, for their hos.
itality. Mr. Squisrs was prominent as
hlef Of staff, devising plans and lead
ne charges. To him is chiefly due
he holding Of the city wan. without
ihioh not one of the legations would
ave heen tenable,
The Chinese government is incapa-
lie Of reconstruction and it is probable
hat q partition will be arranged be-
ween the great powers.
wv. A. p. MARTIN"
"P. S. The new Imperial University,
f which have the honor 10 be presi-
ent. is occupied as barracks by Rus
ian troops II is likely to share thu
ate of the Manchu dynasty. /
"Pekin. August %, 1900" I
r,AItNrn IN ~ NnLrAr nOAT =.