The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03
TWO CENTS

circle Of the boxer Influence narrowed
about Pelzin, and while nominally stig-
matized as seditious. It was felt that It's
spirit pervaded the capital ITSELF that
the imperial forces were imbued with its
doctrines. and that the immediate coun-
selors of the 9npress dowager were In
full sympathy with the ant-foreign
movement.
The Increasing gravity Of the condi-
tions in China and the imminence Of
peril to our own diversified interests in
the empire. as well as to those Of all the
other treaty governments. were soon ap-
preciated by this government, causing it
profound soiicitude- The United States
from the earliest days Of foreign inter
course with China had followed a policy
of peace, emitting no occasions 20 testi-
fy good WILL to further the extension of
lawful trade, to respect the sovereignty
of its government, and TO insure by all
legitimate and kindly but earnest means
the fullest measure OF protection FOR the
lives and property OF our laW-abidinE
citizens and for the exercise Of their
benehcent callings among the Chinese
people.
Mindful Of this It was felt 70 be ap-
propriate that our purposes should be
pronounced in favor OF such course as
would hasten united action Of the pow
ers at Pelcin to promote the administra-
tive reform so greatly needed for
strengthening the imperial government
and maintaining the integrity Of China,
in which we believed the whole western
world to be alike concerned. To these
ends I caused TO be addressed to the
several powers occupying territory ana
maintaining spheres Of influence in Chic
ma the circular proposals Of 1893. invite
ing from them declarations Of their in
tentions and views as TO the dcsira binty
Of the adoption OF measures insurinE the
benefits Of equality OF treatment OF all
foreign trade throughout China.
With gratifying unanlmity the re-
sponses coincided IN this common policy,
enabling me to see I'm the successful ter
unfnation OF these negotiations nrooi uf
= he Fr.fa 1er sriff fan ftHa
various powers interested I'm the un-
ira annneled development Of commerce
and industry in the Chinese empire as "a
source Of vast benefit to the whole COM
mercial world.
In this conclusion. which I had the
qualification to announce as completed
engagement to the interested powers on
March 20, 1900. I hopefully disccrued "a
potential factor for the abatement or
the distrust of foreign purposes which
for year past had appeared to inspire
the policy of the imperial government.
and for the effective exertion by it &C
power and authority TO quell the criti-
cal anti-foreign movement IN the north
ern province most Immediately influence
ed by the Manchu sentiment
Seeking to testify confidence IN this
willingness and ability of the imperial
administration to redress the wrongs
and prevent the evils we suffered AMI
feared, the marine guard. which had
been sent to Pelxin in the autumn ~
ls9a. for the protection Of the
earliest practicable moment. and
all pending questions were remitted. as
tar as we were concerned, 70 the ordi-
nary resorts OF diplomatic intercourse.
IAIPOTENCY OF CHINA.
The Chinese government proved,
however. unable to check the rising
strength of the boxers and appeared TO
be a prey to internal dissensions. In the
uneaual contest the anti-foreign in
huences soon gained the ascendancy un-
der the leadership of Prince Tuan. Or
ganized armies of boxers, with which
the imperial forces affiliated, held the
country between Peldn and the coast,
penetrated into Idanchuria up to the
Russian border. and through their ennis
saries threatening 4. like rise throughour
northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners. destruction
of property, and slaughter OF native
converts were reported from all sides.
The Tsung -Yamen, already permeat-
ed with hostile sympathieF, could make
no effective response to tNte appeals OF
the legations At this critfcal juncture,
in the early spring of this year, q pro-
posal was made by the o,her powers
that a combined feet be az Uemblcd ia
Chinese waters as a moral cNmonstra-
ton, under cover OF which to exact or
the Chinese government respectf Tor Tor
eign treaty rights and the sup preston
of the boxers.
The United States, while not Iartici-
pating in the joint demonsti alton.
promptly sent from the Philippines an
ships that could be spared FOR service
the chinese coast. n EInal InrNN OF
marines was landed at TalSu and sent
to PelSin for the protection Of the Amer
lean Legation. Other powers took Sim
liar action, until some four hundred men
were assembled in the capital as lega-
tion guards.
Stiil the peril increased. The legations
reported the development OF the Hcdi-
tious movement in PelSin and the need
of increased provision for defense
against it. While preparations were in
progress for a larger expedition. 20
the railway open, an attempt OF the for
eign ships to make a landing at Ialfu
was met by a fire from the Chinese
forts The forts were thEreupon she'll
ed by the foreign vessels. the American
admiral taking no part In the attack,
on the ground that we were not az war
with China and that hostile demon
stration might consolidate the anti
foreign elements and strengthen the
boxers to oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the TalSu forts were
captured after "A sanguinary cunnict-
Severance Of communication with Pekin
followed. and a combined force OF andi-
tional guards. which was advancing %
Pekin by the Peiho. was checked at
Langfang. The isolation OF the legations
was complete.
The siege and the relief Of the lega-
tions has passed into undying history
In all the stirring chapter which records
the heroism Of the devoted band, cling
ing to hope in the face OF despair. and
the undaunted spirit that led their re-
levers through battle and suffering 20
the goal II is a memory Of which my
countrymen may be justly proud that
the honor Of our flag was maintained
alike in the Siege and the rescue, ana
that stout American hearts have again
set high in fervent emulation with true
men Of other race and language. the in
domitable courage that ever strives Tor
the cause or right and justice.
MURDER OF Won KETTELER.
BY June 70, the legations were cut or.
An identical note from the Namen or
dered each minister TO leave Pexin. uu-
der a promised escort within twenty
four hours To gain time they replied.
asking prolonEation Of the time. which
was afterwards granted, and requesting
an interview with the Tsang- liz Namen
on the following day. No reply being
received. on the morning Of The 2oLn. The