The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-04
PRESIDENT M'KINLEYS
MESSAGE TO CONGRESS


some buildings and damaging ALL So
thickly did the balls rain that. when the
ammunition of the besieged ran low, FIVE
quarts VI Chinese bullets were gathered
In an hour in one compound and recast.
British Legation Fortress.
Attempts were made to burn the lega-
tiOns by setting neighboring houses on
fire, but the flames were successfully
fought on, although the Austrian, Bel
gian, Italian. and Dutch legations were
then and subsequently burned. With the
aiG Of The native converts, directed by
the missionaries. to whose helpful CO.
operation Mr.. Conger awards unstinted
praise. the British Legation was made a
ycritable fortress. The British Minister.
Sir Claude Macdonald, was chosen gen.
eral commander of the defense, with the
secretary Of the American Legation, Mr..
e. G. Squiers, as chief of staf.
To save life and ammunition, the besiee-
ed sparingly returned the incessant fire
of the Chinese soIdiery, fighting only to
repcl attack or make an occasional sue
cessfuI sortie for strategic advantage.
such as that Of fifty-five American, Brit
isb, and Russian marines. led by Capt.
Myers, of the United States Marine Corps
q
able harricade on the wall that gravely
menaced the American position. 1t was
held to the last, and proved an invalu-
able acquisition, because commanding the
water gate through which the relief COL
Umn entered.
During the siege the defenders lost six
ty-five killed and 135 wounded. and sew
en- By disease. the last all children.
IN TNr1rr 4 h.
communication with the tsung-li-yamen,
from whom message came inviting to
conference. which was declined. Cor
respondence, however. ensued, and a sort
OF armistice was agreed upon. which stop
ped the bCnbardment and lessened the
rifle fire for time. Even then no pro-
lection whatever was afforded. nor any
aid given, save to send the legations a
small supply of fruit and three sacks of
flour.
Indeed the only communication had
WltE the Chinese government related to
the occasional delivery or dispatch of a
telegram or to the demands of the tsung-
li-yamen for the withdrawal of the lega-
lions to the coast under escort Not only
are the protestations of the Chinese gov
ernment that 1t protected and succored
the legations positively contradicted, but
Irresistible proof accumulates that the at
tacks upon them were made by imperial
troops, regularly uniformed, armed, and
ofiicered, belonging TO the command of
Jung Lu, the imperial commander in
chief. DEGREES encouraging the Boxers,
organizing them under prominent imperial
officers, provisioning them, and even
granting them. large sums In the name of
the Empress Dowager, are known to ex-
list. Members of the tsung-li-vamen who
counseled protection of the foreigners
we're beheaded. Even in the distant PROV
inces men suspected Of foreign sympathy
were put to death, prominent among
these being Chang Yen-hoon, formerly
Chinese Minister in Washington.
Minister WINS Kind Offices.
With the negotiation OF the partial
armistice of July IA, proceeding which
was doubtless promoted by the repre-
sentations of the Chinese envoy in Wash
ington, the way was opened for the con-
veyance TO Mr.. COnger of a test message
sent by the Secretary of State through
the kind offices of Minister WI Ting-fang.
Mr.. Conger's reply, dispatched from Pc
kin on July IS through the same channel,
afforded 10 the outside world the first tid-
ings that the inmates of the legations
were still alive and hoping for succor.
This news stimulated the preparations
for joint relief expedition IN numbers
sufficient to overcome the resistance
which for a month had been organizing
between Takue and the capital Re-en-
forcements sent by all the cooperating
governments were constantly arriving
The United States contingent, hastily as
sembled from the Philippines or dispatch
ed from this country, amounted to some
5000 men, under the able command first
of the lamented Col. Liscum, and after
ward of Gen. Chaffee.
Toward the end of July the movement
began. A severe conflict followed al Tien-
tsin, .n which Col. Liseum was killed
The city was stormed and partly destroy
ed. Its capture afforded the base of op-
erations 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 Amer
lean troops al the outset.
Another battle was fought and won at
Yangtsun. Thereafter, the dishearIened
Chinese troops offered little show of re-
sistance. A few days later the important
position of Ho-si-woo was taken. A rapid
march brought the united forces to the
populous city Of Tung Chow, which Ca
pitulated without a contest.
yaior of American Forces.
On August Il the capital was reached.
After brief conflict beneath the walls
the relief column entered and the Iega-
tions were saved. The United States SOL
diers, sailors. and marines. officers and
men alike, IN those distant climes and un-
usual surroundings. showed the same val
or discipline, and good conduct and gave
proof OF the same high degree of intelIi-
gence and efficiency which have disiin-
guished them in every emergency.
The imperial family and tae government
had fed a few days before. The city was
without visible control The remaining
imperial soldiery had made, on the night
of the 18th, last attempt 10 extermInate
the besieged. which was calamity re.
PEELED. IL fell TO the occupying forces 10
restore order and organize provisional
administration.
Happily the acute disturbances were
confined 10 the northern proyinces. II il
a relief 10 recall and a pleasure 10 record
the loyal conduct Of the Yiceroys and To-
cal authorities OF the southern and go 81
ern provinces. Their efforts were contIn-
uously directed 10 the pacific control Of
the vast populations under their rule and
10 the scrupulous observance OF foreign
treaty rights. At critical moments they
did not hesitate 10 memotialize the
throne urging the pr|tee;ion Of the le-
cations. the restoration OF communion
ft.r GA ,ha asSzrffop ~ The sr,r.-taE