Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-03

movement.
The increasing gravity Of the conditions
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 gov
ernments, were soon appreciated by this
government, causing it profound solc.tude.
The United States from the earliest days OF
foreign intercourse with China had followed
a policy of peace, emitting no occasions to
testify good VIII. to further the extension
of lawful trade. to respect the sovereignty
of its government, and to insure by all Ie-
gitimate and kindly but earnest means the
fullest measure of protection for the lives
and property of our law-abiding citizens
and for the exercise of their beneficent call
ings among the Chinese people.
PROPOSALS TO THE POWERS.
Mindful of this, it was felt to be appro-
pirate that our purposes should be pro-
nounced in favor Of such course would
hasten united action of the powers at Pc
king to promote the administrative reforms
so greatly needed for strengthening the I'M
perial Government and maintaining the In
tegrity of China, In which we believed the
whole western world to be alike concerned.
To these ends 1 caused to be addressed to
the several powers occupying territory and
ma antaining spheres OF influence in China
the circular proposals of 1899. inviting from
them declarations Of their intentions and
views as to the desirability OF the adoption
of measures insuring the benefits of equal
ity of treatment Of all foreign trade
throughout China.
With gratifying unanimity the responses
coincided in this common policy, enabling
me to see in the successful termination of
these negotiations proof Of the friendly
spirit which animates the various powers
interested in the untrammeied development
Of commerce and industry in the Chinese
Empire as a source Of vast benefit to the
whole commercial world.
In this conclusion, which had the gratif-
cation to announce as a completed engage
ment to the interested powers on March
90 19OO 1 hopefully discerned a potential
factor for the abatement Of the distrust Of
foreign purposes which for year past had
appeared to inspire the policy of the I'M
perial Government, and for the effective
exertion by it Of power and authority to
quell the critical anti-foreign movement in
the northern provinces most Immediately
Influenced by the Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence in the will
lingness and ability Of the Imperial admin
istration to redress the wrongs and prevent
the evils we suffered and feared the ma
rine guard. which had been sent to Peking
in the autumn Of 1899 for the protection of
the legation. was withdrawn at the earliest
practicable moment. and all pending ques-
items were remitted, as far as we were con-
cerned, to the ordinary resorts Of diplomatic
intercourse.
The Chinese Government proved, however,
unable to check the rising strength of the
Boxers and appeared to be prey to inter-
nal dissensions In the unequal contest the
ani-foreign influences soon gained the as
cendancy under the leadership of Prince
Tuan. Organized armies Of Boxers, with
which the Imperial forces affiliated, held
the country between Peking and the coast,
penetrated into Manchuria up to the Rus
sian borders and through their emissaries
threatened like rising throughout north
ern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction Of
their property. and slaughter of native con-
verts were reported from all sides. The
Tsung- -Yamen. already permeated with
hostile sympathies, could make no effective
response to the appeals of the legations.
At this critical juncture, in the early spring
Of this year. a proposal was made by the
other powers that combined fleet should
be assembled in Chinese waters a moral
demonstration, under cover of which to ex-
act Of the Chinese Government respect
for foreign treaty rights and the suppress
sion Of the Boxers.
The United States, while not participating
in the Joint demonstration, promptly sent
from the Philippines all ships that could be
spared for service on the Chinese coast. A
small force of marines was landed at Taku
and sent to Peking for the protection of the
American legation. Other powers took SIM
liar action. until some four hundred men
were assembled In the capital as legation
guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations re-
ported the development of the seditious
movement in Peking and the need Of in
creased provision for defense against it.
While preparations were in progress for a
larger expedition, to strengthen the legation
guards and keep the railway open, an at
tempt Of the foreign ships to make land
ing at Taku was met by fire from the
Chinese forl.. The forts were thereupon
shelled by the foreign vessels. the American
admiral taking no part in the attack on the
ground that we were not at war with China
and that hostile demonstration might con-
solidate the an'iforeign elements and
strengthen the Boxers to oppose the reiev-
ing column.
Two days later the Taku forts were cap
tured after a sanguinary conflict. Sever
ance of communication with Peking fol-
lowed. and e combined force of additional
guards, which was advancing to Peking by
the Pei-Ho, was checked at Langfang. The
isolation Of the legations was complete.
The siege and the relief Of the legations
has passed INTO undying history. In all the
stirring chapter which records the heroism
OF the devoted band, clinging to hope in the
face of despair, and the undaunted spirit
that led their relievers through battle and
suffering to the goal, 1t 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. and that
stout American hearts have again set high.
in fervent emulation with true men Of other
race and language, the indomitable courage
that ever strives for the cause Of right and
justice.
THE LEGATIONS CUT OFF.
By June 18th the legations were cut of.
An Identical note from the Yamen ordered
each minister to leave Peking, under a
promised escort. within twenty-four hours.
To gain time they replied. asking prolonga-