The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-06-01
THEIR 0UTRAGeS FORCE LANDING OF
FOREIGN TROOPS IN CHINA.
AN AMERICAN MARINE GUARD
Ordered to Pekin at Request of Our
Minister - Russian Troops To be
Landed at Taku-Boxers Destroy
Railway Connection Between That
Place and ekin-Marching on the
Latter City-Methodist Missionaries
Murdered.


critical phase and one calculated to
tax the entire resources OF the Chinese
government. The state department is
in close communication with Mr.
Corger, our minister at Pekin, and the
navy department is doing its share.
having placed the flagship Newark as
far up the Pei Ho river as the Taku
forts. which is the nearest point to
Pekin that ship can reach. The opera
tions of the Boxers" are increasing in
magnitude. Their demonstrations are
no longer local, and they appear TO be
governed in their movements by some
we'll settled design. They have muir
dered nine Methodist missionaries in
one province, at the town, of Pachow.
and have closed in on Pekin.
Meantime the Chinese army is sus-
pected of dislo! atty, this belief being
strengthened by wholesale desertions
of the soldiers to the Boxers"
Minister Conger has appealed TO the
state department for the protection of
a marine guard for his legation. The
department has promptly cabled him
an authorization to call upon the near
sistance. 1t is not known whether he
has availed himself of the permission
The embarrassing feature of the
situation is the cutting of the COM
munication by rail between Taku and
Tien Tsin, and the capital, for the
Boxers have burned the railroad
bridges and there are probably only
two courses open to the marines who
wish to reach Pekin; long overland
march over a hostile country away
from supports, or a tedious voyage up
the swift and shallow Pei Ho in shore
boats in tow of steam launches.
According to report the Chinese gov
ernment has done everything in its
power to meet the demands of the dip
lomatic body at Pekin for the disper-
sion of the Boxers" but it appears
that the uprising is far more serious
than was at first apprehended. and
even the resident foreigners at Pekin
are inclined TO admit that the task
is not an easy one for the Chinese gov
ernment.
So far, all the measures taken by
the state department look TO the simple
protection of the American legation a
Pekin, the American consulates in the
vicinity and the lives of such Ameri
cans as may be obliged to take refuge
therein, in the event of general riot
ing. The state department is closely ad-
=
observed of non-interference in these
Chinese disturbances and it is not con-
templated that our naval forces shall
take any part in the contest between
the Chinese government and the Box
ers,' though it is assumed that Rear
Admiral Remey, the commander-in-
chief of the Asiatic station. will take
immediate steps to supply Rear Ad
miral Kempff, the senior squadron
commander, with such naval force as
he may need for safeguarding Ameri
can interests at the treaty ports.
AMERICAN MARINES LANDED.
Tien Tsin, May ga hundred
American marines from the United
States cruiser Newark are expected
here at 11O'clock tonight. An armed
rescue party of Frenchmen and Ger
mans started this afternoon to try to
relieve the besieged Belgians at Chang
Tsin Tien, near Feng Tai. The vice
roy, under the pressure of the French
consul has permitted the rescuers to
travel by railroad to Feng Tai, where
Chinese protection ends.
RUSSIA TO LAND TROOPS AT
TAKU.
London, May ga special dispatch
from Shanghai says: 1t is believed
that Russia is about to land troops at
Taku from Port Arthur, where 10000
are in readiness. The Chinese are re-
ported to be sending large masses of
| troops overland from Hu Nan and
kiang, but the generallSSlmo refuses
to assume command on the plea of
| sickness
The Boxers" assert that they are
! confident of receiving support from
the dowager empress. Prince Kang VI
| and Ching Tuan, and the entire Man
| chu army, Throughout the north the
Il
! perados. They are intent upon killing
everything foreign.
Shanghai, May 29.-The Russian
minister at Pekin has telegraphed ask
| ing for all the available gunboats &c
be sent to Taku.
London, May 3O.-The Daily Express
has the following from Shanghai, dated
| Thursday:
THE rebellion continues to grow ir
intensity, and the gravest fears are en-
| tertained of its ultimate extent Th'
foreign ENJOYS at Pekin, fearing {
massacre within the capital, have de
cided to bring up the guards of the le
cations.
1.-The rebels are now massing outsid
ported to be constantly augmenting
Fresh contingents of armed malcon
tents are coming up almost hourly.
THE imperial troops who were sen
to disperse the rebels found them
selves hopelessly outnumbered. Sew
eral hundred were killed and two gun
q. and many rifles were captured, afte
which most of the remaining troop
went over to the rebels. They are no'
marching side by side.
1T is believed that the Boxers hav
the sympathy of the entire Mancn
army in the anti-forefgn crusade, an
there is no doubt that they have tn
countenance Of the empress dowage
and of Prince Ching
The Belgian minister, escorted by
strong bodyguard, has gone to obtai
an audience of the Tsung Ii Yamer
a number of his countrymen, wit
their families, having been cut of b
the rebels at Chang Tsin Tien-
The position of the missionaries
one of extreme peril, unless aid J
speedily forthcoming. 1t is feared tina
they will meet with the same fate
their unfortunate converts whom IN
Boxers are ruthlessly numbering.
Pekin, May 29.-The relief party ha
returned from Chang Tsin Tien, bring
4 T. Sr1<r rvr1t