Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-06
Of Chinese bullets we're eathered in an

of Chinese bullets we're gathered in an
hour In one compound and recast.
Attempts were made to burn tho lega-
lions by setting neighboring houses on
fire, but the flames were successfully
fought off. although the Austrian, Bel
gian, italian and Dutch legations were |
then and subsequently burned. With |
the aid Of native converts, directed by I
the missionaries, to whose helpful co.
operation Mr.. Conger awards unstinted |
praise, the British legation was made
veritable fortress. The British min
lister, Sir Claude Macdonald, was
chosen general commander OF the de-
fence, with the secretary of the Ameri-
can legation, Mr.. Il. q. Squiers, as
chief Of staff.
To save life and ammunition the be-
sieged sparingly returned the incessant
fire Of the Chinese soldiery, fighting
only to repel attack or make an occa-
sional successful sortie for strategic adj
vantage, euch as that OF 55 American,
British ard Russian marines led by
Capt. Myers of the United States Ma
rine Corps, which resulted in the cap
ture of formidable harricade on the
wall that eravely menaced the Aineri-
can position. II was held to the last,
and proved an invaluable acquisition,
because commanding the water gate
through which the relief column
| entered.
During the siege the defenders lost
| 65 killed, 1856 wounded, and z by dis
ease-the last all children.
On July l4th the besieged had their
first communication with the Tsung-li-
Yanen, from whom message came in
| viting to a conference, which was de-
clined. Correspondence, however, en-
sued and sort of armistice WAS agreed
upon, which stopped the bombardment
and lesseled the rife fire for time.
Even then no protection whatever was
afforded, nor any aid given, save to
send to the legations email supply
Of fruit and three sacks uf flour.
| Indeed, the only communication bad
with the Chinese Government related
to the occasional delivery or dispatch
of telegram or to the demands of
the Tsung-li Yamen for the withdrawal
of the legations to the coast under es-
cort. Not only are the protestations of
the Chinese Government that it pro-
tected and succored the legations posi-
lively contradicted, but irresistible
proof aocumuletes that the attacks
upon them were made by Imperial
troops, regularly uniformed, armed and
differed, belonging to the command OF
jung l:u, the Imperial commander In
chief. DEGREES encouraging the Boxers,
organizing them under prominent I'm
perial officers. provisioning them, and
even granting them large sums In the
rame of the Empress Dowager, are
known to exist. Members Of the Tsung-
Ii Yamen who counseled protection oil
the foreigners were beheaded. Even
In the distant provinces men suspected
, Of foreign sympathy were put to death,
/ prominent among these being CHAINS
. Yenhoon, formerly Chinese minister ir
Washington.
With tho negotiation Of the partia
[ armistice OF July 14th, proceeding
| which was doubtless promoted by thu
! representations of the Chinese envoy
, in Washington, the way was opened fol
. the conveyance to Mr.. Conger Of ties
message sent by the Secretary Of Stat,
I through the kind Offices of Minister W.
. Ting-fang. MIR. Conger's reply, dis
t patched from peking on July 1871
s through the same channel, afforded t,
r the outside world the fret tidings tina
: the inmates of the legations we're still
y alive and hoping for succor.
Q This news stimulated the prepare
biUuS lOt Jotbb Iriioi ohpOaittoh
i numbers sufficient to overcome the re
!, sistance which for month had bee
II organizing between Taku and the CAPT
% tai. Reinforcementa sent by all tn
II cooperating governments were con
lt stantly arriving. The United Stat.
10 contingent, hastily assembled from th
X Philippines or dispatched from TIL
l. country, amounted to some 5000 mer
j. under the able command first of til
lamented Col. I.iscum and afterward
A. Of Gen. Chaffee.
le Toward the end of July the NOV,
le ment began. A severe conflict folllowe
% at Tientsin, In which Colonel Liscui
re was killed. The city was stormed an
to partly destroyed. Its CAPTURE atforde
~ the base of operations from which
ie make the final advance, which bega
at in the first days of August the exred
l. tion being made up Of Japanese, Ru
IN sian, British and American troops
ne the outset.
in Another battle was fought and WI
re at Yargtsun. Thereafter the di
lie heartened Chinese troops offered lit
he show OF resistance. A few days lot
on the important position OF Ho- w,
ng was taken. A rapid march brought IL
united forces to the populous city
re Tung Chow, which capitulated witho
1t. q contest.
tn On August 14th the capital W
ed reached. After brief conflict benea
as the walls the relief column entered al
10, the legations were saved. The Unit
la States soldiers, sailors and marine
officers and men alike, In these d
"a tant chimes and unusual surrounding
". showed the same valor, discipline a
dis good conduct and gave proof Of t
,e- same high degree Of intelligence a
nd efficiency which have distinguish
re- them 10 every emergency.
to The Imperial family aud the Cover
my ment had fed few days bafore. [
the city was without VisiEls control. 7
ike krernaining Imperial soldiery had ma
rat on the night OF the 18th last atteit
SGT to exterminate the besie1ed, which y
rue calamity repealed. 1t fell to the occuI
in ing forces to restore order and organ
for a DIVISIONAL administrator.
Happily the acute disturbances W
cut confined to the northern provinces.
nen is relief to recall and pleasure
ng, record the loyal conduct Of the vicef,
lty- and local authorities of the south,
ed, and eastern provinces. Their effc
ich were continuously directed to
ing pacific control of the vast populate
men under their rule and TO the srrupul,
ing observance OF foreign treaty rights
9th critical moments they did not hestit
let- to memorialize the throne, urging
In q protection OF the legations, the restc
red. tion OF communication, and the
! to sertion of the Imperial autho,
the against the subversive elements. 4