The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-04

some 5000 men, under the able command
Of the lamented Colonel Liscum and after
wards of General Chaffee.
Toward the end OF July the movement
began. A severe conflict followed at Tien-
tsin. In which Colonel Liscum was killed
The city was stormed and partly de-
stroyed. Its capture afforded the base OF
operations 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 American
troops at the outset. Another battle was
fought and won at Yang-Tsun. There
after the disheartened Chinese troops Of
fered little show OF resistance. A few
later the important position OF Ho-
Si-Woo was taken. A rapid march brought
the United States forces to the populous
city OF Tung-Chow, which capitulated
On Aug. IA the capital was reached. After
& brief conflict beneath the walls the relief
column entered and the legations were
saved. The United States soldiers. sailors
and marines, officers and men alike. in
those distant chimes and unusual surround
ingS showed the same valor, discipline and
good condue< and gave proof of the same
high degree of intelligence and efficiency
which have distinguished them in every
emergency. The imperial family and the
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 a last attempt to ex-
terminate the besieged: which was CALAMITY
repealed. 1t fell to the occupying forces
to restore order and organize a provisional
administration.
THE SOUTHERN PROVINCES.
Happily the acute disturbances were con-
fined TO the northern provinces. 1t is a re-
lief to recall and a pleasure to record the
loyal conduct Of the viceroys and local
authorities of the southern and eastern
provinces. Their efforts were continuously
directed to the pacific control Of the vast
populations under their rule and to the
scrupulous observance of foreign treaty
rights. AT critical moments they did not
hesitate to memorabilia the throne urging
the protection Of the legations, the restora-
ton of communication and the assertion
o. the imperial authority against the sub
versive elements They maintained excel
lent relations with the official representa-
tiyes of foreign powers To their kindly
disposition is largely due the success OF
the consuls in removing many of the mis-
sionaries from the interior TO places or
safety. In this relation the actions Of the
consuls should be highly commended. In
was difficult, but. thanks to their energy
and the cooperation of American and for
eign naval commanders, hundreds of for
eigners, including those of other nationali-
ties than ours, were rescued from immi-
nent peril.
the policy of the United States through
all this trying period was clearly an
bounced and ~scrupulously carried out. A
circular note to the powers, dated July 3,
proclaimed our attitude. Treating the con-
dition in the north as one of virtual an
archy in which the great provinces OF the
south and southeast had no share we re-
garded the local authorities in the latter
quarters as representing the Chinese peo-
peace ps and friendship. Our declared aims
involved no war against the Chinese ma
ton. We adhered to the legitimate office
ing redress for wrongs already suffered,
securing wherever possible the safety OF
American life and property in China and
preventing a spread OF the disorders or
policy of the government of the United
States is to seek q solution which may
bring about permanent safety and peace
to China, preserve Chinese territorial and
administrative entity. protect all rights
guaranteed to friendly powers by treaty
and international law and safeguard for
the world the principle of equal and I'M
partial trade with all parts of the Chinese
empire"
Faithful to those professions which. as
II proved, reflected the views and purposes
OF the other cooperating governments. all
our efforts have been directed toward end
ing the anomalous situation In China by
negotiations for a settlement at the earliest
possible moment. AS soon as the sacred
duty Of relieving our legation and its de-
pendents was accomplished we withdrew
from active hostilities, leaving our legation
under an adequate guard i'm Peking as u
channel of negotiation and settlements
tObiS &c a1ORtCo ~
powers. Overtures of the empowered rep
resentatives Of the Chinese Emperor have
been considerably entertained.
restoration of the imperial power In Peking
has been accepted as In full consonance
with our own desires, for we nave held,
and hold. that effective reparation Tor
wrongs suffered and an enduring settle
ment that will make their recurrence i'm
possible can best be brought about under
an authority which the Chinese nation
- ~.@
forego no lot of our undoubted right to
exact exemplary and deterrent punishment
of the responsible authors and abettors OF
the criminal acts whereby we and other ma
tons have suffered grievous injury.
CULPRITS MUST BE PUNISHED.
For the real culprits, the evil counselors
who have misled the imperial judgment and
diverted the sovereign authority to their
own guilty ends, full expiation becomes
imperative within the rational limits of
retributive justice. Regarding this as the
initial condition Of an acceptable settle
ment between China and the powers. 1
said in my message of Oct. Is TO the Chi
nese Emperor: IT trust that negotiations
may begin so soon as we and the other Of
Tended governments shall be effectively
satisfied of your Majesty's ability and
power to treat with just sternness the prin-
clpal OIenQerS, WHO are OOuDly CulpaDle.
not alone toward the foreigners, but toward
your Majesty, under whose rule the pur-
pose of China to dwell in concord with the
world had hitherto found expression In
the welcome and protection assured TO
strangers"
Taking, as a point of departure, the i'm
perial edict appointing Earl Ii Hung Chang
and Prince Ching plenipotentiaries to ar
range a settlement and the edict of Sept.
%. whereby certain high officials were
designated for punishment, this govern
ment has moved, in concert with the 9TH
er powers, toward the opening OF negotia-
tons, which Mr.. Conger, assisted by Mr..
Rockhill, has been authorized to conduct
OH behalf of the United States.
General bases OF negotiation formulated
by the government of the French Repub-
lie have been accepted, with certain reser-
vations as TO details, made necessary by
our own circumstances, but, like similar
reservations by other powers, open TO dis
cussion In the progress of the negotiations.
The disposition of the Emperor's govern
ment to admit liability for wrongs done to
foreign governments and their nationals,
and to act upon such additional d~esigna-
ton of the guilty persons as the foreign
ministers at Picking may be In a position
tC Make, gives hope of a complete settle
ment of all questions involved, assuring
foreign rights of residence and intercourse
Oh terms OF equality for all the world.
l regard as one of the essential factors
of a durable adjustment the securement
OF adequate guarantees for liberty of faith,
since insecurity of those natives who may
embrace alien creeds is a scarcely less
effectuai assault on the rights of foreign
worship and teaching than would be the
direct invasion thereof.