The Portland daily press., 1900-12-04


successful sortie for strategic advantage,
such as that Of fifty-fve American, Brit
ish, and Russian marines led by Captain
Myers, Of the United States Marine
Corps. which resulted In the capture Of a
formidable barricade on the wall that
gravely menaced the American position,
1t was held to the last, and proved an
invaluable acquisition, because COM
handing the water gate through which
the relief column entered.
During the siege the defenders lost 60
killed, 135 wounded, and 7 by disease
the last all children.
On July 18th the besieged had their
first communication with the Tsung-li
famen, from whom a message came in
viting to conference, which was de-
clined. Correspondence, however, en-
sued and sort Of armistice was agreed
upon, which stopped the bombardment
and lessened the rifle fire for a time.
Even then no protection whatever was
afforded, nor any aid given, save to send
to the legations a small supply Of fruit
and three sacks of flour.
Indeed, the only communication had
with the Chinese Government related to
the occasional delivery or dispatch Of a
telegram or to the demands of the Tsung-
II Yamen for the withdrawal of the Legal
tons 70 the coast under escort Not only
are the protestations Of the Chinese Gov
eminent 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
Offered, belonging to the command of
Jung Lu, 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
name of the Empress Dowager, are
known to exist. Members OF the Tsung-
II Yamen who counseled protection Of the
foreigners were beheaded. Even in the
distant provinces men suspected of for
eign sympathy were put to death, promi-
nent among these being Chang Yen
hoon, formerly Chinese minister in Wash
ingtop.
With the negotiation Of the partial
armistice of July 14th, proceeding
which was doubtless promoted by the
representations of the Chinese envoy in
Washington, the way was opened for
the conveyance to Mr.. Conger of test
message sent by the Secretary OF State
through the kind offices of Minister WI
Ting-fang. Mr.. Conger's reply. dispatch
ed from Picking on July 18th through
the same channel, afforded to the out
side world the first tidings that the in-
mates of the legations were still alive
and hoping for suceor.
This news stimulated the preparations
for a joint relief expedition in numbers
sufficient to overcome the resistance
which for a month had been organizing
between Taku and the capital. Rein
forcements sent by all the cooperating
governments were constantly arriving.
The United States contingent, hastily
assembled from the Philippines or dis
patched from this country, amounted to
some 5000 men, under the able command
first of the lamented Colonel Liscum and
afterwards of General Chaffee.
Toward the end of July the movement
began. A severe conflict followed at
Tientsin, in which Colonel Liscum was
killed. The city was stormed and partly
destroyed. 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
Yangtsun. Thereafter the disheartened
Chinese troops offered little show of re-
sistance. A few days later the impor-
tant position of Ho-si-woo was taken. A
rapid march brought the united forces to
the populous city of Tung Chow, which
capitulated without a contest.
On August 14th the capital was reach
ed. After n 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 climes and
unusual surroundings, showed the same
valor, discipline, and good conduct and
gave proof of the same high degree OF in
telligence and efficiency which have dis
tiDguished them in every emergency.
The Imperial family and the Govern
ment had fed few days before. The
city was without visible control. The re-
naming Imperial soldiery had made ON
the night of the 18th a last attempt to
exterminate the besieged, which was gal
lantly repealed. 1t fell to the occupying
forces to restore order and organize a
provisional administration.
Happily the acute disturbances were
confined to the northern provinces. 1t is
a relief to recall and pleasure to record
the loyal conduct of the viceroys and To-
cal authorities of the southern and east
ern provinces. Their efforts were contin-
uously 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 le-
cations, the restoration of communica-
ton, and the assertion of the Imperial
authority against the subversive ele
ments. They maintained excellent rela-
tons with the official representatives of
foreign powers. To their kindly DISPOSE
ton is largely due the success of the con-
suls in removing many of the missiona-
ries from the interior to places of safety.
In this relation the action of the consuls
should be highly commended. In Shan
tung and eastern Chill the task was diff
ficult, but, thanks to their energy and
the cooperation of American and foreign
naval commanders, hundreds of foreign
ers, including those of other nationalities