The evening times., 1900-07-16
The Pekin Horror.

The Pekin Horror.
As far as the main fact is concerned.
it is impossible not to accept the Chinese
story Of the massacre in Pekin as true,
though We do not regard it as true in de-
tail. There is too much internal evidence
Of design to construct a case that might
excuse the Chinese Government in the eyes
Of the world. From that point Of view
the work has been cleverIy but not con-
vincipgly done, except as far as officials
who wish TO adopt the Chinese position
may be concerned.
To other people the Sheng story will not
ribIe as are its admissions, it is morally
certain that il does not cover all or near
ly all the sickening horrors OF the foul
deed. OF these we shall know fully here
after. In the end. # all other sources Of
complete information should fail, the Jes-
uit Fathers. some Of whose people must
have perished in the massacre, will find
means of getting at the whole truth
through native converts or friendly heath
en-. At present we can only guess at the
atrocities which were committed in the
closing hours Of the siege and butchery.
Does the Chinese account agree suci-
ciently with admitted facts to raise a pre-
sumption that the Chinese Government
was innocent Of participation in the crime? d?
We think not. Il il mad been perpetrajcd
By a mob ss alleged. instead OF cOnceaiing
the fact as long as possible, and speeding
two weeks in lying denials, the authori-
ties at Pekin would Instantly have I'D
dressed the powers. deploring the Catas-
trophe and asking for aid against the re-
belHous Boxers. There is evidence that
the final overthrow of the Legations oc-
CURED on June 80 o. July /. and not on
July or Z, as the news given out by the
Taotai Sheug has il. II is all but GER
tain that Ne had complete knowledge Of
the occurrence as early at July Z o. S,
and probably earlier. Al the time inter
veniEg has been used in working up a tale
that would tend to moderate the Western
anger against China
1t is not to be forgotten that the En-
press -Dowager, through her ally. Prince
Tuan. was known TO be secretly al the head
Of the Boxer movement II was she who led
all others in the Empire in her hatred OF
foreigners. 1t was she who recognized
the Tsung-li-Yamen early last month. d
placed Tuan at the head Of IL II was not
Boxers, but regular Chinese troops, wro
opposed the march Of SeymoUr's relief col
umn. and prevented 1t from rescuing tie
foreigners in Pekin. All the facts 90 20
show that weeks ago not only Tuau. but
the Empress Dowager, and the lead ng
members of her Govsrnment, lad deter
mined upon the massacre Of the ministers.
guards. missionaries. and every other for
eigner in Pekiu. and, as far as possible,
throughout China. Baron Won teller,
whom the Empress Dowagcr hated pr
sOnally. was the first victim Os her ven
geance. II was not alone Boxers who az
tackled the legations. The Chinese story
so declares, but falsely. Boxers are not
armed with Mauser rifles. and are not
drilled 10 rush defeuces. massed in col
uuu. and delivering vo'leys as they ad-
vance. Nor is it credible that. Il il we're
true they seized the big guns from the
regulars. they could use them. Tee waole
business was planned and executed by he
recognized authorities OF the Empire II
was miltarjly conducted from first 20 last
down TO the final infantry attack 70 three
columns. preceded by a devastating arti-
lery FIRE 10 was rot the work Of q mob. but
Of a nation. although the mob, OF course.
was in sympathy.
Prince Ching may or may not have made
an effort 20 save the ministers In the
absence Of proof. there is no reason for
assuming that be did As all The iudica-
tiCas are that the other high officers OF
sra;e and the men and guns OF the regu-
lar army were engaged IN the attack. his
alleged attempt at intervention may be
dismissed as probably nothing more than
Chinese invention.
Il may be convenient for political or
international reasons that Jle Admiuistra-
tion should accept the plea OF innocence
on the part of China, but the truth will
surely develop that that plea is a lying
one. The massacre Of our representatives,
their wives and children. guards. the mis-
sionaries under their protection. and their
servants, lies at the door Of the Chinese
Government, and the responsibility cannot
be shifted to an irresponsible barbarian
populaCe. Our authorities win take what
ever view of the crime is best suited
10 their purposes. The American people.
however, should be under no Illusions with
regard to it.