The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-10
Capt. Burwell, Now at Bremerton,
Sent to His Relief Last May.
MARINES WERE NOT LANDED.
American Minister, Believing That
with Boxers, Advised Against
bringing In American Troops
His Optimism, 1t Is Feared,
Has Proven Costly in Lives.

But for Minister Conger's optimistic
belief I'm the sincerity Of purpose and the
ability OF the Chinese government at
Picking TO queil the marauding Roxers
early last May II Is more than probable
that when the critical time came last
month, his home and the American lega-
ton would have. had the protection Of
at least 100 able bodied American ma
rines, with possibility Of obtaining 9TH
err help from American warships.
This In the conclusion forced after
hearing the statement OF Capt W. r.
Burwen, ". s. NJ, the new commandant
Of tho United States naval station at
Bremerton Capt Burwell has succeeded
Capt. j. r. Coyhlan, and has been at
his new post OF duty but few days.
He was In command of the gunbcat
wheeling at Taku early last May. being
ordered there at the request Of Minister
Conger to protect American interests at
the Chinese capital. from the impending
onslaught Of Boxers. The Chinese fanat-
les at that time had given no sign Of
their intention to drive the foreigners
from tho capital of the empire, or %
massacre the whites at the foreign lesa-
lions.
Did Not want Troops.
Capt. Burweli had with him 100 Amer
lean marines from the Wheeling, well
armed and valiant. lie went TO peking
American legation with Minister Con-
ger. He offered him the service OF his
entire force. with reinforcements II nee
cssary.
Minister Conger told him that In his
opinion the Chinese government was DO
Ing all that could be expected under the
circumstances: that It had punished the
narauders In the districts where upris-
inEs had been reported, and that. IN mis-
opinion, the landing o. the American
troops would nave ead moral erect
to solve the problems presented by the
a9.tators;
Capt, burwell talk. freely. and yet
lister Conrer. In the first place. the new
naval station eonmandnnt IL man OF
deeds and. not words. While not seeking
70 conceal conceal anything concerning MS trip
ming OF The noxer outbreak rs smoke
With evident reluetnnce concerning the
probable fate OF Inc Americans ~ Pc
king and their families
v,.,.n.. -. az ,..
There were number of women at the
LEGATION. and relatives OF Minister Com
ger and his secretary, Capt Squires, and
wife and children were In the mountains
near Peking AZ the time OF Capt. Bur-
wells visit. and their plight II 10 be-
iieved was most unfortunate.
as ne hifnseit Is concerned, that the
worst mus happened, yet az the same
t''ns ~ hn"i"inE 70 nuu 70 tne nood OF
cyh reports tnat nave ouruened the
wires from ehiha since the isolation OF
1.THs. -. .u
- au yus. ursnsn "a WINTER cruise
Sn.,d az ~, .,,, ~, WEI was or
49,. " s sssa win my sesse, ,or maniis.
y apf'., 'g. saIn capt; BurweIl yes
~ q, Itoan,,,i,, al ,..mo wv ~
,s@sa r.sahsI 80 80 ,La ~, -. %.niut
ipgs arainsf tho Shria,,on. anS pps
dirsrt.T - nrncssd ,yith Wa ,,as
~ r,ku = ma tos ,,,,i,,an -. w w "r ris
iu NJ I r.sscL.d ,rat,, ,rt nsa..s
Gathered war vessels ~ rrancs t,eiv
and t!ermany I hnJ it,,ts - A. ,.',ss
these and proeeeded "a f,bsnvwac,an
where the English are building a break
Matef weht to fekiug ny train. ar
f'i-e ~ N"o american iesHtoh MAY
beitcsed Government Capable.
minister Conger received me rovally
aud IN company with a number / the
officers of the Wheeling / spent two laws
at the legation. The American minister
was Immediately Informed OF the pur-
pose Of NV visit whlsA--s-s TO furnish
him military ,.-~ case the American
interes.s.~ssSi,ndcd Il. In view OF the
..esssssT troubles.
MT. Souscr seemed not In the least
nlarnard nor even apprehensive OF danger
10 the people In the legation. He said
20 me that Ia his opinion the landing of
troops at that time would have had
effect instead OF good one He said
" The government has punished the
riotera southwest OF tho city where the
troubles have occurred | believe Il Is
trying % keep the disturhers under con
troll The moral eject or the landing of
Gonps wnuii Do bad SO soon after the
In taking measures to suppress the BOX.
srs
,ss La ~ I've S"as american ,in ladies' ar