Gilpin observer., 1900-12-06

| vi property anu SauSlltef OF nuIlNe
converts were reported from all sides.
The tsung Ii yamen. already permeat-
ed with hostile sympathies, could make
no effective response to the appeals of
i the legations. At this critical juncture,
in the early spring of this year, n pro-
| posal was made by the other powers
that II combined fleet be assembled in
| the Chinese waters as moral demon'
| stration, under cover of which to exact
| of the Chinese government respect for
foreign treaty rights and the suppress
sion of the Boxers.
The United States. While not partic
| ipating in the joint demonstration.
promptly sent from the Philippines all
ships that could be spared for service
on the Chinese coast. \ small force of
marines was landed at Taku and sent
to Pekin for the protection of the
American legation. Other powers took
| similar action: until some 400 men
| were assembled in tie capital us Legal
| ton guards
Still the peril increased. The Legal
tions reported the development of the
! seditiOus movement in Pekin and the
need of increased provision for defense
against it. While the preparations
We're in progress for II larger eXpe-
! dition to strengthen the legation
guards and keep the railway open. an
attempt of the foreign ships to make Il
landing at Taku was met by fire from
the Chinese forts. The forts We're
| thereupon shelled by the foreign YES
sells, the American admiral taking no
part in the attack, on the ground that
we We're not ut war with China and
that Il hostile demonstration might
consolidate the anti-foreign elements
and strengthen the boxers to oppose
the relieving columns. In two days
the Taku forts We're captured. after Il
Sanguinary conflict. Severing of com
munication with Pekin followed. and
Il combined force of additional guards,
which was advancing to Pekin by the
Pelho was checked at Lang Fang. The
isolation of the legations was complete.
''rhe siege and the relief of the lega-
tions has passed into undying history.
In all the stirring chapter which re-
cords the heroiSm of the devoted band
clinging to hope in the face of despair.
and the undaunted spirit that led
their relievers through battle and suf-
fering to the goal. 1t is Il memory of
which my countrymen may be justly
proud. that the honor of our flag was
maintained alike in the siege and the
rescue. and that stout American hearts
have again set high, in fervent emula
tion with true men of other race and
language, the indomitable courage that
ever strives for the cause of right and
justice.
THE policy of the United States
through all this trying period was
clearly announced and scrupulously
carried out. \ circular note to the
powers, dated July 3rd. proclaimed our
attitude. treating the condition in the
north as one of virtual anarchy, in
which the great provinces of the south
and southeast had no share. We re-
garded the local authorities in the lat
ter quarters as representing the Chi
nese people with whom we sought to
remain in peace and friendship. Our
declared aims involved no war against
the Chinese nation. We adhered to
the legitimate office of rescuing the i'm
periled legation, obtaining redress for
wrongs already suffered, securing
wherever possible the safety of Amer
lean life and property in China and
preventing Il spread of the disorders
or their recurrence.
''As was then said. the policy of the
government of the United States is to
permanent safety and peace to China,
preserve Chinese territorial admnistra-
tive entity, protect all rights guaran-
teed to friendly powers by treaty and
international law, and safeguard for
the world the principle of equal and
impartial trade with all parts of the
Chinese empire.
The Russian proposition looking TO
the restoration of imperial power in
Pekin has been accepted as in full CON
sonance with our own desires, for we
have held and hold that effective repa-
ration for wrongs suffered and an en-
during settlement that will make their
recurrence impossible can best be
brought about under an authority
which the Chinese nation reverences
and obeys. While so doing we forego
no jot of our undoubtcd right TO exact
exemplary and deterrent punishment
of the responsible authors and actors
of the criminal acts through which we
and other nations have suffered griev-
ous injury.
For the real culprits. evil counsel
ors who have mislcd the imperial Judg-
ment and diverted sovereign authority
to their own guilty ends. full eXplation
becomes imperative within the rational
limit of rctributive justice.
II regard as one of the essential fac
tors of durable justice the security OF
adequate guarantees of liberty of faith,
since insecurity to those nations who
may embrace alien creeds is scarcely
less effectual assault upon the right Of
foreign worship and teaching than
would be the direct invasion thereof.
'rhe matter of indemnity for our
wronged citizens is II question of great
concern. Measured In money alone,
sufficient rcparatlon may prove to be
beyond the ability Of China TO meet
All powers concur In emphatic dis
Chalmers OF any purpose Of aggrandize-
ment through dismemberment OF the
empire. | am disposed to think due
compensation may be made In part by