The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-12-06

cucrgrtucut fp iur tut~ir~t~u t,,s,.-., -.
March ~. 1900, / hopefully disccrned
potential factor for the abatement of the
distrust OF foreign purposes which for
year past bad appeared To- inspire the
policy of the imperial government and
FOR the effective cNcrtion by II Of power
and authority 10 quell the critical anti.
foreign movement in the northern prov
inccs most Immediately influenced by the
MantchOo sentiment.
Marine Guard Withdrawn.
Seeking 10 testify confidence In the will.
inguess and ability of the imperial al
ministration go redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils we suffered and feared,
the marine guard. which had been sent
to Picking in the autumn OF 1900 for the
protection 0f the legation. was with
drawn az the earliest practicable mo-
mcnt. and an pending questions were re-
mittcd. as far as We We're concerned, 10
the ordinary resorts Of diplomatic inter
course.
The president continues 10y nnrrafnc
the growth Of the Boxer movement. the
fighting NJ Taku and the siege Of the le-
cations in pckine and continues.
On July II the bo,iegod had their first
communicate with the tsung i-yamcn.
from whom message came inviting to
conference. which was declined. Core
spoudence. however. ensued. and sort
NJ armistice was agreed upon which stop
ped the bombardmcut and leS~cncd the
rifle fire for q time. Even then uo pro-
icction whatever was afforded or any aid
given save 10 send 10 the legations
smull supply Of fruit and three sacks Of
-four.
Indeed tho only communication had
with the Chinese government related 10
the occasional delivery or dispatch of o
telegram or 10 the demands Of the tsune
h-yamen FOR the Withdrawal OF the lega.
tious 90 the coast under escort. Not only
are the protcstatiou- of the Chinese gov
ernment that it protected aud succored
the legations positively coniradlcied. hut
irresistible proof accumulatcs that the
attacks upon them were made by imperial
troops. regularly uniformed, armed and
ofcered, belonging TO the command OF
Jung Lu. the imperial commander IN
chief DEGREES encouraging the Boxers
organizing them under prominent impe-
rial officers. provisioning them and even
granting them large sums in the name Of
the empress dowager are known 10 exist
Members Of the tsung-li-yamen who coun-
seled protection of the foreigners were
beheaded. Even in the distant provinces
men suspected Of foreign sympathy were
put to death. prominent among these be-
iug Chang Yen-hoon, formerly Chinese
minister in Washington
Our Policy.
The president then tells in brief the
story Of the rcscue Of the legations and
proceeds:
The policy of the United States through
all this trying period was clearly announc-
ed and scrupulously carried out. a cir
cular note to the powers dated July 3
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 regarded the local authorities in the
latter quarters as representing the Chi-
nese people with whom we sought to re-
main in peace and friendship. Our de-
clared aims involved no war against the
Chinese nation. We adhered 10 the legit-
innate Office Of rescuing the imperiled le-
CATION. obtaining redress for wrongs al
ready suffered. securing wherever posi-
bic the safety Of American life and prop
erty in China and preventing a spread OF
the disorders or their recurrence.
As was then said, The policy Of the
government Of the United States IS 10
seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace TO China,
preserve Chinese territorial and admins
trative entity. protect all rights guaran-
teed TO friendly powers by treaty aud in
ternational law and safeguard for the
world the principle Of equal and impair
tial trade with all parts OF the Chinese
empire"
Faithful 10 those professions which, as
il proved. reflected the views and pur-
poses Of the other cooperating govern
ments. all our efforts have been directed
toward ending 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 dependents was accomplished we
withdrew from active hostilities, leaving
our legation under an adequate guard IN
Picking as a channel OF negotiation and
settlement. a course adopted by others
Of the interested powers. Ovcrtures OF
the empowered representatives OF the
Chinese emperor have been cOnslderately
entertained.
The president recapitulates the atti-
tude Of the administration to the Rus
sian and French notes and concludes that
part OF his message relating to China as
follows:
The government Of Russia has put for
ward suggestion that in the event Of
protracted divergence Of views in regard
10 indemnities the matter msv b" re'"