The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-12-04

thousand native converts were assem-
bled In o nearby palace under protec-
tion OF tho Foreigners. Lines of de-
fer,se wero strengthened, trenches dug.
barbados raised and preparations
made to stand gicge. which at once
began. :.
{ From June 20 until July IT, writes
= Minister Conger. there was scarcely an
hour during which there was not firing
some OF the legations, varying from a
single shot to q general and continuous
F. attack along the whole line" Artillery
was placed around the legations. and
on the overlooking palace walls. and
thousands Of three-lnch shot md shells
were fred, destroying some buildings
4 and damaging all. So quickly did their
balls rain that, when the ammunition OF
tho besieged ran low, five quarts of
Chinese bullets were gathered In an
hour In one compound and recast.
81 Flames Fought OF.
Y Attempts were made to burn the le-
cations by setting neighboring houses
! Oh fire, bit the flames were successfully
Z fought off, although the Austrian, Bel
+ gian, italian and Dutch legations were
then and subsequently burned. With
the aid Of the native converts, directed
by the missionaries, to whose co-operu-
ton Mr.. Conger awards unstIuted
praise. the British legation was made
I. q vcritable fortress. The British min
lister. Sir Claude Macdonald, was cho-
zen general commander OF the defense,
with the secretary Of the American le-
CATION, Mr.. e. g. .Squlers, as chief Of
ltaff.
ITO save life and ammunition, the be-
sieged sparingly returned the incessant
4 fire Of the Chinese soldiery. fighting
only to repel attack or make an occa-
Honal successfulBort!e for strategic ad-
vantage, such as that OF hfty-hve
American, British and Russian marines.
led by Captain Myers, Of the United
States marine corps, which resulted In
the capture OF q formidable barricade In
the wall that gravely menaced the
American position. 1t was held to the
last and proved an invaluable acquisi-
! tion, because commanding the water
7 gate through which the relief column
entered.
killed, 1876 wounded and by disease
the last all children.
< - Armistice Agreed Upon.
= ts On July "A the besieged had their
first communication with the Tsung-
Li-Yamen, from whom n message came
inviting to conference, which was de-
cllned. Correspondence, however, en-
sued. and sort Of armistice was agreed
! upon, which stopped the bombardment
and fessened the rifle fire for time
Even then no protection whatever was
AFFORDED. nor any aid given, save to send
to the legations . small supply of fruit
and three sacks of flour.
Indeed, the only communication hnd
with the Chinese government related 10
the occasional delivery or dispatch of Il
telegram or to the demands Of the
TsunE--L!-Yamen for the Withdrawal OF
the legations to the coast under escort.
Not only are the protestations OF the
Chinese government that 1t protected
and succored the legations positively
contradicted. but irresistible proof accu-
INITIATES that the attacks were made up-
on them by imperial troops, regularly
uniformed. armed and oflcered, belong
Ing to the command Of Jung Lu, the
imperial commander in chief. DEGREES
encouraging the Boxers, organizing
them. under prominent imperial officers.
provisioning them, and even granting
them'large sums in the name Of the en-
press dowager are known to exist, Mem
bers OF the Tsung -Yamen who coun-
seled protection OF the foreigners were
'beheaded. Even In the distant prov
1nces. men suspected OF foreign sympn-
thy were put to death, among these be-
ing Chang Yenhoon. formerly Chinese
minister In Washington.
Test Message.
y With the negotiations OF the partial
armlstice OF July "A, q proceeding
winch was doubtless promoted by the
representations OF the Chinese envoy In
washington, the way was opened for
the conveyance to Mr.. Conger OF n test
message sent by the secretary of state
through the kind offices of Minister w,
fing Fang. Mr.. Conger's reply. die.
patched from Picking on July is. through
She same enamel, afforded to the ont
aae world the first tidings that the in
lna'es OF the legations were still alive
ana hoping for succor.
.,aI ms news stimulated the prepara-
UnS ior u JOINT relief expedition in
n,utnoers suniclent to overcome the re-
sistance which for n month h,5 has,,
Z organizing between Taku and the car.
Nai. Reinforcements sent by nil Tho
eo.operatlns governments were COW
stantiy arriving. The United Stntea
G0nungent. hastily assembled from tho
Fhilppines or dispatched from mi.
country. amounted to some 5000 men
unoer the able command first OF the In
mented Colonel Liscum and afterword.
Of General Chafree. w. " o. 10
reward the end Of July the move
ment began. A severe conflict followed
at lien Taln. In which Colonel Liscum
was killed. The city was stormed and
paruy destroyed. Its capture afforded
tne oase OF operations from which 10
MAKE the nnal advance. which began in
tne nrst Gays OF August. the expedition
peLnS maze up OF japanese, Russian,
outset. ~ - ''''
Battle Fought and Won.
Another battle was fought and won
ut langtsun. Thereafter the dshcart-
ened Chinese troops offered little show
OF resistance. A few days later the
important position of Ho-si-woo was
taken: A rapid march brought the
united forces to the populous city OF
iunS CHOW, which capltulated without
contest.
On August "A the capital was reached.
After a brief conflict beneath the walls
me relief column entered and the lcga-
lions were saved. The United States
soldiers. sailors, and marines. onicers
and men alike, In those distant clinics
and unusual surroundings. showed the
came valor. discipline and good con.
. duct and gave proof OF the same high
degree OF intelligence and efficiency
which have distinguished them In cv-
cry emergency.
The imperial family and the govern
ment had fled few days before. The
city was without Visible control. The
remaining imperial soldlery had made