The age-herald., 1900-07-01
BOXERS ARE BACKED
 BY THE GOVERNMENT

since it was know nto history. Although the boxers would be considered common criminals against law and order in Ameri- ca, in China their status is recognized as a corrupt wing of the great web of secret societies which have stretched out over the inert mass of Orientals and contributed to the destruction of foreign trade and the retardment of missionary work for the past five hundred years.
 The present boxer movement assumes at this time an importance more significant than the attempts of it's predecessors more particularly because its movements are re- ceiving the tacit approval of the Empress Dowager.
 The Chinese of the lower classes live a hand-to-mouth existence and 1t is not diff fcult for any fanatic to secure a following.
 The organization of the boxers has ex- isted under the present name for number of years, and the spirit which they foster has been rampant in China since the for eigner's incursion. The history of the English, French, German and Russian ag- gression in the Celestial empire has been one of continual warfare against semi political secret organizations to maintain commercial and religious toleration.
 In previous years there have existed from time to time throughout the Flowery Kingdom secret societies known as the Triads, the Teente Brotherhoods, the Tea Society, the Water Lily Sect the Flood Family, the Queen of Heavens Company, the Society of Heaven, Earth and Man, and numerous other combinations all directed against the tyranny of local officialdom and foreign invasion. Many of these societies have grown to tremendous proportions and have in a number of cases nearly succeeded in usurping the government. The Triad Society was aimed at the overthrow of the Tartar Dynasty and the restoration of the Chinese
 These organizations, including the boxers, are divided into lodges and have common signs and passwords known only to them selves; have certain methods of interro- gating each other and recognize peculiar manners in placing cups and dishes at the table; of wearing their garments and of saluting each other. They hold their meet ings usually in secluded places in the dead of night, and draw blood from their bodies, mixing it with water and pledging each other to oaths of vengeance against their enemies. The boxers have adopted a flag bearing the motto, "Hissing Ching Mich Tang, meaning Up with the Ching Dyn- asty and down with the foreigners"
 They are known locally as the Big Sword Society, and have organized in large num- bers in the Shantung province, and are tending their operations into the province of Pechili and the whole of Honan is ready, at the beck of the leaders, to join the revolution. Honan is one of the most anti-foreign provinces in China; in fact one who attempts to penetrate it's interior takes his life in his hands, and the impe- rial government can offer little guarantee of his safety. Although this great prov ince lies on the very edge of the highest civilization in China, it has succeeded in maintaining the ancient Confucianism and barbarism of the primeval Oriental. Eng fish trading companies and American sur veying parties have been successful in pen etrating Honan and establishing relations with the natives, but it has been at great risk, and the results have been unsatisfac- tory. The foreign missionary, who has set his stakes in nearly all parts of the em- pire, has met with indifferent success and frequent disaster while attempting opera tions in Honan.
 The Chinese government is amply capa- ble of suppressing the inteTnecine strife, brigandage and piracy among it's people had 1t a disposition to do so. The officials, however, prefer to compound with crime and profit by the depraved practices of their subjects. The boxer movement has had the indulgence, if not the support, of the Empress who is attempting to restore the ancient forms and prestiges of the throne by appealing to all the weak and vicious elements of it's subjects.
 She realizes, too, the great danger that lies in attempting to interfere with Rus sian operations on the north, and prefers to compromise with the devil rather than fight him. She knows that if she has the protection of Russia she will. in a measure, be able to defy the aggressions of Ger many, England and France on her coast line. Although the Big Sword society avows itself as an enemy to the foreigner, their special operations appear to be direct ed at the foreign missionary of both the Catholic and Protestant church.
 The Buddhists are playing important part in the boxer revolution, and Buddhists DrieStS fOuO1 a the head of rel gangs. A number of weak attempts have been made to suppress these movements in compliance with the demands of foreign ambassadors at Pekin, but although the soicety has appeared to disperse, it is well known that such opposition has been a fiaSco.
 The previous Governor of the Snahtung Province is fanatic and one of the o,lgi- nal founders of the Big Sword Societeis He therefore had practically no power, even if he so desired, against their wishes. AL though some little time ago he was super seded by General Yuan, who issued an edict prohibiting the of "Ying-Yi," "Fa-Yi" and "Jih-Yf'-English savage French say age and Japanese savage, respectively- there exists in the minds of the foreign ele- ment in Asia little confidence in the Gov ernor's sincerity, and as Shantung is the hotbed of tine boxers the prospect is not encouraging.
 The foreign tradesman in China, to the mind of the native is a barbarian, and the average Celestial is as incapable of adapting himself to the restrictions of civ ilization as we are of turning back the page of history and restoring idol worship and burnt sacrifice
 Among the numerous superstitions the boxers believe that when they have drunk Of each others blood they become immortal and that no injury can come to them from external sources To prove hi f1ahxr hoD1yt
 gers into their arms, legs and bodies, and tell the wondering outsider that the tor ture is not painful. They are very care ful, however, to avoid injury to any vital organs, but cut themselves in the feshy parts of their bodies and revel in passing among the people bespotted and begrimed with their own blood
 They believe that, although in encounters their numbers are diminished, and although it appears that death has overtaken them, 1t has not; that those of their band who seem to be dead are really "playin' pos ~.-s4