Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-04

legations were then and subsequently
burned. With the aid of the native
converts, directed by the missionaries,
to whose helpful cooperation Mr..
Conger awards praise, the British le-
cation was made a veritable fortress.
The British minister, Sir Macdonald,
was chosen general commander of the
defense, with the secretary of the
American legation, Mr.. e. G. Sauiers.
as chief Of staff.
To save life and ammunition the be-
sieged sparingly returned the incessant
fire Of the Chinese soldiery, fighting
only to reDel attack or make an occa-
sional successful sortie for strategic adj
vantage, such as that OF fifty-five
Americans British and Russian ma
rines led by Captain Myers of the
United States marine corps, which re-
suited in the capture of a formidable
barricde on the wall that gravely
menaced the American position. 1t
was held to the last, and proved an
invaluable acquisition, because COM
manding the water gate through which
the relief column entered.
During the siege the defenders lost
sxty-five killed, 1876 wounded and seven
by disease--the last all children.
On July IA the besieged had their first
communication with the tsung-li-yamen,
from whom message came inviting
them to a conference, which was de-
clined. Correspondence, however en-
sued and sort of armistice was agreed
upon, which stopped the bombardment
and lessened the rifle fire for time.
Even then no protection whatever was
| offered, nor any aid given, save to
| send to the legations a small supply
| of fruit and three sacks of flour.
| Indeed, the only communication had
with the Chinese government related
| to the occasional delivery or dispatch
of telegram or to the demands of the
| tsung- li-yanen for the withdrawal OF
| the legations to the coast under escort.
| Not only are the protestations of the
| Chinese government that it protected
and succored the legations positively
| contradicted. but irresistible proof ac-
cumulates that the attacks upon then
were made by imperial troops. regu.
larly uniformed. armed and differed
belonging to the command of Jung Lu
| the imperial commanderin-chief. De
crees encouraging the boxers, organic
ing them under prominent imperial Off
GERS, provisioning them, and ever
granting them large sums in the nam'
of the empress dowager. are known t.
exist. Members of the tsung-li-yamel
who counseled protection of the foreign
ers We're beheaded. Even in the dis
tant provinces men suspected of for
eign sympathy We're put to death, prom
inent among these being Chang Yen
Hoon, formerly Chinese minister i,
| washington.
With the negotiation of the partia
armistice of July IA a proceeding whic
was doubtless promoted by the repre-
sensations of the Chinese envoy i
Washington, the way was opened 70
the conveyance to Mr.. Conger of
test message sent by the secretary c
state through the kind offices of Min
lister Wu Ting Fang. Mr.. Conger's re
ply. dispatched from Pekin on July
through the same channel, afforded I
the outside world the first tidings this
. the inmates of the legations We're sti
? alive and hoping for succor.
, This news stimulated the prepare
i tions for a Joint relief expedition
; numbers sufficient to overcome the ri
sistance which for a month had bee
organizing between Taku and the cap
' tai. Reinforcements sent by all tt
: cooperating governments were co.
stantly arriving. The United Stat
: contingent, hastily assembled from IL
Philippines or DISPATCHED from tn
i country. amounted to some 5000 me
under the able command first OF II
e laniented Colonel Liscum and afte
i wards of General Chaffee.