The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-08-03
WAR WITH CHINA!
Now Seems to Be In
evitable!

News that is reliable from the beleag-
uered foreigners in Peking, is now re-
ceived at Tien Tsin or other points in
China, every day, and cabled to this
country and Europe. 1t is evident that
the spies that have been sent out by
the different nations are getting in
their work and are all bringing in reli-
able information.
Dispatches have been received from
Minister Conger, Sir Claud MacDon-
aid, the British minister, reliable cor
respondents of English and American
papers, and from members of other Le-
cations.
These advices confirm the news we
gave in Tuesdays REPUBLICAN, Of the
safety of the Legationers. Dispatches
received Wednesday, show that they
were safe on the 2Sth-Saturday. They
also show what has been feared, that
the Chinese Government has not only
done nothing to protect the Legation
ers, but that it has praised the leaders
of the Boxers in imperial DEGREES, and
Imperial troops have fought with the
Boxers at the barricades in Peking.
This means war with China-not simp-
ly an attempt to relieve the gallant
band who have been besieged for six
weeks at the Chinese capital.
Dispatches from Washington state
that censorship of the Powers over
all news from the seat of war is about
to be established, and this and other
hints confirm the opinion that she con.
dition Of war now exists. If this is
true, we may expect soon to hear that
the navies of the foreign nations have
destroyed or captured the Chinese navy
and her fortified coast cities, as well
as that their armies have captured Pc
king the capital.
The most momentous question now
| is, will the allies reach Peking in time
to rescue the small force of foreigners
who have held out so gallantly for near
ly two months. Every heart in Amer.
lea and in Europe hopes they may,
We believe they will. We base oul
opinion on these facts: The Legation.
ers have been abe so far, to defeat the
utmost efforts of the hordes of Chinese
in their mad determination to capture
them. Their desperate and effective
defense has discouraged the Chinese
as shown by the Chinese asking for an
armistice which lasted for several days
The defeat of the Chinese force at Tier
Tsin would further discourage them
The fact that after siege of five weeks
they, with all their thousands of sol
diers could not capture and destroy 8
force of not to exceed 1000 foreigners
only 500 of whom are soldiers, would dasf
all hopes of success they could have o.
meeting trained army of 30, 900 to 49,.
900 troops with batteries, machine
guns and all modern implements o.
warfare, which they know is marching
on Peking. Knowing that such force
Is marching on their capital, they will
send their troops to meet it, and give
the besieged rest. 1t is probable
/ they have, exhausted the greater par
of their ammunition (which they inn
ported from Europe.) The truce which
was granted on the 10th would give the
beseiged time to strengthen their de
fenses. The last word from them wal
that they could hold out till today
August Sd. They would naturally
state the limit of their ability to holt
out, a shorter time than they coul(
actually hold out.
Finally, the army for their relief il
well on its way. Itnumbers 30, 600 will
reenforcements rapidly following. Or
Sunday it was 20 miles on the way
and had routed Chinese force. Ithai
then only go miles to go. By forced
marching and fighting, thought to cover
the distance in three days, bringing i
to Peking by tomorrow-the Al. The
| English and French army covered th'
distance in four days, in former war
The allied army is composed of the bes
troops in the world, United States
English, Russian, and Japanese. The!
have every incentive for sharp fighting
and rapid marching, and we are con
fdent they will reach Peklng in tim
to save the gallant band who hav'
fought so long and so bravely agains
such great odds.
Then for settlement with the bar
barians who have iolated all interna
tional law, and all laws of civilized war
fare, in trying to massacre the friendl.
envoys of other nations, and to slaugh
ter the helpless women and children il
their families!
Pull the pig tail, and pull it strong!