The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-31

pIOSIS IOllSIj III NIuulCdllOu Ol ludI
principle. Missionaries, assembled about
Bell Tower, are singing the Doxology.
Rockets are blazing. Soldiers and civil
ians of all nationalities are fraternizing.
The women are applauding the sound of
the cannon that are smashing the yellow
roofs of the Forbidden City.
The tired Sikhs are planting their
tents on the lawn, and the American
and Russian contingents are lighting
camp fires along the stretch of turf ex-
tending beyond the Tartar wall.
THROUGH +1'o ruins of the foreign set
Elements an eager, cosmopolitan crowd is
jostling, Indians, Cossacks, Legation
ladies, diplomats, Americans from the
Philippines, and French disciplinarians
from Saigon, who kept discreetly to the
rear while the fighting was in progress,
but came conspicuously to the front
when looting began. Only the Japanese,
who have earned the first place, are
absent
Resident foreigners welcome the luxury
of walking about and immunity from bull
let's. The newcomers are anxious to in
spect the evidences Of an historic de-
fense. These barricades are, after all,
the most wonderful sights in Pekin. The
barriers hedging the British Legation are
a marvel of stone and brick walls and
earthworks. Sandbags shield every foot
of space. The tops of the walls have
inches for the rifemen, and the buildings,
at their porticos and windows, have ar
NOR boxes bags stuffed with dirt and
pillows too.
Back of the United States Legation
is a work named Fort Myers" which
the marines held, completely screening
both sides of the walls, with steps lead
ing to it, There is a loop-holed barrier
across the wall which faces a similar
Chinese work a few yards away. An
other wall bars Legation street in front
of the German Legation; and, confront
ing the enemy's barricades within those
limits, are yet more walls, enabling the
foreigners to contract the area of defence
if pressed.
The tops of the American and British
buildings were badly torn by the Chinese
shells The rest of the foreign settle
ment was almost demolished. Two thou
sand eight hundred shells fell there
during the bombardment, 400 in one day.
Bucketsful of bullets were gathered in the
grounds.
Four hundred and fourteen people lived
in the compound through the greater
part of the siege. Three hundred and
four marines, assisted by S5 volunteers
commanded by the English Captain Poole,
defended the place. Eleven civilians
were killed and nineteen wounded. Fifty
four marines and sailors were killed and
112 wounded
The Americans loss was seven killed
and II wounded. Mr.. Gilbert Reid who
was wounded in the feet was the only
American civilian injured. Two foreign
ladies were wounded.
The reception which the survivors gave
the PARTY was worth the hardships the
troops had undergone. The entrance was
not spectacular. Sir Alfred Gaselee, with
his staff and a company of Sikhs wadcd
up a bed Of sewage in the canal under
the Ttartar wall. The besieged removed
the barricades, and when the gates swung
inward and the British colors appeared
there arose a great continuous cheer on
both sides.
Generals, soldiers and correspondents
scrambled up the banks. through the
filth, elbowing to be first. Men and wo-
men surrounded the rescuers and shook
the hands of the Sikhs, patting them on
the back. Everybody was hustled excited
ly' along into the Legation grounds where
the colors were planted. The soldiers
surrounded the wall which had been the
salvation of the besieged.
The ministers and officers demanded
the latest news on both sides.
An hour afterward General Chaffee,
riding at the head of the Fourteenth
United States Infantry marched to the
II
was en- top Of the wall shouted: "You
are lust in time. We need you in our
business"
Where can we get in?" said General
Chaffee.
Through the canal The British en-
tered there two hours ago." was the re-
s1onse.
The American general looked disap-
pointed.
Although the Americans entered behind
the last of the British forces, their re-
ception was just as enthusiastic as if
they had been first. When the Stars and
Stripes emerged into view Mr.. Tewks-
bury the missionary cried: Americans,
cheer your flag" Ladies waved their
handkerchefs and the soldiers cheered
the ladies.
On entering the grounds of the British
Legation the American troops stared in
amazement and inquired if there was a
lawn party in progress. They had eX-
pected to find the relieved in worse con-
dition than themselves, whereas the con-
trast between the appearance of the res
cued and rescuers was surprisingly in fa-
vor of the former. The British Minister,
Sir Claude Mcdonald, was shaven and
dressed in immaculate tennis flannels.
Mr. Conger, the United States Minister
was equally presentable. The assemblage
Of ladies was fresh and bright in sum
mer clothing. Only "a few civilians were
carrying arms.
On the other hand, the rescuers were
haggard and rough bearded They
dragged themselves along as if ready to
drop, their khaki uniforms dripping with
perspiration and black with mud. But
second glance showed that the res
cued were pathetically pale and thin.
They looked like a company of invalids.
Every part of the enclosure testified to
their tragic experiences. There was a
plot of new graves, headed with wooden
crosses, including the graves of five
children The second secretarys house
was the hospital and it was filled with
wounded. French nuns ministered there
of fi11Nn h,,E of hn