The Portland daily press., 1900-08-18
AN APPEAL FOR HELP.



Proclamation to American People.
New York, August 17.-The following
letter and resolutions adopted by the
American Association of China were re-
ceived today at the offices of the AssOci-
ated Press:
''The American Association inChina,
Shanghai July 20.
''To the Associated Press, New York
City:
''In view of the trsmely critical con-
ditlOn Of affairs in this empire and espeoi-
ally as it affects the lives and interests of
our own people, a large number of
Americans, including many refugees
from interior parts met in general meet
ing here on July Is and passed the en-
closed resolutions.
eve strongly feel the necessity Of
awakening the great mass Of our fellow
citizens to the extreme peril to which
tbeir kindred are being subjected in this
empire.
''Befors peace shall have been finally
restored hundreds of our people Will have
been offered up as sacrifices. Not men
only, who may die valorOus death up
on the field Of battle, but women and
children, who, in their defenceless condi-
ton will, and possibly have already be-
come the victims Of horrible insults, In
dignities and fortunes, finding relief only
in death
$40 prevent, and, if that is impossible
as we greatly fear, to check this outrage
upon civilization, we appealed to our fell
low citizens on the l35h Instant. This is
no ordinary warfare. Our people at home
should comprehend that there is no quar-
ter except such as precedes death with the
most cruel fortunes. The untamed
savages of the early times of America
were no more bloOdthirsty in their mas
sacres of the pioneers than is the Chinese
mob.
1--WE therefore ask that our people, ever
valOrOus and humane, will arise In their
might and hurl their forces at the hordes
who calmly contemplate the destruction
of all foreigners within the borders Of the
Chinese empire.
"Yours Very Sincerely,
". @. Lyman, Secretary"
Resolutions and telegram adopted at
public m citing of Americans at Shan
ghai, July 13, 1900:
Whereas a popular movement has
arisen and gathered force during the past
nine months in some Of the northern
provinces of China, having for its pri-
mary and prOfessed purpose the forcibIe
expulsion from the country of all aliens
OF every nationality and profession and
the exterminat ion of Christianity where
ever 1t has obtained a foothold, and,
Whereas owing to the direct encour-
agement OF the imperial government and
the active connivance of many prominent
officials, the rising (called the boXers)
has now assumed the most alarming pro-
portions, extending unchecked over a
vast area, and its leaders have usurped
direct control of the government at Pekin
and the government troops in that sec
ton, and,
Whereas the purpose Of the rising has
Deen so Tar successful that almost all for
elgners in the interior apart from the
treaty ports have been either murdered at
their posts or forced to flee for their lives.
With The loss Of ali their property, while
armed hOrdes of the 'Boxers! and af1ili-
ated native troops have continued to
lombard and have virtually destroyed the
foreign settlements at lien Ysin and
Iaku and the railways and other proper
ty throughout the region and have
forc1bly prevented the rescue of the for
e1gn ministers and residents at Pekin
who have been beseiged in the legations
Tor over month subject to incessant at
tack ana balng, at the last advices, re
duced to utter exhaustion and despair,
and,
Whereas it was deemed essential for the
powers to land forces and proceed with
all haste to their relief and rescue, but
Jnelr efforts were totally frustrated by the
armed opposition of government troops
and Boxers in Overwhelming numbers.
and,
Whereas the lives of American citizens
have been and still are in extreme
jeopardy; stheir property looted and de-
s6royed and the work of a life time
brought to naught, and,
whereas, the interests Of Americans
are generally second to none in this Sec
zion dominated by this insurgent
movement, While the means employed for
their protection have been, in the main,
the forces OF other friendly powers. |
Therefore, be it
Resolved-1-That it is the duty of our
government to use all the forces available |
at Its command, in conjunction with the
forces OF other powers in immediate SER
vice IN China for the restoration of order,
the protection Of It's citizens and the Sc
curing OF guarantees from the properly |
consul tuted authorities against a recur-
renee OF such Outrages as they |
are now experiencing, and the cOndign |
punishment OF those responsible for them |
with such reparation as is possible for in
juries ST. tfered
Resolved 2-That land forces should |
BE properly detailed for this service and |
nat an ample fleet OF our navy should be
despatched TO and maintained at all
threatened points on the coasts and rivers
If China
ResoIved-3-That1 In the belief that