The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-07

CdI11C AllCL d OIlCL III cAA<dLl
the walls the relief column entered
and the legations were saved. The
United States soldiers, sailors, and ma
rines, officers and men alike, in hose
distant chimes and unusua surround
ings, showed the same yalor. discipline,
and good conduct and gave proof of
the same high degreee of intelligence
and efficiency which have distinguish
ed them in every emergency.
The imperial family and the govern
ment had fed a few days before. The
city was without visible control. The
remaining imperial soldiery had made
on the night of the 18th a last attempt
to exterminate the besieged. which was
calamity repelled. 1t fell to the occu-
plying forces to restore order and or
ganiza a provisional administration.
Happily the acute disturbances were
confined to the northern provinces. 1t
is a relief to recall and a pleasure to
record the loyal conduct of the vice
roys and local authorities of the south
ern and eastern provinces. Their eff
forts were continually directed to the
pacific control of the vast populations
under their rule and to the scrupulous
observance of foreign treaty rights. At
critical moments they did not hesitate
to memorabilia the throne. urging the
protection Of the legations. the restora-
ton of communication, and the asser-
AiDLA VI NAC oSdAAAot
the subversive elements. They main
tanned excellent relations with the Off
cial representatives of foreign powers.
To their kindly disposition is largely
due the success of the consuls in re-
moving many of the missionaries from
the interior to places of safety. In this
relation the action of the conSuls
should be highly commended. In shan
tung and eastern Chi Ii the task was
difficult, but, thanks to their energy
and the cooperation of American and
foreign naval commanders. hundreds
of foreigners, including those of other
n~ationalities than ours, were rescued
from imminent peril.
Attitude of the United states
The policy of the United States
through all this trying period was
clearly announced and s~crupulously
carried out. A circular note 90 the
powers dated July 3rd proclaimed our
attitude. Treating the condition in the
north as one of virtual anarchy. in
which the great provinces of the south
n southeast had no share. We regard
ed the local authorities in the latter
quarters as representing the Chinese
people with whom we sought to remain
in peace and friendship. Our declared
aims involved no war against the Chi
neSe nation. We adhered to the legiti-
mate office of rescuing the imperiled
legation, obtaining redress for wrongs
already suffered, securing wherever
possible the safety of American life and
property in China, and preventing a
spread of the disorders or their recur-
renee.
AS was then said, THE policy OF the
government Of the United States is to
seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace to China,
preserve Chinese territorial and admin
istrative entity, protect all rights guar
anteed to friendly power by treaty
and international law. and safeguard
for the world the principle of equaland
impartial trade with all parts of the
Chinese empire"
Faithful to those professions which.
as it proved, reflected the views and
rpoS of the other cooperating gov
rected toward ending the anomalous
situation in China by negotiations for
a settlement at he earliest possible mo-
ment. AS soon as the sacred duty of
relieving our legation and its depend
ents was accomplished we withdrew
from active hostilities, leaving our le-
cation under an adequate guard IN Pc
kin as a channel of negotiation and
settlements course adopted by others
of the interested powers Ov%ertures of
the empowered representatives of the
Chinese emperor have been consider
ately entertained.
The Russian proposition looking to
the restoration of the imperial power
in Pekin has been accepted as in full
with Our own desires, fer
we have held and hold that effective
reparation for wrongs suffered and an
enduring settlement that viii mdhe
their recurrence impossible can best be
brought about under an authority
which the Chinese nation reverences
and obeys. While so doing we foregU
no jot of our ~undoubted right to exact
exemplary and deterrent punishment
of the responsible authors and abettors
of the criminal acts whereby We and
injury.
Fol the real culpritS, the evil counsel
ors who have misled the imperial judg-
ment and diverted the sovereign All
thority to their own guilty ends, full
eXpiation becomes imperative withir
the rational limits or retributive jus
tice. Regarding this as the initial con
dition of an acceptable settlement De
tween China and the powers, I said il
my message of October 18th to the Chi.
neSe emperor:
II trust that negotiations may beg.l
so o o as we and the other offended
governments shall be effectively salts
fled of Your Majesty's ability and pow
err to treat with just SternneSS the prln'
1 Clpdl OIISnQSTS, WHO are uOuDly Cuipd
BILE, not alone toward the foreigners
but toward Your Majesty. under who's
rule the purpose of China to dwell IL
concord with the world had hitherto
found expression in the welcome anC
protection assured to strangers"
The Negotiations.
Taking, as a point of departure, tn
imperial edict appointing Earl Ii Hun:
Chang and Prince Ching p~lenipotentia
ries to arrange a settlemet. and tn
edict of Setember 25th. whereby Ger
tain high officials were designated 70
punishment, this government has NOV
ed, in concert with the other powers
toward the opening OF NEGOTIATIONS
which Mr.. Conger. assisted by MI
Rockhill, has been authorized to con
duct on behalf of the United Staes.
General bases of negotiation formu
lated by the government of the Frencl
republic have been accepted with Ger
tain reservations as to details, mad
necessary by our own circumstances
but, like similar reservations by othe
powers, open to discussion in the prog
ress of the negotiations. The disposi
@;o~ ~ fha on,narorso c0yornmlnf 4