The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-12-06


binary resorts of diplomatic intercourse.
Growth OF Boxer Uprising.
The Chinese government proved, how
ever, unable to check the rising strength
q q the Boxers and appeared to be a prey
equal contest the anti-foreign influences
soon gained the ascendency under the
sr%es " soxeT sne Win Rua Which fga @
pertal forces affiliated, acid the country
between Picking and the coast, penetrated
into Manchurta up to the Russian border,
and through their emissaries threatened
IKE rising throughout northern China
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction OF
tnelr property, and slaughter of native
converts were reported from all sides.
The tsung-h-yamen, already permeated
WITH hostile sympathies. could make no
eneetive response to the appeals of the
legations. At this critical juncture, in
the early spring of this year, proposal
was made by the other powers that a
sIin n waters as q moral demonstra-
tion. under cover of which to exact Of the
treaty rights and the suppression Of the
The United States, while not participant
ing IN the joint demonstration, promptly
sent from the Philippines all ships that
could be spared for service on the Chi
nese coast A small force of marines
for the protection of the American iega-
Won, Other powers took similar action,
until some 400 men were assembled in the
Capture of Taku Forts.
stun the. peril increased. The legations
reported the development of the seditious
movement l In Peking and the need. of in
creased provision for defense against II.
While preparations were in progress for q
larger expedition, to strengthen the le-
an attempt Of the foreign ships to make a
landing at Taku was met by fire from
the Chinese forts. The forts were there
upon shelled by the foreign vessels, the
American admiral taking no part in the
attack, on the ground that we were not
~ war with China and that hostile dem
onstration might consolidate the anti-for-
elgn elements and strengthen the Boxers
to oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the Taku forts were cap
tpred after sanguinary conflict. Sever
ance of communication with Picking fol-
lowed, and a combined force of additional
E9 i ths ~, whieh was sdyaNeing to Picking
Theisolation OF the legations was complete
The siege and the relief of the legations
the stirring chapter which records the
heroism of the devoted band, clinging to
hope in the face of despair, and the un-
through battle and suffering to the goal
" IS memory of which my countrymen
may be Justly proud that the honor Of our
nag was maintained alike in the siege
and the rescue, and that stout American
hearts nave again set high, in fervent
emulation alton with t true men Of other race
Justice. 1879 /. 70 $40
Murder of German Minister.
BY June 10 the legations were cut off.
An Identical note from the yamen ordered
each minister to leave Peking, under a
promised escort, within "a hours. To gain
time they replied, asking prolongation of
the time, which was afterwards granted
ana requesting an interview with the
tsung-li-yamen on the following day. No
the 10th the German minister, Baron Won
Ketteler set out for the yamen to obtain
response, and on the way was murdered
An attempt by the legation guard to
recover his body was foiled by the Chi
nese.. Armed forces turned out against the
iegations. Iaer quarters were surrounded
were abandoned, their inmates taking ref
uge In the British legation, where all the
more effective defense. -Four hundred ner
sons were crowded in its narrow compass
Two thousand native converts We're as
tion of the foreigners. Lines of defense
were strengthened, trenches dug, barri-
cades raised, and preparations made to
VigOr of the Siege.
From June 20 until July H." writes
Minister Conger, there was scarcely an
n6Sp G soma n which there Was not firing
some of the legations, varying from a
single shot to a general and continuous
was placed around the legations and on
the overlooking palace walls, and thou
sands of three-inch shells were fired, de-
stToylng some buildings and damaging
all. SO thickly did the balls rain that
when the ammunition of the besieged ran
low, five quarts Of Chinese bullets were
gathered in an hour in one compound
and recast
Attempts were made to burn the lega-
IRE but the dames We're eiS suc Te Nv
fought off, although the Austrian Bel
glan, Italian and Dutch legations were
then and subsequently burned. With the
aid of the native converts, directed by
the missionaries, to whose helpful coop
Grafton Mr.; C9nger awards unstinted
veritable fortress. The British minister
Sir Claude Macdonald, was chosen gem
secretary Of the American legation, Mr.
r. q. Squiers, is chief of staff
Defense of the LegatIoners
To save life and ammunition the he
sieged sparngly returned the incessant fire
of the Chinese soldiery, fighting only to
repel attack or make an occasional sue
ceSSful Sortie for strategic ADVANTAGE such
as that Of 90 Americans, British and Rus
sian marines led by Capt. Myers, of the
United States marine corps, which result
ed In the capture of formidable bar-icade
on the wall that gravely menaced the
American position. II was held to the last
and proved an Invaluable acquisition, be-
cause commanding the water gate through
which. the relief column entered.
During the siege the defenders lost 65
killed, lS5 wounded and seven by disease
the last all children.
On July Il the besieged had their first
communication with the tsung-li-yamen
from whom a message came inviting to a
conference, which was declined Corre-
spondence, however, ensued and a sort of
armistiee was agreed upon, which stopped
the bombardment and lessened the rifle fire
for time, Even then no protection what
ever was afforded. nor any aid given, save
to send to the legations a small supply of
fruit and three sacks of flour.
DupIicity of Chinese Government
Indeed. the only communication had with
the Chinese government related to the oc-
caslonal delivery or dispatch of telegram
for the withdrawal of the legation to the
: coast under escort Not only are the pro-
testations of the Chinese government that
1t protected and sdccored the legations
positively contradicted, but Irresistible
proof accumulates that the attacks upon
them were made by imperial troops, regu-
larly uniformed, armed and Differed, be-
longing to the command of Jung Lu, the
imperial commander In chief. DEGREES en-
couraging the Boxers, organizing them I'M
der prominent imperial officers, provision
ing them, and even granting them large
sums IN the name ne Of the empress dowager.
tsung-li-yamen who counseled protection
Of the foreigners were beheaded. Even In
the distant provinces men suspected OF for
eign sympathy were put to death, promi-
nent among these being Chang Yen-Hoon,
formerly Chinese minister in Washington.
With the negotiation of the partial arm
tstice of July IA, a proceeding which was
doubtless promoted by the representations
Of the Chinese envoy in Washington, the
way was opened for the conveyance to Mr.
Conger of test message sent by the sec
rotary of state through the kind offices of
Minister WI Ting-Fang. Mr.. Congers re-
ply, dispatched from Picking on July IS
the me tpSs RS the
mates of the legations were stil alive ana
hoping for succor.
Preparations for Relief.