The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-04

lives Vi the CHlUSSe envoy IN WaSnlnS-
ton. the way was opened for the convey
ance to Mr.. Conger of a test message
sent by the Secretary of State through
the kind Offices of Minister Wu Ting-fang.
Mr.. Congers reply, afforded to the out
side world the first tidings that the in
mates of the legations were still alive and
hoping for succor.
This news stimulated the preparations
for joint relief expedition in numbers
sufficient to overcome the resistance
which for month had been organizing
between Taku and the capital. Rein
forcements sent by all the cooperating
governments were constantly arriving
The United States contingent, hastily as
sembled from the Philippines or dispatch
ed from this country, amounted to some
5000 men, under the able command first
of the lamented Colonel Liscum and af-
forwards of General Chaffee.
DEATH OF COLONEL LISCUM.
Toward the end of July the movement
began. A severe conflict followed at
Tientsin, in which Colonel Liscum was
killed. The city was stormed and partly
destroyed. Its capture afforded the base
of operations from which to make the
days of August, the expdition being made
up of Japanese, Russian British and
American troops at the outset.
Another battle was fought and won at
Yangtsun. Thereafter the disheartened
Chinese troops offered little show of re-
sistance. few days later the important
position of Ho-siwoo was taken. rapid
march brought the united forces to the
80
lated without contest.
LEGATIONS WE'RE SAVED
On August 14th the capital was reach
ed. After a brief conflict beneath the
walls the relief column entered and the le-
cations were saved. The United States SOL
diers, sailors, and marines, officers and
men alike, in those distant climes and
unusual surroundings, showed the same
valor, discipline, and good conduct and
gave proof of the same high degree Of
intelligence and efficiency which have
distinguished them in every emergency.
The Imperial family and the Govern
ment had fled few days before. The city
was without visible control The remain
ing imperial soldiery had made on the
night of the 18th last attempt to exter-
hhlhdtC Tic OCSiN6NNy NhASi 40 Suli0hAlI
repelled. 1t fell to the occupying forces
ional administration.
LOYAL CONDUCT OF SOUTHERN AND
EASTERN vICEROYS.
Happily the acute disturbances were
confined to the northern provinces. 1t is
a relief to recall and pleasure to record
the loyal conduct of the viceroys and To-
cal authorities of the southern and east
ern provinces. Their efforts were con-
tinuously directed to the pacific control
of the vast populations under their rule
and 10 the scrupulous observance of for
eign treaty rights. At the critical mo-
ments they did not hesitate to memori-
alize the Throne, urging the protection of
the legations, the restoration of communi-
cation, and the assertion of the Imperial
authority against the subversive ele-
ments. They maintained excellent rela-
tions with the official representatives of
foreign powers. To their kindly disposi-
tion is largely due the success of the con-
suls in removing many of the missiona-
ries from the interior to places of safe
ty. In this relation the action of the
consuls should be highly commended. In
Shan tung and eastern Chill 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 ma
tionalities than ours, were rescued from
imminent peril.
THE POLICY OF THIS COUNTRY.
The policy of the United States through
all this trying period was clearly an
nounced and scrupulously carried out. A
circular note to the powers dated July Sd
proclaimed our attitude. Treating the
condition in the north as one of virtual
anarchy, in which the great provinces of
the south and southeast had no share,
we regarded the local authorities in the
latter quarters as representing the Chi
nese people with whom we sought to re-
main in peace and friendship. Our de-
clared aims involved no war against the
Chinese nation. We adhered to the le-
gitimate office of rescuing the imperiled
legation, obtaining redress for wrongs al
ready suffered, securing wherever posi-
BILE the safety of American life and prop
erty in China, and preventing a spread
of the disorders or their recurrence.
AS was then said THE policy of the
solution which may bring about perma-
nent safety and peace to China, preserve
Chinese territorial and administrative
entity, protect all rights guaranteed to
friendly powers by treaty and interna-
tional law, and safeguard for the world
the principle of equal and impartial trade
with all parts of the Chinese Empire"
Faithful to those professions which as
it proved, reflected the views and pur-
poses of the other cooperating govern
ments, all our efforts have been directed
toward ending the anomalous situation
in China by negotiations for settlement
at the earliest possible moment. AS soon
as the sacred duty of relieving our lega-
tion and it's dependents was accomplished
we withdrew from active hostilities
leaving our legation under an adequate
guard in Pekin as a channel of negotia-
tion and settlements course adopted
by others of the interested powers. Over
lures of the empowered representatives
of the Chinese Emperor have been consid-
erately entertained.
The Russian proposition looking TO the
restoration of the Imperial power in Pc
kin has been accepted as in full conso-
nance with our own desires, for we have
| held and hold that effective reparatior
| for wrongs suffered and an enduring set