Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1900-12-07

of treatment of all foreign trade through
out China.
With gratifying unanimity the re-
sponses conceded in this common policy,
enabling me to see in the successful ter
mination of these negotiations proof Of
the friendly spirit which ariniates the
various powers interested In the untram-
meleu development of commerce and in
dustry in the Chinese empire as source
of vast benefit to the whole commercial
world.
In this conclusion, which I had the
qualification to announce as completed
engagement to the interested powers on
March 20. 1900 hopefully discerned po-
tential factor for the abatement of the
distrust of foreign purposes which Tor
year past had appeared to inspire the
policy Of the imperial government. and
for the effective exertion by it of power
and authority TO Quell the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern PROV
inces most Immediately influenced by the
Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence in the will
ingness and ability of the imperial ad-
ministrat ton to redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils we suffered and feared.
the marine guard, which had been sent TO
Pekin in the autumn of 1899 for the pro-
lection of the legation, was withdrawn at
the earliest practical moment. and all
pending questions were RENTED. as lar
as We were concerned. to the ordinary re-
sorts of diplomatic intercourse.
SLAUGHTER BY BOXERS.
The Chinese government proved, how
ever unable to check the rising strength
of the Boxers and appeared to be prey
to internal dissensions In the unequal
contest the anti-foreign influences soon
gained the ascendancy under the leader
ship of Prince Tuan. Organized armies
of Boxers, with which the imperial forces
affiliated. held the country between Pekin
and the coast, penetrated into Manchurl
up to the Russian border, and through
their emissaries threatened a like rising
throughout northern China.
their property and slaughter of native
converts We're reported from all sides.
The tsung-li-yamen, already permeated
with hostile sympathies. could make no
lega tions. At this critical juncture. in
the early spring Of this year, proposal
was made by the other powers that q
combined fleet should be assembled IN
Chinese water as moral demonstration
under cover Of which to exact of the
Chinese government respect for foreign
treaty rights and the suppression of the
Boxers.
The United States. while not participate
sent sen from the Philippines ali ships that
could be spared for service on the Chi
nese coast. A small force of marines
was landed at Taku and sent to Pekin
for the protection Of the American lega-
until some 400 men were assembled in the
capital as legation guards.
Still the peril increased The legations
reported the development of the seditious
movement in Pekin and the need of In
creased provision for defense against 1t.
While preparations were in progress for
a larger expedition to strengthen the le-
cation guards and keep the railway open
| an attempt Of the foreign ships to make
landing at Taku was met by fire
from the Chinese forts. The forts were
thereupon shelled by the foreign vessels,
the American admiral taking no part In
the attack. on the ground that we were
| not at war with China and that hostile
demonstration might consolidate the anti
| foreign element and strengthen the Box
| ers to oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the Taku forts were
captured after sanguinary conflict
| followed, and combined force Of add.
| tional guards, which was advancing tc
| Pekin by the Pei-Ho, was checked a,
Lang Fang. The isolation Of the lega
! tons was complete.
HEROISM OF THE LEGATIONS.
The siege and the relief of the Legations
| has passed into undying history. In al
| the stirring chapter which records thu
| heroism of the devoted band, clinging tt
| hope in the face of despair. and the un
daunted spirit that led their reliever:
| through battle and suffering to the goal
it is a memory of which my countrymer
| may be justly proud that the honor O
our flag was maintained alike in the sieg'
| and the rescue, and that stout American
| hearts have again set high, in ferven
and language, the indomitable courage
that ever strives for the cause of RICH
and justice.
| An identical note from the yamen or
dered each minister to leave Pekin, undel
| a promised escort. within twenty-fou
| hours. To gain time they replied, asking
| prolongation of the time, which was aft
erward granted, and requesting an inter
view with the 'tsung-li-yamen on the fol
| lowing day. No reply being received, OF
the morning Of the Goth the German min
| lister, Baron Won ketteler, set out for thu
! yamen to obtain response. and on th'
| way was murdered.
| An attempt by the legation guard to re
cover his body was foiled by the Chinese
Armed forces turned out against the lega
tions. Their quarters were surrounded
! and attacked. The mission compound!
| were abandoned. their inmates taking
refuge in the British legation. where al
the other legations and guards gathered
for more effective defense. Four hundred
! persons were crowded into its marrow
| compass. Two thousand native converts
were assembled In near by palace unde
protection Of the foreigners. Lines of de
Tense were strngthened, trenches dug
| barrica des raised and preparations mad
| 10 StdIiu siege, WHICH d. OiCc OeSdu
From June 20 until July IT," writes
Minister Conger, there was scarcely a,
hour during which there was not firm,
| upon some part of our lines and int
some OF the legations. varying from :
single shot to general and continuous
+, attack along the whole line" Artiller.
was placed around the legations and OF
| the overlooking palace walls. and thou
! sands OF 3-inch shot and shell were fired
destroying some buildings and damag
| ing all. So thickly did the balls rain that
| when the ammunition Of the besieged raj
| low, five quarts of Chinese bullets wer
! gathered In an hour in one compound an.
] recast. @ 49,
| Attempts were made to burn the lega
/ tons by setting neighboring houses q:
/! fire. but the flames were successful.