Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-06

OF its government, and to
insure by all legitimate and kindly but
EARNEST means the fullest measure Of
protection for the lives and property OF
sur law.abidine citizens and for the
sSercise of their beneficent oallings
among the Chinese people.
Mindful OF this 1t was felt to be APP
propriate that our purposes should be
pronounced 10 favor OF such course as
would hasten united action OF the
powers at Picking to promote the ad.
reforms SO greatly needed |
for strengthening the Imperial gov
and maintaining the integrity
OF China, in which we believed the
whole western world to be alike con-
cerned. To these ends / caused to be
addressed to the several powers occupy
ing territory and maintaining spheres
OF influence in China the circular pro-
posals OF 1899, inviting from them
declarations of their intentions and
views as to the desirability Of the adop-
tion of measures insuring the benefits
Of equality OF treatment of all foreign
trade throughout China.
With gratifying unauimity the re-
sponses ooinoided in this common pol
icy, enabling me to see in the success
full termination Of these negotiations
proof of ths friendly spirit which ami
mates the various powers interested in
the untrsmmelled development of COM
merce and industry in the Chinese EN-
pire as a source of vast benefit to the
whole commercial world.
In this conclusion, which had the
qualification to announce as a COM
pleted engagement to the interested
powers ON March Goth, 1900. hope
fully disoerned potential factor for
the abatement of the distrust Of fol-
eign purposes which for a year past
had appeared to inspire the policy of
the Imperial Government, and for the
effective exertion b, it OF power and
authority to quell the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov
inoes most Immediately influenced by
the Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence In the
willingness and ability OF the Imperial
administration to redress tho wrongs
and prevent the evils we suffered and
| feared, the marine guard, which had
been sent to Picking in the autumn Of
1899 for the protection Of the legation,
was withdrawn at the earliest practical
BILE moment, and all pending questions
| were remitted, as far az we we're con-
cerned, to the ordinary resorts of diplo-
matte intercourse.
The Chinese Government proved,
however, unable to check the rising
strength Of the Boxers and appeared to
be prey TO internal dissensions. In
the unequal contest the anti foreign in
flunces soon gained the ascendancy
under the leadership of Prince Tuan.
Organized armies OF Boxers, with
which the Imperial forces affiliated,
held the country betweea Picking and
the coast, penetrated into Manchuria UT
to the Russian borders, and through
their emissaries threatened like ris
ing throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction
OF their property, and slaughter o.
native converts were reported from al
sides. The Tsung-li Yamen, already
permeated with hostile sympathies
could make no effective response to th,
appeals of the legations. At this criti
cal juncture, in the early spring y
! this year, prorosal was made by rh,
, ather powers that a combined flee
should he assembled in Chinese water
, as moral demonstration, under cove
! OF which to exact of the Chinese Gov
eminent respect for foreign treat
rights and the suppression OF th
/ Boxers.
;. The United States, while not partici
] pating in the joint demonstration
: promptly sent from the Philippines al
: ships that could be spared for servic
7 on the Chinese coast. A small force {
marines was landed at Taku and sen
Q to Peking for the protection of th
o American legation. Other powers too
1s.. Lac e.. 1,..s
!, bred men were assembled in the cap
v tai as legation guards.
Q Still the peril increased. The legi
a tions reported the development of til
seditious movement in Picking and tt
J. need OF increased provision for defent
& against IL. While preparations wei
d In progress for q larger expedition,
II strengthen the legation guards and ket
% the railway open, an attempt of Il
!, foreign ships to make a landing
u Taku was met by fire from the Oh
rs nese forts. The forts were thereupt
ir shellsd by the foreign vessels. Il
American admiral taking no part
1t the attack, on the ground that we we
u not at war with China and that hosti
A. demonstration might consolidate d
ID antiforeign elements and strength,
10 the Boxers to oppose the relieyil
rs column.
,e Two days later the Taku forts we
10 captured after sanguinary confit
ty Severance of communication wi
m Picking followed, and a combin
a. force of additional guards which "
8, advancing to Peking by the Pei Fl
O. was checked at Langfang. The isol
tion Of the legation was complete
O. The siege and the relief Of the leg
be lions has passed into undying histor
al In all the stirring chapter which recor
Sc the heroism Of the devoted band, cir
ce ing to hope in the face of despair, a
Ia the undaunted spirit that led their
ns levers through battle and suffering
I'D the goal, IL is q memory OF which
ey countrymen may be justly proud that
of honor of our flag was maintained oil
at in the siege and the rescue, and I'll
stout American hearts have again
oh high, In fervent emulation with tt
las men of other race and language. the
20 domitahle courage that ever strives
d. the cause of right and justice.
ter BY June 18th the legations we're
,ry off. An identical note from the Yam
ID. ordered each minister to leave Peki
he under promised escort, within TWEEN
"a four hours. To gain time they repli
asking prolongation Of the time, VIII
rs, was afterwards granted, and request
ces an interview with the Tsupg-li Yan
the on the following day. No reply be
us, received, on the morning of the
un- the German minister, Baron Won \
I'M. teller, set out for the Yamen to obtai
life, response, and on the way was murder
rts, An attempt by the legation guars
Sc recover his body was foiled by