The Washington weekly post., 1900-12-04
REVIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Attitude of the United States Toward China and
Relations with Other Foreign Countries
Important Recommendations.

kindly but earnest means the fullest
measure Of protection for the lives and
property Of our law-abiding citizens and
Tor the exercise Of their beneficent call
ings among the Chinese people.
Opes-door Policy.
Mindful Of this, 1t was felt to be appro-
PIRATE that our purposes should be pro-
nounced in favor OF such course as would
hasten united action OF the powers al
Pekin 10 promote the administrative re-
forms 80 greatly needed for strengthenine
the imperial government and maintaining
the integrity OF China. in which we be-
lieved the whole western world TO be alike
concerned. To these ends | caused to be
addressed to the several powers occupy
ing territory and maintaining spheres oi
influence In China the circular proposals
OF 1899. inviting from them declarations OF
their intentions and views as TO the de-
STABILITY Of the adoption of measures IN
suring the benefits of equality of treat
ment of all foreign trade throughout
China.
With gratifying unanimlty the respon.
ses cOincided In this common policy. en-
abling me 10 see in the successful termina.
ton of these negotiations proof Of the
friendly spirit which snimates the various
powers interested in the untrammeled de-
Eeiopment OF commerce and industry in
the Chinese Empire as a source of vast
benefit TO the whole commercial world.
In this conclusion, which had the graf
ificatiOp to announce as a completed en-
gagement TO the interested powers on
March 20, 1906. | hopefully discerned a
potential factor for the abatement of the
distrust OF foreign purposes which, for a
year past, had appeared to inspire the
policy of the imperial government, and
Tor the effective eXertion by it of power
and authority 10 quell the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov-
inces most Immediately influenced by the
Manchu sentiment.
Seeking TO testify confidence in the
willingness and ability OF the imperial
administration 10 redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils We suffered and feared
the marine guard which had been sent ia
Pekln in the autumn of 1899 for the pro-
lection OF the legation was withdrawn al
the earliest practicable moment, and all
penuing questions were remitted, as far
as we were concerned, to the ordinary
resorts or diplomatic intercourse.
Unable 10 Check Boxers,
The Chinese government proved, how
ever, unable to check the rising strength
of the Boxers, and appeared TO be a prey
TO Internal dissensions. In the UNEQUAL
contest the anti-foreign influences soon
gained the ascendency under the leader,
ship OF Prince Tuan. Organized armies
of Boxers. with which the imperial forces
affiliated, held the country between Pc
kin and the coast, penetrated into Man
churta up 10 the Russian borders. and
through their emissaries threatened a
Ike rising throughout Northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction of
their property, and slaughter of native
converts were reported from all sides.
The tsung-li-yamen, already permeated
with hostile sympathies, could make no
eHectlVe response TO the appeals of the
legations. At this critical uncture. in
the early spring of this year, a proposal
was made by the other powers that a
combined fleet should be assembled in
Chinese waters as a moral demonstration.
under cover OF which 10 exact of the
Chinese government respect for foreign
treaty rights and the suppression of the
Boxers.
The United States, while not parttcinat.
ing in the joint demonstration, promntIv
sent from the Philippines all 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
mn Of he 4
eT powers took similar action, until some
four hundred 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 II.
While preparations were In progress for a
larger expedition, 10 strengthen the IegA-
tion guards and keep the railway open.
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
at war with China and that d hostile
demonstration might consolidate the anti
foreign elements and strengthen the Box
ers 10 oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the Taku forts were can
tuTed after a sanguinary conflict Sever
ance OF communication with Pekin fol-
lowed, and a combined force OF addi-
uonal guards, which was advancing 10
Pekn by the Pei-H0, was checked AT
Langfang. The isolation OF the legations
was complete
~ifaR nnI ~ tiaf A
The siege and the relief Of the legations
has passed into undying history. In all
the stirring chapter which records the
heroism Of the devoted band. clinging 10
hope In the face OF despair. ana the un-
daunted spirit that led their rAlievers
through battle and suffering TO the goal.
X Is a memory OF which nv countrvmar
may be justly proud that the honor of opr
nag was maintained alike in the sissa a.,5
the rescue. and that stout Americay besrts
have sgain set high in feryent eynuIa,ton
with true men OF other race ana Ian
guase, the indOmitable courage that svs-
strives for the cause OF right and Justice
BY June ls the legations We're cut on
An Identical note from the yarnen oriaral
each Minister 10 ieave Pekin. under .
promised escort, within twentv-fo,-
hours. To gain time they replied. asking
prolongation OF the time, which was az
terward granted. and requesting an m
terview with the tsung-n-yamen on the
following day. No reply being received.
on the morning OF the Goth the German
Minister, Baron Won Ketteler, set out for
the yamen 20 obtain a response, ana on
the way was murdered.
An attempt by the legation guard 10 re-
cover his body was foiled by the Chinese.
Armed forces turned out against ,he lega-
tions. Their quarters were surrouni 2
and attacked The mission compounds
we're abandoned, their inmates taxing
refuge In the British Legation, where all
The other legations and guards gathered
for more effective defense. -Four nun
ared persons were crowded In iis 49,