The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-12-06

policy of the imperial government, and
Tor the effective exerton by 1t of power
and authority to quel the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov
lnceS most Immediately influenced by the
Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence in the will
ministration 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-
tectlon OF the legation, was withdrawn at
the earliest practical moment and all
pending questions We're RENTED, as far
as we We're 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 discussions. 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
animated, held the country between Pekin
ana the coast, penetrated into Manchuria
up to the Russian border and through
their emissaries threatened like rising
throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction of
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
effective response to the appeals of the
legations. AT this critical juncture, in
the early spring of this year. a proposal
was made by the other powers that a
combined fleet should be assembled in
Chinese water as a 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 participat-
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
was landed at Taku and sent to Pekin
for the protection of the American lega-
ton. Other powers took similar action,
until some 400 men We're assembled i'll the
capital as legation guards
Still the peril increased. The legations
movement in Pekin and the need of in
creased provision for defense against It,
While preparations We're in progress for
larger expedition to strengthen the le-
CATION guards and keep the railway open
an attempt of the foreign ships to make
4 landing at Taku was met by fire
from the Chinese forts. The forts were
.Jhereupon sheled by the foreign vessels
We American admiral taking no part in
The attack, on the ground that we We're
not at war with China and that hostile
demonstration might consolidate the anti
foreign element and strengthen the Eox-
ers to oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the Taku forts were
captured after sanguinary conflict.
Severance of communication with Pel1in
followed. and q combined force of addi-
tional guards, which was advancing to
Pekin by the Pei-Ho, was checked at
Lang Fang. The isolation of the Iega-
tons was complete.
HERO1SM OF THE LEGATIONS.
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 to
hope in the face of despair, and the UNI
daunted spirit that led their BELIEVERS
through battle and suffering to the goal
it is memory of which my countrymer
may be justly proud that the honor OF
our flag was maintained alike in the siege
and the rescue, and that stout American
hearts have again set high, in ferven
emulation with true men of other race
and language, the indomitable courage
that ever strives for the cause of right
and justice.
BY June 10 the legations were cut off
An identical note from the yamen or
dered each minister to leave Pekin, under
promised escort. within tWenty-foul
hours. To gain time they replied, asl1in.
prolongation of the time, which was aft
erward granted, and requesting an inter
| view with the tsuns-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 TIN
| yamen to obtain response, and on thu
| way was murdered
| An attempt by the legation guard to re
GONeI Ills pOuS was lOllSQ Dy IUG CnlUeSG
| Armed forces turned out against the lega
| lions. Their quarters were SURROUNDED
! and attacked. The mission compound
| were abandoned their inmates takin;
| refuge in the British legation. where al
/ the other legations and guards gathere,
| for more effective defense -Four hundre
| persons were crowded into its narroS
| compass. Two thousand native convert
| were assembled in near by palace unde
| protection of the foreigners. Lines of dc
| Tense We're Strengthened, trenches dug
barricades raised and preparations mad
| to stand siege. which at once began
| From June 20 until July IT," write
| Minister Conger, there was scarcely al
| hour during which there was not firin
| upon some part of our lines and int
| some of the legations, varying from
| 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 thai
! when the ammunition of the besieged RAJ
low. five quarts of Chinese bullets wer
| gathered in an hour in one compound an
| recast.
| Attempts were made to burn the lega
| tons by setting neighboring houses o.
| fire. but the flames were successful
| fought off. although the Austrian, Bel
gian, Italian and Dutch legations wer
then and subsequently burned.
| ATTITUDE IN CHINA.
| Americas attitude has been unvarie
and was first broadly defined by circu
| lar to the powers of July 3 last, thi
| country's policy as then defined being 1t
| seek solution which may bring abou
| permanent safety and peace to China
preserve Chinese territorial and admin
4 tstrative entity, protect all rights guar
anteed to friendly powers by treaty an
| international law and safeguard for tn
world the principle of equal and impair
| tial trade with all parts of the Chimes
empire" OF course In addition to th
broad and generous view os the right
and Interests of all nations. there ha
ton for injuries received the past sun
mer and the indemnity for the expense
necessarily incurred in connection wit
the relief OF the legations. On this poir
the president says: I'VE forego no il
of our undoubted right to exact exen
plary and deterrent punishment Of tt
responsible authors of the criminal &C,
whereby we and other nations have SUI
/ fered grievous injury"
While the hope Is expressed that
| complete settlement of all the question
| involved may be reached, 1t is admitte
| that the question of indemnity is one G
grave concern" as measured in none
alone. sufficient recompense may b
beyond the power of China to pay. TIL
that due compensation may be made b.
increased guarantees for foreign right
and immunities and "by the opening o
China to the equal commerce of all tn,
world"
RELATIONS WITH OTHER CoUN-
TRIESI
FOLLOWING the ihina Question and stu
there ar Iief statements In re-
- 1T n 10 IA W IS