The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-07

cations and putting the native converts
who had fed 20 the missions In there
and allow the American citizens to reside
in the legations, but this did not meet
with Minister conger's approval II was
very evident that there was lack or hearty
hospitality in the American legation at
that time.
Later Lady Macdonald gave UP her
drawing rooms. her ballroom her other
great rooms and the British legation
chapel 70 American missionaries. Sir
Claude Macdonald slept in his front hall.
Lady Macdonald took smaller quarters,
but never once did the American minister
and his family suffer the least inconveni-
ence from the forced entertainment Of the
American citizens In Picking.
When the siege was lifted Minister Con-
ger and his family withdrew from their
residence in the British legation to what
were commodioqs quarters for them. leav-
ing for days every American missionary
upon Lady MacDonald's hands. And never
until they themselves sought quarters
elsewhere did they leave British protec-
ton.
But to return. Even after the awful
burning and massacre Of native converts
June 10, Minister Congsr was still In
good cheer committee OF American
men waited upon him, asking that he
urge Capt McCalla to hasten, for In
Peking he was believed TO be In charge
Of the hrst expedition and IL was thought
that ne could leave the slow process OF
reconstructing the railroad and hurry
overland
Mr.. conger replied: II shall leave Capt.
McCalla to use his own discretion as TO
whether he hurries or does not"
That very day the last messenger that
succeeded in getting through the Boxer
lines and back again, was sent out. The
next day Minister Conger would have
given much TO have had successful
messenger 10 take his then urgent call
for help. but too late
Credit should Not he withheld.
Credit, however. must not De withheld.
Whatever the inability 10 grasp tho sit
uation on the part OF the ministerial body.
when the crisis came In the death OF
Baron Won Ketteler the ministers used
every human effort for the protection OF
all
Sir Claude Macdonald has been criti-
cized as though he had been the leader
In refusing 10 notice the pressing dan
ger and menace OF the past winter and
spring Cir Walter Dillier has already
reached China 10 act I'm Sir Claudes
place, and the English minister departs
with blame and opprobrium attached to
his administration OF British affairs In
China
on the other hand NJ Pichon. the
French minister, has been decorated by
HIS country, and In the United States peo-
pie are preparing 70 make a popular Idol
OF the American minister.
Surely there Is some middle ground.
Active and malignant criticism for inca
pacity Is az manitestly unfair a. praise
and sduiatfou for one and the same
fault. When we consider the hostile at
ti,ude, the studied insults. the inactivity
to punish maiefactors named by the for
eign ministers, the number OF foreigners
In various Northern provinces, the minis
tiers cannot be held biameless.
But their fortItude. bravery and their
earnest desire to work for thu safety of
all during the Siege should modify criti-
cism. which. n due II due to all and not
10 one minister alone. One should not
be sent into political exile; neither should
ono receive additional honors from his
government nor another md awaiting his
return a senatorial seat.