The Portland daily press., 1900-12-04


sponses conceded In this common policy,
enabling me to see in the successful ter
mination OF these negotiations proof Of
the friendly spirit which animates the
various powers interested In the untram-
melcd development of commerce and in
dustry in the Chinese Empire as source
of vast benefit TO the whole commercial
world.
In this conclusion, which had the
qualification TO announce as a completed
engagement to the interested powers on
March 20, 1900. l hopefully discerned a
potential factor for the abatement OF the
distrust Of foreign purposes which for
year past had appeared to inspire the
policy Of the Imperial Government, and
for the effective exertion by II OF power
and authority to quel 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 to redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils we suffered and feared.
the marine guard, which had been sent
to Picking in the autumn of 1900 for the
protection OF the legation, was with
ment, and all pending questions were re-
mitted, as far as we were concerned, TO
the ordinary resorts of diplomatic inter-
course.
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 antiforeign 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 Pc
king and the coast, penetrated into Man
churia up TO the Russian borders, and
through their emissaries threatened a like
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
effective response TO the appeals of the
legations. At this critical juncture, in
the early spring Of this year, proposal
was made by the other powers that a
combined fleet should be assembled In
Chinese waters as moral demonstra-
ton, 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 participant
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 Picking
for the protection of the American lega-
ton. Other powers took similar action.
until some four hundred men were as
sembled in the capital as legation guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations
reported the development of the sedi-
tious movement in Picking and the need
of increased provision for defense against
it. While preparations were in progress
for larger expedition, to strengthen the
legation 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, ut war with China and that a
hostile demonstration might consolidate
the antiforeign elements and strengthen
the Boxers to oppose the relieving col
umn.
Two days later the Taku forts were
captured after sanguinary conflict.
Severance Of communication with Pc
king followed, and a combined force of
additional guards which was advancing
to Picking by the Pei-Ho, was checked
at Langfang. The isolation of the lega-
tons was complete.
The siege and the relief of the lega-
tons 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 I'M
daunted spirit that led their believers
through battle and suffering to the goal,
ii is a memory of which my countrymen
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
fervent emulation with true men of 9TH
er race and language, the indomitable
courage that ever strives for the cause
of right and justice.
BY June 10Th the legations were cut
off. An identical note from the Yamen
ordered each minister to leave Picking,
under a promised escort, within twenty
four hours. To gain time they replied.
asking prolongatlon OF the time, which
was afterwards granted, and requesting
an interview with the Tsung-li Yamen
on the following day. No reply being re-
ceived, ON the morning of the 10th the
German minister, Baron Won Ketteler,
set out for the Yamen TO obtain a re-
spouse, and on the 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-
tons. Their quarters were surrounded
and attacked. The mission compounds
were abandoned, their inmates taking
refuge in the British legation, where all
the other legations and guards gathered
for more effective defense. -Four hun
ired persons were crowded in its narrow
compass. Two thousand native converts
were assembled in a nearby palace un-
der protection of the foreigners. Lines |
Of defense were strengthened, trenches |
dug, barricades raised, and preparations
made to stand siege, which at once
began.
From June Goth until July 18th. writes |
Minister Conger, there was scarcely an