The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-07
THE ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF the President of the United States
to the Congress on the State
of the Union.

edicts from the palace and evasive and
futile assurances from the Tsung Ii
Yamen. The circle OF the Boxer tnfiu-
ence narrowed about Pekin. and while
nominally stigmatized as seditious. il
was felt that its spirit pervaded the
capital itself, that the imperial forces
We're imbued with its doctrines, and
that the immediate counselors of the
empress dowager were in full sympathy
with the anti-foreign movement.
Policy of Our Government.
The increasing gravity of the condi-
tions in China and the imminence Of
peril to our own diversified interests in
the empire, as well as to those of all
the other treaty governments, were
soon appreciated by- this government,
causing it profound solitude. The
United States from the earliest days of
Foreign intercourse with China had fol-
lowed a policy of peace. emitting no oc-
casions to testify good will. to further
the extension of lawful trade, to re-
spect he sovereignty 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 our law-abiding citizens
and for the exercise of their beneficent
callings among the Chinese people.
Mindful of this, it was felt 10 be ap-
propriate that our purposes should be
pronounced in favor of such course as
would hasten united action of the pow
ers at Pekin to promote the adminis-
trative reforms so greatly needed for
Strengthening the imperial govern
ment and maintaining the integrity of
China, in which we believed the whole
western world to be alike concerned. To
these ends / caused to be addressed to
the several powers occupying territory
and maintaining spheres of 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
insuring the benefits of equality of
treatment of all foreign trade through
out China.
With gratifying unanimity the re-
sponses coincided in this common poll
cy, enabling me to see in the success
full termination Of these negotiations
proof of the friendly spirit which ami
mates the various powers interested in
the untrammeled 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 I had the
qualification to announce as a COM
pleted engagement to the interested
powers on March 20. 1900. 1 hopefully
discerned a potential factor for the
abatement of the distrust of foreign
purposes which for year past had ap-
peared to inspire the policy of the i'm
erial government, and for the effective
exertion by it of power and authority
to quell the critical anti-foreign move
ment in the northern provinces 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
been sent to Pekin in the autumn OF
1899 for the protection of the legation
was withdrawn at the earliest practica-
BILE moment, and all pending questions
We're remftted, as far as we were con-
cerned, to the ordinary resorts of di-
plomatic intercourse.
Boxers Unsurpassed.
The Chinese government proved
however, unable to check the rising
strength of the Boxers and appeared
to be a prey to internal dissensions, Ir
. the unequal contest the anti-foreigr
influences soon gained the ascendency
under the leadership Of Prince Tuan
Organized armies of Boxers with
which the imperial forces affiliated
held the country between Pekin an6
the coast, penetrated into Marchuris
up to the Russian borders, anG
through their emissaries threatened g
like rising throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction
of their porperty, and slaughter of ma.
tive converts wore reported from al
sides. The Tsung Ii Yamen. alread,
permeated with hostile sympathies
could make no effective response tC
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 flee
should be assembled In Chinese water.
as a moral demonstration, under cover
OF which to exact Of the Chinese gov.
ernment respect for foreign treaty
rights and the suppression of the Box
ers.
The United States. while not partici
pating in the joint demonstration
promptly sent from the Philippines al
ships that could be spared for servic,
on the Chinese coast. A small force O
marines was landed at Taku and SEN
to Pekin for the protection of tht
/ American legation. Other powers tool
similar action, until some four hundred
men were assembled IN the capital a.
| legation guards.
Capture of Taku Forts.
! Still the peril increased. The lega
| tions reported the development of tn,
| seditious movement in Pekin and tn,
| need of increased provision Tor de
I fense against it. While preparation.
| Were in progress for a larger expedition
| to strengthen the legation guards and
| keep the railway open. an attempt o
the foreign ships to make a landing a
Taku was met by a fire from the Chi
nese forts. The forts were thereupol
| shelled by the foreign vessels, tn
American admiral taking no part IL
| the attack, on the ground that we wer
| not at war with China and that hos
| tile demonstration might consolidate
the anti-foreign elements and strength
en- the Boxers to oppose the relieving
| column.
Two days later the Taku forts wer
captured after a sanguinary conflict
| Severance of communication with Pc
| kin followed. and a combined force o
! additional guards. which was advanc
ing to Pekin by the Pei Ho river, wa
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