The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-03
ANNUAL MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from First Page.l

rounded and attacked. The mission
compounds were abandoned their in
mates taking refuge in the British le-
CATION, where all the other legations and
guards gathered for more effective de-
tense Four hundred persons were
crowded in its narrow compass Two
thousand native converts were assem-
bled in a nearby palace under the pro
lection of the foreigners Lines OF de-
barrlcades raised, and preparations
made to stand siege, which at once
began.
From June 10Th until July 18th, writes
Minister Conger, there was scarcely an
hour during which there was not firing
upon some part OF our lines into some OF
the legations varying from a single shOt
to a general and continuous attack along
the whole line" Artillery was placed
around the legations and on the
overlooking palace walls, and thousands
OF S-inch shot and shell were fired, de-
erroying some buildings and damaging
all. So thickly did the balls rain that,
when the ammunition of the besieged
ran low, five quarts of Chinese bullets
were gathered in an hour in one com
pound and recaSt.
Attempts were made to burn the lega-
lions by setting neighboring houses on
fire but the flames were successfully
fought off, although the Austrian Bel
gian, italian and Dutch legations We're
then and subsequently burned. with
the aid Of the native converts, directed
by the missionaries, to whose helpful
stinted praise. the British legation was
made a veritable fortress. The British
minister. Sir Claude Macdonald, was
chosen general commander of the de-
tense, with the secretary OF the Arnert-
can legation, Mr.. E. G. Squiers, as chief
OF staff.
To save life and ammunition the be-
sieged sparingly returned the incessant
fire of the Chinese soldiery, fighting only
to repel attack or make an occasional
successful sortie for strategic advantage
such as that of fifty-five Americans
British and Russian marines led by
Captain Myers, of the United States
marine corps which resulted in the cap
ture of a formidable barricade on the
wall that gravely menaced the Ameri-
can position. It was held to the last,
and proved an invaluable acquisition,
because commanding the water gate
through which the relief column entered
During the siege the defenders lost
So killed, 135 wounded, and seven by dis
ease-the last all children
On July II the besieged had their first
communication with the Tsung Ii va
men, from whom a message came in
Viting to a conference, which was de-
clined. Correspondence, however, en-
sued and a sort of armistice was agreed
upon, which stopped the bombardment
and lessened the rifle fire for a time
Even then no protection whatever was
afforded, nor any aid given, save to send
TO the legations a small supply of fruit
and three sacks of flour
Indeed, the only communication had
with the Chinese government related to
the occasional delivery or dispatch of a
telegram or to the demands of the
tsung Ii yamen for the withdrawal of
the legation to the coast under guard
Not only are the prOteStationS OF the
Chinese government that it protected
and succored the legations positively
cOntradicted but irresistible proof &C
cumulates that the attack upon them
We're made by imperial troops, regu-
larry uniformed, armed, and Differed
belonging to the command of Jung Lu
the imperial commander in chief. De-
crees encourag ing the boxers, organizing
them under prominent imperial officers,
provisioning them, and even granting
them large sums in the name of the en-
press dowager, are known to exist.
cOunseled protection of the foreigners
We're beheaded. Even in the distant
provinces men suspected Of foreign
sympathy were put to death, prominent
among these being Chang Yen HoOn,
formerly Chinese minister in Washing
ton.
WORK OF MR.. WI.
With the negotiation of the partial
armistice of July IA. a proceeding
which was doubtless promoted by the
representations of the Chinese envoy in
Washington, the way was opened for
the conveyance to Mr.. Conger Of a test
message sent by the secretary cf state
through the kind Offices of Minister WI
Ting Fang. Mr. COnger's reply, dis
patched from Pekin on July IS through
the same channel AFFORDED to the out
side world the first tidings that the in
mates of the legations were still alive
and hoping for succor.
This news stimulated the preparations
for a joint relief expedition in numbers
sufficient to overcome the resistance
which for a month had been organizing
between Taku and the capital Rein
forcements sent by all the cooperating
governments were constantly arriving.
The United States contingent hastily
assembled from the Philippines or dis
patched from this country, amounted to
some five thousand men, under the able
command at first of the lamented Col.
Liscum. and afterwards of General
Chadee.
Toward the end of July the movement
began A severe conflict followed at
Tien Tsin, in which Colonel Liscum was
killed The city was stormed and partly
destroyed. It's capture afforded the base
of operations from which to make the
days of August, the expedition being
made up of japanese, Russian. British
and American troops at the outset
Another battle was fought and won al
Yangtsun. Thereafter the disheartened
Chinese troops offered little show of re-
sistance- A few days later the import
ant position of Fe ST Woo was taken.
A rapid march brought the united
forces to the populous city of Tung-
chow, which capitulated without con-
test
on August Il the capital was
reached. After brief conflict
beneath the walls the relief column en-
tered and the legations were saved. The
United States soldiers, sailors and ma
rines. officers and men alike, in those
distant chimes and unusual surround
ings, show the same valOr, discipline,
and good conduct and gave proof of the
same high degree of intelligence and eff
flciency which have distinguished them
In every emergency.
The imperial family and the govern
ment had fed few days before. The
city was without visible control The
remaining imperial soldier had made on
the night Of the 18th q last attempt to
exterlnlnate the besieged, which was gal
iantiy repealed. It fell to the occupying