New-York tribune., 1900-12-04


spheres or influence in China the circular pro-
posais OF 1893, inviting from them declarations
OF their intentions and views SIS to the desira-
plnty OF the adoption Of measures insuring the
Dement'S OF equality Of treatment of all foreign
trade throughout China.
With gratifying unanimity the resnonsas cotp
cided IN this common policy, enabling me 10 see
In the successful termination of these negntia-
tlohs PROOF or the friendly spirit which animates
the various Powers interested in the untram-
nielled development of commerce and industry
Ia the Chinese Empire a Of vast
benent 10 the whole commercial world.
In this conclusion. which had the qualification
10 announce as completed engagement TO the
Interested Powers on March 90 1900 I hope
luliy olscerned potential factor for the abate-
ment OF the distrust Of foreign purposes which
Tor year past had appeared 10 inspire the
policy Of the Imperial Government and for the
effective exertion by it Of power and authority
10 queli the critical anti-foreign movement in
the northern provinces most Immediately infiu-
enced by the Manchu sentiment.
Seeking 10 testify confidence in the willing
ness and ability Of the Imperial Administra-
ton 20 redress the wrongs and prevent the evils
We suffered ana feared, the marine guard, which
had been sent TO Peking in the autumn OF 1899
for the protection OF the Legation. was with
drawn at the earliest practicable moment, and all
pending questions remitted, as far as we
were concerned. TO the ordinary resorts of diplo-
matte intercourse.
The Chinese Government proved however un-
able to check the rising strength OF the Boxers
and appeared to be a prey TO internal dssen-
siOns In the unequal contest the anti foreign
influences soon gained the aseendancy under the
leadership Of Prince Tuan. Organized armies
Of Boxers, with which the Imperial forces afili-
ated, held the country between Peking and the
coast, penetrated into Manchuria up to the
Russian borders and through their emissarfes
threatened a like rising throughout northern
China.
ATTACKS UPON FOREIGNERS.
Attacks upon foreigners, destruction OF their
property and slaughter OF native converts were
reported from all sides The Tsung-H-Yamen,
already permeated with hostile sympathes.
could make no effective response 10 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 combined
feet should be assembled in Chinese waters
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 participating In
the joint demonstration promptly sent from
the Philippines all ships that cnuld be spared
for service on the Chinese coast A small force
OF marines landed Taku and sent TO Pc
king for the protection of the American Lega-
ton Other Powers took similar action until
some four hundred men were assembled in the
capital as legation guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations
ported the Development Of the seditious move
ment in Peking and the need OF increased pro-
vision Tor defence against n. While prepara-
lions were IN progress for a larger expedition.
70 strengthen the legation guards and keep the
railway cIen an attempt of the foreign ships
10 make q landing at Taku met by a FIRE
ur on shelled by the TO- eign vessels, the Ameri-
can Admiral taking no part in the attack,
the ground that We were not at with China
anu lhat hostile demonstration might
soidate the anti-fOreign elements and strength
en- the Boxers 10 oppose the relieving column.
Two DAYS later the Taku forts were captured
after p sanguinary conflict. Severance of COM
munic-ticn with Peking followed, and a COM
blneo force Of additional guards which was ad-
Nanclng 10 Pekng by the Pel-Ho was checked
al Lansfang The isolation OF the legations was
complete.
SIEGE OF THE LEGATIONS.
The siege and the relief Of the legations have
passed into undying history. In all the stirring
chapter which records the heroism of the de-
voted band clinging TO hope in the face of de-
SPAR, and the undaunted spirit that led their
TelieVers through battle and suffering to the
goal 1t is memory OF which my countrymen
may be justly proud that the honor of our flag
was maintained alike in the siege and the
cue ana that stout American hearts have again
SET hlsh' in feryent emulation with true men of
other race and language the indonitabIe cour-
justice.
BY June 10 the legations were cut off An
Ioehueai note from the Yamen ordered each
Minister TO leave Peking under a promised es-
cort within twenty-four hours. To gain time
ehey replied asking prolongation Of the time.
WAlCh was aHerward granted, and requesting
an an interview with the Tsung-i-Yamen on the
AoLoWlhg day. No reply being received, on the
morning Of the Goth the German Minister Baron
Won hetteler, set out for the Yamen to obtain
response and on the way was murdered
an attempt py the legation guard to recover
his body was foiled by the Chinese Armed
torces turned out against the legations Their
quarters were surrounded and attacked The
MISSION compounds were abandoned. their in
mates taking refuge in the British Legation
where all the other legations and guards gath
ereo ior more effective defence. Four hundred
persons were crowded in it's narrow compass
"o thousand native converts we're assembled
in nearby palace under protection of the for
elshets. Lines Of defence were strengthened
trenches dug, barricades raised and prepara-
tions made to stand siege, which at be-
gan.
From June ~ until July IT. writes Minister
Conger, there was scarcely an hour during
which there was not firing upon some part OF
our lines and into some Of the legations vary
ing from single shot to a general and con-
unuous attack along the whole line" Artillery
was placed around the legations and on the
overlooking palace walls, and thousands Of g.
inch shot ard shell were fired, destroying some
buildings and damaging all. So quickly did the
balls rain that, when the ammunition OF the
besieged ran low. five quarts OF Chinese bullets
were gathered in hour In one compound and
recast-
Attempts were made to burn the legations by
setting neighboring houses on fire hut the
flames were successfully fought off although
the Austrian. Belgian, Italian and Dutch lega-
tions were then and subsequently, burned With
the aid Of the native converts. directed by the
missionaries. 10 whose helpful cooperation Mt
Conger awards unstinted praise the British
Legation was made a veritable fortress The
British Minister, Sir Claude Macdonald was
chosen general commander OF the defence with
the secretary OF the American Legation Mr.
+. G.. Squiers. chief OF staff
To save life and ammunition the besieged
sparingly returned the incessant fire OF the Chi
nese soldiery, fighting only TO repel attack or
tegic advantage. such as that CT ifty-hve Amer