The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-24
SIEGE OF THE LEGATIONS.
An Aged Preacher Relates His Ex-
periences In Pekin.

| periences In Pekin.
| NEW YORK, Oct a5.-Rev w. A. p.
Martin. who has spent much of his
| time of the outbreak of the present
| troubles president Of the Imperial Uni
versity at Pekin. arrived in the city
this morning at 9 o'clock. and is at
present stopping at the residence Of his
son. Newhall Martin. DR.. Martin, spite
of his age-he is seventy-three years old
and despite the anxiety and danger
through which he has passed, was in per-
feet health, hearty. and not the least
fatigued by the exertions and the nervous
strain to which he was subjected.
While waiting for DIR. Martin the re-
porter noticed in a corner Of the library
a gun, showing signs Of service and bear
ing blood stains. Mr.. Martin. the Doctors
son. explained that the gun was a me-
mento Of the siege, taken from a Boxer
by Mr.. Squiers. Secretary to the Legation
at Pekin. and presented by him to DIR.
Martin, who brought 1t with him to his
home and presented it to his grandson.
DR.. Martin spoke willingly OK his ex-
periences during the siege Of the lega-
tions.
MY part was to stand guard, pistol in
hand. at one of the gates of the British
Legation and inspect all passes He
then told the history of the gun men
toned before, aud spoke most highly Of
the untiring energy and courage ds-
played by Mr.. Conger and Mr.. SquieTs.
He said that Mr.. Squiers planned many
Of the military movements for the pro-
lection of the legation. ITO him and 10
Captain Myers he said. belongs this
credit and glory OF driving the Chimes
back. and gaining possession Of the wal
and gates near the legation. without
which the defence would have been i'm
possible.
II have been under fire before, but never
as in this case. Here we were under fire
continuously for eight weeks-every day
and night. We all felt pretty blue. but
contrived not to show it. All the attacks
were made at night. and after a time we
came to call them our nightly serenades-
Our ladies seemed to look for them and
Sir Claude Macdonald reported that this
was literally the case with Lady Macdon-
aid. She could not sleep without the bull
lets whizzing around. Our diet was mainly
horsefiesh. and We would gladly have joined
Victor Hugo's 'Horsefesh Society,"
DR.. Martin then told story of his pet
mule and how he came to Mr.. Squiers'
house astride Of him and drawing up. said:
Perhaps. Mr.. Squiers, you have no room
for my muller
Keep it," replied Mr.. Squiers. loosely,
eve may have to eat it, and the joke be-
came literally true, for that same mule
beautiful animal-was eaten before the
end of the siege. The Doctors grand
daughter. Helen. has a picture Of the mule.
Speaking Of the bearing of the women
during the siege. DR.. Martin was unstinted
in his praise. Each week. he said. land
for the entire seven days of the week. the
women sewed. making sandbags for the
defences. all the while encouraging the
men by their words and actions. untfi when
they had made $4,000 bags the supply Of
materials gave out. Not disheartened by
this. they destroyed their gowns and cur
tains. using the material. much Of it
worth $40 yard. to continue their work.
whenever fire broke out and the alarm
was sounded the women dropped their
work and formed fire lines. passing the
buckets from hand to hand. openly ex-
posing themselves to the bullets which
were flying about
AS the doctor was saying this blast
was fired in the nearby excavations fer
the new subway, and looking up he laughed
and said:
That's the kind of noise we heard all
around us for eight weeks. The shells
flew overhead every few minutes
DR.. Martin spoke highly of the unity Of
feeling and effort on the part Of the pow
ers in the laying aside of all differences of
and religion. Catholics and 90
Professionals Joined hands in the great
work. saying: I'VE are Christian people
and represent the civilized world"
Regarding the cause Of the present up
rising and the settlement Of it DR.. Martin
said: THE origin of the entire trouble
with the Boxers was the seizing of a sea-
port by the Germans. But fer this fact
the Boxers could not have come to be an
element in the political situation They
are extremely narrow-minded regarding
foreigners. and every proclamation which
have read begins with the words. Destroy
the foreigners At present the prestige
Of the foreign powers is high in China. and
the work which they have to do should be
greatly facilitated on this account The
powers have been~trying to get the young
Emperor TO regain the exercise OF his au-
thority. But the Empress Dowager is an
,agonistie to him. and will not retire from
control II it is impossible to reinstate the
young Emperor. who has progressive ideas.
1ne OF the following things will harp7-:
Either Chinese native princes will diviIe
the country among themselves or foreign
powers will divide the country through the
native princes. the latter being nominally
in control. This would doubtless be the
easiest to do. ensuring greater satisfaction
in the country itself and easier control
should trouble arise in future