The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-22
THE MENACE OF DEATH AND WAR

THE MENACE of DEATH AND WAN.
week OF suspense to every capital and
people Of the civilized world has dragged
to its close, but to be succeeded by an
other, scarcely less pregnant with appre-
hension. The Chinese Boxer uprising has
brought 10 the closing hours Of the CEN
fury this most extraordinary experience
This uprising was without premonitory |
symptom such as any authority would re-
gard with gravity. because no man had |
measured the intensity OF Chinese hatred
for the foreign devils and every au-
thority had so discredited the lighting
strength and military resource OF the peo-
pie that It was thought In every capital
OF ohristendom. before the eye opening
developments Of Tien Tsin, that an In
ternationsl column 5000 strong could
traverse Chinese territory for distance
OF eighty-one miles and triumphantly en-
ter Pekn. All the world has stood aghast
over the pathetic. tragic and heroic fall
ure OF that expedition.
1t is said that history repeats itself and
that each succeeding event embodies Its
predecessor. But this Boxer revolution,
in every manifestation OF a savage wrath
which neither reasons out the bloody con-
sequence nor fears II, is without prece-
dent. without parallel in established gov
eminent.
1t has, moreover. involved the powers OF
continental Europe, together with Great
Britain and the United States. In posi-
ton and duty to Christendom the most try
ing of all time. and bids them proceed
without the enlightenment and suggestion
of experience in previous similar position
and duty.
Just what has been the fate of the
foreign ministers in Pekin. nor to what
limits have spread the insensate murder
, and rapine inflicted by Prince Tuan and
his fanatlcal followers. civilization does
| not know. and may never know. The Unit
ed States alone have been able to break
through the GORDON of silence that for
weeks has held the Chinese capital In its
clutch and appalled, the capitals OF Europe
, and America. And yet the information at
4 tanned by our state department, apart from
the fact that Minister Congers reply was
4 filed during a period In which the country
k believed him and his legation to have
a been destroyed, is not reassuring, since
t 1t is without date and conveys the intel.
= llgence that when the message left hi'
4 pen he was in the British legation "undel
4 continued shot and she'll by Chinese
troops" and that quick relief only coulC
= prevent general massacre"
Whether by Chinese troops" Ministe
= Conger meant the British legation II
" which he had taken refuge was under shel
o, FIRE of the troops OF the imperial govern
q ment, or whether is meant only the organ
4. lied forcea OF he Boxer leaders. is al
A. matter OF speculation, The distinction
H. however. is inconsequential. since thu
* statement Is made that the British lega
ton is being continuously bombarde
N under tho imminent peril OF genera
to massacre"
re- This fact reveals the lmpotency or tn
ID inaction of the Chinese imperial govern
ment. and demands that the allied force
proceed to Pekin and tho work OF rescu
with all possible expedition
Authoritative information can not b
v, had until the relieving arm OF the allie
~ forces shall be thrust TO the shoulder l
- the storm center at Pekin and Prime
:" Tuan and his accomplices turned over
the imperial headsman.
This is no time for the allied forces
=, quarrel among themselves or to be hel
~ in check by the ambitious schemes OF theI
rival and jealous governments. And "
Il Is difficult to conjecture plan whereof
-, any one Of the powers can take the init
- alive without the support OF power net
trally situated. as are the United State
=, Japan. by reason of geographical proxim
=. ty and an admirably equipped force. a
along should have been considered ~
:. most available OF all the powers to tai
the initiative in the protection and reset
:, Of the foreign legations in Pekin. al
- would have done so II some nation, di
- claiming design to participate IN the spoil
y, of partition, would have but urg'
= Japan on.
- What shall be the fearful consequence
Of delay to the foreign legations, and VIII
shall be the evil fruits OF information
:, jealousy no man may now predict, b
;, that the best craftsmanship and coura
"A OF civilization is put to its supremest tie
ha in this hour OF the Asiatic empires trav'