Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-12-13
Considerable Portion of the Document Is De-
voted to Chinese Affairs.
ALSO DISCUSSES PHILIPPINES MATTERS.
Congress Urged Pass the Ship Subsidy Measure ond
the Army Bill and Attention Is Called to the Ne
cessity of Cable to DISQUALIFICATION
of Revenue Asked.

qualification to announce as a completed
engagement to the interested powers on |
March 20, 1900, hopefully discerned a po- |
tential factor for the abatement OF the !
distrust of foreign purposes which for a |
year past had appeared TO inspire the |
policy of the imperial government, and |
for the effective exertion by it of power
ana authority TO Quell the critical anti |
foreign movement In the northern prov |
inces most Immediately Influenced by the
Manchu sentiment.
Seeking to testify confidence In the will |
ingneSs and ability of the imperial ad-
minlstration to redress the wrongs and
prevent the evils we suffered and feared, |
the marine guard. which had been sent to
Pektn in the autumn of 1899 for the pro-
lection of the legation, was withdrawn at
tho earliest practical moment, and all
pending questions were remtted. as far
as we were concerned, to the ordinary re-
sorts OF diplomatic intercourse.
SLAUGHTER BY BOXERS.
The chinese government proved, how
ever, unable to check the rising strength
OF the Boxers and appeared to be a prey
to internal dissensions. In the unequal
contest the anti-fOreign influences soon
gained the ascendancy under the leader
OF Boxers, with which the imperial forces
afhliated, held the country between Pekin
and the coast penetrated into Manchuria
up 10 the Russian border, and through
their emissares threatened like rising
throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners destruction OF
tnelT property ana slaughter of native
converts were reported from all sides
The tsung-li-yamen, already permeated
with hostile sympathies, could make no
effective response to 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 fleet should be assembled in
Chinese water as a moral demonstration
under cover Of which to exact of the
Chinese government respect for foreign
treaty rights and the suppression Of thu
Boxers
The United States, while not participat-
ing in the joint demonstration, promptly
sent from the Philippines all ships that
could be spared for service on the Chi
nese coast. small force of marines
was landed at Taku and sent to Pekin
for the protection of the American lega-
ton. Other powers took similar action,
until some 400 men were assembled in the
capital as legation guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations
reported the development Of the seditious
movement in Pekin and the need of in
creased provision for defense against 1t.
While preparations were in progress for
a larger expedition to strengthen the le-
cation guards and keep the railway open
an attempt of the foreign ships to make
a landing at Taku was met by a fire
from the Chinese forts. The forts were
thereupon shelled by the foreign vessels.
the American admiral taking no part in
the attack, on the ground that We were
not at war with China and that a hostile
demonstration might consolidate the anti
loEeiSn element anu strengthen Ile BOX
ers to oppose the relieving column.
Two days later the Taku forts were
captured after a sanguinary conflict.
Severance of communication with Pekin
followed, and a combined force of addi-
tiOnal guards, which was advancing to
Pekin by the Pei-Ho. was checked at
Lang Fang. The isolation of the lega-
tons was complete.
HEROISM OF THE LEGATIONS.
The siege and the relief of the legations
has passed into undying history In ell
the stirring chapter which records the
heroism of the devoted band, clinging to
hope in the face of despair, and the I'M
daunted spirit that led their BELIEVERS
through battle and suffering to the goal.
it Is a memory of which my countrymen
may be justly proud that the honor of
cur flag was maintained alike in the siege
and the rescue, and that stout American
| hearts have again set high, in fervent
and language, the indomitable courage
that ever strives for the cause of right
and justice.
By June 10 the legations were cut off,
| An identical note from the yamcn or
| dered each minister to leave Pekin, under
| a promised escort within twenty-four
hours. To gain time they replied, asking
| prolongation of the time, which was aft
| erward granted, and requesting an inter-
| view with the tsung-li-yamen on the fol-
| lowing day. No reply being received, on
| lister, Baron Won Ketteler, set out for the
yamen to obtain response. and on the
| way was murdered.
| An attempt by the legation guard to re-
| cover his body was foiled by the Chinese.
| Armed forces turned out against the lega-
| tons. Their quarters were surrounded
and attacked. The mission compounds
were abandoned. their inmates taking
| refuge in the British legation. where all
| the other legations and guards gathered
| for more effective defense. Four hundred
| persons were crowded into Its narrow
| compass. Two thousand native converts
were assembled in near by palace under
protection of the foreigners. Lines of de-
| Tense were Strengthened, trenches dug,
| barricades raised and preparations made
to stand a siege, which at once began.
From June 20 until July IT," writes
hour during which there was not firing
upon some part OF our lines and into
some of the legations. varying from a
sttsck S aiong the whole ne Artleps
was placed around the legations and on
the overlooking palace walls. and thou
sands Of S-inch shot AND shell were fired,
ing all. So thickly did the balls rain that.
when the ammunition of the besieged ran
low, five quarts of Chinese bullets were
gathered in On hour In one compound and
recaSt.
Attempts were made to burn the lega-
tons by setting neighboring houses on
fire, but the flames We're successfully
fought off. although the Austrian. Bel
gian. Italian and Dutch legations were
then and subsequently burned.
ATTITUDE IN CHINA.
Americas attitude has been UNMARRIED
and was first broadly defined by circu-
lar to the powers of July 3 last, this
! country's policy as then defined being ito
seek a solution which may bring about
permanent safety and peace to China,
preserve Chinese territorial and admin
istratlye entity, protect all rights guar
anteed to friendly powers by treaty and
international law and safeguard for the
world the principle of equal and impair
tial trade with all parts of the Chinese
empire" OF course, in addition to this
broad and generous view O. the rights
, and Interests of all nations, there has
, since been added the question of repara-
ton for injuries received the past sum-
mer and the indemnity for the expenses
necessarily incurred in connection with
the relief of the legations. On this point
the president says: I'VE forego no 10,
! OF our undoubted right to exact exem.
plary and deterrent punishment of the
. responsible authors of the criminal acts
|, whereby We and other nations have suf'
, fered grievous injury"
While the hope Is expressed that
complete settlement of all the questions
involved may be reached, II Is admitted
that the question of indemnity Is one oil
grave concern" as measured In money
alone, a sufficient recompense may bt
beyond the power of China to pay. The
president Is disposed to think, however
that due compensation may be made b,
: increased guarantees for foreign rights
! and immunities and by the opening OF
China to the equal commerce OF all the
4 MO