Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-04
President McKinley's Words to
the 56th Congress.
Many Important Matters Of National Interest
Dealt With at Length.

pred lated by this Government. causin.. II
profound solici,udc The United States
FROM the earliest days of foreign inter
course with China had followed 4 policy
OF peace. emitting no occasions TO testify
good will. to further the extension of
lawful! trade. to respect the sovereignty
%. its Government. and t" insure by all
Legitimate and kindly but earnest means
the fullest measure Of protection for the
lives and property of our law-abding cit
liens and for the exercise of their hencf-
iccnt callinGs among the Chinese people.
Mindful of this it was felt to he appro-
pirate that our purposes should be PRO-
nounced in favor of such course as would
hasten united action of the powers ut Pc
kin. 70 promote the administrative re-
forms 50 greatly needed, for Strengthening
tho Imperial Government and maintain
ing the integrity of China. in which We
helicve, the whole western world 10 be
alike concerned. To these ends caused
20 bc addressed to the several powers oc-
cunyia@ territory and maintaining spheres
of intiucnc" III China the circular pro-
posals of 1899. inviting from them dec
laration> CT their intentions and views as
to the dc>icahility OF the adoption OF
measures nt.uiin. the benefits Of equality
or treatment Of all foreign trade through
out China
With gratifying: uuauimity the re-
Spnnscs coiucided in this common policy.
enabling me 10 see in the successful ter
minaiion Of these negotiations proof of
th" friendly Spiri, which animates the
various powers Interested in the untram-
me!cG development of commerce and in
drstr! III the Chinese Empire as Il source
Of vast benefit 10 the whole commercial
world
In this cnnclu>ion which | had the
qualification to announce a. a completed
cnga gemeut I" the interested powers Oh
March 20. 1900 l hopefully discerned
potential factor for the abatement of the
distru>t Of foreign purposes which for
wear pas: had appeared to inspire the
policy Of the Imperial Government. aud
for the effective cxcr,ion by il Of power
and authority to quell the critical anti
foreign movement in the northern prov
inces most immediately influenced Ivy the
Mauchu sentiment.
Seekins to testify confidence in the
willingness and ability of the Imperial
administration TO redress the wrongs and
prevent The evils We suffered and feared.
the marine guard which had been sent
to Picking i'll til" autumn of 1899 for the
protection of the legation. was with
drawn IT the earliest practicable mo
ment. and all pending questions were re-
mittc1. far as we We're concerned. 20
the ordinary resorts of diplomatic inter
course.
The Chinese Government proved. how
ever. unable to check the rising strength
Of fh., nd
TO internal discussions. In the unequal
contest the antiforrrn influences soon
gained the asc"ndancy under the leader
ship of Prince Tuan. Organized armies
of Boxers. with which the Imperial forces
affiliated. held the country between Pc
king and the coast. penetrated into Man
churia 10 ~ the Russian borders. aud
through their cussalieS threatened IA like
rising throughout northern China.
Attacks upon foreigners. destruction of
their property. and slaughter Of native
converts We're reported from all sides.
The TSun.-li lamen. already pcrmcatcI
with hostile Sympathies. could make ~
effective response 10 the appeals of the
legations AZ this critical jlincturc. ~
the early spring OF this year. Il proposal
was made hy the other powers that
combined leef should be assembled in
Chinese waters Il moral demonstra-
ton. under cover Of which to exact of the
Chinese Government respect for foreign
treaty rights and the suppression of the
Boxers.
TIL" United States. while no, participant
in. in the Joint demon Stration. promptly
sent from ;lIc Philippines all ships that
could lie spared for service Oh the Chi
,,..., ..,,,st I small force of MA riuVS
was landed at Taku aud sent to Picking
for the protection Of the American Legal
tiou. Other powers took similar action
until some four hundred men We're as
scmblcd in the capital as legation guards.
Still the peril increased. The legations
reported the development OF the sedi
tious movement in Picking and the need
of increased provision for defense against
it. While preparations were IN progress
for a larger expedition. to strengthen the
legation guards and keep the railway
nncu. m attempt of the foreign ships to
make landing At Takn was met by Il
fire from the Chinese forts. The forts
were thcrcunon Shellcd by the foreign
vessels. the American admiral taking 10
part in the attack. on the ground that we
were not at war with China and that Il
hostile utlnOn>lIdlioH ih'-b'
thc antiforci.n clements and strengthen
the Boxers to oppose the relieving col
umn.
Two DAVIS later the Taku forts were
caut,r,d after sanguinary conflict.
Severance of communication with Pc
kim. followed. and II combined force of
additional guards which was advancing
TO Picking by the Pei-ilo. was checked
nj I.anyfapE. The isolation OF the Legal
tionS was complete.
The siege and the relief Of the lega-
t;,,S has passed into undyine history In
MI the stirring chapter which records the
bcro;sp Of the devoted band. clinsinG t"
hong in the face of despair. and the I'M
dannted spirit that led their reviewers
through battle and suffering t" the goal
If is = memory of which my countlymen
may he Justly proud that the honor OF
| our na- was maintained alike IN Inc
.;o.o ,nI lie rescue. and that stout
,tnc,i,..n hearts have again set hisn. ia
f..,ycn, ,mnlation with true men OF 9th
.r race and language. the in'i"mi'"hie
.,,i,,..,r that ever strives FOR tue cause
OF right and justice
+; r., I,,.e 10Th the legations We're ou'