The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-12-08
N'KINLEY'S MESSAGE
The Annual Communication of the
President to Congress.
NANY IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS

proves of Ship Subsidy-Proposes
LeEisIation for the Philippines
and Asks Ratification of Hay
Pauncefote Treaty.
Washington, Dec. 4.-The following
r. a comprehensive synopsis of the pres
SCENTS annual message to congress;
The president gives first place in his
our connection with the allied forces OPP
Grating there. He reviews the causes
leading up to the Boxer outbreak. and
the first murder of foreigners in Chi
nese territories. In this connection he
says:
The increasing gravity Of the conditions
IN China and the imminence of peril to our
0wn diversified interests in the empire, as
we'll as to those of all the other treaty gov
srnments. were soon appreciated by this
government. causing it profound solicitude.
The United States from the earliest days
Of foreign Intercourse with China had fol-
bowed a policy of peace. emitting no occa-
Sions to testify good will. to further the
extension Of lawful trade, to respect the
sovereignty Of its government, and to in
sure by all legitimate and kindly but earn
est means the fullest measure of protec-
abiding citizens and for the exercise Of
their benefcent callings among the Chinese
people.
Mindful of this, It was felt to be appro-
pirate that our purposes should be pro-
bounced in favor of such course as would
basten united action of the powers at Pc
king to promote the administrative reforms
% greatly needed for strengthening the
imperial government and maintaining the
Integrity of China, in which we believed the
whole western world to be alike concerned.
To these ends I caused to be addressed to
fha S6varal nnUnrC nrCIInvinU Tertiary and
maintaining spheres of influence in China
the circular proposals Of 1899, inviting
from them declarations of their intentions
and views as to the d~esirability OF the
adoption of measures insuring the benefits
of equality of treatment Of all foreign
Grade throughout China.
Proposals Well Received.
With gratifying unanimity the re-
eponses coincide in this common policy.
enabling me to see in the successful ter
animation of these negotiations proof or
The friendly spirit which animates the
various powers interested in the un.
Srammeled development of commerce and
Industry in the Chinese empire as a
source Of vast benefit to the whole COM
uercial world.
In this conclusion, which l had the graf
efcation to announce as a completed en-
fagement to the interested powers on
H1arch20. 1900. l hope was fully discerned a
potential factorfor the abatement Of the
distrust of foreign purposes which for a
year past had appeared to inspire the
policy of the imperial government, n
Tor the effective exertion by it of power
3nd authority to quell the critical anti
Foreign movement in the northern prov
4nces most Immediately influenced by the
Aanchu sentiment.
Seeking 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
90 Picking in the autumn of 1899 for the
protection OF the legation. was withdrawn
at the earliest practicable moment. and
al pending questions were RENTED. as
Tar as we were concerned. to the or
binary resorts of diplomatic intercourse.
VfgOr of the Siege.
The history of the efforts made at re-
king is thoroughly covered: no Important
detail is lacking, and every engagement
with the Chinese forces is mentioned,
10 show the vigor with which the siege
OF the legations was pushed by the Chi
4ese he quotes reports from Minister
From June % until July IT," writes
Minister Conger, there was scarcely an
hour during which there was not firing
some Of the legations. varying from a
single shot to a general and continuous
attack along the whole line" Artillery
vas placed around the legations and on
sands Of three-inch shells were fired, de-
Stroying some buildings and damaging
al So thickiy did the balls rain that.
low, five quarts of Chinese bullets were
gathered in an hour in one compound
Attempts were made to burn the lega-
tfons by setting ~neighboring houses on
IRE. but the flames were successfully
fought of. although the Austrian, Bel
Then and subsequently burned. With the
aid OF the native converts, directed by
the missionaries. to whose helpful coop
Ar1finn MY TnnCor nu-orId .r~cNt-4l
praise, the British legation was made a
$eritable fortress. The British minister,
Sir Claude Macdonald. was chosen gen
secretary of the American legation, MI.
f G. Squiers. as chief Of STAFF.
Defense of the Lesationers.
To save life and ammunition the be-
0ieged sparingly returned the incessant fire
Of the Chinese soldiery, fighting only to
fepel attack or make an occasional sue
eessful sortie for strategic advantage, such
as that of IS Americans. British and Rus
United States marine corps, which result
I'd In the capture Of a formidable barricade
On the wall that gravely menaced the
and proved an invaluable acquisition, be-
cause commanding the water gate through
which the relief column entered.
During the siege the defenders lost IS
killed. lbs wounded and seven by disease
the last all children.
ION July Il the besieged had their first
communication with the tsung-li-yamen.
from whom a message came inviting to a
conference. which was declined. Core
tpondence. however, ensued and a sort Of
ormlstice was agreed upon, which stopped
the bombardment and lessened the rifle fire
for q time. Even then no protection what
ever was afforded, nor any aid given, save
q send to the legations a small supply of
erui and three sacks of -four.
Duplicity of Chinese Government,
Indeed. the only communication had with
b Chinese government related to the oc-
easional delivery or dispatch Of a telegram
or to the demands of the tsung-li-yamen
Cor the withdrawal Of the legation to the
coast under escort. Not only are the pro-
kestations OF the Chinese government that
II protected and succored the legations
positively contradicted. but irresistible
proof accumulates that the attacks upon
4arly uniformed, armed and differed, be-
longing to the command Of Jung Lu, the
amperial commander in chief. DEGREES en-
e%ouraging the Boxers. organizing them I'M
der prominent imperial officers. provision
ing them, and even granting them large
0ums in the name of the empress dowager,
are known to exist. Members of the
esung-li-yamen who counseled protection
Of the foreigners were beheaded. Even In
oign sympathy were put to death. promi-
nent among these being Chang Yen-Hoon.
formerly Chinese minister in Washington.
With the negotiation of the partial arm
qptice Of July II, a proceeding which was
ooubtless promoted by the representations
Of the Chinese envoy in Washington, the
way wal opened for the conveyance to Mr..
Conger Of a test message sent by the Sec
rotary Of state through the kim offices of
AHsntfnr TUrt Tfn0-Eono Mr. Tnnonrso