The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-07-10
{ REGULATION Statement.
The Chinese Horrar


dents of affairs of sociology have encoun-
tered in modern history is contained in the
fact that, while the Ministers OF this and
other civilized powers. together with thei,
wives. children, attaches, guards, and sers-
ants, probably have been tortured and
butchered in Pekin by the Chinese SOL
diery, under orders from the imperial au-
thorities nobody seems to take much NO
;ice of the crime or to feel very indignant
because of It.
Yet history hardly offers a parallel 10 the
etrocity which, there is too much reason
10 believe. was perpetrated in the capital
of the Chinese Empire on the thirtieth of
June or the first of July, and perhaps e.
tended over two or three days. II the
stories were true that Simultaneously agi-
tated the native quarters of Shanghai, Che
foo. Woosung. and even Hongkong. on
the fifth or sixth Of July. We are bound to
believe that a horrible massacre occurred
at the time above mentioned. and that II
was accompanied with outrages and afro
cities too sickening to record
1t illustrates the horror of the situation.
that the friends of those hapless ones who
were shut up in Pekin and exposed TO the
fury OF the Chinese. sincerely hope that
before the British compound was finally
broken into and rushed by the Chinese. Mr..
Conger. Mr.. Squiers, and their colleagues
were providentially able. to murder their
wives and little ones to preserve them
from fate much worse than death
AT st. Petersburg. it was reported yes
- ferday that pewe ,ecaivad 4bara
the effect that NJ. de Giers. the Russian
Minister, had been captured in the as
sault, and had been tortured by pouring
boiling water over him before decapita-
ton put an end TO his agony. II any other
oil the legation people were taken alive
it is not supposable that they were al
lowed an easier death. We are afraid that
collapse of the resistance may have come
TOO suddenly TO permit the merciful kill
ing OF the women and children by those
who would willingly have died to save
them, and that some or perhaps all of
them may have been the victims of he'll
lishness We cannot even speak Of
Is it possible that Americans who nearly
went mad over the butchery of native
Christians in Armenia. and drove the Ad-
ininistration unwillingIy into war with
Spain because Of the atrocities of Wey-
Ter in Cuba, are Indifferent to the
most awful deed Of the century committed
in Pektn? Is 1t possible that. becoming
used to the cynical brutality of Hanna
ISM which defies the fundamental law of
the country, and protects Republican politi-
clans charged with murder and fleeing from
Justice, from arrest and trial. the American
people have also become callous TO such
hitherto unheard of bestialties as we have
reason TO believe occurred in China's
capital! 1t is time for them to wake up,
They may think il hopeless to look to an
Administration busy playing politics on
Canton front porch for action which. If |
it had been taken in time. might have |
saved the Ministers, women. and children.
guards and missionaries shut up in the |
British compound in Pekin. But the
force of public opinion may not
be vaiueless, when applied to persons
who realize the strength of the resent
1nent that their political cowardice and
criminal hesitation has awakened.
All we can do now. apparently, is to
eAa H'eh Jul Vi INC iiOOpS uettsSaFy
TO save he gallant defenders Of Tien-
tsin. Yesterday it was hoped that the
women and children OF the officials and
missionaries there might get away. There
IS grave danger that they cannot. and that
they, too. may share the fate of the for
eigners in Pekin, unless Japan is able TO
land and march a strong column to their
assistance. The civilized world does not
appear to appreciate the hideousness of
the situation.