The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-16

that we had plan which. If carried out.
would force the return OF the Chinese
court and then solve the problem which
was harassing the allies at Picking. We
knew where the treasure was located. II
we could have the cooperation Of the
United States troops we could have seized
the whole amount. and, after taking 10
per cent for our share in the matter.
was our purpose. turn over the balance 10
the allies for such disposition in the way
OF payment OF indemnity claims as seemed
best
With this idea in mind approached Cen
eral Chafgee and told him the whole story,
reserving only the information to the
exact location OF the building in which the
treasure was stored. My circumstantial
evidence was so strong and convincing that
he became very much interested in our
plans. and believe he agreed entirely with
as that II would be the very strongest lever
20 force the return Of the Emperor 70 Pc
king, and that the seizure would have been
encrely justihable under the rules OF war.
After some elaboration, however, General
Chaffee decided that he could not take the
responsibility upon himself. and, therefore.
he ca5led the full facts OF the case to Presi-
dent Mckinley and asked for instructions.
Reply came promptly from Washington to
the effect that General ChafTee should con-
fer with w. w. Rockhin. United States
peace commissioner. and take such action
as was deemed advisable.
AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW.
At the outset Mr.. Rockhill was skeptical
and. while he afterward acknowledged the
value Of the plan. he was compelled because
OF his mission for peace TO avoid any COM
plicatioEs whatever. He felt that the seiz-
ure Of the treasure would antagonize the
Chinese and stir up trouble among the
allies. On this account Mr.. Rockhnl could
not give his consent TO the plan.
was firmly convinced that the treasure
was at the end Of the rainbow, and that the
rainbow I'm this case ended very definitely in
a particular building in the Imperial City,
SO. when the Americans gave up the idea
OF acting in the matter. 1 went to some
friends of General Waldersee's staff. had
several talks with General Schwartzkopf
(afterward burned 10 death in the destruc-
ton OF the summer palaceJ and through
him asked the German forces to take the
matter up. As in the Of our own
troops, the Germans were intensely inter-
ested. but they too feared international
complications. and, since the Americans and
japanese were I'm direct control of the I'm
perial City. they could not act without the
concerted action of the allies.
We did not dare trust the Japanese and
So for lack of the necessary assistance
we were compelled To give up our plan.
i am positive that IL Mr.. ROckhill could
have arranged for some concerted action
in the matter at the time. just year ago,
st would not only have FASTENED the final
peace negotiations. but il would have in
sUred the speedy return OF the court of
Picking. 1t is a matter OF history now.
however that the protocol was not signed
for many months afterwards and the re-
turn of the Chinese imperial court was
only accomplished few weeks ago. The
very recent news of the finding OF 10000
o00 OF the treasure where 1t had been con-
cealed more than year before will doubt
less, confirm To the government officials APP
preached at the time our plan was formed
of the truth of our statements. if such
confirmation be needed. Perhaps the events
OF the past year in China may have con-
WINGED them that our plan would have been
an eminently sane plan to have followed
fn clearing up the affairs of the allies and
placing the government of China on
hrmer basis toward the rest of the world.
AT any rate, probably. ours was the most
unique opportunity in history. If it had
been carried out 1 am firmly convinced
. that millions would havs been saved and
that the course of events in China would
have at once taken a turn for the better.
]. Z. BOECK.
ICOpvright 1902