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YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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THE LIBRARY OF THE

DIVINITY SCHOOL

THE DAY MISSIONS LIBRARY

China in Convulsion

Volume Two

Vy ARTHUR H. SMITH

"Not only two of the very best books on China,
but two of the very best books which hâve ever
been published by any author on any country at
any time"— Dr. Talcott Williams.

Tenth Thousand

yîllage Life in China

A Study in Sociology, 8vo, fuUy illus-

trated, $2.00.

" Arthur H. Smith has added a second to those extra-
ordinary studies of China life, of which he is so easily mas-
ter. No book like this has been written on China except
one, and that is Dr. Smith's ' Chinese Characteristics.' The
two books together may fairly be said to give a clearer idea
of China as it is than any or ail of the 5,000 or 6,000 works
published on the Empire during the last century." — Phila-
delphia Press.

A MAGAZINE OF INFORMA TION

" He is an acute observer, a discriminating judge of both
people and facts, and an entertaining narrator. No one can
begin to understand the Chinese until he has read such a
work as this." — New York Observer.

Fifteenth Thousand

hinese Characteristics

New Edition. With 20 full-page illustra-
tions and Index, and characteristic décoration
for each chapter. 8vo, cloth, $2 00.

"Those best informed call it without exception the best
book on the Chinese that is before the public, and a
pretty carefui survey of it confirms that opinion." — The

tndependent.

"There is ail the différence between an intaglio in onyx

and a pencil scrawl on paper to be discovered between Mr.
Smith's book and the printed prattle of the average globe-
trotter. Our author's work has been donc, as it were, with
a chisel and an emery wheel. He goes deeply beneath the
surface."— TAe Crittc.

A KEEN ANALYSIS OF CHARACTER

"The book is generally accepted by students in the Far
East as not only one of the ablest analyses and portrayals
of the Chinese character, but, on the whole, one of the most
truthful and judicial." — The Nation.

~^~'^ .

FIRSr JRAIX l'A>^lN(, IHR

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K 1 \ ( .

China in Convulsion

ARTHUR H. SMITH

Twenty-nine years a Missionary
of the American Board in China

Author of
** Chinese Characteristics " and " Village Life in China "

With Numerous Illustrations and Maps

IN TWO VOLUMES
Volume Two

NEW YORK CHICAGO TORONTO

FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY

1901

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YALE mmi SSIIOSL

bv-^^ Die

FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY

(November)

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Press of

Riggs Printing ô-" Publishing Co.

Alèany, N. Y.

CHAPTER

XX.
XXI,

XXII.

XXIII.

XXIV.

XXV.

XXVI.

XXVII.

XXVIII.

XXIX.

XXX.

XXXI.

XXXII.

XXXIII.

XXXIV.

XXXV.

XXXVI.

XXXVII.

XXXVIII.

CONTENTS

Volume II

PAGB
Siège Life 365

Days of Waiting 383

Renewal of the Attack 402

The Relief 419

From Taku to Peking 435

The Fortifications 462

Af ter the Siège 485

Hand of God in the Siège 508

Punishment of Peking 517

The Capital in Transformation 535

Ruin of T'ung Chou 555

Tientsin after the Siège 571

Foreigners in the Interior 594

Notable Expériences 621

The Catastrophe to the Native Church 650

Personal Narratives 665

Fire and Sword in Shansi 207

A Twelve-month of Foreign Occupation 713

The Outlook 733

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

VOLUME II

First Train Passing Through the Wall of Peking

The " International " Gun, " Our Betsey " .

FoRTiFiED Bridge across the Moat near Légation Street

British Légation Gâte, Fuel Supply Committee .

BuDDHiST Temple and Modern Tram Car .

Water Gâte, Peking, through which Allies Entered

" Hère They Come," General Gaselee on the Right

Fraternizing on the Tennis Court

Black Fort at Tientsin, Outside View

Black Fort at Tientsin, Inside View .

Wall of Tientsin After Bombardment

Gâte Through which Allies entered Tientsin

Temple of Heaven, British Headquarters .

Court, Temple of Heaven, British Headquarters

Gateway to British Légation, Moat and Barricade

The Six " Fighting Parsons " and Sergeant Murphy at

Fort Cockburn

Group of American Missionaries présent during the

oIEGE . ......

RuiNS OF Presbyterian Mission, Peking
RuiNS of Methodist Mission, Peking .
British Légation Wall ....
Chinese Gun Platform for Firing on the
Coming out of Church, Légation Grounds
Railway Station, Peking
Police Station, Peking ....
Chien Men Gâte, Peking

Ruins of Chien Men Gâte .

FACING

page
Title

Légation

373
383
402
416
416
432
432
446
446

452
452
460
460
468

474

494

498
498
502
502
508
518
518
522
522

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING
PAGE

Y. M. C. A. Headquarters, Peking 528

Street Panorama, Peking 528

CoAL HiLL, Chinese Serving German Officers . . . 532

SuMMER Palace from the Lake 532

Tartar Wall, Location of Astronomical Observatory . 545

Temple of Agriculture, Peking, American Headquarters 548
Entrance Temple of Agriculture, American Headquar-

. ters 548

NoRTH China Collège, T'ung Chou . . . , . 558

American Board Mission, Tientsin 576

American Board Mission, Tientsin, after the Siège , 576

Arsenal, Tientsin 586

RuiNS OF Roman Catholic Cathedral, Tientsin . . 586

First British-Chinese Régiment, Wei Haï Wei . . 590

RussiAN Troops en route to Peking 590

Pei Tai Ho Watering Place, from which Foreigners

were rescued by Consul Fowler . . . . . 604
Corner of City Wall, Pao Ting Fu, destroyed by Allied

Troops in Punishment for Massacre . . . ,611

Pastor Meng, a Martyr of Pao Ting Fu . . . . 680

Miss Gould of Pao Ting Fu and School Girls . . . 682

Manchu Family, some of them Christians . . . 700

Native Christian Refugee 700

Vicinity of Légation Street, Peking 722

Dr. Ament Receiving Village Deputation .... 730

MAPS

Map showing routes of Relief Forces
Plan of British Légation, Peking
Map of seat of Boxer Disturbance

438
480
620

SIEGE LIFE

THERE is need of a digression at this point, to
explain certain phases of the routine of siège
life which are otherwise in danger of being over-
looked.

The matter of registration labour supply was one of
the first importance. No sooner were the foreigners
settled in the Légation and the Chinese in the Su Wang
Fu, than a systematic census was begun under the Com-
mittee on Registration, The Ust of foreigners was soon
complète and required little revision. That of the Chinese
proved for a variety of reasons far more difficult.

Two most important and useful officers in the siège
were the Superintendent of Labour and the Registrar.
Their work to a large extent dovetailed, the former mainly
controlling the Protestant labour supply outside the Léga-
tion and the latter the time of every Chinese living within
its walls. To the energy, vigilance, kindness, firmness
and tact of thèse two men much of the results achieved is
to be attributed. The labour of the Roman Catholics
living outside the British Légation, it should be remarked,
after an unsatisfactory experiment on the part of the
committee, was directed by their priests, and by the
French, Japanese and others for whom work was done.
The registration put into efïect in the Fu was modelled
after that which had been found to work successfully in
the British Légation.

365

•«f

366

CHINA IN CONVULSION

The demand for labour was clamorous and universal.
Many of the Légation servants had fled some time before,
and others had to be found for their places. Ail the
numerous housekeepers must hâve a détail of cooks, table
boys and coolies ; the hospitaî required a staff always at
the command of the surgeons ; there were many horses
to be fed and vvatered ; the scavenger and other sanitary
work was imperative and, like the bakery and laundry,
did net admit of irregular depletion of employées. Some
educated native Christians, like the scholar class of
Chinese, were unused to manual labour and unfitted for
it; but every grade and variety of talent was eventually
utilized, especially those abîe to speak English, who could
serve as messengers, interpreters, or overseers. A small
percentage of men manifested a rooted and chronic dis-
inclination to active effort, but ère long thèse idiosyn-
crasies were dealt with on their real merits.

When the incessant calls for labour had first to be
met, much confusion reigned for many days. Let an
actual case stand as a sample :

At nine o'clock one evening an order came from Col.
Shiba, commanding the Japanese in the Su Wang Fu,
for ten men and fifty sand bags for immédiate use. The
superintendent secured the bags, but could find only four
avaiîable men. He then waked up another gentleman
who, being appointed on a wholly différent committee had
nothing to do with the présent exigency, but assisted on
gênerai principles. On arriving at the Fu this gentle-
man learned that Col. Shiba had already got the men
needed from the Roman Catholics near at hand.

Meantime a note had come to the British Légation
from the American Captain on the wall, requiring twénty
men to raise higher the western wall of the eastern barri-
cade, as the Chinese west barricade was firing into it.

SIEGE LIFE

367

The superintendent excused a lad too small to handle
the huge bricks on the wall, and sent the same obliging
substitute with the three men on hand to aid the band
that were kept permanently in the American Légation
for emergencies, but happened on this occasion already
to hâve been working ail day. When he arrived there the
Captain who gave the order had been relieved, and his
successor in charge knew nothing about any call for men,
but informed the conductor of the workmen that it had
been decided to postpone the work until daylight, when
it would be done better. The ad intérim assistant, the
superintendent and the Chinese were then enabled to
retire for what remained of the night.

Perhaps a summons arrived from the French to con-
struct an important barricade. No men could be found,
for it was late at night, when the labour market, espe-
cially the free labour market, is generally closed. A visit
to the Fu disclosed numbers of Chinese lying about, but
each one proved to hâve some cherished and dangerous
malady. One is the victim of a persistent diarrhœa, an-
other shows by a limp that his lower leg is broken in two
places, the crépitation of the bones being, as he^ allèges,
distinctly audible ; not, however, to the trained ear of the
foreign examiner, who soon ascertains that the man is
after ail abîe to walk. Some deserve to be excused, but
by degrees, between boys and men, the order is filled and
they are sent to work.

The superintendent is no more than back at the Léga-
tion, ready for bed after an exhausting day's work in
reducing order from chaos, when a request comes for ten
men immediately to work ail night on a new and impor-
tant barricade in the Hanlin Yuan. No one but the
superintendent can find the men, and to the summons
of no one else will they respond. Once more the Fu

368

CHINA IN CONVULSION

must be visited and every sleeping room entered with a
lantern. In the darkness dusky forms are dimly seen
prone upon the k angs. Hère the drafting process is re-
peated, until at length the required number is obtained,
but in transit through so many courtyards and in cross-
ing the canal in the darkness it turns ont that three out
of the ten hâve escaped, and being unknown they cannot
be identified. At a later period every man had his number
not only entered on the register but sewed upon his cloth-
ing, so that évasion of duty like this became impossible.

About midnight one hears a great disturbance and
angry remonstrances. The v^eary registrar is roused
from his slumbers by an urgent demand for seventeen of
the short shovels used by marines, wanted at once by
somebody in another Légation. After an hour's hard work
and a visit to every place where digging is known to hâve
been prosecuted the day before, some of them are found,
but upon being brought in as a part of what is wanted
are refused, for they hâve not the serrated edges of the
Austrian shovels. In the renewed search every doubtful
spot is approached with a lantern.

" Put out that light/* cries a sentry, with the addition
of emphatic language. He is informed that the search
is being conducted under officiai orders and will be con-
tinued until the required articles are found.

At a later stage, the duty of a ship's yeoman is added
to that of the registrar, and the fe5oîs, as far as possible,
had to be called in at night and kept in a box near the
bell tower. Under careless Chinese use, spades, shovels,
and picks, of which the supply was originally lamentably
small and for which the demand was gênerai and insistent,
bave their handles broken ofï and are rendered useless.
The assistant registrar afterward added to his many other
functions that of gênerai repairer, and as far as possible

SIEGE LIFE

369

counteracted the ravages of the wasteful coolie. The
Chinese carpenters were kept busy making handies, as
also the blacksmiths in their efforts to point iron rods
so as to serve as picks or crowbars.

As the resuit of an orderly évolution of registry every
Chinese on the premises came to be known not only by
name but by his réputation; the better and more thor-
ough workmen requiring little or no supervision, the lazy
and inefficient ones needing constant stimulus. Each man
was provided with a ticket good for that day only, en-
titling him to one meal or to two, according to the amount
of work donc. When he had finished his work anfl eaten
his meal he returned to his family in the Fu. After the
Fu was mostly lost, and it became necessary to remove
the Protestants to the vacant houses between the canal
and the American Légation, the task of getting labour
was much expedited. Those liable to night work were
then kept on the premises where they were needed, and
where they could not escape. If a man living in the Fu
were derelict in his work at the Légation his pass was
taken away and he could not get out to return to his
family, a punishment generally quite sufficient, as their
food depended upon him.

Some Chinese were fortunate or provident enough to
hâve food supplies of their own, which rendered them in
a measure independent. In a solitary instance a man of
some éducation after persistently refusing to work, and
repeated warnings, was at last tied to a post with his
hands behind him, there to remain until his views upon
the relation of military law to muscular activity and to
rations became materially modified, which happened
within a few hours.

The carelessness of the Chinese in evervwhere knock-
ing out the burning ashes of their pipes, made it neces-

.■M

^^ù

CHINA IN CONVULSION

sary to forbid smoking in buildings. Those guilty of
violating this rule were put on duty for four-and-twenty
hours continuously. In an especially aggravated case the
cook of one of the Légations was discovered to hâve built
a fire of a dangerous and unlawful kind late at night, to
see how to take care of his child. At whatever incon-
venience to individuals the authority of the committee,
found by expérience to be just and wholesome, was
sustained against ail appeals, of which, however, there
were but few. Those liable to punishment were sent to
whatever work was most urgent; if it chanced that for
the time there was none such, they might temporarily
cscape.

But however perfect the System of registration and
labour supply, the simultaneous demand for détails of men
who were not available necessarily made many hitches in
the progress of military work. Thus six men were de-
tailed for labour on fortifications in the Hanlin, but at
that juncture a pile of sand bags had fallen in a heavy
shower from a hospital window into a gutter, stopping
the drainage. The six men were deflected from the less
to the more pressing task, but while on the way one of
them was called ofï to carry to the Chinese hospital a
woman who in a time of spécial danger had been shot
in crossing the canal from the Fu.

The need of labour made it necessary to require from
every able-bodied Chinese two hours' work each day for
the public, which often proved irksome alike to servants,
mistress and superintendents.

Against this réquisition, which was later supplemented
by another for the whole time of one or more of the large
staff of servants, some employers were disposed to re-
monstrate vigorously. One gentleman who had at first
been very energetic in his coopération, at a later period

SIEGE LIFE

371

asked a détail of men for the purpose of getting his pri-
vate dwelling ready for a rain, and still later for two
labourers to clear up the grounds of the Russian Léga-
tion. The unforgetting Registfar recollecting that two
of this gentleman's servants had for some time evaded
duty, went to his kitchen and called them out. They ob-
jected that they were not liable, as they did not Hve in
the British but in the Russian Légation.

" Exactly," was the reply, " there is where you are to
work," and the amazed and abused master was then pre-
sented with two of his own servants to do his own work
in his own Légation!

The work donc by the besieged Christians, often hard
and exhausting, in no case rewarded with anything more
than a bare subsistence, was in gênerai performed with
characteristic Chinese patience and persévérance, many of
them, under the tireless supervision of foreigners, throw-
ing into it much energy, and in some cases considérable
skill.

Indeed their behaviour was almost uniformly admir-
able. Instead of being a dead-weight to be carried by
foreigners as many of thèse besieged feared they would
be, they were soon found to be an indispensable means
to the salvation of the rest, and except they had abode
in the ship none would hâve been saved. As in ail large
bodies collected at random, there were some black sheep,
and many speckled ones, but as a rule the patient, uncom-
plaining fidelity of the Christians in toilsome tasks under
dangerous conditions was beyond praise. The steadiness
under constant attacks, and in the midst of repeated re-
movals from one unsafe place to another, manifested by
the Chinese women, and especially by the 120 and more
school girls, were also noteworthy. Many Chinese were
f urnished with rifles, and f ought at the loop-holes side

372

CHINA IN CONVULSION

by side witli the plucky and soldierly Japanese, winning
even their cordial commendation. A good number were
killed in posts of danger, many others were struck by
the innumerable flying bullets, two of the best helpers of
the Methodists — one of them an ordained pastor — falling
at the same time.

Many others fell victims to disease, and probably a
score or two of poor Chinese children died from disease
aggravated by mal-nutrition, but the mothers bore their
deep grief with Christian fortitude, and uttered no word
of reproach to the Fate in which ail non-Christian Chinese
hâve a firm faith, but rather thanked the Heavenly Father
for such mercies as they still enjoyed.

Each day there was a gathering both of Chinese and
foreigners upon the lawn, to examine the growing pile of
clothing and other stuff brought into the Légation. This
may be a fitting opportunity to explain in détail the method
of dealing with confiscated goods. The area enclosed by
the numerous Légations being extensive, it was inévitable
that many Chinese families who had no connection either
with foreigners or with the Boxers should find them-
selves gradually encircled with troops, making entrance
and exit increasingly difficult, and a prosecution of their
ordinary business impossible.

As time went on most of thèse families became alarmed
at the outlook and fled while it was not yet too late, some
of them, however, leaving behind trustworthy servants
to look after their premises. But numberless dwelling
houses and many shops were absolutely deserted, some
of the latter being well stocked with goods of many sorts,
and many of the former being well furnished. In the
confusion of the time it was inévitable that many shops
and houses should be exposed to raids from neighbours
who remained, as well as from needy Christians, rriany of

SIEGE LIEE

373

whom had fled for thcir lives with only the clothing
which they wore.

Soon after the gcncral gathcring iiito the British Lé-
gation, when it became neccssary to check promiscuous
pillage and to sccure a wise use of the miseellaneous
articles thus placed within reach, Dr. Ament was ap-
pointcd a committee with plenary powers. An impromptu
depository of second-hand cluthing was established on the
tennis court lawn, resenibling the storeroom of a Chinese
pawnshop. For mau}- days it suppiied hundreds of Chi-
nese with clothing and bedding for themselves and their
familles, untii the demand appeared to be fairly met.
But many Chinese were unable while at work to guard
their possessions, and others ruined their clothes in the '
heavy rains, or while labouring in the damp trenches or
on the wall ; thèse had to be resupplied, y et still the inflow
kept on. Foreigners, too, drcw liberally from the same
source, until the superintcndcnce of the business became
a heavy load of responsibility and care.

When there was a scarcity of material for sand bags
the Chinese wonien eut apart many wadded garments,
whose legs and arms, filled with earth, were used to add
to the prophylactic embankments on the walls and house-
tops. In quest of bag material, scores (perhaps hun-
dreds) of Chinese bouses were entered, but nothing was
anywhere taken by force. Some of thèse dwellings had
already bcen visitée! and largely despoiled, but others were
fresh fields and pastures new. A grcat varicty of articles
which at first appeared to bave no relation to tlîe wants
of a beleaguered garrison, ultimately ])rovcd to be most
useful, cspecially tools from a blacksmith's shop and an
old Chinese cannon nicknamed " lîetsy," or " The Inter-
national." Some of the abandoned (hvellini?-s had bcen
forsaken in bot haste, and contained eleijant ."-arments,

374

CHINA IN CONVULSION

pièces of silk, furs, valuable chinaware, docks and curîos.
A large quantity of such articles was found in the Su
Wang Fu. One of the Japanese barricades was largely
composed of trunks full of priceless raiment, seized as
the most available material ; ail of this was ruined by
contact with earth, or by rains, or was destroyed in the
fires.

The Christians lodged in the Su Wang Fu gave early
information of the probable concealment of a considérable
quantity of sycee silver, which was brought away and
stored in the strong room of the British Légation until
the close of the siège. Small guns were also found in
some of the shops, and also many irredeemable bank bills.
On one occasion about seventy taels was discovered in a
coal pile, and other amounts were doubtless confiscated
by the Chinese on their own account.

The owners of two foreign stores on Légation Street
decided to abandon them, bringing into the Légation what-
ever could be saved. As the siège became doser and the
risk in visiting the stores became évident by the whis-
tling of bullets and the killing of one of the workmen,
the owner of the larger one gave notice that whoever
wished to take any of the remaining articles was wel-
come to do so. It was an unfortunate and ill-judged step,
which for a few days made looting légal, and so facili-
tated the universal diffusion of intoxicating liquors that
an order was soon issued forbidding any one what-
ever to visit the place without the express permission
of the General Committee, Thereafter, the articles res-
cued were put into the hands of a commissariat and is-
sued only upon due réquisition, a course which should
hâve been adopted from the first.

During the brief reign of unchecked lawlessness the
gênerai demoralization was very great. Many messes

SIEGE LIFE

375

of poor Chinese ate their rice out of broken crockery, but
with the addition perhaps of a plate-glass mirror set in a
plush fràme, or a cut-glass syrup pitcher flanked by a
marble clock. The commissariat issued not only stores
and utensils but everything which came to hand. Ail the
memoranda of the progress of the siège were entered in
note books, with pencil or pen and ink, ail of which had
been secured by application to the obliging supply com-
mittee. One had but to make his necessities sufficiently
known to insure such a supply for them as the case ad-
mitted, for the besieged in a most literal sensé had ail
things common.

The bulletin boards, where were posted the translations
of the ** Peking Gazettes " obtained during the armistice,
were surrounded for days with a crowd that exhibited the
keenest interest in the utterances of that unique publica-
tion. Many of thèse were printed many weeks before,
but some of them were highly important, and most of
them quite new.

The most important utterance among them was a de-
cree issued the day after the murder of the German Min-
ister, but significantly making no référence whatever to
that occurrence. It is a window through which the
Chinese side of the international question may be seen.
It ran as follows :

" Ever since the foundation of the dynasty, foreigners
coming to China hâve been kincily treated. In the reign
of Tao Kuang and Hsian Fêng they were allowed to
trade ; they also asked leave to propagate their religion, a
request which the Throne reluctantly granted. At first
they were amenable to Chinese control, but for the past
thirty years they hâve taken advantage of China's for-
bearance to encroach on China's territory and trample on
the Chinese people and to demand China's wealth. Every

37^

CHINA IN CONVULSION

concession made by China increased their reliance on vio-
lence. They oppressed peaceful citizens and insulted
the gods and holy men, exciting the most burning indig-
nation among the people. Hence the destruction of the
chapels and the slaughter of converts by the patriotic
braves. The Throne was anxious to avoid war and issued
edicts enjoining the protection of the Légations and pity
to thé converts. The decrees declaring Boxers and con-
verts to be equally the children of the State were issued
with the hope of removing the old feud between people
and converts and extrême kindness was shown to the
strangers from afar.

" But thèse people knew no gratitude and increased
their pressure. A despatch was yesterday sent by Du
Chaylard, Doyen of the Consular body at Tientsin, call-
ing on us to deliver up the Taku forts into their keeping,
otherwise they would be taken by force. Thèse threats
show their aggressions. In ail matters relating to inter-
national intercourse we aave never been wanting in
courtesies to them; but they, while styling themselves
civilized States, hâve acted without regard for right, re-
lying solely on their military force.

" We hâve now reigned nearly thirty years and hâve
treated the people as our children, the people honouring
us as their deity ; and in the midst of our reign we
hâve been the récipients of the gracions favour of the
Empress Dowager. Furthermore our ancestors hâve
corne to our aid and the gods hâve answered to our
call, and never has there been so universal a mani-
festation of loyalty and patriotism. With tears hâve
we announced the war in the ancestral shrines. Better
to do our utmost and enter on the struggle than seek
some means of self préservation involving eternal dis-
grâce. Ail our officiais, high and low, are of one mind,

SIEGE LIFE

377

and there hâve assembled without officiai summons sev-
eral hundred thousand patriotic soldiers [Boxers], even
children carrying spears in the service of their country.
Those others rely on crafty schemes; our trust is in
heaven's justice. They dépend on violence, we on hu-
manity. Not to speak of the righteousness of our cause,
our provinces number more than twenty, our people over
four hundred millions, and it will not be difïicult to vindi-
cate the dignity of our country."

Another Decree, in the " Gazette " of June 2ist, ex-
presses the satisfaction with which the Throne has re-
ceived the report of the Governor General of Chihli, Yû
Lu, of the successful engagements at Tientsin on the
I7th-I9th of that month, and gives much praise to the
Boxers who hâve done great services without any assist-
ance either of men or money from the State. Great
favour will be shown them later on, and they must con-
tinue to show their dévotion. The phraseology of the
Decrees already cited serve as an excellent spécimen of
the Janus-faced utterances of the Empress Dowagcr in
regard to the Boxers. They are violators of treaties, hâve
been often rebuked and must now positively disperse,
yet a few days later they are loyal and patriotic, and de-
serve well of their Empress, who will reward them.

On the 24th of June the Board of Revenue is ordered
to give Kang I two hundred bags of rice for distribution
as provisions among the Boxers. Still another Decree
of the same date mentions, as prevîously quoted, that since
the Boxers — now styled " Boxer Militia " — are scattered
ail around Peking and Tientsin, it is necessary and proper
that they should hâve Superintendents placed over them
(in other words be definitely and fully accepted as in tlie
employ of the Chinese Government). Accordingly Prince
Chuang, and the Assistant Grand Secretary Kang I were

37»

CHINA IN CONVULSION

l'i

appointée! to the gênerai command, Ying Nien to act as
'brigadier gênerai of the left wing, and Tsai Lan of the
right. Ail the members of the I Ho T'uan (it is re-
marked) are exerting their utmost énergies, and the Im-
périal Family must not fall behind in harbouring revenge
against our enemies. It is Our confident hope that the
desires of each and ail be successfully consummated, and
it is of the utmost importance that no lack of energy be
shown.

On the 27th, Edicts commanded Yii Lu to retake the
Taku Forts, and to prevent the foreign troops from creep-
ing northward ; and ordered the distribution of one hun-
dred thousand taels of silver to the divisions of troops
in the Metropolitan districts, and a like sum to the Box-
ers assisting them.

During thèse weeks there are fréquent références in
memorials and in Impérial Decrees to the gênerai law-
Icssness which had resulted from the encouragement to
irresponsible private individuals, as well as to soldiers,
to take vengeance. Were there no other proof, thèse
documents alone would show that the Capital and its en-
virons were under a reign of terror, against which there
are numerous protests both from Censors and from the
Empress herself.

But the mischief is always laid to those who pretended
to belong to the Boxer Militia in order to plunder and
kill, and it is thèse (and not the Boxers as a class) who
are ordered to be rigorously dealt with. On the 2nd
of July another important Edict appeared, under the
œgis of which the slaughter of ail foreigners, mission-
aries not more than others, and the extermination of ail
native Christians who would not recant, became a duty.

" Ever since Foreign Nations began the propaga-
tion of their religion there hâve been instances through-

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SIEGE LIFE

379

put tHe country of ill-feeling between the people and the
converts. AU this is due to faulty administration on the
part of local authorities, giving rise to feuds. The truth
is that the converts also are children of the State, and
among them are not wanting good and worthy people;
but they hâve been led away by false doctrines, and hâve
relied on the missionary for support, with the resuit that
they hâve committed many misdeeds. They hold to their
errors and will not turn from them, and irreconcilable
enmity has thus grown up between the converts and the
people.

" The Throne is now exhorting every member of the
Boxer Militia to render loyal and patriotic service, and
to take his part against the enemies of his country, so
that the whole population may be of one mind. Knowing
that the converts are also subjects owing fealty to the
Throne, we also know that they can bring themselves
to form a class apart and invite their own destruction.
If they can change their hearts there is no reason why
they should not be allowed to escape from the net. The
Viceroys and Governors of the Provinces are ail there-
fore to give orders to ail local officiais to issue the fol-
lowing notification: Ail those among the converts who
repent of their former errors and give themselves up to
the authorities, shall be allowed to reform, and their
past shall be ignored. The public shall also be notified
that in ail places where converts réside, they shall be al-
lowed to report to the local authorities, and each case will
be settled according to gênerai régulations which will be
drawn up later.

" As hostilities hâve now broken out between China and
Foreign Nations, the missionaries of every country must
be driven away at once to their own countries, so that
they may not linger hère and make trouble. But it is

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380

CHINA IN CONVULSION

important that measures be taken to secure their protec-
tion on their journey. The high provincial authorities
shall make close investigation into the circumstances o£
ail places within their jurisdiction, and speedily take the
necessary steps. Let there be no carelessness. (The
above Decree is to be circulated for gênerai informa-
tion.) "

The putting forth of this Edict was doubtless regarded
by its authors as the happy issue of a long and doubtful
contest, in which China by a few sweeps of a cameFs-
hair pencil had now obliterated forty years of the Past,
and entered upon a new era!

On the çth of July Li Hung Chang was appointed
Viceroy of Chihli, and Superintendent of the Trade which
the rulers of China had by this time extinguished in that
part of the Empire. Pending Li's arrivai, the former
Governor General, Yù Lu, was to consult with Prince
Ch'ing as to the best measures to be taken, and the latter
are warned against a slackening of responsibility.

On the i2th of July Gen. Nieh, who fought neai* Tien-
tsin, is severely rated for his failures and blunders and
deprived of his rank although retained in command (a
favourite Chinese punishment), and in the same sentence
his death at the head of his troops is mentioned without
comment.

On July I5th the Acting Governor of Shansi quotes
a Decree which had been issued on the 20th of June to
the several Governors General, and Governors, in which
the following significant sentence occurs : " They must
suggest plans for safe-guarding the boundaries of the
Empire against the aggressive designs of the foreigner,
and see that reënforcements be sent to the assistance of
the Capital, in order that no disaster befall the Dynasty."

Three days later appeared a Decree which sets forth

M^.

SIEGE LIFE

381

another aspect of the international troubles, again refers
to the murder of the Japanese Chancellor, and for the
first time mentions that of the German Minister, nearly
a month previous, carefully avoiding the least informa-
tion as to the circumstances.

By this time the pressure of events succeeding the
capture of Tientsin began to be severely felt in Peking,
and the dissensions among the foUowers of the Empress
were at their maximum.

" The reason for the fighting between the Chinese and
the foreigners sprung from a disagreement between the
people and the Christian couverts. We could but enter
upon war when the forts at Taku were taken. Never-
theless the Government is not willing lightly to break ofï
the friendly relations which hâve existed. We hâve re-
peatedly issued Edicts to protect the Ministers of the dif-
férent countries. We hâve also ordered the missionaries
in the varions provinces to be protected. The fighting
has not yet become extensive. There are many mer-
chants of the varions countries within our dominions.
Ail alike should be protected. It is ordered that the
Gênerais and Governors examine carefully where there
are merchants or missionaries, and still, according to the
provisions of the treaties, protect them without the least
carelessness. Last month the Chancellor of the Japanese
Légation was killed. This was indeed most unexpected.
Before this matter had been settled, the German Minister
was killed. Suddenly meeting this affair caused us deep
grief. We ought vigorously to seek the murderer and
punish him.

" Aside from the fighting at Tientsin, the Metropolitan
Department (Shun Tien Fu) and the Governor General
of this province should command officers under them
to examine what foreigners hâve been causelessly killed.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

and what property destroyed, and report the same, that
ail may be settled together. The vagabonds who hâve
been burning houses, robbing and killing the people thèse
many days hâve produced a state of chaos. It is ordered
that the Governors General, Governors, and high miHtary
officiais clearly ascertain the circumstances, and unité in
reducing the confusion to order and quiet, and root out
the cause of the disturbance."

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XXI

DAYS OF WAITING

SUNDAY, July 112. — Early this morning some of
the Chinese went out through the water-gate into
the Southern city to buy fruit, but when others
tried it a little later they were fired upon, so that the
market is spoiled. Labour on the barricades was sus-
pended at ii a. m., the first time this has been practicable,
as on most of the previous Sundays work has been more
urgent than on other days.

The Courier to Tientsin vvith messages got ofï about
noon, and the package was so large that he asked to hâve
its size reduced a Httle for better concealment. (To
many friends of the besieged the word brought by this
Courier was the first gleam of hope after almost utter
despair.) The baby of Dr. and Mrs. John Inglis died
during the day, and was buried at nightfall, — one of the
six infants who succumbed during the siège.

It is rumoured that the Japanese, always the most en-
terprising collectors of outside reports, hâve heard that
our troops hâve already got half way to Peking travel-
ling along the bank of the river. Tung Fu Hsiang is
said to hâve lost his influence, and his men are scattering
from him, but according to others he has gone out to
oppose our troops. The Chinese hâve put up a new
barricade in the Hanlin. A Chinese soldier has in-
formed some one that we are now surrounded by only
about 900 men.

383

384

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Monday, July 23. — A heavy rain came on in the
evening yesterday and kept up ail night. There were
many collapses of barricades, and in the Hanlin a part
of a house-wall suddenly fell, covering the mattresses
upon which the volunteers had just been lying. The
buildings in Peking are as insubstantial as any others in
China, often being composed of small pièces of bricks
not larger than one's fist, bound loosely together with
mud and a mère suggestion of lime. The resuit is that
whenever a heavy and continuous rain- f ail occurs, the
walls may be heard falling in ail directions — often to the
danger of those living within the flimsy structures. The
rain is very destructive to the sand bags, especially to
the more expensive ones, which are not meant for such a
strain as this. Many of them collapse into mère heaps
of slush.

Early this morning the Norwegian whose mind had
become unbalanced took advantage of the rain, the dark-
ness, and the slumbering guards, British and Chinese,
to make his escape over the wall, désirons of speedily
falling into the hands of the Chinese, where it is feared
he will not fare so well as he expects. It is said that
despite the apparent diminution in the number of Chinese
troops, they are building new barricades. Yesterday a
dog was sent from one of their fortifications to one of
ours, with a letter in his mouth — ail that is left in Peking
of the Impérial Postal Service!

Tuesday, July 24. — It was very hot in the night, so
that many could not sleep. The Japanese Secretary of
Légation, Mr. Harahara, died of tetanus, greatly re-
gretted both by foreigners and Japanese. He had the
réputation of a great knowledge of China, and was uni-
versally liked. There appeared to be a severe attack upon
the Pei Tang last night, judging by the constant sounds

DAYS OF WAITING

38s

of firing there. On the wall the coolies worked at the
barricade till after nine o'clock, when the Chinese began
firing on them, and the work stopped.

Notwithstanding the " truce " firing goes on, and four
Chinese bave been wounded in the Fu to-day, as well as
one ItaHan. A mat-shed bas been erected over the de-
fences at the front gâte of the British Légation, to pre-
vent it from being ruined by the heavy rain, and only one
shot was fired by the Chinese.

After dark a notice was posted that Col. Shiba had seen
a Chinese who told him that foreign troops occupied
Yang Ts'un on the I7th, and fought a battle on the içth.
One hundred and fifty wounded Chinese of Tung Fu
Hsiang's army are said to bave been brought to Peking,
and foreign troops were forty li this side of Yang Ts'un.
This news is discredited by Mr. Conger and many others,
as being too fast an advance for the time during which
troops must bave been on the way.

Wednesday, July 25. — About I A. M., we were
startled by hearing a great many rifîe-shots in succession,
mainly from the direction of the Mongol market, indi-
cating that a renewed attack was beginning, but it was ail
over in less than five minutes. It is reported that yester-
day a Japanese shot a Chinese who was getting over bis
barricade, a Chinese in retaliation shot a Chinese Chris-
tian, when the Japanese returned the fire; the Chinese
then wounded an Italian, on which a British marine
killed the man who shot him!

Two days ago there were rumours of a large Chinese
force from Pao Ting Fu, which would soon attack the
Légations. Now it is said that troops are coming in from
the Western Park, to be separated into two divisions
at two of the Peking gâtes. There is a rumour that there
was an attempt to blow up the Pei T'ang recently, but

386

CHINA IN CONVULSION

that it did not succeed, or that at least the Cathedral was
not injured. The Chinese soldier who has been giving
information to the Japanese, now informs them that a
battle was fought on the 24th, between Ts'ai Ts'un and
Ho Hsi Wu, lasting from noon till midnight, after which
the Chinese retired on Ho Hsi Wu.

A flag of truce was sent during the day to the
German Légation with several letters. One of thèse
is to Sir Claude from " Prince Ch'ing and Others " say-
ing that a great many inquiries are being made of the
Chinese Government as to the safety of the Ministers.
The Chinese Government is willing to send replies from
the Ministers to thèse inquiries, but they must hâve noth-
ing in them of a mihtary nature, and must be in plain
writing, not in cipher. Another document raises once
more the proposai of removing the Légations to Tientsin,
pointing out that the number of rebellions people daily
increases, and that something unforeseen is liable to
happen. (It has already happened, however). Travel
is temporary, résidence is permanent, and an escort could
be provided which would make the journey perfectly safe.
China does not want war. What means are proposed to
stop it? It would be better to settle matters at Tientsin,
therefore the Ministers are asked to pack up, and name
a fixed day in order that provision may be made for their
travel.

A messenger disguised as a fortune-teller was sent out
with a répétition of the last batch of messages. The man
that was sent to procure a number of " Peking Gazettes "
has returned, having experienced some trouble and dan-
ger, for which he was rewarded with fifty taels.

Thursday, July 26. — Only a few stray shots in the
night, which was very hot and was followed by a day
of the same sort. The fortune-telling messenger did not

DAYS OF WAITING

387

get away after ail, being dissatisfied with some détail of
his costume. At first his despatches were rolled up in
the handle of an old umbrella, but this was criticized as
too obvious, and he is now ruminating on a variation of
dress for another attempt later.

The Japanese Soldier-Information-Bureau (now ri-
pened into " one of Tung Fu Hsiang's body-guard ")
to-day ofiFers the very latest. There was another fight
at Ho Hsi Wu yesterday, lasting till 3 P. M., twelve hun-
dred Chinese being killed and wounded. The Chinese
force included 5,000 soldiers and 3,000 Boxers. Li Ping
Hêng is said to hâve reached Peking, and the plan to
déport the Ministers is thought to be his. In the after-
noon the Ho Hsi Wu battle was revised so as to hâve
begun at six o'clock, the Chinese being driven back ten li.
By the same opportunity we learned that 4,800 troops
had corne in from the west, but they had left to join the
Chinese army, with nine guns.

Mr. Conger puts absolutely no faith in any of thèse
reports, but many others give them a qualified credence,
" so as to hit it if it were a deer, and miss it if it were a
calf."

During the night there were continuai isolated rifle-
shots to show that we are watched, but no replies came
from us.

Friday, July 27. — Much cooler last night. After
breakfast there were rumours that a man had arrived
from T'ung Chou, with the same man who has come so
often before, bringing a report that the Chinese intend
to make their last stand at T'ung Chou, and that if they
should be defeated there, the Court would retire to Hsi
An Fu, the distant capital of the province of Shensi,
for which journey carts are said to hâve been already
impressed.

388

CHINA IN CONVULSIOÎsf

The mcssenger who was to go out as a fortune-teller
has made his second effort to get away and failed. The
first time he was let down over the wall, met Chinese
soldiers and pretended that he was sent to inspect their
camp, but they told him that he could not get there with-
out a pass. Then he pulled the rope, and was hauled up
again upon the wall. The next time was at the east gâte
of the Fu, where he found himself surrounded by bar-
ricades and became frightened.

To-day at noon he tried the third time. He had pro-
cured a Boxer uniform, but lie could not make any use
of it. Two soldiers were willing to help him out, one
to be the security for the other. The latter remained
within our surveillance, while the other took the mes-
senger to a distance of several H. When he left the
messenger, the latter handed him a small pièce of a for-
eign lady's hair-pin as a pledge, a token unknown to the
security who had remained. Upon presenting this hair-
pin certificate that the safe-conduct had been honourably
executed, the two men were paid ten taels. The mes-
senger was to hâve two hundred taels on his arrivai at
Tientsin, with his thirteen letters. (It is remarkable
that ail this elaborate préparation was worse than wasted.
There was some little doubt about the trustworthiness of
the man, but he was not seriously suspected. When he
had got beyond the city he was advised by his brother
either to kill himself outright, or go to the headquarters
of Prince Chuang, and make a full confession, thus en-
suring his own escape from punishment. This he did,
and ail the thirteen letters were sent out to the translators
of the Tsung Li Yamen, who soon put them into circula-
tion in the Impérial Court, where those of them that were
not in cipher were doubtless much enjoyed — as so many
of their predecessors had already been).

DAYS OF WAITING

389

The Ministers yesterday had another meeting to con-
sider what form of sound words to employ in replying
to Prince Ch'ing and his " Others/' so as to keep the
matter in suspense as long as possible, with a minimum
of definiteness — an aim for which diplomatie training is
supposed to fit everyone perfectly. With regard to the
matter of plain telegraphing, it was to-day replied that
no Government would accept such telegrams, and no
Ministers could send them, for they would not be accord-
ing to usage, and would therefore defeat the very end
proposed, which was to impart information as to the
condition of the Ministers. Furthermore, it was impossible
to affirm that the families of the Ministers are well, as
they hâve sufïered from the five weeks siège, and the
lack of accustomed food. As for the omission of mili-
tary information, this was easy to arrange, as the Ministers
had no information in regard to the military situation,
and therefore would be under no risk of sending that
kind of intelligence.

The Japanese soldier-spy has told them that Jung Lu
has five régiments (liang-tzu) at the Pei T'ang, two at
the Hou Mên, or North gâte of the Impérial city, three
surrounding the Légations, while three more hâve gone
to meet the foreign troops. Two hundred carts hâve
been summoned to the Palace for the removal of the
Court, and seventy more for Gen. Tung Fu Hsiang.

A Chinese who had beaten his wife was to-day put
into a small light cangue, or frame-work about his neck,
near the bell-tower, the cangue bearing an inscription:

" THIS MAN BEAT HIS WIFE AND IS NOW PUNISHED FOR

IT." He is surrounded much of the time by a curions
crowd, both of foreigners and Chinese, who regard it as
a novelty ; indeed, there is reason for supposing that it is
the first case in the history of the Chinese Empire — though

1 ..

390

CHINA IN CONVULSION

this is undoubtedly a rash statement to make about any-
thing.

There was a sensation during the afternoon on the
arrivai of red cards a«d a quantity of fruit, etc., for the
Ministers, and a sepàrate lot for Sir Robert Hart. The
approximate census(of the provision consignment is as
follows: Melons, 150; cucumbers, 100; squashes, 100;
flour, i,ocx> catties; eg§^s, 500; ice, 24 blocks. In regard
to the acceptance of tli^e Impérial gifts there was, at
this as at other times, wide^^livergence of opinion. Some
refused to partake of them in any way, and wished them
returned or declined. The controversy was sharply ar-
gued on both sides, one of the Ministers being even me-
morialized by a deputation of ladies against the acceptance
of such treacherous bounty.

There was, however, no différence of opinion about
the imprudence of using any of the flour, at least until
it had first been tried upon a dog, — a suggestion presented
by deputations of native Christains, which commended
itself to ail. It was put aside till urgently required, and
had not been touched when the Relief Force arrived, but
it was subsequently used with no apparent ill efïects.
Thèse gifts were as before merely acknowledged by a
receipt.

A letter to the Ministers through Sir Claude from the
Prince Ch'ing combination suggests that the number of
couverts in the Légation premises is reported to be large,
and the space small. The feeling is now quiet abroad,
and the converts may very well be sent out, and directed
to pursue their avocations. There need be no doubt and
fear. It is requested that the number of them be esti-
mated, and a day fixed for sending them out.

Sir Claude did not consider it worth his while to con-
sult the Christians as to whether they wished to facilitate

4^r

DAYS OF WAITING

391

their own massacre by leaving their only place of refuge,
and no reply to this artless coramunication was returned.
In the evenings there are fréquent gatherings around the
bell-tower for singing.

Several songs hâve been composed bearing upon the
siège, which hâve become very popular. The Russians
sing their fine national air, the Germans " Die Wacht am
Rhein," the British " God Save the Queen," and the
Americans the " Star Spangled Banner," with great good
fellowship. .

The messenger reports that a foreigner has been cap-
tured by the Chinese, in a very forlorn and unkempt con-
dition. We recognized him as an escaped Norwegian
about whom we wrote on the 25th a note of inquiry. Hc
is reported to hâve been taken to the headquarters of Jung
Lu, who examined him and then sent him to the yamen
of the prefect of Peking where he now is.

Saturday, July 29th. — The two ponies killed this morn-
ing were found to hâve been preëmpted by a parasite
(filaria) in the flesh, making them unwholesome and
dangerous. As the Chinese are never deterred by any
trifles of this nature, the méat was accordingly sent over
to the Fu, and another pony substituted for the foreigners.

A sensation was caused by the arrivai of the boy who
was sent out on the night of July 4th, disguised as a
beggar. He brings a letter to Sir Claude replying to
his of the 4th which gave the détails of the siège up
to that time, and the number of killed and wounded, and
which stated that Chinese troops had fired into the Léga-
tion quarter continuously since June 20th, and that the
Légations were hard pressed.

Notice of the contents of the letter from Tientsin, which
is written by the British Consul, is posted on the bulletin
board as follows : " Tientsin, July 22nd. Your letter

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

July 4th. There are now 24,000 troops landed, and
19,000 hère. Brig. Gen. Gaselee expected Taku to-mor-
row. Russian troops are at Pei Ts'ang. Tientsin city is
under foreign government, and Boxer power hère is ex-
ploded. There are plenty of troops on the way if you
can keep yourself in food. Almost ail the ladies hâve
left Tientsin. D. R. Caries."

The more this strange communication was con-
templated, the more extraordinary it appeared. The one
vital question to persons in a state of continuous siège
is as to when relief may be expected, and on this point
the letter not only gave no information whatever, but
its phraseology was so ambiguous as to be unintelligible.
Even the number of available troops was left a matter of
debate, the whole culminating in the singular inteUi-
gence that " there are plenty of troops on the way if
you can keep yourself in food." This led to the very
natural inquiry, what would become of the troops if Sir
Claude found that he could not keep himself in food?

It was not until long afterward that it became dimly
known that the benevolent purpose of the writer of the

letter was to disguise the fact — which it was

thought

might be fatally depressing to the besieged — that at prés-
ent there was nothing whatever in immédiate prospect for
their relief, and that they might as well adjust them-
selves to thèse conditions.

The messenger lad reported that he left the Red Bridge
above Tientsin July 23rd, and slept at Yang Ts'un in a
locomotive boiler. The railway bridge there was not de-
stroyed. That day he saw only Chinese infantry — the
main body being at Pei Ts'ang 8 miles west of Tientsin.

He saw no Boxers there. The night of the 24th he
spent ncar Ho Hsi Wu. That day he saw parties of
Boxers in the villages, but none on the road. At Ma

DAYS OF WAITING

393

T'ou the river was in flood, many boats moored, but few
in motion. On the 27th he reached the Sha Kuo gâte of
Peking. The telegraph pôles and wire along the river were
ail gone, the railway was everywhere torn up, and the
rails either buried or used for making Boxer swords. The
highway to Tientsin was in good condition. The crops
everywhere looked well, and the villagers were attending
to their farm work. There was a Boxer organization in
every village.

When the messenger left Tientsin the foreign troops
had not advanced beyond the defence wall. Ail the ya-
mens in Tientsin were occupied by foreign troops — chiefly
Japanese. Ail Boxers had left the front at Tientsin, be-
cause they were so badly punished in battle. The Chinese
soldiers despised them because of the contrast between
their previous extravagant pretensions to invulnerability
and their présent flight.

The Japanese subsidized body-guard soldier of Tung
Fu Hsiang informs them that there has been '' a battle "
at An P'ing on the 26th, when there were seven hundred
Chinese killed, their army retreating on Ma T'ou. A
miltary Harmony has now been constructed with a view
to reconciling the dates given by the body-guard expert,
with the evidently authentic information of the messenger
lad, as follows :

Summary of Battles under the patronage of the soldier
of Gen. Tung Fu Hsiang : Ts'ai Ts'un battle, July 24th ;
Ho Hsi Wu battle, July 25th ; An P'ing battle, July 26th ;
Chinese army at Ma T'ou, July 27th. The messenger
boy reports that he slept at Yang Ts'un on the 23rd, Ho
Hsi Wu, 24th, Ma T'ou, 25th, Yù Chia Wei, 26th, Peking,
27th. There is thus no material contradiction between
thèse reports.

The Word of the intended escape of the Empress Dow-

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394

CHINA IN CONVULSION

ager is confirmée! by four others, as well as the soldier-
spy. Yesterday an experiment was made in getting rude
cobbling done by one of the Christians, and watch-repair-
ing by a Roman Catholic refugee.

Sunday, July 2gth. — Last night there seemed to be
lieavy firing about the Pei T'ang, or Northern Cathedral.
Early in the morning the intellectually aberrant Nor-
wegian was brought to our Hnes by a Chinese guard,
looking much Hke a wreck. He had been manacled, and
remarked that ail the gold in the world would not induce
him to repeat the expérience. It gradually leaked out that
he was asked a great number of leading questions by Jung
Lu, and others, showing that they hâve a very correct
knowledge of wliat is going on inside the Légation prem-
ises. One inquiry was about the pits which were being
dug, probably the bomb-proofs, and another as to the
amount of damage done by the Chinese firing. The Nor-
wegian gave the whole thing away by frankly stating
that the Chinese fired too high, and as there was soon
after a marked dépression of the muzzles of their rifles
(and of the spirits of the besieged to match) it was pro-
posed to shoot the man as a déserter and a spy. More
temperate counsels prevailed, however, and he was thence-
forth kept in a state of surveillance until the siège termi-
nated.

An Austrian marine, who was acting as a cook in his
Légation at the time it was abandoned, says that when the
order was given to retreat, he was at work in the cook-
house and knew nothing of it, supposing that the firing
was due to the Boxers, and was unimportant. Hearing
the bullets whizzing he went out to see, and was imme-
diately struck with the total absence of any Austrians
at the barricade ; he was himself soon hit by a bullet that
made a flesh-wound in both legs. Crawling back to the

DAYS OF WAITING

395

guard-room he wrote his name in his own blood on the
wall, explaining that circumstance, lest he should die
unknown to the rest. Finding that the Chinese did not
enter, he tore up his clothing, made rough bandages ,and
crawled to the barricade at the Customs, pursued by
bullets. It is now generally recognized by impartial ob-
servers that the abandonment of the Austrian Légation at
the time was utterly inexcusable.

Mr. Sugi the dispenser of Japanese-Chinese intelligence
has taken a small house just outside the Japanese lines,
opening on the Customs lane, where he receives messages
and whence he dispatches couriers. His body-guard
soldier to-day informs him that there are 25,000 Chinese
troops at Ma T'ou awaiting the foreign army, which is
30,000 strong and retired yesterday on An P'ing.

A messenger sent out to Ch'ang P'ing Chou, north-
west of Peking, met refugees from Tu Shih K'ou. There
are said to be Russian troops coming hither by way of
Kalgan, but whence is a dense mystery known only to
the immortal gods. It is now affirmed that ail but two
of the gâtes of Peking are stopped with sand bags.

During the afternoon the Chinese began to build a new
barricade along the south side of the bridge which crosses
the canal under the walls of the Impérial city. This was
at once observed from the north stables, and reported.
The Italian gun was sent up there to attack the work-
men, and fired several shots, until tlie gunner (Italian)
got a bullet through his hand.

The method of the Chinese was very business-like and
eflFective. There was no one in sight, but now and again
a brick or two came around the corner, and then others
were thrown on it, until the wall began to show up.
Sometimes a box full of earth or bricks was suddenly
pushed around adding to the fast growing barricade, but

396

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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still no one in sight. The shots fired at them did the
Chinese no harm, and did not in the least impede their
work. Before dark the new wall stretched along the
whole bridge front, and during the night it was completed,
very high and strong. Much of their work elsewhere
was done hke this, and having practically unHmited ma-
terials and labour, they were able to exécute a great deal
in a short time. Everyone sympathized with the Russian
gentleman who remarked the next morning : " That new
barricade makes me very uneasy."

Another and rival messenger just in from Somewhere,
tells us that Yang Ts'un was completely destroyed by
foreign troops "two or three days ago," they being in
steady advance. This makes necessary a revised Har-
mony of the Peking Anabasis, involving great intellectual
labour and highly uncertain results.

A few *' Peking Gazettes " hâve been secured, but
there is nothing of commanding interest. The issue of
July 23rd contains a long joint mémorial from Yû Lu, the
Governor General of Chihli, and Gen. Sung Ch'ing, giving
confused détails of the attacks upon the Foreign Settle-
ment from the 8th to the iith of July. The " Gazette "
of July iith also had a long mémorial of the same de-
scription from the Governor General. The Chinese losses
are admitted to hâve been severe, but then those of the
enemy were " not small." The Empress Dowager is com-
forted by information that the Arsenal at the Treaty
Temple is not so injured that it can not be repaired. The
tone of the later mémorial, which was sent two days be-
fore the last and successful foreign attack, is much less
hopeful, giving détails of the numerous foreign forces
présent and prospective, and each of them makes it plain
that " large reënforcements " will be needed.

A paragraph from the former mémorial is interesting

DAYS OF WAITING

397

as illustrating Chinese strategy under depressing con-
ditions : " I hâve consulted," Yii Lu says, " with Gen.
Ma Yû K'un, about the mode of continuing the warfare,
and we hâve corne to the conclusion that in the first
place it is necessary to force the foreign troops to retire
from the foreign settlement of Tientsin, and then to at-
tack them at Taku. I hâve consulted on this subject
several times with Gênerais Ma, Nieh, and Lo, and we
hope to be able to take the Taku Forts," A Rescript ap-
proves this mode of action (as well it might, considering
that it is the Report of a Committee of Civil and Military
Rats as to the best Method of Putting a Large Bell on
several Foreign Cats now in possession of Our Attic).

In a mémorandum by the same Governor published
at the same time, he informs the Throne that '* Boxers
of différent places in my province hâve at différent times
arrived at Tientsin, and taken part in the battles. At
présent there is a Boxer-chief of the district of Ching Hai
who has corne with 5,CX)0 Boxers, and presented himself
to me. Seeing that he is a man physically strong and
mentally capable, 1 hâve ordered him to choose a rési-
dence and await instructions. I hâve also directed that
fire-arms and provisions should be distributed to his fol-
lowers. In case of any merit on his part in future, a
spécial report will be made by me on the subject." A
Decree announces that as a reward for the numerous vir-
tues of Jung Lu, he is to be allowed to ride with two
bearers through the Forbidden City (a privilège which
he was unable to retain for any length of time.)

Monday, July 30th. — The new barricade at the head
of the canal commands the whole roadway on each side
down to the city wall, and although passage is forbidden,
there are many shots fired at the pertinacious Chinese
who will take the more dangerous route, instead of the

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398

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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perfectly safe one through the tunnel. A Roman Catholic
was killed this morning outside one of the houses near
the Fu, along the canal road. A Cossack who was suf-
fering from malaria took this morning a twelfth of a
grain of strychnine by mistake for quinia, but he was
saved from the toxic effects with some difficulty.

It is a great strain on the human understanding to
digest, and especially to coôrdinate the incessant contra-
dictory reports which corne from every quarter. Hère
is to-day's budget: Col. Shiba's messenger says that he
left Chang Chia Wan (three miles from T'ung Chou) at
eight o'clock on the evening of the 29th. There had been
desultory fighting there from 3 to 8 p. m., and many
Chinese were killed. The foreign troops had advanced
on Ma T'ou on the morning of the 29th, the Chinese fall-
ing back upon Chang Chia Wan, with about 10,000 men.
in the afternoon a candy-seller from T'ung Chou, who
had been sent out as a spy, returns with the story that
there are foreign troops at Yang Ts'un but none this
side. As this is not the news we wish, the man is tied
up, until he can revise it! He also informs us that Li
Hung Chang is hère, and has been given three days to
make peace. A courier was sent ofï early this morning
with eleven letters, and during the day it was reported
that two who had been dispatched yesterday by Mr. Sugi
had returned. One of them has brought word of a battle
just south of Ma T'ou, on the 29th (or 28th.) Thèse
men say that they saw a man who had been in the Roman
Catholic village of Chia Chia T'uan, eight miles from
T'ung Chou, who reports that foreign troops hâve come
there to relieve the Catholics, who hâve been standing a
little siège of their own.

There are wild and contradictory accounts of what is
seen from the American position on the wall, looking

illi!

DAYS OF WAITING

399

down into the southern city, singular movements of carts,
horses, coolies, etc., in great confusion. It is said that Sir
Robert has received a cipher telegram of nearly an hun-
dred words for which he has no cipher key — so that it is
unintelligible.

A reply was sent to-day to the letter suggesting that
the Chinese Christians might return to their " avoca-
tions," now that the country is quiet. The Ministers
mention that in view of this statement they were sur-
prised at the sound of heavy firing at the Pei T'ang, which
was evidently being attacked. The barricade at the north
canal bridge is referred to, and the fact that a continuons
fire is kept up from there, and also against the French
and the Russian Légations. There is a strange contra-
diction between the above professions and the actions
described. There are European ofïicers and soldiers at
the Pei T'ang. If such attacks as thèse can not be pre-
vented, it is difïîcult to see how similar assauhs could be
prevented on a journey to Tientsin. Explanations are
wanted in regard to this matter, before discussing the
question of transport.

Prince Ch'ing and his " Others " in reply informed the
Ministers that, in the préparation for the journey to Tien-
tsin, the Chinese Government would of course provide
carts and chairs for going to T'ung Chou. Brig. Gen.
Sun Han Lien with a picked force, and also some of Gen.
Sung Ming's troops would be the escort; notice a few
days in advance is requested. In reply to the letter just
quoted it is explained that the attack' on the Pei T'ang
was due to the couverts going out in ail directions to
plunder for food. The people joined the crowd of Box-
ers, and made continuons attacks. A Decree has now
been issued that if the couverts do not come out to plunder
they are to be protected and not attacked. The troops

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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of Gen. Tung were building a road across the canal, and
the Légation mistook it for a barricade, which was a mis-
understanding on both sides. With regard to the pro-
posed departure, it is net an easy matter to adjust. It
was only after much arrangement that it was possible
to give guarantees against mischance. The matter is one
of the greatest importance, and we could not purposely
deceive. We ask you not to be over anxious, but to come
to a décision.

Tuesday, July 31. — During the night, there was what
one of the British marines called '' a tidy bit of firing ''
down the canal. The Chinese complain that we fired first
on them as they were working on their '' road " (barri-
cade), which is true. Despite their promise of cessation
of hostilities, the Chinese do not suspend their firing any-
where. The supply of eggs has never been large, and
now that the Chinese hâve beheaded a man who was
bringing supplies for sale, and the French guards hâve
shot an egg-seller, there are not likely to be any more.

The Chinese soldier-spy brings to the Japanese his
usual taie of military news. The foreign army advanced
from Ma T'ou fighting, arriving at Chang Chia Wan
late on the afternoon of the 30th. The Chinese army is
eight miles south of T'ung Chou. The '' Ch'ang Afi Vic-
torious Army" of fifteen régiments, which left Hsian
Fu June 27th, is expected at the Southern Hunting Park
to-day, and is to make a forced march to T'ung Chou.
It is thought that there may be 4,000 or 5,000 of them,
and as they are not foreign drilled they will add but little
to the Chinese strength in a military way.

The five great armies hitherto controlled by Jung Lu
are said to hâve been turned over to Li Ping Hêng, who
had arrived from the south a few days before in obédi-
ence to a spécial summons, and whose influence was at once

DAYS OF WAITING

401

thrown into thé scale in favour of further hostilities, so
that they began to be more pronounced in every direc-
tion. Tung Fu Hsiang has leave of absence for ten days.
Li Hung Chang (who is already in Peking) will arrive
at Tientsin in two days. A dispatch from Chi Nan Fu
reports that Yuan Shih K'ai, the Governor of Shantung
has " revolted and joined the Germans ! "

A party of Mr. Gamewell's men who were at work
on the fortifications, were to-day called off to make a
" brick-proof " for the north-west corner of the Han-
Hn, where bricks and bottles are coming over almost
every minute, and '* make the men nervous." The Hague
Peace Conférence should hâve included thèse weapons in
its condemnation, along with the " dum-dum buUet.'* A
barricade has been built in the night across the north side
of the bridge at the Légation Street. At présent the
bridge is very unsafe, owing to the perpétuai sniping
from the Chinese barricade at the upper bridge.

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THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK

WEDNESDAY, August i.— During the night
the mentally unbalanced Norwegian broke
away from the Japanese Légation where he
was under restraint, and went to the Hôtel de Pékin. The
proprietor brought him to the British Légation at 2 a. m.,
whence he was sent back to be put under watch again. .
The barricade at the south gâte of this Légation, to pro-
tect the Crossing of the canal, was finished last night, and
we can now breathe a little more freely, but still there is
a certain (or rather a very uncertain) amount of danger
in going to Légation Street by this route.

The Committee on Food Supply hâve been very active
in getting together everything which could be used, and
especially in the steady and most important work of get-
ting the grinding done properly and in season. Upon
this the continued existence of ail the besieged dépends.
As the duration of the siège is so uncertain and the
matter is one of vital importance, careful stock-taking has
been had as to the visible food supply* There seem to be
about 600 pounds only of white rice, 11,500 of the " yel-
low," or old rice, and 34,000 pounds of wheat. If ail other
supplies were unavailable, it is estimated that the public
stores could furnish one thousand persons each a pound
of wheat and one third of a pound of rice each day, for
five weeks. There are about thirty available ponies re-

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THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 403

maining, which at the rate of three every two days would
last twenty days.

A visit to the wall shows a vast improvement in the
defences there as compared with the period when the first
effort was made to build a worm fence of bricks to the
top of the ramp. Now this has been completed, and is
perfectly safe from shots in any direction. Each of the
barricades on the wall is built up very high and strong,
and could not be rushed by the Chinese even if they had
the disposition, which since the night of July 3rd they
hâve never exhibited. Between the two terminal barri-
cades there is a long path on the wall, protected ail the
way so as to be entirely safe for passage. The western
barricade is held conjointly by Americans and Russians.

Another letter from '' Prince Ch'ing and Others " has
been received, continuing the subject of the previous cor-
respondence. It says that last night some converts again
fired on the posts of the Government troops, wounding
two of them. If the converts are not amenable to control,
it is to be feared that they will produce a great dis-
aster, and ruin the whole situation. The strictest re-
straint is requested so as to avoid further hostilities. We
hear that the converts hâve collected in great numbers,
and that they do not wish the Envoys to leave Peking,
their hope being that they will thus hâve a perpétuai
support. The Foreign Ministers ought not to fall into
this trap. A reply is requested within two or three days,
as to the date of the Minister's departure.

It seemed best to the Ministers to respond as if they
were arguing with rational beings, as there was no cer-
tainty into whose hands the correspondence might fall.
Accordingly a reply was sent to this nonsense the follow-
ing day. The Légation is defended, not by '* converts,"
but by guards. Ail day and ail night there had been shoot-

404

CHINA IN CONVULSION

4^1

ing from the new barricade on the north bridge, and not a
shot was fired in reply. It is difficult to see why this is
kept up. The Foreign Envoys are in great difficulty
about the plan to go to Tientsin on a certain day. What
security could the Légations hâve that the ftring would
not begin en route?

It is learned from the telegrams received through the
Tsung Li Yamen to-day, that Mr. Conger's telegram of
July I7th saying that the Légations had been bombarded
by shot and shell for a month, had made a great sensa-
tion, and that rehef would be sent. It is singular that
both the tidings of our distress and the intelligence of the
effect produced by the announcement of it, should each
hâve been transmitted through the Tsung Li Yamen. A
Shantung Christian named Ghang, who was dispatched to
Tientsin on the i8th of July, returned to-day with a reply
to the Japanese Baron Nishi from Gen. Fukushima, say-
ing that there had been unexpected difficulties in the land-
ing of the 5th Japanese Division, but that most of the
troops had already reached Tientsin and the remainder
were constantly arriving. The messages sent out from
Peking had made the situation there universally known,
and many councils had been held as to dispatch of a
relief expédition. It was expected that within two or
three days from the date of writing, which was July
26th, an expédition would start.

Other letters brought the same or similar intelligence,
which makes \i clear that the reports which hâve been
coming in so frequently and so regularly from the heavily
subsidized body-guard soldier-spy of Gen. Tung Fu
Hsiang's are déficient in the élément of coordination with
other facts of contemporaneous history — in other words
they are pure fabrications, which hâve served their one
purpose of holding the attention of the besieged, and

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 405

which hâve kept them studying the map and making esti-
mâtes of the probable présent situation of '' our troops.'*
Those who had ail along discredited the military narra-
tives, were enabled to say with much and itérative em-
phasis : " I told you so."

This last messenger, although he had been promised a
large reward for executing the commission which he had
so well fulfilled, said that he did not care for money,
would not accept it, and only insisted that he should be
furnished with a return packet of letters as soon as pos-
sible. He explained that he was risking his life for the
gênerai good, and not for private gain. To the Japanese,
as well as to some others, he appeared to be a very eccen-
tric individual. Within two hours he was sent oiï again
on the coveted errand.

A telegram to Sir Robert H art mentions the results
of the fighting at Tientsin July I5th, and states that sub-
séquent to it arrangements for the relief were being ha-
stened, and inquiries whether the Chinese Government is
protecting us and supplying us w^ith provisions, etc.

This last sentence exposes the '^ true inwardness " of
the water-melons, egg-plants, and cucumbers, ail of which
had been sent in not for the purpose of serving as
food, but as padding for the dispatches of the Chinese
Ministers to varions Western Powers, ail of whom were
now assured that the Government was doing its utmost
to make the besieged expérience idéal happiness, so that
their lot was upon the whole an enviable one.

It is reported from Japanese sources that their losses
in killed hâve been ten, (including the Chancellor of the
Légation) of whom five are soldiers, three Légation of-
ficiais, one an officer, and one a civilian. There hâve been
seven badly wounded, and thirty slightly so. The dead are
buried in a spécial spot in the grounds of the Su Wang

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4o6

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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Fu, and when the siège is over the bodies are to be taken
up, cremated, and the ashes transferred to Japan.

During the siège a Htter of kittens has made its ap-
pearance, two of which hâve been adopted by the ma-
rines in the main gâte, hâve had coloured ribbons put on
their necks, and sleep serenely in the loop-holes !

Thursday, August 2. — One of the Continental Min-
isters who was for a long time very timid and pessimis-
tic, remarked in our gate-house this morning : " Well,
we are going to get out of this." He seems to think the
thermometer is rising.

The two soldier-spies returned to-day, and one gave
an account of the retreats of their phantom foreign armies
as far as Yang Ts'un ! He was somewhat alarmed at
finding his fictions rated at their true value. Instead of
falling into a passion, as the unskilful Occidental would
hâve been likely to do, his shrewd Japanese employer
smiled upon him, and remarked that he was aware ail
along that the taies were a tissue of fabrications, inso-
much that he had never even mentioned them to Col.
Shiba at ail ! Considering that each day a careful ab-
stract of the reports had been drawn up, illustrated with
maps, and the whole at once posted on the bulletin board,
this was almost as robust a falsehood as the marching
and retreats of the imaginary forces from Tientsin. In-
stead of being dismissed, the soldier was told that he
would still be paid, if he would hereafter bring in reports
which were somewhat more veracious than any of those
which had preceded, but from this date he ceased to be
quoted by any one as a military authority.

A man who was sent out for the purpose, returned to^
day with a fresh lot of '' Peking Gazettes," which con-
tain some crumbs of news.

On the 28th of July a mémorial appears from Yu Hsien,

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 407

the Governor of Shansi, who reports that the district
magistrate of the capital of his province, T'ai Yuan Fu,
had sent word of a Boxer gathering which invaded his
yamen and had asked for troops. Upon investigation the
Governor learned that the crowd was a small one, and
that only one man had corne to the yamen demanding
food, and he was not a Boxer. He recommends the dis-
missal of the magistrate. (There is probably much more
in this Httle incident than appears upon the surface, and
it not improbably signifies that Yù Hsien was engaged in
inculcating the teaching among his subordinates that
Boxers were not to be interfered with, and that any
officiai guilty of obstructing them would be promptly
cashiered.)

The same Governor mentions that he was about dis-
patching four '' camps " of infantry and two hundred cav-
alry to Peking, in obédience to a Decree, but that in ac-
cordance with a later Decree their destination was changed
to Kalgan. He also reports that he is about to raise
fresh régiments. (It was learned later that he marched
at the head of his troops for the relief of Peking as far
as Huai Lu Hsien, at the entrance to the Ku Kuan pass
leading from Chihli to Shansi. Learning that Peking had
already been taken, he returned to his own capital, where
he later welcomed the Empress Dowager on her flight to
the remote west.)

A Decree of which the date is uncertain, but apparently
of July 28th, States that Hsù Ching Ch'êng and Yuan
Ch'ang, two of the Ministers of the Tsung Li Yamen,
had been denounced as of bad réputation, and as given
to serving their private ends in dealing with foreign
afïairs. At an Impérial audience they hâve made wild
proposais, and used the most improper language. Their
suggestions hâve tended to introduce divisions (i. e. be-

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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tween the Empress Dowager and the Emperor) and hâve
been extremely wanting in respect. In order to inspire
awe in the minds of other officers they are both con-
dernned to immédiate exécution. (The above two officiais
were sacrificed to the fury of the Empress, apparently at
the instigation of Li Ping Hêng immediately upon his
arrivai at Peking. Hsù Ching Ch'eng was the Chinese
Président of the new Impérial University, had been
Chinese Minister to Russia, and was an enlightened and
libéral man. At an Impérial audience of unusual impor-
tance the Emperor reached over the dais upon which he
was seated, grasped the sleeve of Hsù, and exclaimed,
" If China is to fight the World, will it not put an end to
China ? " At this the numerous Manchu nobles présent
manifested great indignation, and someone cried out that
Hsù had laid hands upon His Majesty, and began to re-
vile him openly. He retired as soon as he was able, very
much frightened. The same day Li Ping Hêng is re-
ported to hâve reached the Capital, and the following day
both Hsù and Yuan were executed. Their real crime
was in daring to advise against the insane course of th^
Empress Dowager, as urged by Prince Tuan and the
rest, in endeavouring to find some way of adjusting the
growing difficulties, in alleged truckling to foreigners by
visiting the Légations secretly, and in taking up the body
of the German Minister when it lay exposed in the street,
and encoffining it.) It was at once perceived that this
was a most ominous proceeding, displaying the temper
of the actual rulers of China as nothing had yet done.

Yesterday préparations were made for extending our
line to the southwest of the British Légation, by taking
in the ruins of burned buildings near the Mongol Mar-
ket, and making barricades of them with a view to keep-
ing the Chinese at a greater distance. This was done to-

fê.

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 409

day by Mr. Gamewell and his men, under Lieutenant
vôn Strauch of the Customs (formerly of the German
Army), a brave and skillful officer, who threw himself
into the new movement with the greatest zeal. The work
was designedly begun at a time when the Chinese sol-
diers are usually torpid (taking their opium and resting
after the fatigues of their early rising), and the work
was for a long time not even discovered. It has enlarged
the area under our control by a space perhaps fîfty yards
wide to the west, and stretching the entire distance from
the Carriage Park on the north to the Russian Légation
on the south. Many court-yards were crossed, many
houses perforated, and a final barricade made of flag-
stones in the one furthest west. When at last the
Chinese found out what was going on, they made a par-
ticularly spiteful attack, piercing a wooden door, and
wounding a Chinese, but notwithstanding their utmost
efforts they were never able to recover any part of this
tract and hold it against the defence.

Toward evening another courier arrived, — the one who
took the messages July 23rd, conveying information of
the safety of the Légation and the besieged up to that
time. The greatest excitement prevailed, both before the
posting of the news (which happened almost immedi-
ately, as the letters were mostly for the American Minis-
ter) and afterwards. The cipher dispatches and letters
gave the dates of the military movements for the relief
of Tientsin, and information as to the probable order of
advance by columns of the relieving force, which did not,
however, correspond to the actual movements later on.
One of the letters contained the judicious advice to
"Hold on by ail means," and another said: '' Keep
heart, aid coming early. Troops pouring in."

The letter of Consul Ragsdale to Mr. Conger, although

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4IO

CHINA IN CONVULSION

very bnef, was of spécial interest to Americans for the
welcome glimpse into the doings and feelings of their
distant countrymen : " July 28th. Had lest ail hope of
seeing you again. Prospect now brighter. We had thirty
days' shelling hère, nine days siège, thought that bad
enough. Scarcely a house escaped damage. Excitement
at home intense, of course. Our prayers and hope are
for your safety and speedy rescue. Advance of troops
to-morrow probable. McKinley and Roosevelt nomi-
nated. Also Bryan — Vice-Président unknown."

A letter from Lient. Col. Mallory, 41 st U. S. Infantry,
said : ** A relief column of 10,000 is on the point of
starting for Peking. More to follow. God grant they
may be in time." Under date of August 30th, Maj. Gen.
Chaffee announced that he had just arrived at Tientsin.

Some of the other letters mentioned that attacks had
been made by Boxers upon Chinese Christians in the dis-
tricts of Tsun Hua Chou, Shan Hai Kuan, and many
other places. That the Russians had been fighting near
Chin Chou in Manchuria, and that Newchwang was
much disturbed, as ail Manchuria seemed to be rising
against foreigners, and the hands of the Russians were
likely to be full there. The Yangtze valley was said to
be also very unquiet, although the two Governors Gen-
eral, Liu K'un Yi, at Nanking, and Chang Chih Tung,
at Wu Ch'ang, were doing their best to keep order. Li
Hung Chang was still at Shanghai, and his coming north
to Tientsin considered doubtful. Tientsin was governed
by a joint foreign Commission. Germany and the United
States were each to send 15,000 men, and Italy 5,000.
Tientsin was full of soldiers, with more constantly arriv-
ing. The railway was running between Tientsin and
Tongku. Many ladies and children had been sent to the

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 411

United States on the transport " Logan." Ail property at
the sea-side resort at Pei Tai Ho was destroyed.

For some time it has been known that there was a
stock of Chinese samshu, or strong wine somewhere, but
recently it was traced to a shop in Légation Street, where
they deal in condiments, sauce, etc. Mr. Tewksbury
went there with some men on behalf of the General Com-
mittee, and found a sick man asleep above a large wine-
jar. He was forced to remove, and the fluid was ail
poured into the street, which was highly perfumed, to
the value of many taels. The jar had been sealed up
once before, but the thirsty marines had broken through
the seal.

The messenger who brought the welcome news of
prospective relief says that, when he reached T'ung
Chou, instead of taking the usual route he went east,
spending one night on the way with Chinese soldiers.
On his return he had his letters sewed into his hat. He
left Tientsin by the west gâte, making a wide détour so
as not to excite suspicion, yet got through in very good
time.

Friday, August 3. — The Committee on Confiscated
Goods is busy this morning going through the houses
which are within the territory captured yesterday, and a
great deal of stufï was found which will be of service.
There is a jfîre in the Impérial City, but it is impossible
to détermine where it is. The following has just been
posted :

Census of the British Légation, August ist.

Soldiers, British and others ,

General Hospital, wounded ,

412 CHINA IN CONVULSION

Légation résidents :

Foreign men 191

Foreign women 147

Foreign children 76

414

Légation résidents:

Chinese men 180

Chinese women 107

Chinese children ...• 69

356

Total 883

This afternoon the Yamen sent to Sir Claude, an un-
dated cipher telegram from Lord Salisbury, in which he
complains of having heard nothing since July 4th. The
Ministers are trying the experiment of sending cipher
telegrams through the Yamen. The latter send notice
of the appointment of Jung Lu to escort the Ministers to
Tientsin, a pièce of impudence which even for the
Chinese Government is nothing less than colossal, con-
sidering that he has spent the whole summer in trying
to kill everyone in the Légations.

In reply to Sir Claude's remonstrances about the in-
cessant firing upon us, the Yamen blandly remarks that
it was the resuit of a misunderstanding, and that it is
more or less on the sàme footing as the morning and
evening bells of the temple priests. " It is really hardly
worth a smile." In confirmation of the morning-and-
evening-bell theory, it is mentioned that the wife of one
of the Ministers has been heard to say that, now there
is so little firing of rifles and no shelling, she cannot sleep !

Over at the Fu some Chinese coolies hâve brought

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 413

rifles and ammunition for sale at one of the out-posts.
(This circumstance probably gave rise to the widely cir-
culated story that during the siège a part of the ammuni-
tion was bought frem the attacking Chinese troops. It
was, however, stated as a fact that a Japanese paid one
of the Chinese Impérial Guard two dollars for 140 rounds
of ammunition, and that within a quarter of an hour the
two men were diligently attacking each other ! )

Saturday, Aug. 4. — There was much less firing last
night than before. The Nordenfelt gun was put up on a
high platform at the angle of the newly annexed territory
behind the house of the Chinese Secretary, and has a very
dissuasive appearance. '' Oh, he's little, but he's wise.
He's a terror for his size/'

The Ministers had a meeting and agreed to ask the
Yamen to send mutton and other supplies for the ladies
and the sick, but the action was not unanimous, and some
of the besieged protest against it vigourously, as a dis-
play of uncalled for weakness. A letter was received from
the Yamen, informing the Ministers that the varions
Foreign Offices of the différent Nations concerned wish
the Foreign Ministers escorted out of Peking, and de-
siring a speedy reply. Two Russians who were at work
in the Russo-Chinese Bank incautiously exposed them-
selves too much, and were wounded this afternoon, ap-
parently by the same bullet. One of them died during
the night.

At an adjourned meeting of the Ministers during the
afternoon, the draft of a letter in reply to the Yamen was
agreed upon, to be sent to-morrow. 'Pie gênerai pur-
port is that the Ministers must be allowed to communicate
with their Governments direct, and that they can not re-
ceive instructions through the médium of the Tsùng Li

■i;,?

414

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Yamen. Foreign Ministers in China must hâve the same
rights that Chinese Ministers at foreign courts at prés-
ent enjoy.

With this letter were sent cipher telegrams to the vari-
ons governments from the Ministers, asking for instruc-
tions as to leaving, in compHance with the Yamen's de-
mand. The object of this is to gain time, as the repHes
at quickest can not be received in less than ten days or
two weeks, since the telegrams hâve to be sent, according
to the Yamen's letter of to-day, by courier to Chi Nan
Fu, the capital of Shantung. It is understood that at
least one of the Ministers incorporated in his dispatch a
hint of the object of raising the inquiry at ail, with the
suggestion that there need be no haste as to a reply. In
the intérim the Yamen was told that, when thèse replies
are to hand, the Ministers will be in a position to arrange
the matter of leaving or remaining — (a prédiction and
promise which was more than fulfilled.)

Yesterday the Ministers had for the first time tried the
experiment of ail sending cipher dispatches to their re-
spective governments, to be forwarded by the Yamen,
and it is understood that as they hâve not been returned
they hâve been forwarded.

There is a species of censorship established over out-
going telegrams, to the deep indignation of some of the
correspondents who do not wish their opinions revised by
a committee.

At the Su Wang Fu soldiers without arms crowd around
our sentries in a very friendly way, as the Impérial Edict
arranging for the departure of the Ministers is well
known and we are supposed to be soon leaving. A soldier
who has been useful in getting copies of the '' Peking
Gazettes " for us, took occasion to observe : " You are

"■M-

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 415

alive ; we are dead. The foreign army is on the way, and
has driven back Gen. Sung Ch'ing, 140 li from hère."
Rumours among the Chinese say that among the for-
eign troops there are many '' blacks," who are supposed
to be from India.

Sunday, August 5. — A report has got around that the
Chinese are intending, if the Foreign Ministers do not
accède to the proposition to go at once to Tientsin, to
attack the Légations in earnest. After nearly three weeks
of comparative quiet, with steady préparation under the
invariable persistence of Mr. Gamewell, there are many
who are quite of the mind of the German soldier who
exclaimed on hearing the rumour : '' Let them come
on! " (Lâssen sie kommen.)

There was a hard rain last night for two hours or
more, and everything is fresh to-day. No walls hâve
fallen in the Mongol Market addition to our territory, as
was feared. This is the first Sunday when no work has
been done at ail. Several Chinese children died yesterday
and to-day. The Roman Catholics are very short of food,
— for what reason is not quite clear, as the total stock
appears to be good. In the afternoon there were letters
from the Yamen again, one of which conveyed expres-
sions of sympathy to the Italian Légation on the death
of King Humbert (of which they had not previously
heard.) The news was communicated by Lo Fêng Lo,
who is accredited both to Great Britain and to Italy.
Other letters to other Ministers communicated inquiries
as to health, etc.

The following letter was sent out to-night to the Allied
forces, and it was through the use of this information
that the British and American troops entered Peking so
early.

4i6

CHINA IN CONVULSION

COPY OF MESSAGE SENT TO COMMANDER ALLIED FORCES :

V 'ft

wiW^i '■■■

t'ffil.-'SÎft- 'À

August 5, 1900.

" I enclose map showing Manchu City south wall, with
lines in rear, including Légations now occupied by us. Our
position on wall is strongly held, is about 300 yards long,
and equally distant from the two city gâtes, and is indi-
cated by flags, Russian and American at each end. The
left of the position (American) covers the water gâte,
an opening under the wall, about forty feet wide and
twenty feet high, and through which any number of men
could pass without difficulty; arriving within our lines,
could take one or both the gâtes by assault, following
down the wall and in the rear from the street. 500 men
for each gâte wouîd be a sufficient force, especially if
assisted by artillery fîre from outside. The wall of the
Chinese City near the south gâte is in bad condition, and
far easier to take than any part of the Manchu city wall,
which is thicker and higher. The ground from Chinese
City south gâte up to houses in that city is open. After
shelling, an advance up the main street towards the middle
gâte, then turning to the right in the direction of the
water gâte, ought to be made without any very great diffi-
culty. I deem this the safest and most feasible entrance
into Peking. See Slater's Code, using Ragsdale's code
number.'*

(Signed) Claude MacDonald.

Monday, August 6. — Between two and three o'clock
this morning there was a furious rifle attack, such as we
hâve not had for a long time, beginning with the Mongol
Market région and apparently going ail around. It con-
tinued for perhaps half an hour. It may hâve been stirred
up by the steady work on the barricades in the new terri-

BUDDHIST TEMPLE AND MODERN TRAM CAR

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WATER GATE, PEKING, THROUGH WHICII ALLIES

ENTERED

r.5

filî

-""«

THE RENEWAL OF THE ATTACK 417

tory, which are being strengtliened ail the time. A Chmese
barricade fell down at the French Légation, and the
Chinese had the présence of mind to set up a great yell-
ing, beating of drums, etc., to distract attention. There
was much alarm at some of the houses in the British
Légation, and in one of them the second story was aban-
doned for the night as unsafe.

The alley through which the egg-sellers and the pur-
veyors of news hâve made their entrance into the Japanese
lines, has been walled up, so that we are again isolated
from the world, except for the driblets of news — largely
of an obituary nature — filtering through the Tsung Li
Yamen. During the afternoon another communication
arrived from that august body, in reply to those sent yes-
terday referring to the varions home Governments the
question of return to Tientsin. The Yamen has forwarded
the dispatches, thus recognizing the right of the Ministers
to ask for instructions. They also explain the attack of
last night by saying that some foreigner made a great
noise, so that the Chinese soldiers thought they were being
attacked, and replied in kind !

Tuesday, August 7. — The night was much more quiet
than the previous one, though there were some shots.
To-day is the " Japanese Décoration Day " (the thirteenth
day of the Chinese seventh moon), the équivalent of our
" Ail Soûls " festival, and they hâve put flowers upon the
eight graves of their dead, — the touch of nature which
makes the whole world kin.

The sand bags in the Windows of the hospital are ail
giving way, and are to be taken down and used to fill
up the unsightly holes in the tennis-court where earth
has been removed. Despite the gênerai quiet there is
firing near the Mongol Market, and a Japanese was
brought in from the Fu wounded in the leg. A telegram

; ;

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4i8

CHINA IN CONVULSION

B"-'

f* i

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was received to-day from the Yamen with condolence for
the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, of which there was
no previous information.

To-day after elaborate préparation and many emenda-
tions, the Register of the Siège in Peking is published,
and put upon the bulletin board. It was originally headed
" Commander in Chief, Sir Claude MacDonald," which is
understood to hâve been in accordance with a vote of
the Ministers, asking the British Minister, in view of
his twenty-four years of service in the British Army, to
take the command, which no one else was willing to do.
This was the more appropriate, as it was agreed that in
the last extremity the British Légation was to be the place
for a final stand. Now that the siège seemed nearly over
and the unremitting exertions of Sir Claude for the gên-
erai welfare were about to end, it appeared somewhat un-
gracious to assert, as some of the Continentals seemed
disposed to do, that he was not their " Commander in
Chief." Some final appeal in a military way there must
of necessity be, and aside from the previous agreement of
the Ministers made in the présence of a deadly péril, no
more compétent or more suitable candidate than Sir Claude
was either available or requisite.

In the evening Mr. Squiers prepared a long message to
be sent out to the troops, recommending the Southern City
as the best point of attack, as being less defended, more
easily entered, afïording a shorter distance, largely through
open spaces where there can be no loop-holing buildings,
and having the water-gate accessible. Other letters of
this kind hâve been sent also to the British detachment.

i V

XXIII

THE RELIEF

X-i

WEDNESDAY, August 8.— During the night
there was considérable firing in the région of
the Mongol Market, a few Chinese creeping
through the ruins and throwing bricks at the guard on
the high platform where the Nordenfelt gun is placed.
It was this that gave rise to the story that this post was
" attacked." It is impossible for ail to look at the matter
in the same light, and there are some who are fully per-
suaded that this addition to our territory, instead of being
(as it really is) a source of additional security, is rather
the reverse.

There was an auction yesterday of much confiscated
property, clothing, furniture, etc., bringing several hun-
dred dollars to a relief fund for the Christians. A French
marine accidentally shot another this morning through the
lungs, the man dying not long after. Nothing but the
grosseét and most inexcusable carelessness could hâve
occasioned such a calamity. Work was begun outside
the main gâte of the British Légation on a trench leading
to the canal, where a platform is to be put up for the
Austrian gun to command the bed of the canal, down
which it would at any time hâve been possible for a bold
and determined enemy to hâve made an effective rush
in the night. On the west side of the Hanlin compound
a countermine is being made for the Chinese mine, which
has not, however, been discovered.

419

f :

(

; . r

.-!,:

420

CHINA IN CONVULSION

A meeting of the Ministers was held to-day, and strict
economy was enjoined in the use of food. It was agreed
to say to the Yamen that in view of the kindly feeling
manifested by them in the communication of tidings of
the death of kings and princes, it would be greatly ap-
preciated if Hke kindness should be shown to the women
and children hère, in arranging for the furnishing of eggs
and vegetables. They were also to be asked to take over
more than an hundred neutrals who are still within our
hnes.

In the afternoon a circular dispatch came from the
Yamen to announce that yesterday Li Hung Chang had
been appointed a High Commissioner to arrange terms
of peace between China and the Powers, with the Gov-
ernments of which he is to correspond telegraphically.

One of Col. Shiba's informants say s that there are at
présent only about 2,500 Chinese troops in Peking — the
rest having gone to confront the foreign army. He àlso
reports that another body of 50,000 foreign soldiers has
been landed at Taku. It is thought that the appointment
of Li as Peace Commissioner may mean that there has
been a décisive victory at Yang Ts'un, but one of the
Ministers would not be surprised if the expédition had
not yet started, owing to difficulties of transportation, etc.

Sir Claude replied to the letter conveying sympathy
for the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, remarking that
notwithstanding thèse agreeable amenities it still remained
true that he could not put his head out of his own Léga-
tion without the danger of being shot ! This is the fiftieth
day of the siège.

Thursday, August 9. — During the night there was a
great deal of firing from the north bridge, not only down
the canal but on the British Légation. It is rumoured
that there has been a gênerai change of the Chinese

THE RELIEF

421

soldiers attacking us, the Manchus taking the place of
the Chinese, who hâve been sent out to meet the troops
of the enemy. BuUets rattled through the Légation
grounds, and during the night a groan was heard, but
no out-cry. In the morning it was found that a Chinese
Roman Cathohc " Brother," whose head was turned to
the north and who was asleep on the outer pavilion, had
been wounded in the chest by a glancing bullet which
perforated his clothing and made a flesh wound near the
ensiform cartilage. The man was perhaps stunned, for
he did not even wake up, and when he did it was to find
himself bloody.

Spécimens of the " food " eaten in the Fu hâve been
brought over on a tray, consisting of a mixture of chaiï,
sorghum seeds, wheat, and the leaves of plants and trees,
made into flat cakes. A request has been sent that those
who can do so will go out and shoot dogs and cats for
the Chinese, to serve as food. There has been a recount
of the Catholics in the Fu. The census is 755 women
and 546 children, a total of 1,301. The men, who were
absent, number 412, making a grand total of 1,713.

Friday, August 10. — About three o'clock this morning
there was a sudden and very violent attack begun in the
Mongol Market, running ail around the circle. It lasted
only about fifteen minutes, but during that time it was as
vicions as anything we hâve had. At the signal of a
rocket the firing suddenly ceased. Before it began, there
had been a Boxer killed and another wounded west of
the Market. There was also much shooting down the
canal.

In the morning an aged Catholic priest slowly walked
the entire distance from the Légation Street bridge to the
entrance of the Fu, against many remonstrances, attract-
ing at once the fire from the north bridge. There were

422

CHINA IN CONVULSION

twenty-six shots directed at him, but not one struck him.
Yesterday some one counted thirty shots fîred at a little
girl, and an old woman gathering greens became a speedy
target. Some Chinese do not seem in the least con-
cerned when fired at, while others are terribly alarmed.
One of the Chinese was cautioned not to go into danger,
but would not heed, when a bullet pierced his clothing
over the abdomen. From that time he became more pru-
dent, but his caution assumed the form of a thick wad
of cloth over the place where he had been hit, assuming
that the next bullet would strike in precisely the same

spot!

One of the diplomatie military authorities says that there
were shots enough fired into the British Légation last
night to hâve killed, if properly directed, every person
in it. The intention certainly was not lacking, but the
exécution was imperfect. The trouble began in a corner
of the Mongol Market where a bag of powder was found
yesterday.

Designs are invited for a Siège medal to be struck in
commémoration of the expérience. One of the mottoes
suggested has been the words " Mené, mené, tekel, up-
harsin," but one of the besieged was- heard to object to
this on the plausible ground that '' not everybody knows
Latin." The total of several auction sales thus far comes

to $68 1.

About three in the afternoon there were rumours of the
arrivai of a messenger from the troops en route to Peking.
There was a letter from the Japanese Lient. General
Fukushima, dated near Ts'ai Ts'un on the 8th. The
Japanese and the American troops had defeated the enemy
near Pei Ts'ang on the 5th, and occupied Yang Ts'un
on the 6th. " The Allied forces, consisting of Americans,

11'

THE RELIEF

423

British, and Russians, left Yang Ts'un this morning, and
while marching north the General received the letter of
Col. Shiba. It is very gratifying to learn from your letter
that the foreign community are holding on, and it is the
earnest wish and unanimous désire of the Lient. General
and ail of us to arrive in Peking as soon as possible, and
deliver you from your perilous position. Unless some un-
foreseen event takes place, the Allied forces will be at
Ho Hsi Wu on the çth, at Ma T'ou on the loth, Chang
Chia Wan on the iith, T'ung Chou on the I2th, and
probably arrive at Peking on the I3th or I4th." A letter
of a similar ténor was also received from Gen. Gaselee.

The messenger got among Chinese soldiers, who de-
tained but did not search him, and coming back he was
forced to help track a boat. Still he made a relatively
quick trip, leaving Tientsin Sunday night, reaching the
foreign troops Wednesday morning, and arriving at
Peking Friday afternoon. He came in through two half-
manned barricades disguised as a coolie searching among
the ruins of buildings.

Many telegrams were received making inquiries, and
others with news. Mr. Conger received one from Wash-
ington asking information about his telegram of July i8th,
and giving him a name to insert in his reply to establish
authenticity. This seems to be an indication that the
Yamen is suspected of having sent bogus messages.

There is still no answer from the Yamen in regard to
food, except a strange verbal message purporting to come
from Jung Lu to the Chairman of the General Committee
asking him to make out a list of what he wanted, which
Jung Lu would furnish, and for which Mr. Tewksbury
could pay him later! The messenger brings a rumour
that Li Ping Hêng was wounded in the shoulder at Yang

1 f,

I : '

■ V.

424

CHINA IN CONVULSION

il. 1

M'-î

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Ts'un. One of the Ministers thinks it a pity that it had
not been a little lower( but the wound eventually proved
fatal.)

There was an attack on the German Légation last night,
as well as on the British, and this morning a message
came from the Yamen apologizing for it, and saying that
they had beheaded the man who made it !

A cow was killed the other day,; to the great joy of
everyone who could get some of it. One of the légation
ladies sent for the cow 's liver, only to find that it had
been calmly appropriated by the marines. An attaché of
the British Légation sent up for a part of the cow's
kidney as a great luxury, but it had been already dis-
tributed. The sympathetic superintendent of the méat ap-
portionment, however, not wishing to disappoint him, sent
the man the kidney of a horse, '' without note or com-
ment ; " afterwards meeting him, he inquired how he
liked it. He had enjoyed it greatly, and remarked that
while eating it he had forgotten that he was in China !

In the afternoon Lt. von Strauss made a sortie on a
Chinese barricade in the Mongol Market addition, which
provoked a great deal of retaliatory firing. Showers of
bricks came over; one of the British marines had his
head eut open, and two Chinese were badly stunned. The
bricks are much more dangerous than the bullets. Fortu-
nately the worst brick attack came while the Chinese work-
men were at their afternoon meal, so that the most of
them could stand quietly under shelter and watch the
bricks curve through the air to their harmless destination.

In the evening a hard rain came on, and with it an
attack, the firing being especially furious at each loud
clap of thunder. It really appears as if it were considered
as a signal from the gods for the encouragement of the
Chinese.

1 1

(&'■ '. ^

THE RELIEF

425

Saturday, August 11. — Two ponies were condemned
this morning on the ground that they were afïected by
phthisis, but they were absorbed by the less fastidious
Chinese, and another horse and a mule were substituted.
Dogs, cats, magpies, crows, and sparrows hâve ail been
shot for the Catholics, who got the condemned animais.
It is proposed to give the grain directly to each family,
instead of having it cooked in a common kettle and di-
vided.

There is some indication of spécial activity on the wall
of the city, where the Chinese flags hâve been removcd,
but the number of soldiers seems increased. They hâve
begun firing on the American Légation again, and a bail
went through the door of Mr. Squier's office and pene-
trated, the outer door of the (so-called) iron *'safe!''
Bullets struck some of the other buildings, and one came
into the Minister's bed-room. After several weeks of
comparative immunity from this kind of attack by day,
its sudden resumption by the enemy is peculiarly exas-
perating.

Sunday, August 12. — There was intermittent heavy
firing during the night at no very long intervais, making
it difficult to sleep. There were rumours of sharp attacks
in varions directions. An Austrian and a German were
wounded, and a Frenchman killed. A Russian on duty
on the wall was slightly wounded. Another Russian died
in the hospital yesterday, and also a French marine. Over
at the Fu there was a great deal of yelling during the
night. Col. Shiba had kérosène tins beaten, and the
Italian soldiers shouted, whistled, and cried " Bravo " to
one another, to give the Chinese the impression of un-
limited numbers.

It was understood yesterday that a deputy officiai was
to corne to-day to open a market, but no one appeared.

'il
i i

m.!:

426

CHINA IN CONVULSION

A man who sells eggs to the French Légation soldiers has
told them that there was a battle at Chang Chia Wan yes-
terday, and 3,000 Chinese were killed. There are some
appearances of a panic in the city. Jung Lu is said to
hâve taken poison. It was very hot ail day, and it was
often remarked how trying this must be for the marching
ftroops.

In the afternoon there was a sudden and savage attack
on the Mongol Market defences, to which the Nordenfelt
gun replied. The bullets fell thick, and very low. There
was a melancholy funeral of two Frenchmen to-day, just
on the eve of what we hope is to be the raising of the
siège.

The ladies of the United States Légation were busy to-
day making sand bags for the German Légation defences.
The Austrian gun was taken to the stable-yard. A letter
was received from the Yamen saying that the Princes
and Ministers would corne to the British Légation to-
morrow to confer with regard to the cessation of hostili-
ties. The French Captain La Bruce was killed early in
the evening in his own Légation, while walking to a barri-
cade. It might hâve been well to hâve replied that this
Légation is at présent a very unsafe place for " Princes
and Ministers." Sir Claude planned to receive them in
his own house. The Spanish Légation would hâve seemed
a far more suitable place, but at last a mat-shed was put
up outside the front gâte. The Chirilse do not believe
in receiving them at ail.

It is reported that a Chinese gun at the Ha Ta gâte
has been firing blank cartridges, so that the Germans did
not think it worth while to reply with rifles. At a loop-
hole in the Mongol Market région, two nights ago, a
bullet eut clean through the small board over the open-
ing, so that the bricks dropped down without having been

THE RELIEF

427

hit. It is becoming a favourite plan with the Chinese now
to keep on firing away at a loophole and its neighbour-
hood, until the wall gives way. Sometimes they get the
range, strap the gun tight, and keep blazing away at one
spot. Our Nordenfelt yestcrday knocked down a sec-
tion of the Chinese barricade in this manner, but the
hole was promptly filled up with sand bags.

Monday, August 13. — The attack which was expected
came off, and was practically continuons ail night, and
very violent. The Chinese soldiers and their rifles seem
to be différent from those before used, and the bullets
(Mânnlicher) hâve much more penetrating power. Many
barricades were much weakened and must be repaired.
It is marvellous that no one in the British Légation was
hit during the night. The firing was more consécutive
than at any time since the siège began, and strangely in-
congruous with proposais for peace, — another of the many
glaring absurdities of our situation. The impression given
by thèse repeated and furious onsets is that, the time
being short, they must annihilate us immediately. The
shooting was much lower than hitherto.

There was a meeting of the Ministers in the forenoon
to consider the place of receiving the Yamen Ministers.
It is difficult for the Ministers to refuse an interview with
the Yamen, because it was on the ground of being use-
ful in helping on such negotiations that they declined to
go to Tientsin.

At half past ten o'clock, however, came a letter from
the Yamen to say that the Ministers hâve reopened hos-
tilities ( !), by killing an officer and 26 men in the région
of the Board of Works (just west of the British Léga-
tion), and as "the Yamen Ministers are busy," they can
not come as agreed ! There was no reply as to the pur-
chase of food, and not an atom of news from outside.

428

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Both the German and the American Légations were at-
tacked last night, the former at very short range. Notice
is posted that arrangements hâve been made to take photo-
graphs of the siège positions, etc., vvith a caméra which
belongs to a Japanese, and there are fortunately enough
photographie chemicals available for the purpose.

Some Chinese cavalry leaving the city yesterday by the
Ch'ien Mên were fired at several times from the wall, but
this is not the alleged resumption of hostiHties, but the
fact that men were killed on the west of us. The Chinese
officer who was shot is said to be a Captain who had
guaranteed to take the Légation within five days, which
time was up yesterday. This, however, is not authenti-
cated. The American and Russian flags hâve been put
up on the wall to-day, and a staff prepared for the British
flag.

About eight o'clock in the evening there was, as ex-
pected, a furious attack in the Mongol Market région,
which was kept up for a long time and only died down
to be again resumed. An hour or so later there was a
second, likewise very furious and vindictive.

Tuesday, August 14. — The distinction between to-day
and yesterday was entirely obliterated, as no one could
sleep, and very few made any pretence of even going to
bed. The battery on the wall of the Impérial City began
firing Krupp shells during the night, about ten shots in
ail. One of thèse fell in a dressing-room off Sir Claude's
bed-room, and made a complète wreck of it. Three others
struck in the front gâte fort, one of them coming through
the gate-way and knocking over by its concussion those
who were at hand.

Between eleven and twelve o'clock there was an alarm
on the bell of a '' gênerai attack," and every one turned
out — the first expérience of the kind for nearly six weeks.

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THE RELIEF

429

Sir Claude was on hand and, after waiting to see how
niany appeared, dismissed them after a brief delay as if
it were a mère drill.

Three hours later there was a second alarm, which was
caused by the fear that the Chinese were about to make a
rush into the Mongol Market defences. Volunteers were
assigned their positions, and the attack was as savage as
those which had preceded, and as unsuccessful. It was
alleged by some of the Volunteers that the Chinese officers
were heard urging the men to make the long-expected
rush, crying " Don't be afraid — we can get through," to
which after a short interval there was the response, " It
can not be donc."

In préparation for this attack ail the big guns had
been made^eady, the American Colt's Automatic in the
main gâte, as usual, the Nordenfelt on its high platform
back of the house of the Chinese Secretary, the Austrian
and the " International " in the Mongol Market addition.
In firing the latter, owing to its recoil and uncertainty,
it was ^cessary to hâve a large porthole, and Mitchell,
the American gunner, had his arm shattered by a rifle-
ball while discharging the pièce. When the shell-gun
opened fire on us, the Colt's replied, and the gun was
eventually silenced, or at least suspended opération.

Ail through the night at irregular intervais could be
heard the déep baying of the Nordenfelt, the irrésistible
and simultaneous discharges of which must hâve been
very depressing as well as exasperating to those within
its range. The attack at the Fu was fierce as elsewhere,
but it did not drive the Japanese from their position, for
the Chinese did not charge. The same was the case in
the Hanlin, and likewise in the French Légation, be-
tween i and 2 a. m.

A French priest and the Belgian doctor were slightly

■4:

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430

CHINA IN CONVULSION

rifî

't 9

wounded during the night, at the British Légation—
among the very few casualties to civilians within that
area during the whole siège. The Japanese doctor at the
Su Wang Fu had a bail through his leg, a British marine
was wounded in the shoulder, and a German who had
been wounded previously and had recovered, was killed,
also a Russian on the wall. It was understood that yes-
terday the Yamen had notified the Ministers that what-
-ever Chinese officer reopened hostilities should be court-
martialed. The proceedings of this fearsome night were
a singular commentary upon this imaginary truce.

Between 2 and 3 a. m. there was distinctly heard
the sharp rat-tat-tat of a machine gun far to the east, and
it was at once concluded that the foreign troops are at
hand. The yard, even at that early hour, swarmed with
eager groups discussing the probabilities. The question
was raised whether the machine-guns which we heard
might not be in the hands of the Chinese themselves, and
it was remembered that Li Hung Chang had ordered a
large number of them many years ago. (It was not then
suspected, what was afterwards said to hâve been a fact,
that thèse particular guns had been captured from the
Chinese, and were probably a part of the very equipment
referred to.)

Many excellent designs hâve been sent in for the pro-
posed commemorative medal, and to-day they are repre-
sented by drawings placed on the bulletin board, and
votes are solicited as to the material, the pattern, the in-
scription obverse and reverse. A limit of time is also
fixed. Unfortunately for the best efïect, the ail absorb-
ing interest in the impending relief deprives the mère
pictorial symbol of much of its interest, so that the voting
halted, and was soon altogether abandoned.

In spite of the heavy firing none of our barricades were

'M- "4

:ll:

■': ■-^- -•

THE RELIEF

431

overthrown, and the strength of those most threatened
in the Mongol Market tract had been almost doubled
within twenty-four liours. During the forenoon it was
learned that the shell-gun on the Impérial city, which
fired so much last night, had been taken away, which
indicates activity of some sort. Our Austrian Maxim
has been removed to the north stable court to be ready
for it, however, should it begin again.

There has been a sound of heavy cannonading to the
eastward ail the morning. From the wall the Southern
City seems to be quiet, but Chinese troops are hurrying in
through the Ch'ien Mên, instead of going out, as yester-
day. The bulletin-board has a notice that '' the sentries
in charge of the south gâtes hâve received orders not to
allow any civilian to leave the Légation without a spécial
permit from the officer in charge of the defences, since in
case of a gênerai attack by retreating Chinese the services
of every available volunteer will be required."

Another order announces that '' women and children
and persons not on duty are requested as far as possible
to keep within doors to-day, as there will probably be
considérable danger from dropping fire."

From the city wall an excellent view is to be had of
the bombardment of the Ch'i Hua gâte, upon which thus
far not much impression seems to hâve been made. There
is also a heavy attack at the Tung Pien Gâte, and ail the
time the deep rumbling of the heavy booming guns of
" our troops." '' Blessed are the people that hear the
joyful sound." The troops on the wall thought those
outside would " be lucky if they got in to-morrow night."

Soon after two o'clock, Mr. Moore, who was on the
wall, reported to Capt. Hall that he saw foreign troops
in the distance; though this was doubted, it soon proved
to be the case, and he was sent post-haste to convey the

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432

CHINA IN CONVULSION

news to Sir Claude IMacDonald. It was at first errone-
ously supposed to be the Germans who had bceu siglited,
but they soon showed up as British.

The excitement was now at its height, and the few who
had leave to do so. not being on duty, hastened ont
through the Russian Légation to the street, only to be
told that the troops were already making their way into
the Tartar city through the water-gate. There was at the
time very httle water, but the mud rendered the entrance
through the narrow passage somewhat disagreeable, yet
it was only for a few rods and unworthy of mention as
a difficulty in a march. ^

The régiment which made the first entry, was the ist
Sikhs and then the /th Bengal Rajput Infantry, and Gcn.
Gaseice was one of the first officers to be secn. The
banks of the canal were lined by Chincse, and the few
Europeans présent, among whom was Sir Claude, tried
to raise a cheer, but their voices were unequal to the
task and it was a feeble failure !

On reaching the British Légation there was such a
riot of joy as is seldom seen in Asia, and such as was
ncvcr secn in the Capital of the Chincse Empire. Every-
body swarmcd ont to see the glorious spectacle. The
Rajputs chcered as they marched, till they brought up on
the tennis-court, beyond which there secmed to be no-
where to go. The next régiment was the 24th T^mjab
Infantry (Frontier Force), who went cheering past the
hospital filled with brave but disappointed, yet happy, men
who had lived through it after ail, and now saw the day
of rescue.

It was remembcred that the ist Sikhs rccfiment is des-
cended from the one which helped take Peking forty years
ago. The ist Bengal Lancers came next, having had to

•' Hl<:kK rHKV CO.MK," (ii:NKRAL (.ASKLEK (iX THK RICHT

FRA rKRXlZING ( iX THK TKXXIS COURT

THE RELIEF

433

wait for the Ch'ien Mên to be forced ; then a detachment
of the Royal Welsh Fusileers, the 23rd Field Battery, the
Hongkong Régiment, and the Royal Marines.

By this time the limited available spaces of the tennis-
court and the Légation roads and paths v/as more than
exhausted, and the whole place was one complicated tangle
of Sikhs, Rajputs, Lancers and Fusileers, with Chinese
and the besieged Occidentals everywhere at once.

In the midst of this wild welter the American I4th In-
fantry arrived, to add to the joy and the chaos, and
everyone is asking to know where some one else is, and
what is going on in that segment of création outside of
the Peking Légations.

The troops were no sooner in the courts than Gen.
Gaselee relieved the sentinels on duty with his own men.
One of them (a Sikh), was assigned to the front gâte
fort where the Colt's Automatic was pouring out its reck-
less welcome in a thunder of rat-tats. There he was imme-
diately hit by a buUet through a loophole and went
promptly to the hospital. The tumultuous cheering of
both the besieged and the relievers roused the Chinese
from their afternoon nap, and they began the fusillade
with renewed vigour, but apparently without any notion
of what the altered conditions denoted. For a time the
buUets were falling thickly ail over the Légation, and the
wife of a Belgian engineer was wounded in the leg, — •
the only case in which a lady received any in jury from
shot or shell during the whole siège.

In a very short time a large hole was blown into the
Carriage Park through the thick wall to which we had
owed so much, and in a brief time that expansive en-
closure was filled with the jaded horses of the Lancers.
The Chinese shots grew less in vigour, fewer in number,

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434

CHINA IN CONVULSION

more distant in space, and died away to nothing. The
men who had so long manned the barricades facing us
" folded their tents like the Arabs, and silently stole
away " (except that so far as they had any tents they left
them in situ), and were to be seen and heard no more.

XXIV

FROM THE TAKU FORTS TO THE RELIEF OF PEKING

!?
II

AS the military events connectée! with the progress
of the Allies from the coast to the capital hâve
been detailed at length by more than one com-
pétent observer, they will be sketched hère only in the
briefest manne r,—though of the deepest importance and

interest.

While the clouds were thickening about the ail but
doomed city of Peking, a splendid fleet had for weeks
been proudly riding at anchor oiï the mouth of the Peiho.
There was good reason for indécision as to their move-

ments.

By the middle of June it was obvions to everyone that
the political complications were so grave that no peace-
ful solution was at ail likely. The Mephistophelian
cynicism of the Edicts of the Chinese Government, the
fact that the regular troops and the Boxers were every-
where fraternizing, and the increasing évidence that the
Throne was privy to the councils of extermination, made
the situation difficult beyond précèdent, surpassing the
flight of the wildest imagination previous to this expéri-
ence. Peking was already eut ofï from the world. There
was an unknown body of Chinese troops between the
capital and Tientsin, where the McCalla-Seymour Ex-
pédition was soon to be fighting for its life against over-
whelming odds. Gen. Nieh was somewhere, and there
was a great camp of his troops at Lu T'ai, which could

435

1 I

43^

CHINA IN CONVULSION

be brought to bear upon the line of communication of the
fleet with the Settlement of Tientsin. There were signs
that those troops were about to move, that the river itself
was being mined with torpedoes, and that the Taku Forts
were to be strongly reinforced, so that their capture
without enormous loss would be out of the question.

On Saturday, June i6th, the Admirais held a Council
and under thèse exigent circumstances determined to
send an ultimatum calling for the disbandment of the
troops, and announcing that if it was not complied with
before 2 a. m., the United Squadron would destroy
the forts. Admirai Kempff, representing the United
States, dissented from this step, but that fact did not in-
fluence his subséquent actions.

The questions in what is termed " International Law "
thus brought to the front, hâve served for much debate,
and many vigorous editorials ever since. But at the time,
and under the circumstances, it is difficult to see what
else the Admirais could hâve done with any self-respect,
or with any regard to the interests of their respective
Powers. It is quite true that it was this ultimatum
which directly led to the corresponding order to the Léga-
tions to leave Peking within four and twenty hours, and
it is likewise a fact that the effect of the attack upon
the Taku Forts by the Allied Forces was to fire the
Chinese national feeling, as nothing else had ever before
done. In some respects it is comparable in its consé-
quences to the efïect of the assault upon Fort Sumter
upon the people of the North, at the opening of the
American Civil War.

Nevertheless, if the Taku Forts had not been taken
within a few hours of that time, it is a moral certainty
that not only would the Légations in Peking hâve been
even in far greater péril than they were placed by this

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 437

act, but that it would hâve been hard to save the lives
of a single man, woman, or child of the large numbers
who were at Tientsin, and who as it was were rescued
from deadly péril only with the greatest difficulty.

The Chinese Commander of the principal Fort acted
with more décision and courage than was expected, and
an hour before the time limit had expired opened fire
upon the flëet, and hostilities had begun. The Forts
were for the third time assailed by foreign guns, which
in 1858 had taken them within the compass of twenty
minutes, while the succeeding year the Forts had been
able to beat back a combined squadron of thirteen British
and French gunboats. On the présent occasion the fight
lasted about six hours, when the last gun was silenced
and the north Fort was stormed, the British and the
Japanese entering simultaneously, and the other contin-
gents a little later, the Chinese soldiers prudently aban-
doning the position in hot haste.

A shell from the British " Algerine " exploded a maga-
zine in the south Fort, which blew up, with a magnificent
column of black smoke, 500 feet in height, the wreckage
falling for miles around. By 7 130 ail the Forts had been
taken, with a loss of 21 killed and 57 wounded on the
part of the assailants. But for varions errors of judg-
ment on the part of the Chinese, and their lack of resolute-
ness, the results might hâve been very différent.

The situation at Tientsin was now serions, but no in-
formation regarding it had reached Taku, the communi-
cation having been completely eut ofï. It was impera-
tively necessary to get word to the fîeet of the dire dis-
tress of the foreign settlement. In this emergency James
Watts, a young Englishman of 22 years, volunteered to
ride with despatches through forty miles of country
Gwarming with Boxers. He started under cover of dark-

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438

CHINA IN CONVULSION

ness on a pony, with three mounted Cossacks, for a
journey of twelve hours, knowing only three words of
Russian. He had to speed through villages where men
were sitting with rifles and fixed bayonets, his flask was
shot awây, and the lives of ail we^ in momently péril.
The horses swam a creek near a hostile village and
reached Taku, where the despatches were delivered to
the Russian Admirai. This brave act saved the lives of
the besieged at Tientsin, and was subsequently rewarded
with a décoration.

From Tangku to Tientsin the railway was largely torn
up by Boxers, and the last part of the distance was made
with extrême difficulty by the relieving forces. Tliey
were welcomed by the besieged with great joy, a fuU
week after the Forts had been taken.

In case relief did not come, the military authorities
had seriously debated the question of the necessity of
abandoning Tientsin altogether, and retreating upon
Taku.

The relieving body had no sooner reached Tientsin
than a party was sent out to rescue in turn the force of
Admirai Seymour which though but a few miles from
Tientsin was unable to move on account of the large
number of the wounded and the strength of the enemy.
To the fortunes and misfortunes of that famous expédi-
tion it will be désirable to dévote a little attention.

Early in June Admirai Seymour had proposed that the
senior naval officers should consult in regard to mutual
protection, and the. first meeting of this kind was held
June 4th, the officers of eight nations being présent. Two
days later at another consultation it was agreed that if
communication with Peking should be eut off, it should
be reopened with whatever force was necessary.

On the 9th another conférence was held owing to the

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 439

receipt of an urgent telegram from Peking, the Ministers
saying that unless they were soon relieved it would be
too late. Capt. McCalla was resolved to go to the relief
of the United States Minister, and Admirai Seymour in
like manner declared his intention to start at once, and ex-
pressed a hope that the rest would coôperate.

The force which left on the morning of the loth was
composed of 3CX) British, 112 Americans, 40 Italians, and
25 Austrians. The train proceeded to Yang Ts'un where
it had to stop for repairs. There it remained for the
night, and there two more trains joined the expédition,
making a total number of 112 Americans, 25 Aus-
trians, 915 British, 100 French, 450 Germans, 40 ItaUans,
54 Japanese, and 112 Russians. This w-as increased the
next day by the addition of 200 Russians and 58 French,
to a total of 2,066 men.

On the I2th a guard having been left at Lo Fa, it was
found that the line was much eut up in front. A party
was sent out to An Ting to prevent more damage and
to hold the station there. The party was attacked three
times by Boxers, who retreated with the loss of fîfteen
men.

About the middle of the forenoon there was another
onset by 450 Boxers, who advanced with great courage
and enthusiasm, but who were repulsed with a total
loss of about 150. As the party at An Ting was out of
ammunition a retreat was ordered.

On the I3th Maj. Johnstone was sent towards An
Ting, but was attacked in a village adjoining the railway.
The Boxers lost about 25 men killed, while there were no
foreign casualties. The party returned to the main body
on the evening of the I4th. On that day there was a
fierce and determined assault by Boxers in great numbers
on the train at Lang Fang. They advanced in a loose

•«e *::

440

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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formation, with the utmost courage under a withering
fire, and some even reached the train before tliey were
killed. Their loss was about 100. Five Italians who
were on an exposed picket in an abandoned village were
killed.

At 5 :30 p. M. a messenger from Lo Fa in the rear
reported that the guard was being attacked by a large
body of the enemy. A train was taken down the Une to
assist them, when it was found that the fight was over,
and that the Boxers were retreating having left about
100 killed. Two small cannon had been captured from
the Chinese. Two seamen were dangerously wounded,
one of whom died later.

On the I5th the line was repaired under a strong guard,
but the road below Lo Fa to the rear was reported broken
up, and the Boxers were concentrating on Yang Ts'un
to eut off the retreat of the expédition.

On the i6th a train endeavoured to get through to
Tientsin, starting at 4 a. m., but returned at 3 p. m.,
because the line was too much damaged. Both provisions
and ammunition were now running short; the expédition
was entirely eut off from its base and since for three
days there had been no intelligence from Tientsin, it was
ignorant of what was occurring elsewhere. It was vital
that the rear should be protected; but when on the I7th
a train reached Yang Ts'un it found the station de-
molished, communication more than ever eut off, and
no supplies obtainable. Messages had been sent back to
Tientsin with orders for junks and provisions to be sent
to Yang Ts'un, but no couriers had got through, and
even if they had donc so no boats could hâve been sent.
From the I3th of June to the 26th there was no com-
munication from the Admirai to Tientsin or vice versa.

■l

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 441

As an advance was now felt to be an impossibility the
recall of the trains in the front was determined on.

The following day — June ï8th — a new aspect v>^as put
on affairs by a strong attack at Lang Fang, not as here-
tofore by Boxers, but by the regular troops of Tung Fu
Hsiang, who had been stationed in the Hunting Park
south of Peking, and who now began to " bear a hand "
in a decided manner. The force including cavalry was
estimated at not less than 5,000 men, armed with the
latest magazine rifles. This gave the first definite knowl-
edge that Impérial troops were arrayed against the ex-
pédition. They were driven off, but ralUed, and when
repulsed were supposed to hâve lost 400 killed. The
loss of the AlHes was six killed, and 48 wounded.

At a conférence the next day (iQth) it was decided
to abandon the railway trains, and to withdraw to Tien-
tsin, marching by the left bank of the river, conveying the
wounded and the necessàries in boats, four of which had
been taken by the Germans below Yang Ts un. A start
was made at 3 p. m. A six-pounder gun had to be thrown
overboard before one of the junks would float. The
men were unskilled in handling the clumsy boats, and no
Chinese were to be had. The enemy opened fire but
were driven back. Several villages had to be carried by
rifle fire or by bayonet charges, which were invariably
successful. A one-pound gun used by the enemy was
harassing, but its position could not be located. The
distance made this day was eight miles. The Chinese
cavalry hovered about ail day firing occasionally, the
enemy using artillery which was replied to in kind. Sev-
eral villages had to be taken by fighting, the enemy
being strongly posted in Pei Ts'ang. It was decided after
a rest to make a night-march.

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442

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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On the 2ist the enemy made an increasingly stubborn
résistance, and their gun-power was augmented so that
but six miles were made. The lighter containing the
guns filled and sank, and had to be abandoned, only the
Maxims being saved.

At 4 p. M. the expédition arrived opposite the Impérial
Chinese Armory at Hsiku. A party of 100 men under
Maj. Johnstone was sent across the river to rush the
position, and at the same time a German detachment
crossed lower down, capturing several Krupp guns. The
two parties soon cleared the Armory, the main body
crossing the river and occupying the place, which was
commodious and defensible by the numerous captured
guns. The provisions remaining were sufficient only for
three days at half allowance, but the next day when there
was an opportunity to make a search, 15 tons of rice were
found. This set at rest ail fears of starvation.

Renewed efforts were made to communicate with
Tientsin, but in vain. The Chinese made a most de-
termined attempt on the 23rd to retake the Armory, but
were wholly unsuccessful. Immense supplies of guns,
ammunition, and war material of the latest pattern were
found there; thus the great want of food and ammuni-
tion being suddenly met it was possible to hold out for
several days. The number of wounded was about 230
and on this account it was impossible to force a way
to Tientsin, now but a few miles distant. The couriers
had ail been either killed or stopped. Guns were mounted
and a Boxer stronghold down the river was attacked with
such good effect that thereafter the enemy was more
quiet.

A Courier succeeded on the 23rd in getting through
to Tientsin. Although captured and tied for a time to
a tree, he had destroyed his message and was released.

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 443

A Chinese soldier taken prisoner the next day said that
Gen. Nieh's army was much discouraged at their failure,
having attacked with 25 battalions of 300 or 400 men
each. On the 2^th. the rehef column under the Russian
Col. Shirinsky appeared in sight, to the joy of ail. The
wounded were transported across the river, and the whole
force followed later, bivouacking on the bank for the
night. On the 26th, after the return march had com-
menced, Lt. Lowther-Crofton, and Mr. Davidge, Gun-
ner, remained behind to destroy as far as possible the
contents of the Armory, which were of the estimated
value of three million pounds sterling. After the work
of destruction had been accomplished the officers re-
crossed the river, mounted poriies which were in waiting,
and overtook the main body.

During the whole sixteen days it was difficult to esti-
mate with précision the numbers of the enemy. At first
they were simply Boxers armed with spears, but later
the Chinese regulars, and perhaps the best fighting men
to be found in the Empire, joined them. It was unfore-
seen that thèse soldiers would join in the attack, andthis
alone miade the whole enterprise impracticable.

The gallantry and steadiness with which it was con-
ducted by this mixed contingent are worthy of ail praise.
Admirai Seymour in his officiai report especially com-
mends the conduct and services of Capt. Von Usedom
of the Impérial German Navy, whom he had nominated
as his successor in case of accident, and also Capt. Mc-
Calla, each of whom were wounded.

The dramatic incidents of this attempted relief expédi-
tion attracted universal attention, and whatever else the
enterprise may hâve accomplished it disposed once for
ail of the favourite proposition so often advanced that it
would be possible for a small but well organized and

■:> 'il

■^â

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■■}■)>

444

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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thoroitghly equipped foreign force to march through
China from end to end without effective opposition.

An important resuit of this failure to force a way to
Peking was the profound conviction on the part of many
military authorities that the Capital could not now be
reached without an enormous army prepared for ail con-
tingencies, and able to hold open communications with
their base against any possible force which the Chinese
could bring. Extrême confidence in foreign ability to
deal with Chinese opposition, thus gave way to a much
juster estimate of the difficulties to be faced when the
Chinese were thoroughly aroused and poured forth in
practically illimitable numbers.

The story of the Siège of Tientsin deserves far more
space than can be devoted to it in thèse pages, for taken
altogether it is perhaps not less remarkable than the
Siège in Peking.

It should be remembered that the Foreign Settlements,
French, British, and German, lie along the Peiho, be-
ginning a mile or so below the native city and extending
for another two miles or more, with an average breadth of
perhaps half a mile. An earth rampart fully ten miles in
length surrounds the settlements, the native city, and the
suburbs. The vicinity of the city itself and that of ail.
the settlements, was crowded with Chinese villages, each
of which became a natural and a convenient nest for
Boxers and for Impérial Soldiers in their attack.

The rampart which, could it hâve been held, would
hâve made an excellent defence, was partly within and
partly without the lines, and the handful of foreign
soldiers, aggregating about 2,400 when reënforced by the
Volunteers, was totally inadéquate to guard so long a line,
attacked by perhaps five thousand Chinese troops, with
an indefinite number of coôperating Boxers.

'^ I

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 445

■5'

Instead of making a strenuous attack in two places
at once, the Chinese contented themselves with a galling
rifle fire from across the river, and indeed from every
direction. The bombardment by shells began on Sunday,
June I7th — the day of the fighting at the Taku Forts —
by a plan evidently preconcerted, and continued with
occasional intermittence until the city was captured a
month later.

The miscellaneous foreign community retreated to the
l^.Iunicipal Hall, a lofty structure in the Norman style,
well adapted to serve both as a fort and a hospital.

The larger part of the non-combatants gathered there
under siège conditions, but a considérable number of the
missionaries were invited by Mr. Edmund Cousins, the
hospitable agent of Jardine, Matheson & Co., to his com-
pound, where also the native Christians to the number
of over 500 found accommodation in the expansive go-
downs. As in Peking, so hère at the beginning of the
siège, the Christians were regarded as a menace and a
nuisance, and as in Peking so in Tientsin, it was not
long before it was perceived that without their help the
necessary labour simply could not hâve been performed as
practically ail other Chinese quit their work and fled.

The whole settlement was barricaded with baies of
goods from the godowns, a task which, owing to the long
distances and the number of cross-streets, involved a
great amount of exhausting labour. The men among the
Christians carried water, ammunition, and provisions,
and dug the numerous graves, the women did the hospital
washing, picked over the camel's-wool for pillows, and
performed much other useful service, winning in the end
unstinted praise.

The arrivai of the relief force at Tientsin did not
prove the immédiate deliverance of the Foreign Settle-

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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ments from perpétuai attack, as had been expected. The
enemy was numerous and gradually became aggressive.
After a fierce and bloody contest, the Eastern Arsenal
was taken on June 27th, a slightly inaccurate report of
which by Yû Lu, the Governor, found its way into the
" Peking Gazette," and enlightened the darkness of the
besieged in the Légations. The military relations were,
it is true, sufficiently harmonious, but that did not lead
to the vigorous action which any one or two of the de-
tachments would hâve been likely to take by themselves.

A Fort situated at the junction of the Peiho and the
Grand Canal was the key of the position, for it com-
manded the native city, the suburbs, the settlements, and
the line of advance to Peking by rail or river. The dif-
ficulties of the Allies were enormously increased by the
inexplicable lack of suitable artillery, theirs being far in-
ferior to that of the Chinese. Many of the Chinese guns
were difficult to locate, and practically inaccessible, but
their range was excellent, and their attacks most annoy-
ing. On a single day six shells were thrown into the
Tempérance Hall, occupied as the head-quarters of Gen.
Dorward and his staff. One shell went through the
dinner-table while the officers were at tiffin, foUowed im-
mediately by another equally well aimed.

It was unsafe to appear anywhere upon the streets on
account of random shots, the steady rifle fire, and the con-
stant shooting from loopholes in Chinese houses in the
French settlement and elsewhere, at every foreigner who
showed himself. The settlements v/ere full of spies,
many of them posted in foreign houses deserted by their
owners, whence they kept up a perpétuai fusillade. Some
of them even acted as signalmen for the Chinese gunners
at a distance, indicating at what places to direct their fire,
and it proved practically impossible to detect and dislodge

BLACK FORT AT TIENTSIN, OUTSIDE VIEW

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BLACK FORT AT TIENTSIN, INSIDE VIEW

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FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 447

them ail, but as many as were caught were immediately
executed.

The center of the fighting and the key of the position
on the east side of the river was the railway station, the
holding of which was recognized both by the Chinese and
the Allies as vital. The courage and persistence of the
Russians at this point more than once saved the day.
They guarded the pontoon bridge, and bore the brunt of
the heavy fighting in the exposed positions between the
river and the captured Arsenal. On one occasion en-
gines were urgently needed down the line. There were
locomotives at the station, but the problem was how to
get them out under the heavy shell fire. Russian in-
fantry made a wide feint attack to attract the enemy's
attention on the left, while two engines on which steam
had been got up, and three trucks were to make a dash
over a mile of exposed embankment.

Hardly had the first puff of white smoke appeared from
the funnel, when the Chinese saw what was going on
and at once turned their guns upon the train. Four
shells whizzed over it and then two fell just short;
speed was gathered and the gunners did not again get
so near, but the gauntlet had to be run for a mile or so,
and it was made warm for them ail the way. It was a
daring deed dashingly donc, and the most exciting inci-
dent of the day.

On the 5th of July transportation was provided and
the ladies and children who were still left in Tientsin
were sent to Tangku, on the way to some safer place than
a settlement which was daily being shelled. A previous
party had escaped just in time to witness the attack on
the forts, and to be within range of the fire, — to their
imminent péril, from which they ail happily escaped.

For a summary of the following events, as for some

448

CHINA IN CONVULSION

which hâve been previously mentioned, we are indebted
to the graphie and trustworthy narrative of the Corre-
spondent of the " London Times," who called attention to
the surprising and unique fact that 10,000 European
troops were being held in check by about 15,000 Chinese
braves, the former paralyzed by the lack o£ long-range
guns ; thus repeating the lesson whicli England had paid
so dearly to learn in South Africa — the importance of
heavy artillery.

The inactivity of the Allied forces encouraged the
Chinese to renewed efforts. Not content with vigorously
shelling the settlements, they were busily engaged in
pushing out their Hnes in a south-westerly direction, until
eventually their flank rested on the ruined building at
the race-course, their left remaining as before on the
mud wall where the Lu T'ai canal flows through it.
Their lines thus stretched from north-east to south-west
over a distance of about six miles, in a rough crescent or
semi-circular shape, having the settlements for a centre.
A British battery of naval guns on the mud wall at the
extrême west of the northern line of defence was in a
precarious position, being under a harassing fire from
front and rear, besides being enfiladed. The settlements,
now become one huge camp, were subjected to a severe
cross-fire, in addition to being bombarded from the fort
near the city and from the batteries on the north bank
of the Lu T'ai canal. The practice made by the Chinese
gunners showed signs of considérable improvement, so
that an increasing amount of damage was done and the
casualties in barracks grew fréquent. Inactivity was no
longer possible; something had to be done.

The most pressing need was for the clearance of the
rear and flank of the battery of British guns on the mud
wall, and this was accomplished on the çth by a com-

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 449

bined wide flanking movement to the south-west, working
around eventually to the north-east until the West Arsenal
was captured and cleared. This was accomplished by
the Japanese blue-jackets and the American marines, who
entered together, the Japanese flag flying over it soon
after. The whole movement was well planned and well
executed by the British, Japanese and Americans in com-
bination, the naval battery was relieved in flank and rear,
and the settlements were subjected to no further cross
shell-fire.

The next day passed quietly, the Chinese even refrain-
ing from attacking the outposts at the railway station,
which had not before happened since the siège opened.
They began again on the iith, and were only repulsed
after three hours' sharp fighting, in which the French
and Japanese lost heavily, and the British and Russians
slightly. The Boxers had bayonets, and as they got into
a string of railway trucks lying outside of the foreign
lines, the soldiers had to turn them out at the point of
the bayonet. The difficulties in getting therAllied artil-
lery into position were great, owing to the lack of ma-
terial, tools and machinery. Thèse were at length over-
come, and on the I3th it was arranged that a combined
movement of the Russians, assisted by the Germans,
should be made on the batteries of the Chinese at the Lu
T'ai canal, with a force of perhaps 3,500. Another body
of about 4,500, consisting of Japanese, British, Ameri-
cans, French and Austrians, was to advance under cover
of the western battery of British naval guns and attempt
the capture of the city of Tientsin.

The forces of the Japanese and British, under General
Fukushima and General Dorward, started at 3 A. m.,
making a wide flanking movement similar to the one on
the 9th.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

At daylight the Britisli batteries attacked the Chinese
position. The Allied troops converged on the West
Arsenal about à mile from the south gâte.

During the morning there was a terrifie explosion
caused by the blowing up of a vast quantity of browij
prismatic powder stored in a magazine connected with
the East Arsenal and situated near the Lu T'ai canal.
A colossal cloud of smoke stood up white and still against
the clear blue sky — a " wonderful and beautiful sight."
In the settlements nearly every one got the impression
that his house had been struck by a shell, and many,
running out to see what damage had been done, found
this marvel in the sky.

The plan was to advance against the south gâte, which
the Japanese were to blow up and so efïect an entrance;
on their right were the French, and later, through an
error, the Americans under Col. Liscum; on the left
were the British.

The day was hot, and so was the fire from the British
battery as well as from the Chinese guns and the innu-
merable rifles on the wall. The plain is dotted with
tumuli each representing a Chinese grave, but they af-
forded very little shelter for so many soldiers at so short
a distance from the enemy. Col. Liscum fell pierced by
a bullet, and the loss of the Americans, as well as of the
other detachments, was very great, perhaps amounting
to ten per cent, of the forces engaged, and including a
great number of officers. If the Chinese infantry and
cavalry which during the whole morning had been seen
drawn up on the plain to the westward had taken an
active part in the opérations, matters would hâve been
still more serions. As it was, the failure of ammunition
and the difficulty of making effective headway made the
situation bad enough.

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 451

Hour after hour passed, but the blowing up of the
south gâte did not take place. At length Gen. Fukishima
sent word to Gen. Dorward that he should himself oc-
cupy his présent position throughout the night, to which
Gen. Dorward agreed. Meantime no report had corne
from the Russians whose opérations on the north were a
principal part of the work of the day. It later appeared
that they had been very successful. After heavy fi'ghting
they had captured the batteries on the north bank of the
Lu T'ai canal, and pushing on to destroy two Chinese
camps, left a force to attack in the dawn, the main body
returning to camp with the loss of about 150 men.

At three o'clock on the morning of the I4th, the Japà-
nese crossed the city moat, blew up the entrance to the bas-
tion of the south gâte, scaled the walls, and opening the
gâte itself from the inside, admitted the rest of the force.
The Japanese, French, British and Americans poured into
the city, the Chinese dispersing like clouds before a
strong wind. The Chinese position, had it been properly
defended, was one of irrésistible strength, but Chinese
troops are incapable of resisting a resolute attack of
Western or Japanese soldiers and had virtually aban-
doned their defence before there was any external évi-
dence of that fact.

The city was no sooner captured than a Tientsin Pro-
visional Government was organized by the Military Com-
manders, and installed in the yamen of the Governor
General, who had fled, and who seems to hâve killed
himself and his whole family at Yang Ts'un.

From the occupation of the city onward for a period
of nearly three weeks, the whole world, especially the
tiny segment of it imprisoned in the Peking Légations,
was anxiously waiting to know what was next to be done
toward their relief. The correspondence in regard to

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452

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the matter woiild fill volumes, and there is more between
the lines than in them.

Considering the proximity of Japan and the complete-
ness of her mihtary préparations, it appeared to many
that, in the dire emergciicy, tliat Power would surely be
intrusted with the task of rescuing the besieged of ail
nations, lest by undne delay they should ail be niassacred
together. Japan was ready to do the work, provided she
were asked to do so by ail the other Powers. The '' other
Powers " had their own ideas, some of which were ex-
pressed and some of wliich were repressed. In case
Japan were to exécute tliis commission, what was to pre-
vent her from retaining the territory which would be
once more hers by right of conquest ? Every one had
vivid memories of the events following the war between
China and Japan, w^hen the latter Empire was defrauded
of the fruits of her victorv bv " diplomacv," in other
words by superior force.

The resuit was what every one, even the besieged
themselves, anticipatcd, and diplomatically next to noth-
ing was donc beyond cxchanging notes and ascertaining
by slow processes of conférence, proposition and explana-
tion, iterated and rciterated, what the Powers respectivcly
were not prepared to do. Troops meantime were pour-
ing into northern China from the uttcrmost parts of the
earth, with more and cvcr more to follow.

There was not wanting évidence that delav might be
fatal to the succcss of the relief of the Légations, but
the inévitable difficulties attendant upon the movement of
large bodies of troops in a foreign land under unpropi-
tious conditions, es-[)ccially wlicn as how' flying several
différent flags, made it nnlikely that anything would be
donc before September. The effcct of the repuise of
Admirai Seymour, as already remarked, was to inspire

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FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 453

extrême distrust of any but the most thorough prépara-
tion, especially as it was thought that the Chinese might
be able to mass perhaps fifty thousand troops to oppose
the AlHed advance. The Americans and the British
were alike impatient for a forward movement, but noth-
ing seemed decided upon.

It became known at a later day that the influence of
Jung Lu had been exerted in Peking to minimize the
unavoidable attacks upon the Légations, and that, while
he could not repress he could in some degree neutrahze
the vicions energy of Tung Fu Hsiang; and in this he
was to a considérable degree successfuL Jung Lu was
in communication with trusted Chinese at Taku and at
the Pei T'ang Forts, who perfectly comprehended the
situation. It was learned from messengers who left Pe-
king at the time when the capture of Tientsin was first
known there, that the party of Prince Tuan and Tung
Fu Hsiang was practically irrésistible, and that it would
not do to wait till September to start the army of relief.
This information was communicated to Mr. Detring, one
of the commissioners of the Impérial Customs, and by
him to the Allied Commanders.

On the 3rd of August a five hours' conférence of the
Allied Gênerais was held, at which it was decided to
start the next day, despite the fact that it was in the
midst of the rainy season when the difficulties of trans-
port are likely to be almost insuperable. As it was they
were truly colossal, and were greatly augmented by the
heterogeneous nature of the Allied forces, and the end-
less variety of their equipment. The latter was at ail
points insufficient, even that of the Japanese, who had
to provide for a division instead, as originally planned,
for a brigade. The road was blocked with carts of ail
sizes and kinds, from the light little wagon used by the

454

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Japanese to the heavy army wagons of the Americans,
drawn by four enormous mules and capable under any
ordinary circumstances of hauling immense loads. The
total number of troops was in the vicinity of 20,000, of
whom the Japanese had about 10,000, the Russians 4,000,
the British 3,000, the Americans 2,000, and the other
Powers each but a few hundred. Ail the larger con-
tingents were provided with artillery, the Japanese alone
having perhaps as many guns as ail the others combined.

On the afternoon of the 4th the British and American
troops moved out. toward Hsiku, where Admirai Sey-
mour's expédition had taken the Armory. The route
lay through the endless séries of villages which line the
Peiho on either side. Heavy rain had threatened, and
on the way it began to fall, making the roads slippery
and furnishing a foretaste of what might be expected
if the fall should be heavy and continuons.

Before the village was reached the rain had stopped.
Gen. Gaselee took up his headquarters with the British
troops to the left of the place, and the Americans to the
right. Orders were issued for an early start on the fol-
lowing day, and the force lay down on the wet ground
to snatch what sleep they might before the impending
fight. The British troops consisted of four companies
of the Welsh Fusiliers; the ist Bengal Lancers; the I2th
Field Battery and the Hongkong Artillery, with two
naval 12-pounders and four Maxims; the ist Sikhs, 250
of the 24th Punjab Infantry, and 400 of the Rajputs.
The Naval Brigade was to coôperate with the Rus-
sians and French, preparing the way for an attack on
the enemy's left.

The American force under Gen. Chaffee consisted of
450 marines, the I4th Régiment, 1,000 strong; the Qth
Infantry, 800 strong; two Hotchkiss guns, and the Fifth

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 455

'P[

Field Battery under Capt. Reilly. The Japanese division
was under Gen. Yamaguchi, Gen. Fukushima being Chief
of Staff, with three field batteries, and six mountain
batteries. The Russians had two infantry régiments
with a nominal strength of 2,000, two field batteries
(eight guns each) and some squadrons of Cossacks. The
French, only a few hundred in number, were infantry
from Tongking, with two mountain batteries firing
melinite.

The enemy were intrenched in a position running
roughly north-east and south-west across the river and
the railway, their right resting on an embankment, their
left five miles away on the other side of the river, near
the fifth railway bridge, beyond which the country was
inundated. The main strength of their position was in
the centre where it crossed the river. Hère was a skil-
fully concealed séries of rifle pits and trenches from
which it would hâve been exceedingly difficult to dislodge
a courageous enemy. On the left bank of the river their
position was protected along its whole length by a canal.

The combined forces of the Japanese, British, and
Americans were to operate against the enemy 's position
on the right bank of the river, the Japanese leading the
âttack, the British supporting, and the Americans in re-
serve, while the Russians and French, assisted by the
guns of the Naval Brigade, were to operate on the left
bank.

About 3 A. M., the Japanese moved forward and cap-
tured a battery which would hâve enfiladed a front at-
tack on the enemy's centre. There was an artillery duel
for a time, when the Japanese under a galling fire made
a charge for which the Chinese did not wait, although
they inflicted severe losses on the Japanese before taking
flight. The whole army advanced, the Americans on the

456

CHINA IN CONVULSION

left, the British in the center, and the Japanese on the
right. Hère and there the Chinese made some slight
résistance at long range, and it was expected that they
would make a stand near Pei Ts'ang where they were
supposed to hold strong positions, but while they had the
positions they had not the disposition to stick to them.
The fight was practically over when the first trenches
were rushed. Before 9 a. m., the Japanese occupied Nan
Ts'ang, after which ail firing ceased.

The Japanese had borne the brunt of the fight, and
their losses were ail out of proportion to those of the
other forces engaged, being estimated at about 60 killed
and 240 wounded. The British lost four killed and 21
wounded, while the Americans lost none. The Russians
on the left bank had six wounded. The Chinese loss in
men was not large, owing to their being protected by a
mud wall, but they lost " face " and lost heart, a far more
important matter than the actual number killed.

The whole army spent the night at Pei Ts'ang. On
the morning of the 6th there was another encounter with
the enemy at the ruins of the railway station of Yang
Ts'un which lasted for about four hours, the Chinese
being driven back on the town of Yang Ts'un, the Rus-
sians shelling them, and the Bengal Lancers clearing
them out of the villages. The effect of the previous
day's action was throughout apparent, the enemy fight-
ing in a very half-hearted manner. The heaviest losses
were sustained by the Americans, 65 killed and wounded
in the I4th Régiment, and nine in the çth. The British
losses were under 50, the Russians had severi killed and
20 wounded.

The troops were exhausted after their two days of
marching and fighting in excessive beat, and it was de-

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 457

cided to remain at Yang Ts'un during the whole of the
following day, to rest the force and to wait for supplies.

The advance was resumed on the 8th, the whole force to
march thereafter on the right bank ; the Japanese in front,
the Russians next, the Americans following, the British
bringing up the rear, while the French were to remain
at Yang Ts'un. The Japanese were quick marchers and
the Russians slow, slouching along with fréquent halts at
a pace hardly exceeding a mile an hour, which greatly
embarrassed the Americans in their rear, who were often
compelled to hait on the sandy plains in the hot sun,
while the Russians were resting in the umbrageous vil-
lages in front. This fact was of importance as accounting
for the large number of casualties which they suffered
from the beat, the Americans and the British being
obliged to do the heaviest marching in the hottest hours
of the day.

The superior organization and equipment of the Japan-
ese were everywhere conspicuous, and their position in
the front of the column gave the enemy no time to rally,
so that their retreat was in reality a long and rapid flight
before the agile men from the Land of the Rising Sun,
who gave them no respite and no pause. Gen. Fu-
kushima, the moving spirit of the pursuit, was asked if
his troops were not very tired, and replied : ** Yes, but
so are the enemy."

His plan was to keep them on the run at ail costs,
and it was carried through perfectly and with great suc-
cess. His cavalry and mounted infantry were usually
pushed ahead about three miles in advance of the main
body of infantry. Whenever they got into touch with
the enemy they dropped back upon the infajatry, which
was then extended and sent forward to go thoroughly

45»

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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through ail the villages to the right and left of the line
of march. While the infantry rested after this, the cav-
alry pushed on again, and the process, to the consterna-
tion of the pursued, was repeated.

On the morning of the Qth the Japanese shelled the
Chinese out of Ho Hsi Wu, who after some skirmishing
fled, leaving the place to the Japanese. The same day
the Bengal Lancers and the Japanese Mounted Infantry
came on a body of 200 Chinese cavalry, scattering them,
killing about fifty, and capturing four banners of Gen.
Sung and Gen. Ma.

On the loth the main body was at Ma T'ou, and
though the march was not a long one the road was lined
with stragglers. The place where the Chinese had break-
fasted in the morning was strewed with melon rinds.
They had no commissariat and lived on what they could
pick up, such as melons and Indian corn.

The next day the weather was a little cooler, and to
the great relief of the troops, rain fell. The army brought
up at Chang Chia Wan, and the Japanese shelled the
enemy out of a position south of T'ung Chou, from
which they retired into that city.

Early on the morning of the I2th (Sunday) the
Japanese advanced to assault the east south gâte, and
found the city evacuated by the Chinese troops and no
résistance offered to an entrance, though the city wall is
strong and high and could easily hâve been defended.
By way of saluting their own gênerai the Japanese blew
in the outer gâte of the enceinte, and the city was quietly
occupied. Gen. Yamaguchi issued a proclamation assur-
ing safety and protection to non-combatants, and promis-
ing to respect the rights of the people in their homes.
The Japanese took the southern half of the city, and the
French, who had now reappeared, the northern part.

i-.f:-

FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 459

The Allies spent the night of the I2th at T'ung Chou,
and on the next day began the last march to Peking, now
only twelve miles distant. The Japanese advanced along
the stone road leading to the Ch'i Hua gâte, the Rus-
sians south of them, but to the north of the canal, on
the road to the Tung Pien gâte of the southern city.
South of the canal, on the road to the same gâte, marched
the Americans, and still farther south, the British.

It had been arranged that at a distance of three miles
from Peking, the four columns were to hait, and that
another conférence should be held to décide on a plan of
attack. But the Russians, instead of halting, marched
close up to the city walls, and meeting no opposition
thought it possible to efifect an entrance. But they had
not reached the gâte before a hot rifle fire from the corner
of the northern city wall met them, and their loss was
heavy, including the Chief of Staff, Gen. Vasilewski.
They became tangled up inside the Tung Pien gâte,
which had been forced open, and for many hours made
no progress.

The Japanese advanced to the vicinity of Ch'i Hua gâte
early on the morning of the i4th, working under cover
of houses toward the vicinity of the gâte, which they
hoped to blow up. But the rifle fire from the wall was
so sharp that the Japanese suffered severely, and it was
decided to bombard the wall. The bombardment began
about 10 A. M., and continued for some hours without
much visible impression being made. Only the heaviest
artillery would hâve breached the wall of the gâte, and
the number of sharp-shooters made impracticable any ap-
proach to blow it up. More than a thousand shells were
wasted, as well as the whole day, and nothing had been
gained. It was decided to wait until night to blow up the
gâte. It was then successfully accomplished, the lofty

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460

CHINA IN CONVULSION

tower being set on fire, and the Chinese troops driven
from the wall with great slaughter. AU honour to the
brave troops of every nation, and most of ail to the
sturdy Japanese !

The American troops had corne early in the fore-
noon to the corner of the southern city wall, near the
Tung Pien gâte, where some of the men scaled the wall.
The main body came in at the Tung Pien gâte, as the
Russians had done before them, and found themselves
within the southern city exposed to a heavy fire from its
northern wall. Their detachment entered the southern
city at about the same time as the British, but they missed
their way, and it was many hours before they reached
the water-gate, entering the British Légation some time
after the British, a part of each of thèse forces forcing
open the Ch'ien Mên, or main gâte of the wall between
the cities.

The British were fortunate in finding the Sha Kuo
gâte, on the east face of the southern city, almost en-
tirely undefended, though a party of Chinese cavalry had
first to be shelled out of a village in front of it. A small
guard was left to hold the gâte, the 24th Punjab In-
fantry was sent to occupy the Temple of Heaven, and
the remainder of the force advanced along the main east
and west street of the city, more than half the way to its
centre, when they turned north in the direction of the
water-gate, in accordance with the advice previously
quoted in a letter from Sir Claude MacDonald to the
Commander of the Allied Forces. When the British
advance emerged from the houses to the south of the
canal, at some distance from the water-gate, there were
still Chinese riflemen posted at the Ha Ta gâte to the
east, who opened an ill-directed and inefïectual fire. The

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FROM TAKU TO RELIEF OF PEKING 461

first officer to enter through the gâte was Major Scott, of
the ist Sikhs, accompanied by four of his men, with
Capt. Pell, and Lieut. Keyes, Aides to Gen. Gaselee, who
with his staff was close behind.

From the water-gate by way of the Russian Légation
(the only safe route) to the British Légation, was but
a few minutes' walk, where the deliverers were welcomed
with an outburst of joy, which to those who experienced
it can never be other than a vivid recollection while life
itself lasts.

The Siège in Peking was raised! Once more the
Occidental had met the Oriental in a face to face
death struggle, and by means of intrepid resourceful-
ness, indomitable persévérance in the face of obstacles,
suprême courage confronting deadly dangers, and the
Superintending Providence of God, had been victorious.
It was the dawning Twentieth Century victorious against
the Middle Ages, a potentially glorious Future vanquish-
ing an inert and lifeless Past. In it was the seed of a
New China, and Hope for the Far East.

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XXV

THE FORTIFICATIONS

TECHNICALLY speaking, the Siège in Peking
was over, although much still remained to be
donc to render the relief effective. Before add-
ing anything on that head it may be well at this point to
mention in somewhat fuller détail, a topic to which no
justice bas y et been done, but which can not be omitted
altogether — siège house-keeping.

Under the abnormal conditions of the siège, the exi-
gencies of domestic life (if such a thing could be said
to exist) deserve to be depicted by a woman's pen.
Every building on the grounds was crowded, sometimes
almost to the point of suffocation. The mess of Lady
MacDonald was generally about thirty-five in number,
and the whole establishment was literally turned inside
out for the benefit of the besieged ; Sir Claude's office and
library became a hospital, the smoking-room was occu-
pied by gentlemen by night, and the ball-room by ladies,
while for weary officers there was, during the day, an
overflow into the sleeping apartments of the ladies of the
house. It would hâve been difficult to suggest anything
for the comfort of the sick, or for the welfare of the
besieged, which was not promoted by the administrators
of this hospitable establishment.

The quarters of the légation doctor, ordinarily occu-
pied in the summer by one European, or at most two,
suddenly became the abode of eight and twenty men,

462

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THE FORTIFICATIONS

463

women and children, distributed into four différent
messes. Their servants' quarters absolutely swarmed
with Chinese, and the minute back yard was always over-
flowing with eager candidates for participation in the
next kettle of rice, always just about ready for distribu-
tion.

The Customs mess (in the Escort quarters) was of
variable size, the number ranging between thirty and
forty, and as the dining-room was small it was neces-
sary to serve the meals to five différent detachments,
when ail were on hand. But a large part — perhaps one-
half — were members of the Customs volunteers, assigned
to duty in various parts of the defences, oftenest in the
Su Wang Fu, for a period of twenty-four hours at a
time. Food had then to be sent over to them three times
a day. This greatly augmented the care of so large a
family, yet two capable English ladies ably and success-
fuUy managed it ail.

The number of American missionaries who came in
from the Methodist compoimd was about seventy. They
were assigned to the occupancy of the church, a rectan-
gular structure situated near the médian line of the com-
pound, measuring forty-three feet in length by twenty-
five in width. On each side of the entry was a small
closet, and one of thèse was provided with a winding stair-
case to the loft. The rear of the audience room was
occupied by a platform, surrounded by an altar-rail and
furnished with a lectern. Passages on each side led to
the small robing-room in the rear. Most of the available
space in the main room was absorbed by more than a
dozen large wooden seats, each with a book support in
front.

Trunks of ail sizes were piled at the entrance, and out-
side under the projecting eaves. The mattresses were

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464

CHINA IN CONVULSION

spread for the night wherever there was room, the dispo-
sition for sleeping much resembling the ground plan of
a box of sardines. Some of the gentlemen found tempo-
rary and precarious lodgment on the edges of one of the
pavilions, and later, as already mentioned, in the smoking-
room of the Minister's house. The two closets on each
side of the entrance were soon cleared ont and turned
into wash-rooms, every superfluous article being relegated
to the loft.

At a later stage this attic was itself transformed from
a lumber room into a dormitory. A high platform in the
middle (representing the arch in the ceiling of the
church) and the surrounding spaces in front, in the
rear, and on either side, were found choked with the
accumulation of the entire Légation for décades. Among
the mass may be mentioned the balls and pins of the
bowling-alley, huge packing-cases, iron bed-steads with-
out their ropés, scores of windows used for winter fittings
to the dwelling-houses, punkah fans, shelves, trunks,
boxes, relies of the Queen's Jubilee in the shape of trans-
parencies, lantems by the hundred, théâtre scenery, rush-
mats, reed-screens, cubic yards of copies of the some-
what useless treaty between Great Britain and China,
and piles of légation archives and accounts, running
back to the ancient days of the East India Company, —
ail profusely decorated with hoary cob-webs accumulated
under successive ministries.

Under the energetic superintendence of a few gentle-
men and ladies, much of this material was removed else-
where, leaving space for narrow bed-rooms in which
nearly twenty persons found much better accommodation
than had been before available. The loft was built to
conform to the gênerai Chinese architecture of the Léga-
tion, having windows upon the east side only, making a

'■Y

THE FORTIFICATIONS

465

circulation of air an impossibility — a circumstance little
adapted to promote comfort in the beats of July. Yet
despite a due allowance of sand-flies, fleas, and mosqui-
toes, it was discovered that the inconveniences almost
amounted to luxuries, and by mutual exchange of quar-
ters the sick and the weary could always find some haven
of comparative rest and quiet.

The small room in the rear of the church, already men-
tioned, was made to do duty as the only store-room for
such provisions as had been gathered, or at any later
period turned up. At first even a part of this was used
as a ladies' bath-room, which was replaced later by the
little lamp-room at the front entrante. Sergeant Herring
obligingly gave the mess his own kitchen — a tiny one at
the back of his quarters, with a small Chinese range — ■
and had his own meals prepared on a Chinese stove on
the door-step, or wherever he might be.

In the effort to get ail the needed articles cooked at
once on this minute range, the cooks were forced to
exert themselves to the utmost, every hour of the day.
A small kérosène stove and a little spirit lamp were in
constant use as accessories, but as there was no oven it
was only possible to bake biscuit in a kérosène tin. To
get quantities of food cooked at one time under such
conditions, without perpetually having some of it
scorched, would appear out of the question — yet it was
accomplished.

One of the greatest and most serions perplexities, suffi-
cient to drive an Occidental cook to complète distraction,
was the incessant demand upon the kitchen for hot water.
It was wanted for cooking the regular meals, it was
called for by the occupants of the house to which the
kitchen belonged, by the marines, by the mothers of sick
babies, and by the Chinese ad libitum. Fortunately two

iS|

466

CHINA IN CONVULSION

large braziers were brought, which materially relieved
the pressure on the kitchen, so that tea, cofïee, and a
certain amount of hot water could be provided near to
the church — the kitchen being distant from it half the
width of the Légation compound. It is to be borne in
mind that while many were able to drink the water from
the principal wells without even filtering, perhaps half
of the Company were less fortunate, and had to be sup-
plied with that which had been thoroughly boiled,

The indispensable utensils for cooking on a large scale
were happily provided from the stock distributed by the
owners of the foreign stores. Yet the provision was far
from complète. There was a great lack of large dishes,
and it was sometimes necessary to soak beans, or to make
biscuit, in a wash-bowl. The dishes must often be
washed in cold water, when there was no other. For it
must be remembered that the first contingent of about
thirty-two persons were summoned to breakfast at 6.30,
and must finish their meal and make way for the second
section, who at no long interval gave way to the third.
(Later the three divisions were condensed into two.)

Sideboards for this large company there were none,
except the altar, and ail the surfaces — seats, book-rests,
window-sills — were uniformly aslant, affording no sup-
port for crockery, which had to be continually passed out
through the window to be rewashed, a task of some
difficulty during the fréquent heavy rains. A similar
embarrassment was felt on rainy days" in drying the dish-
cloths, the supply of which never seemed to run short,
being mysteriously recruited from odds and ends which
tumed j;.p^''(table-cloths and napkins being practically
and happily unknown).

Ail this unceasing round of work was carried on by
three différent sets of cooks and servants, each of which

THE FORTIFICATIONS

467

had always to hasten its work so as to be out of tlie way
of the next relay; yet there was never a quarrel, and no
friction worthy of the name.

During the height of the rainy season, the only place
in which to put away food was a small wire-screen safe,
about a foot and a half square — there was no ice-box
and no ice. A few rods distant was the slaughter place
for ponies, haunted by millions of Aies, and the only way
to keep méat from their attack was to hâve it always
covered with a cloth — a very temporary device in the hot
damp days of July.

There was a standing committee of three ladies who
planned the menu for the three daily meals, and two
others — changed each day — attended to setting the tables
and saw that each meal was ready on time. The in-
genuity of this committee in so planning an extremely
limited diet as to make the most of it, was positively
marvellous, — a housewifery that frequently served up the
flesh of tough mules so that no one would hâve suspected
its origin, and that made tasty puddings without milk,
butter, or eggs.

The lady in charge of the hospital kitchen also showed
great skill in making palatable dishes for the wounded,
and if at any time there happened to be a little left which
would hâve spoiled before the next moming, she was
invariably able to make such arrangements as to forefend
that catastrophe. Little committees of the foreign Chris-
tian Endeavor children busied themselves in carrying
around whatever might be left on hand, distributing to
those in need, and to the sick Chinese, who were always
so hungry after their perpétuai diet of porridge that ail
scraps from a foreign table were welcomed with joy.

Much of the time there were sick ones among the mess
who could not eat the coarse brown bread and the old

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yellow rice, and for such, whatever the stress of other
work, appetizing dishes were always ready. There were
also wan little babies, for whom their mothers had to cook
in a passage-way so narrow that if one stooped down no
one else could pass, and for many, many nights thèse
tired mothers were kept awake by the moaning of their
own infants, or perhaps by the cries of some of the others,
for whom no other place was open and for whose ills
there was no respite and no help. In the recapitulation,
ail thèse disadvantages and inconveniences appear most
formidable, but at the time tliey were submitted to with
a patience and a courage which never once failed, and
which was not a little promoted by a daily half-hour serv-
ice of prayer and praise in which many passages from
the Psalms, the prophecies, and the epistles, were made
to become luminous with a new light, glowing like a
diamond in the dark.

Although this is in no sensé a military history of the
Siège in Peking, yet a few words in regard to the fortifi-
cations of the British Légation must not be omitted.
Thèse it may be remembered were early in the siège
put in charge of the Rev. F. D. Gamewell, whose édu-
cation as an engineer proved a unique qualification for a
unique work. At the request of Sir Claude MacDonald
he also undertook in a few instances work outside of the
area of the Légation and its precincts; but this was
exceptional.

The barricade on the west side of the Légation Street
bridge was made eight feet thick, with five feet of earth
intended to stop cannon balls, for which it is probable it
would hâve sufficed. One of the military engineers con-
sidered that such an elaborate defence, each of the double
walls being of the thickness named, was quite unneces-
sary, but after the German losses had become very heavy

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THE FORTIFICATIONS

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he wished it continued. There was a similar expérience
of change in military opinion as to the value of thorough-
going fortifications, in the Mongol Market, where the
buUets penetrated fifteen and eighteen inches of rubble —
or common Chinese wall.

The Russian Légation was practically not fortified at
ail, for what reason it is difficult to comprehend, although
there were barricades in some parts of the premises.

At the south end of the Mongol Market lane, the barri-
cade built was five feet thick, and solid. The north and
south walls were reënforced so as to be always eighteen
inches thick, and in no case was dependence placed on a
single line of bricks, where there are sure to be many
cracks, and where there is always a chance of pénétration
by a stray bullet. This reënforcement continued up to a
point opposite the house of the First Secretary. Beyond
that the outer line began with a thickness of two feet.
The importance of this was illustrated by the fact that
on the very day on which Mongol Market defences
were finished at 11 A. m.^ by 4 p. m. the Chinese had
every house opposite loopholed, and twelve loopholes in
a single building.

The ordinary penetrating effect of the Mauser bullets
on Chinese bricks was from one-half to three-quarters
of an inch ; but in the case of the Mànnlichers used dur-
ing the closing days of the siège, the damage was much
greater, — the bullets leaving deep pits, and rapidly cutting
away any wall. On the last Monday moming of the
siège Mr. Gamewell was called up to build extra walls
to check this destructive and corrosive fire.

The courts next beyond the one last mentioned were
protected in the same way, under constant attack. Dur-
ing ail the building of fortifications, at which probably
an average of fifty men were employed every day except

1 I

470

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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Sunday, only one man was killed, and that was due to
his total disregard of repeated cautions not to expose
himself unnecessarily. The barricade immediately to the
west of the south stable-court was four feet in thickness,
aside from the outer yard wall, and was one of the
strongest in the whole line, as it was one of the most
exposed to attack. It was a marvel that the two-storied
house in the stable-court did not fall. Behind the stable-
yard gâte was a barricade three feet thick slanting to the
north-west, and next beyond that was a platform built
for the Italian gun, the wall being very solid, and eight
feet thick. The next wall was twenty inches thick, inde-
pendent of the original outer wall, and very strongly built.
Beyond this was a sort of fort, with five loopholes, very
securely put up, and after that a rubble wall four feet
in thickness, reënforced by still another substantial wall.

Further to the north stood " Fort von Strauch," which
was the situation of the " International " gun at the close
of the siège. The gunner, Mitchell, stood behind it when
he was wounded, and not to one side. Directly to the
west of this, and not more than fifty feet distant, was the
Chinese barricade. Still further beyond is a court which
is directly under the wall of the Carriage Park.

The death of the marine who was killed at the stable-
court early in the siège first called the attention of the
military men to the need of sand bags. Before that time
they said they had enough, but it was discovered later
that the director of the work of fortification was right
in his consistent déclaration that there would never be
enough of them until the relief column reached the Léga-
tion. After a time every officer was converted to the
value of sand bags, and made fréquent and libéral calls
for them.

Behind the Students' Library a deep trench was dug as

THE FORTIFICATIONS

471

a countermine, between ten and twelve feet deep, and only
ten inches from the wall of a two-storied building whose
foundations were only three or four feet below the ground.
Digging this trench was at great risk of undermining the
building, but the risk of being blown up was also a
serious one, and it was risk against risk. The trench
was not absolutely continuous, but the main sections were
connected by cavities which went from one to the other,
or as nearly so as the roots of a large tree would allow.
It was almost certain that this digging would hâve de-
tected any Chinese mine, as it was 12 feet deep, and at
that time of year the water line was thought to be about
13 feet. In the fîrst court of the Hanlin a countermine
was begun which extended some distance into the Car-
riage Park, but it was discontinued as superfluous, and
was a standing jest for a long time.

In the Hanlin grounds the line of defence was at first
weak. The second line, however, had a two foot brick
wall very strongly propped, and reënforced to stand ar-
tillery fire. Being short of bricks, the workmen used a
great number of the wooden plates of books, mostly
poetical works in the Hanlin Library. From this point
eastward to the north stable-court the whole line of
wall was likewise reënforced for withstanding artillery,
and there was a trench 12 feet deep just behind the de-
fence for the whole length.

In case this should bave been rushed by the Chinese,
the pavillon immediately to the rear had a loophole
three and a half feet in thickness to enfilade the enemy.
This pavillon, itself, by the way, was perforated with solid
shot from the batteries on the Impérial City wall, seven
shots striking within the space of ten feet. One of
them went through a heavy post, 16 inches in diameter,
and shattered one of the marble tablets let into the

47^

CHINA IN CONVULSION

wall. The book-cases of the Hanlin had been set up in
the yard, and covered with tar-paper simply as covering-
screens, so that the Chinese should not be able to detect
the movements of the defence. A smaller paviHon in
front was loopholed to prevent the approach of the enemy
unseen, and there was a second strong Une of defence
behind. The larger of the two paviHons (called the Ching
I T'ing) was named '' Fort Strouts." Another smaller
one to the north was loopholed in the same manner.

At the east end of the Hanlin the artillery defences
were carried up two-thirds of the way to the top, but
were never wholly completed. The most easteni of the
fortified positions was styled " Fort Oliphant." Immedi-
ately in front of this the defences were very strong, con-
sisting of an enormously thick wall, eight f eet through at
the base, and a trench 13 feet in depth. The steps up
to the elevated sentry-posts were made of the wooden
cases which when found contained the great Ming Dy-
nasty Encyclopsedia, " Yung Le Ta Tien ", but were now
packed solidly with earth. The strength of the Hanlin
position as finally fortified was great, and if the Chinese
had been able to screw up their courage to the point of
a desperate charge, the positions could hâve been cap-
tured only with the greatest difficulty, and with the sacri-
fice of a great number of lives, for which happily they
were at no time quite prepared.

The defences of the eastem side of the Légation (the
Hanlin being on the north) received perhaps more labor-
ious considération than those of any other quarter.
On the 29th of June — only nine days after the siège be-
gan — Col. Shiba informed Sir Claude that at the outside
he should not be able to hold the Su Wang Fu more than
two or three days longer. Sir Claude communicated to
Mr. Gamewell the information, with the comment, " You

■t.,

THE FORTIFICATIONS

473

should know this." The resuit was a most elaborate plan
of defence which was a surprise alike to Chinese and to
foreigners, who were perpetually asking " What is the
use of ail this work? " The use was to guard the Brit-
ish Légation at its weakest point, in case the Su Wang
Fu should be abandoned, and the Chinese should plant
artillery on the high mounds of the Flower Garden be-
longing to the Fu, which was separated from the Léga-
tion only by the width of the canal road. The Chinese
would hâve been able to mount guns within fifty yards
(or less) of the résidence of the British Minister, and it
was difïicult to see how any part of the Légation grounds
could hâve then been held for an hour.

The fortifications by way of defence against this
danger began at the end of the north stable-court, and
extended in an unbroken line to the Escort Quarters, a
little north of the main gâte of the Légation. The post
on the roof of the cow-house at the north end was a
very strong position, and a very exposed one, being much
nearer to the batteries on the wall of the Impérial City
than any other, as well as close to the enemy's positions
which attacked the northern end of the Fu. The wall of
the stables themselves on the canal front was about fifteen
inches thick, and with great labour this was reënforced
by a wall five feet thick, strongly braced both at top and
bottom throughout its whole length. At the upper end
of the stable-court there were countermines, lest the
Chinese should attempt to blow up the post. The»ittJinel
was run to the west about five feet, thence north twenty-
five feet, and then east the same distance, but no sign
or Sound of Chinese mines was found, and the very ex-
istence of the countermines was not generally known.
From the stables to the Escort quarters the same plan of
defence against possible cannonading was pursued

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474

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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throughout, — thick and high walls made of earth well
rammed down, and stoutly braced by the heaviest avail-
able timbers against the buildings opposite at every point.

The cannon balls and shells of the enemy received on
this side did much damage. One of the three brick col-
umns in the second story véranda of the Minister's house
was knocked down into the yard below, but extra posts
were put in under the supports of the roof, so that it
did not give way. On the last night of the siège one of
the smaller roofs of a room adjacent to a bed-room in the
Minister's house was crushed in by a shell, as already
mentioned, but the in jury throughout the siège from this
source was surprisingly small.

The disceming reader will perceive that, amid so many
mihtary men at a time of such peculiar strain, the task
of a civihan charged with one of the most important
duties of the defence, was one of pecuHar difficulty and
delicacy. The sensé of responsibiHty was at times al-
most overwhelming, and, aside from sometimes working
twenty hours a day, the necessity of having the most
discouraging mihtary secrets confidentially imparted was
enough to wear out the constitution of one in the most
robust health.

Perhaps in no other order throughout the entire siège
did Sir Claude MacDonald exhibit to%etter advantage
sterling good sensé, than in placing Mr. Gamewell in
a position absolutely free from military interférence of
any kind, with responsibiHty to the Commander in Chief
only. When this fact was thoroughly established, ail
occasion for friction disappeared, and the civil and the
military defence dove-tailed into one another in an ad-
mirable and most effective way. At the close of the
siège Mr. Gamewell received a cordial letter from Sir
Claude acknowledging the common obligations to him

':^-

THE SIX "FIGHTIXG PARSONS" AND
SERGEAXT MURPHY AT FORT COCKBURN

I.»

THE FORTIFICATIONS

475

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for his services, and Mr. Conger in a similar note justly
added that " to you more than to any other man we
owe, under God, our préservation." A few days after the
relief forces arrived, one of the British subjects who
had been through the siège took occasion to ask Gen.
Gaselee what he thought of " our infant fortifications ? "
Gen. Gaselee replied that he was greatly surprised at the
extent and the effectiveness of the defence conducted, and
especially with the amount of work done in the time at
the disposai of the besieged ; and that the fortifications
and everything connected with the defence were " beyond
ail praise."

In the officiai report of the events connected with the
siège of the Légations, Sir Claude MacDonald states that
an important effort to betray the Légations was only dis-
covered after they had been relieved. " Among some
documents seized by the German troops was found a letter
addressed to the General commanding at the Ha Ta
gâte on the subject of mines. The writer had been a
teacher at the British Légation in the employ of Her
Majesty's Government for four years, and was well known
to the student interpreters ; together with ail other teach-
ers he disappeared about the middle of June. The letter
was dated the beginning of July, and pointed out that
the General's methods of attacking the Légation were
faulty, and were bound to lead to considérable loss in the
future as they had done in the past. The proper method
of attack, the writer said, was by mining; to assist the
General in his attack he enclosed a correct plan of the
British Légation, with which he was well acquainted,
and marked on the plan the most suitable place for the
mine to be driven. Eager inquiries hâve been made, since
the siège was raised, for the writer of the letter, but as
yet he has not been found." The fact that with such de-

'vîi 'i

476

CHINA IN CONVULSION

tailed treachery as this freely offered to the Chinese, they
failed to drive a single mine under any part of the long
front of the British Légation, adds one more to the
already long list of surprises connected with the defence.

In view of the suprême importance of the subject it
may be worth while to dévote a litde space to a brief
summary of some of the foregoing aspects of the defence
of the Légations, by a compétent military authority, Lient.
Col. Scott-Moncrieff, of the Royal Engineers, who con-
tributed an article on the subject to the/' Royal Engineers
Journal " (April, 1901.) Only a few points can be se-
lected. The reader is indebted to him for the excellent
map of the defences which accompanies this volume.

'' The first thing which strikes one on looking at the
plan of the whole défensive position is the enormous
number of buildings crowded together on the ground.
Even in this respect the plan comes short of the truth,
for if the houses had ail been actually drawn it would
hâve added to the confused mass of buildings shown, in
such a way as to obscure essential points.

" Some of the Légation compounds and yards hâve
many trees standing in them. The trees were both a
help and a hindrance to the besieged. They obscured the
look-out, tended to spread conflagration when a fire broke
out, and falling branches were often a source of danger;
but they afforded some protection, and prevented the
enemy from seeing in. The massive and heavy roofs of
the Chinese buildings though giving considérable com-
mand were not much taken advantage of by the assailants.
The two-storied houses in the Légation, though heavily
bombarded, acted most efficiently as traverses, so that it
v/as quite possible to move about freely inside the de-
fended area. This was very much noticed by the relieving
force when they entered. The noise of the musketry and

THE FORTIFICATIONS

477

•,i>

machine guns was incessant, projectiles of ail sorts were
whistling overhead, yet on the lawn-tennis court of the
British Légation ladies were moving about so freely that
it was like a garden-party. The defences of the British
Légation were, by ail consent, the strongest and best of
any of the works in any part of the position. The engi-
neer who devised and superintended them was an Ameri-
can missionary, the Rev. F. D. Gamewell. He was one
of a considérable number of American missionaries who
were sheltered during the siège in the Chapel of the
British Légation, and whose skill in organization and
cheerful energy contributed largely to the comfort and
well-being of the garrison.

" There were no engineers, military or civil, among the
garrison of the British Légation. Mr. Gamewell made
it his business to be always working at and improving
the defences. Walls liable to artillery fire were strength-
ened and strutted. Walls supporting roofs, or in any way
doubtful, were propped and buttressed, traverses were
made in every possible passage, openings and communica-
tions were made freely throughout the défensive line,
barricades and flanking caponiers were made in every
place where it was possible they might be needed, deep
trenches were sunk across every part where the enemy
might be expected to mine, the upper stories of houses
were barricaded, loopholed and strengthened, and above
ail in every place ample head cover was given to the firing
line, so that only as much of the man as came opposite
the loophole was exposed.

" On the west of the British Légation in one of the
large sheds of the Impérial Carriage Park, the enemy be-
gan a mine, the failure of which is very instructive. They
started in the direction of a strong barricade and breast-
work inside of our works in the Hanlin. They were

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47»

CHINA IN CONVULSION

heard at work, and a countermine was started, which
however, did not go far. The enemy apparently heard
the countermine, and changed direction to their right,
heading for the Students' Quarters, a double-storied
building close to the boundary wall. They seem to hâve
lost their bearings, and kept edging ofï to the right, so
that they worked round in an almost complète semi-circle,
and ultimately were heading away from their objective.
This was afterward discovered, when, after the reUef
W3.S accomplished the mine was opened. It was found
that the atmosphère in the mine was so foui that it was
impossible to keep a light burning, and as the Chinese
were probably working in the dark, it is little wonder
that they missed their way. The difficulty of keeping the
true direction of a small mine gallery, even when one
has the aid of lantern and compass, is well known, and
in this case the enemy were probably unable to use any
such assistance. Some em.pty powder-boxes and powder-
hose were found in the mine, but no charge.

" The last and most furious assault on the Légations
was delivered on the I3th and I4th of August, when the
enemy knew it was their last chance. But the defences
were sound and the hearts of the defenders good, for
relief at last was near. The closeness of the attack may
be gauged by the fact that when Major Scott and his
Sikhs, who were the first to enter the Légation, relieved
the Marines of the Légation Guard at the Mongol Market
barricades, and were greeted with cheers, they at once
received a voUey of brickbats from the enemy a few
yards off!"

It was gratifying intelligence to ail who were interested
in the work of the siège and its results, to know that so
many who took an active part in it were promptly re-
warded by a due récognition of their services.

THE FORTIFICATIONS

479

The last six pages of the British White Book, (China
N. 4, 1900) are exclusively occupied with dispatches
from Sir Claude MacDonald to the Marquis of SaHsbury,
caUing attention to the singular services of a great number
of individuals, both miHtary and civil, including almost
every nationality. Among those selected for honourable
mention were Capt. Halliday, already mentioned, v^^ho
fought with conspicuous courage at close quarters ; Capt.
Poole, who was not absent from duty for a single day
or night during the whole 55 day s; and Capt. Strouts,
who was killed. The British Volunteers/'^among whose
number David Oliphant and Henry Warren were killed,
are highly commended.

Mr. Dering, Second Secretary of the British Légation
was in charge of important defences. He was always alert,
and had also the difficult task of deciding what ponies
or mules should be killed for food, each of the owners
naturally being désirons of reserving his own as long
as possible. Mr. Cockbum, Chinese Secretary, was both
a Volunteer, and in charge of the very important
correspondence between the British Minister and the
enemy. His house was an especial target of shells and
rifle bullets. He was ably seconded by Mr. Ker the Sec-
ond Chinese Secretary. Capt. Percy Smith, a retired
officer, was especially useful on the city wall in difficult
and dangerous circumstances. Mr. Clarke-Thornhill,
formerly of the Diplomatie Service, was an active and
willing Volunteer.

The Rev. Frank Norrisy, Chaplain of the Légation, ren-
dered invaluable services outside of his especial duties, in
work with pick and shovel in the trenches and on the
barricades ; and also in taking charge of and encouraging
the Chinese converts in their work on the defences. He
was always ready, willing, and cheerful; though severely

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480

CHINA IN CONVULSION

wounded by the explosion of a shell in the Su Wang
Fu, he stuck to his work, and was at ail times a splendid
example to those about him.

Mr. Tours of the Consular Staff, and Mr. Tweed of
the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, were indefatigable as
captains of the Fire Brigade, which several times saved
the Légation. The former had such arduous duties that
at the close of the siège his health gave way completely,
and for a long time he hovered between life and death.

Dr. Morrison, Correspondent of " The Times ", acted as
Lieutenant to Capt. Strouts, and rendered most valuable
services. Active, energetic, and cool, he volunteered for
every service of danger, and was a pillar of strength when
matters were going badly. By his severe wound on the
i6th of July his valuable services were lost to the de-
fence for the rest of the siège.

Ail the Student Interpreters are warmly praised. They
behaved with pluck and dash, yet a steadiness under fire
worthy of vétéran troops. The Volunteers belonging to
the Impérial Maritime Customs likewise distinguished
themselves, and soon after the siège received the promo-
tion w^hich they had so well earned.

Mr. Nigel Oliphant took an important part on several
occasions until he was seriously wounded, on the i8th
of July.

In another supplementary dispatch Sir Claude asks that
the thanks of the British Government be conveyed to Lieut.
Baron von Rahden, of the Impérial Russian Navy ; Capt.
Myers, U. S. Marines (wounded) ; Lieut. Darcy, French
Navy (wounded) ; Lieut. Baron von Soden, Impérial Ger-
man Marines ; Lieut. Paolini, Italian Navy (wounded) ;
and Lieut. Hara, Japanese Navy. In addition to thèse,
the skill, tenacity, and courage of Lieut. Col. Shiba, of the
Japanese contingent, are mentioned as worthy of ail

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THE FORTIFICATIONS

481

praise. His dispositions were taken with the greatest
skill, and lie contested every inch of ground, thereby
giving time for the defences of the British Légation to
be put in order; and as a direct efïect of this the lives
of very many of the garrison were saved.

Don Livio Caetini, Second Secretary of the ItaUan
Légation, is commended to his Government for his dé-
votion and abiHty, having never once quitted his post,
which was a barricade exposed to a very severe shell and
rifle fire. M. von Strauch, a member of the Impérial
Maritime Customs, formerly an officer of the Prussian
army, was in command of the Customs Volunteers, and
was of the greatest assistance to Sir Claude, who was
much struck by his zeal and intrepidity. He and Dr.
Velde of the Hospital are especially commended to the
German Government. M. Fliche, an ex-officer of the
French Cavalry, was an orderly constantly under fire, and
for his gallantry was recommended to the notice of the
French Government.

The United States has few methods, aside from the
vote of spécial thanks by Congress, of accomplishing the
highly désirable objects aimed at in the décorations and
honours thus worthily bestowed. It was therefore the
greater gratification to the besieged and their friends to
find in Washington telegrams of Jan. 4th, 1901, the fol-
lowing : " The British Ambassador has communicated to
the Secretary of State a dispatch recently received by him
from the Marquis of Lansdowne, commending the gallant
conduct of certain Americans who distinguished them-
selves last summer during the attacks on the Légation
quarter in Peking. The text of the dispatch is as follows :

" My Lord : With référence to my preceding dispatch
of this day's date, I hâve to inform you that Sir C. Mac-

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482

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Donald has brought to my notice the conduct of certain
gentlemen who particularly distinguished themselves dur-
ing the attacks on the Légation quarter, and who gave
invaluable assistance both to him personally and to the
defence in gênerai.

*' Sir Claude mentions the names of the Rev. F. D.
Gamewell of the American Methodist Mission, and Her-
bert G. Squiers, Secretary of the U. S. Légation. He states
tliat the Rev. F. D. Gamewell carried eut the entire dé-
fonces of the British Légation, and that thèse defences
hâve excited the admiration of the officers of the varions
nationalities who hâve since inspected them. As a tribute
to their excellence he mentions that notwithstanding a
constant rain of rifle-fire during the five weeks of the
siège, not a single woman or child in the Légation suf-
fered. He adds that a deep debt of gratitude is owed to
him by ail the besieged.

*' Herbert Squiers acted in the capacity of Sir Claude's
Chief-of-Staff after the death of Captain Strouts of the
Royal Marines. Sir Claude says that his earlier services
in the United States army were of great use in the de-
fence, and that he can not speak too highly of his zeal and
ability. The barricades on the Tartar wall were designed
and carried out by him, and under Sir Claude's orders he
drew the plan for the entry of the troops which was
conveyed to Gen. Gaselee by a messenger let down from
the wall.

" I request that you will bring the names of thèse two
gentlemen to the favourable notice of the United States
Government, and express the appréciation felt by Her
Majesty's Government of their eminent services.

(Signed) Lansdowne."

This séries of graceful récognitions of merit is fitly

.(! OiitTH

THE FORTIFICATIONS

483

concluded by the following dispatch to Sir Claude Mac-
Donald, published in the White Book relating to the
siège in Peking.

FoREiGN Office, Feb. loth, 1901.

" As the présent report complètes your account of the
siège and relief of the Légations, I désire to take this
opportunity of stating how highly His Majesty's Govern-
ment value thèse admirable and exhaustive records of an
épisode of the deepest historical interest. The gallantry
with which the siège was maintained by ail the foreign
forces engaged, more especially after the failure of the
first relief expédition, and the conséquent disappointment
of the besieged, coupled with the energy and courage with
which the efforts of the regular forces were seconded by
tlie Légation Staffs and other civilians, has commanded
the admiration of the whole civilized world.

" His Majesty's Government désire also to place on
record their appréciation of the important part borne by
yourself throughout this crisis. On the 22nd of June at
the request of your coUeagues you took charge of the
defence, a position for which from your military train-
ing you possessed exceptional qualifications; and from
that day you continued to direct the opérations of the
garrison until the relief took place on the I4th of August.

" Information has reached His Majesty's Government
from various sources that the success of the defence was
largely due to your personal efforts, and more particularly
to the unity and cohésion which you found means of estab-
lishing and maintaining among the forces of so many
différent nationalities operating over an extended area.
Compétent eye-witnesses hâve expressed the opinion that
if it can be said that the European community owe their
lives to any one man more than another, where so many

484

CHINA IN CONVULSION

distinguished themselves, it is to you that they are in-
debted for their safety.

" I can not conclude this dispatch without asking you
to convey to Lady MacDonald the thanks of His Majesty's
Government for her unceasing and devoted attention to
the welfare of the sick and wounded. Her work and
that of the ladies who assisted her hâve earned the last-
ing gratitude not only of those who were benefited by
her ministrations, but also of their relatives in Europe
who were kept for so many weeks in a condition of most
painful anxiety and suspense.

Lansdowne."

XXVI

AFTER THE SIEGE

WHEN the relieving columns marched into the
Peking Légations they received a glad wel-
come f rom ail the besieged, who had been look-
ing for their coming with such mingled fears and hopes.
But it was soon évident from the bearing of the rescuers,
as well as from their remarks,, that they were considerably
disappointed in us. They found a large number of gentle-
men and ladies going about as they would hâve donc
under ordinary circumstances, except that many of them
were on sentry duty. The spécifie occasion of the disap-
pointment felt and expressed seemed to be that the be-
sieged did not look sufficiently pinched with hunger, and
that some of them — especially the ladies — were far too
well dressed, and met the relieving army with glad smiles
and cheers, instead of bursting into hysterical sobs. As
one of the bright young women phrased it, " they seem
to hâve expected to find us lying gasping on the ground."
Several of the besieged were only visitors in Peking
who had been caught in the effort to leave on the very
day when trains finally ceased to run, and thèse ladies,
at least, had lost none of their belongings. AU the rest,
however, displayed the singular féminine talent for mak-
ing a little go a great way in dress, as they had done
in food, and even under the most depressing circum-
stances of lack of changes of raiment, of persistently rainy
weather and absence of ail ordinary facilities for washing

485

486

CHINA IN CONVULSION

clothes, not to say for starching and ironing, often blos-
somed out in attire which showed no signs of hard usage
or of âge.

Ail the ladies alike appeared to rise to the occasion in
a way to make one proud of the civilization of the West,
which has found so large a place for the energy and
the diversified talent of the fair sex. The wives of the
American and the Russian Ministers were especially as-
siduous in working for the comfort of those who were
wounded and in the hospital, giving up anything and
everything for their comfort. When the détail for clean-
ing the hospital failed to appear, Madame de Giers one
day seized the mop herself and more than made good his
place.

Many of the women, through the entire siège, were
quite as cool and as courageously hopeful as the men.
During the severest attacks they sat diligently working
on the sand bags without pause, nor was there ever any-
thing in the smallest degree approximating a panic. Noth-
ing at the time (nor in subséquent calm review) appeared
more surprising than the cool way in which everything
about the siège was taken as a matter of course, and the
facility witli which the necessary adjustments were swiftly
and tactfuUy made by ail the women alike, and pre-
eminently by those who chanced to hâve any especial re-
sponsibility placed upon them.

During the whole of the siège the numerous children
played about the grounds, and seldom with any restraint
upon their movements. They paraded as " Boxers," and
as companies of soldiers sent to arrest Boxers. The small-
est mites had their little flags and cartridge-belts, and
joined in the incessant sport. They made deep holes in
inconvénient situations, but as thèse were said to be for
" bomb-proofs " they could not be disturbed. They tugged

AFTER THE SIEGE

487

at heavy bricks and timbers which were placed in pre-
posterous positions to be regarded as defences. They
filled tiny sacks, made for their especial use, with earth,
and heaped them up passim, to guard the works which
they had constructed.

On one occasion a redoubt of this sort built by infants
of the " Number four " size, was totally demoHshed by
some of those of the " Number ten " variety, to the in-
dignation of the justice loving mammas, who remonstrated
with the big boys for their harsh treatment of the httle
ones. But the leader of the attacking party drew him-
self up proudly and repUed : " In time of war they ought
to hâve put a guard over their works, or else they might
expect to hâve them captured ! " As there seemed to be
some reason in this mihtary view of the case, the matter
was dropped. On another occasion some children of
missionaries were seen throwing stones at another Com-
pany of lads, who were returning the compliment; but
upon inquiry each side hastened to explain that " They
were trying to break down our barricades, and we
wouldn't let them."

It has been already mentioned that there was a foreign
child born during the progress of the siège, a circum-
stance which was commemorated in the name bestowed
upon him — " Siège Moore." There were probably several
Chinese babies introduced into the world at the same
inauspicious epoch, but of thèse there is no record. More
than one of the Chinese schoolgirls was married during
the early days of the imprisonment, as their parents could
not take care of them, and they could not otherwise go
to their prospective homes.

Of the number of Chinese who died of wounds, or of
illness, it is impossible to speak with any accuracy, as it
was impracticable to coUect satisfactory information. It

4b'8

CHINA IN CONVULSION

has becn alrcady mentioned that the mortality among
Chinese children was very heavy. Six foreign infants
succumbed to the hardships of the time. The following
semi-official table of casualties among the defenders of
the Légations is of grcat interest, but it ought to be
understood that it does not represent the final account,
which is perhaps not to be had in a completely accurate
shape. When the marines left Peking, a few too weak
to be removed remained in the hospital. The very first
British marine to be wounded (Sawyer) was the last one
to die, long after his comrades had gone back to their
ship. Something similar may hâve been true of some of
the wounded in other detachments. As soon as the ter-
rible strain of the siège was over, most of those who
were able to do so left Peking, and many of them left
China. Among them were several who seemed to be in
perfect health, only '* a bit tired."

Casualties among Volunteers during Siège in Peking.

LEGATIONS.

American
Austrian .
British . . .
French . . .
German . .
Japanese .
Italian . . .
Russian .

Totals

Killed.

Wounded.

Total
Killed.

• • • •

a
'i
•5

• • • •

I
• • • •

• • •

4
6

13
13
10

Total
Wounded.

II
II
26
42
16
29
12
20

167

1 Baron von Ketteler, German Minister.

t Mr. von Cordes, Chinese Secretary, German Légation.

3 Including Surî?eon Captain Ando.

4 Including Mr. Wagner, a Frenchman in the Impérial Maritime Customs.

AFTER THE SIEGE

489

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

A fearfully long list of deaths has to be added to thèse
tables, which cannot without danger of serious omissions
catalogue those who, in places widely distant from each
other, and at intervais of weeks or of months, lost their
lives as a direct conséquence of the Siège in Peking.
The tables will therefore be understood to refer to the
time when the siège was raised, and not to the final
rcsult.

The incidental références to the International Hos-
pital, which constituted so important a part of our re-
cuperative énergies, should be supplemented by a few
notes, most of which are culled from an article by a
British lady physician well qualified to write on the sub-
ject.

The large proportion of the médical faculty represented
among the besieged was truly remarkable. Altogether
there were, of ail nationalities, twenty men and women
with médical and surgical degrees, including Dr. Ts'ao, a
Chinese physician of the American Methodist Mission,
and a retired naval surgeon.

The Hospital was opened on the day after the siège
began, Drs. Poole and Velde being the staff. The women
doctors were asked to nurse, which they gladly did.
There were two trained nurses, and other ladies to help.
The physicians who had to leave home at an hour's notice
had of course few drugs and dressings. The British Lé-
gation was poorly stocked, as Dr. Poole had only just
come out. Fortunately Dr. Velde had a large supply, ail
of the German army type, — iodoform gauze tied up in
little packets very much compressed, to be eut into strips,
with white muslin gauze squares, about five inches each
way, folded and compressed into another very small pack-
age. He had also a sterilizer, which later had to be used
when muslin curtains took the place of the white gauze,

AFTER THE SIEGE

491

and bags of peat or saw-dust that of wcx>l. Instruments
were always sterilized for opération.

To most of the assistants the expérience of shot and
shell was new. The hospital first occupied two rooms in
the Chancery bungalow, but gradually, as the number of
the wounded grew, more rooms had to be taken over,
until there were an operating-room with two tables ; five
wards and beds for five patients in the hall ; a conva-
lescent ward for officers and civilians in Lady MacDon-
ald's house, and another for marines elsewhere. Three
American ladies superintended the kitchen and stores ;
they were beyond ail praise.

The Hospital had of course first claim to commissariat
stores, but nowhere else was there such fragrant pony-
soup, such really eatable mule stew. Officers and men ap-
peared to think it worth while to be slightly wounded to
get a few days' good feeding. Owing to the difficulty of
*' diverse tongues " the men were " warded " by nationality
wherever possible, — at any rate no man was in a room
where he could not talk to some one. Italians and French
were together, with a French Sister in charge; Russians
were in another room, where they were most tenderly
cared for by Madame de Giers, herself. The Germans
were often put with them and one room was always full
of the bright, interesting little Japanese. English and
Americans naturally went together. There was one ward
for officers and civilian volunteers, and hère were nursed
British, American, German, French, Italian, Austrian,
Dutch, Australian, and Russian.

It was wonderful how the stores and supplies came in
' — ^beds and bedding, shirts, and ail that was necessary.
They represented very much self-denial on the part of
some, and exhibited many expédients. The under
pillows were made of straw from the packing of

492

CHINA IN CONVULSION

wine bottles, eider-down quilts were eut up for soft
pillows, a long pièce of Chefoo silk found in the Mongol
Market made shirts, as did best damask linen and bright
yellow cotton. *' Impérial " shirts thèse were called.

There were very few bedsteads ; matresses were placed
on the floor, but every man did hâve a mattress from
somewhere, as well as sheets and pillows.

The families of some of the Légation people went with-
out mosquito curtains for the whole siège, that the men
in the Hospital might be supplied with this luxury — al-
most, indeed, a necessity. Some of the marines had first-
aid dressings in their haversacks, but the civilian volun-
teers had none, so that their wounds were not cared for
until their arrivai at the Hospital.

The character of the wounds was not that of open
warfare, for the fighting was ail behind barricades. Con-
sequently the proportion of head injuries was large. Sec-
ondary opérations, undertaken on account of symptoms,
often disclosed bits of material — shirt or trousers — which
had been driven into the wound, or the missing buUet
or fragment of shell. The proportion of shell wounds
was small, only one, of the face proving fatal. There
were three perforating wounds of the larynx. Two cases
of compound fracture of tibia developed tetanus, each of
which was fatal.

A case of strychnine poison has been already alluded
to. Chloroform inhalation, continued for two and a half
hours, followed by the stomach pump, brought about re-
covery, and the second day the man was dressed, retum-
ing to duty the day foUowing.

Towards the close of the siège several cases were in-
valided with diarrhœa and dysentery. Among the Rus-
sians there were two deaths from the latter, but they were

■ i i
i "

■■-i i

AFTER THE SIEGE

493

known to be exceedingly careless about their drinking
water. There were three cases of typhoid, one of which
died after removal to Tientsin. With the exception of
the tvvo tetanus cases, there was during the siège no death
of any one who survived his injury twenty-four hours.

No hospital notes were kept during the siège, which
was a cause of regret, but no one had the time. At the
Pei T'ang, explosion from mines was the cause of most
of the casualties.

In his dispatch to the Marquis of Salisbury regarding
the conduct of the defences, Sir Claude MacDonald
makes especial référence to the Hospital, and to the two
physicians in charge. During the siège i66 cases passed
through the Hospital, twenty sufïering from illness, the
rest surgical cases. Owing to the dévotion and skill of
the two médical officers, iio of the wounded were
eventually discharged cured. Dr. Poole was inde-
fatigable at his work, always sympathetic and cheer-
ful. The wounded of ail nationalities spoke most
warmly of his dévotion and skill. At the conclusion
he was struck down with fever of a very danger-
ous description, and had to be invalided. The sick-bay
steward, Mr. Fuller, is highly commended for his care
and gentle treatment of the wounded, and the willing and
cheerful manner in which he carried out his duties. Miss
Myers and Miss Brazier daily filtered the water for the
Hospital (a task by no means easy with a hand-pump
filter) and carried it there themselves, often with bullets
and shells bursting in the trees overhead. Several of the
ladies received, for their tireless labors in nursing the
sick, the well merited order of the Red Cross. Miss
Jessie Ransome was personally decorated by King Ed-
ward, while Miss Lambert of the Anglican Mission, Miss

p.-: ■' m*

l'él

•ii'i. ;.■

494

CHINA IN CONVULSION

:lï

■i\ : ■■'■

Mi:.-

■}! È>.

Abbie Chapin of the American Board, and Miss Dr.
Saville of the London Mission, received the décoration in
China.

Immediately upon the conclusion of the siège, the
Americans met and adopted resolutions recognizing their
obligations to the Marines by whom they had been de-
fended for so long a time, to Sir Claude MacDonald,
Her Britannic Majesty's Minister, and to Minister Con-
ger. From the latter the following communication was
received at about the same time:

" Peking, August i8, 1900.

" The Besieged American Missionaries :

" To one and ail of you, so providentially saved from
threatened massacre, I beg in this hour of our deliverance
to express what I know to be the universal sentiment
of the Diplomatie Corps, the sincère appréciation of and
profound gratitude for the inestimable help which you
and the native Christians under your charge hâve ren-
dered toward our préservation. Without your intelligent
and successful planning, and the uncomplaining exécu-
tion of the Chinese, I believe our salvation would hâve
been impossible.

" By your courteous considération of me, and your con-
tinued patience under most trying occasions, I hâve been
most deeply touched, and for it ail I thank you most
heartily. I hope and believe that somehow, in God's un-
erring plan, your sacrifices and danger will bear rich
fruit in the material and spiritual welfare of the people to
whom you hâve so nobly devoted your lives and work.

" Assuring you of my personal respect and gratitude,
believe me, Very sincerely yours,

E. H. CONGER."

il ■

il ;

■ Si . ■

■?!■;

fî' "^^^(f^^^!'^-

'-'.5.:

INDEX TO GROUP OF AMERICAN
MISSIONARIES.

Rev. G. W. Verity

26.

Miss Amy Brown

27.

Mrs. A. H. Smith

28.

Rev. W. T. Hobart

29.

Rev. John Wherry, D.D.

30-

Rev. W. F. Walker, D.D.

31'

J. H. Ingram, M.D.

32.

Rev. H. E. King

33-

Rev. G. R. Davis

34-

10.

Rev. A. H. Smith, D.D.

35.

II.

Rev. C. A. Killie

36.

12.

Rev. VV. B. Stella

37.

r3.

Rev. Gilbert Raid, D.D.

38.

14.

Miss Grâce Newton

39-

15-

Miss Luella Miner

40.

16.

Miss Nellie Russell

41.

17-

Miss Maud Mackey, M.D.

42.

18.

Miss Elizabeth Martin

43-

19.

Mrs. F. D. Gamewell

44.

20.

Miss Gertrude Gilman

45-

21.

Miss Anna Gloss, M.D.

46.

22.

Mrs. C. M. Jewell

47-

23-

Miss Gertrude Wyckoff

48.

24.

Miss Ada Haven

49.

'5-

Mrs. Howard Galt

50-

Mrs. J. H. Ingram

Rev. F. M. Chapin

Miss Janet McKillican

Mrs. Gilbert Reid and cbild

Miss Eliza Léonard, M.D.

Mrs. C. A. Killie

Miss Alice Terrell

Miss Jane Evans

Mrs. C. Goodrich

Mrs. W. F. Walker

Miss Emma E, Martin, M.D.

Mrs. C. E. Ewing-and child

Mrs. F. M. Chapin

Miss Mary Andrews

Mrs. J. L. Mateer

Rev. C. Goodrich, M.D.

Miss D. M. Douw

Miss Ruth Ingram and sister

Miss Grâce Goodrich

Miss Esther Walker

Miss Marion Ewing

Miss Dorothea Goodrich

Master Carrington Goodrich

Master Ernest Chapin

Master Ralph Chapin

The following American Missionaries were not on hand when the picture
was taken: Rev. F. D. Gamewell, Dr. G. D. Lowry, Rev. C. E. Ewing, Rev.
W. S. Ament, D.D., Rev. and Mrs. C. H. Fennand family, Rev. J. L. Whiting,
Dr. and Mrs. J. Inglis, Rev. Howard Galt, Miss Bessie McCoy, Miss Abbie
Chapin, Miss A. H. Gowans, Miss H. E Rutherford and Miss Grâce Wyckoff.

'Â

I— I

c/î
en

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c/î
en

1—1

l!r0^<

' »*s*i^i^ :

■;«

INDEX rO GROl P 0¥ AMERICAN
MISSIONARIES.

r -.

I S-

Rcv.

Miss

Mrs.

Rcv.

J. H.

Rcv.

Rev.

Rcv.

Rev.

Miss

.^;iss

Miss

.\:i^s

:.:r..

. ; : ;->s

G. W. \'eriiy
Amy [Jrown
A. lî. Smith
W. T. Hobart
John Wherry, D.D.
W. V. Walker, IjA).
Iri-Tam, ?vl.ij.
H. M. Kinj4"
G. R. Davis
.\. II. Smith, ÎVI).
C. A. Killie
V,', !^. Sicile
Gilbert ReiLÎ, l!.!b
Cir.iee Xewtoii
Lucl!:i Miner
Xeliic Russell
Maud Mackcy, M.I>
l'.Ii/.abelh ?\i'!niii
I-'. 1). fiameweU
(ierlruijc Giliraii

.\::na (il-

.M.i*.

J l.

Mrs. C. M. jcwell
^! iss Gertru ie \V)ck:
^i iss A(!a I iaven
Mrs îiuwaru (iab

-•8,

34-

.\o.

A ■
4Î-

4 " .
■>'■'•

-(3.
49-

Mrs. .1. II. In<:rain

Rcv. V. M. Chapin

Miss .lanet McKillican

Mrx (;ii!)crt Reul and child

?>Iiss !,ii;:a Leon.'ird, ?>I.r>.

Mrs. (", A. Rillie

Miss Alice Terrell

M iss laiie b". 'vans

Mrs. C. (b,)(jtirich

Mrs. W. 1". Walker

."'l'-'-s i'.mma i'.. Martin, M.!»

Mrs. r. r.. Evv-ir,irand cbihl

Mrs. V. M. Cb.aj'in

Miss rs)a'-y Andrews

Mrs. j. L. Maiccr

Rcv. C. (;(,-drich, M.!).

Mi-s l>. ?I. Douw

y\\:.\ iCuih JnL'Tain and sistcr

^. iss (iiace (il KiJrich

Mis:, ]:,-thvr Walker

Miss .Marion lAvinp

Miss Tiurctliea CÎDodrieh

Ma'^tcr C;iiT:n.^t' in Goodric'i

.^b'.sîcr l.rnesi. ("hapi/i

^Uisler Ralph <"hapin

I l;e fwbowin^i' Aînt-ri^an Mi-si ■r.arijvs we-e îioi i;i: ba:i 1 i. -le:^ me pb li;ie
was talvi. ii: Incv. V. 1-'. G.iincwell. I)r. (> . \). ^.i,■\v\-. R^'.-. { . Ib i-Avin^, 1-icv,
W . S. A ncat, D.D., Rcv. .;n>! Nî r- f ;b l\-nn anb binbb", R; .j. L. \\'hi:in-.
It. :.cA i'Irs. j. Înj4bs. Rev. ibAvaib <b.:i, Miss !b',:,;e Ab'.oy, ^;lr,s Abîiic
bluiiin. Mi^s .\. M. G.;wa-- Ab-,s ! î !■ Rutb^ rb, rb and b- iss ( irate "WA-ikc^ff.

1 — I

■-H

'A
n
■A

<
y,

I— I

■y)
•y)

2-1

O
ai

AFTER THE SIEGE

495

Three days previous to this, Sir Claude had written to
the Chairman of the General Committee, as follows :

{(

British Légation, Peking, Aug. 15, 1900.
" Dear Mr. Tewksbury :

" I hâve been busy thèse last few days, and feel quite
wom ont, otherwise this letter would hâve been written
before.

" I want to express to the American members of the
Committee of General Comfort my high appréciation of
the good work they did during the siège, and of the
ready and loyal manner in which they anticipated my
every wish.

'' With such men to work with, work becomes a pleas-
ure, and is bound to be crowned with success. This remark
applies to ail the American missionaries who took part
with me in the siège. Their work and support were un-
stinted, intelligent, and most loyal, and I hâve no hési-
tation in saying that I consider that their présence in
the Légation saved the situation. Yours very truly,

Claude M. MacDonald."

A few days later, the following telegram from the
Président of the United States was received by the Min-
ister :

" The whole American people rejoice over your deliver-
ance, over the safety of your companions of our own and
other nations, who hâve shared your trials and privations ;
the fortitude and courage which you hâve ail maîntained,
and the heroism of your little band of defenders. We ail
mourn for those who hâve fallen, and acknowledge the
goodness of God which has preserved you, and guided
the brave army that set you free.

Wm. McKinley."

I \i

496

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Tvvo days later the following communication from the
Queen was received by Sir Claude MacDonald.

'■ Warmest congratulations on your safety, after such a
terrible time of anxiety to us ail. Trust you, Lady Mac-
Donald, and children are well as well as the others.

V. R. I."

A separate telegram was sent from the same source.

** To the Officer Commanding the British Marine Guard :

I thank God that you and those under your command
are rescued from your perilous situation. We, my people
and I, hâve waited with the deepest anxiety for the good
news of your safety, and a happy termination to your
heroic and prolonged defence. I grieve for the losses
and sufïerings experienced by the besieged.

V. R. I."

The siège in Peking was scarcely raised before many
of those whose homes were in the city, hastened to visit
the sites of their dwellings, to see in what condition they
then were. Most of them were found to resemble the
premises of the Methodist Mission, where the Americans
had been in a state of semi-siege for twelve days. On
thèse spacious grounds, in three distinct divisions, sepa-
rated from one another by intervening streets, had been
seven dwelling houses, three chapels, two boys' schools,
one large girls' school, two training schools, two hos-
pitals, two dispensaries, and eight native houses. The
University of Peking was a large two-story building en-
closed by a high wall, on extensive grounds.

AFTER THE SIEGE

497

When it became possible to revisit this familiar spot,
one could hâve ridden on horse-back everywhere except
where the cellars of the buildings had left dangerous pits.
It was difficult to find anywhere a whole brick, and aside
from occasional sheets, or parts of sheets, of galvanized-
iron roofing, it was difficult to find anything whatever to
suggest for what the premises had been used. From
ail the compounds together not enough splinters of wood
could hâve been gathered to kindle a fire. The outer
walls of the premises, as well as those of the buildings,
had been excavated down to the bottom of the founda-
tions, to remove every brick, and every tree had been not
only eut down, but dug up by the roots, so that the
exact situation of each could be determined by the deep
and irregular holes. The only exception was a fine old
tree standing just within the main gâte, upon which the
notices and bulletins had been daily posted during the
semi-siege. Why this was spared is somewhat of a
mystery, unless it may hâve been supposed to be the
abode of a spirit; but it served as a landmark without
which it was difficult to détermine where anything had
once stood.

On the University campus a flock of an hundred sheep,
intended for the use of the troops, were quietly grazing.
Few Chinese were anywhere to be seen. Many of the
neighbouring dwellings were destroyed together with the
Mission property, either through accident, from revenge,
or in gratification of the wild instinct of promoting
uni versai ruin. Most of the neighbouring court-yards
were found fuU of bricks and other looted material, but
only a trifling fraction of that which had been lost could be
recovered. The large bell of the church had been buried
but was afterwards exhumed, on the locality becomîng
known. This process of sépulture for compromising

498

CHINA IN CONVULSION

articles was one of which the Chinese made great use,
especially in the concealment of rails and ties from the
railway, but in many cases unfriendiy informers made
the last State of those who had ventured upon this method
far worse than the fîrst.

The condition of the Methodist compounds may serve
as a type of ail the premises destroyed in Peking. In a
few instances walls were left standing as if to mark
where the buildings had once been, but this was excep-
tional. In almost every compound there was the same
monotony of absolute and total destruction, unrelieved
and hopeless.

The total amount of property destroyed belonging to
the varions Protestant missions in Peking, lias not been
exactly ascertained, but approximately it may be said to
comprise thirty-four dwelling houses, eighteen chapels,
eleven boys' schools and one university, eleven girls'
schools, four training schools, eleven dispensaries and
eight hospitals, besides more than thirty summer-houses
at the western hills, and several others at the sea-side.

Within a few days of the arrivai of the troops, the
Protestant Cemetery at the southwest corner of Peking
was visited, and it was found that the taies which had
been told of its condition were only too true. AU the
enclosing walls had been pulled down, and even the foun-
dations were dug up. The long avenue of trees, nearly
forty years old, had been destroyed, monuments had been
overthrown and broken into fragments, and thirteen of
the graves had been opened and the bodies removed;
some of them had evidently been used for a bonfire, only
a few fragments of bones and hère and there a métal
button remaining to tell the taie.

This savagery, so alien to the usual Chinese respect
for the dead, differentiates the Boxer rising from any

pi:

C/5

C/3

c/2

125

C/2

ÛÎ

L '■ '-f 1

i '»

I ' 'A]

.1 h

AFTER THE SIEGE

499

anti-foreign movement which had preceded it, and may
serve as a gauge of the violence of the volcanic forces
deliberately let loose. The Russian Cemetery received the
same treatment, which indicated that despite the appar-
ently exceptional relations existing between Russia and
China, at the crucial moment there was no discrimination
between one barbarian and another.

On the I9th of August a mémorial service was held for
Tarcn von Ketteler in the German Légation, with mili-
ta ry honours, the body having been brought back in the
Chinese coffin where it had been deposited by the kind in-
tervention of one of the members of the Tsung Li Yamen
who was not carried away by the prevailing insanity of
the hour. On the 6th of September a still more im-
pressive mémorial service was held on the Ha Ta great
Street, the coffin being deposited at the spot where the
German Minister had been basely shot seventy-eight days
previous. Some companies of German soldiers were in
attendance, with a band, and many members of other Lé-
gations. A part of the brief exercises was a stirring ad-
dress delivered by a Chaplain named Kessler, review-
ing the career of the late Minister, and enforcing the
obvions lessons to be drawn therefrom.

It was a strange and an impressive spectacle, taking
place as it did on one of the great arteries of the ancient
Capital of the Empire, which with ail its expérience had
never witnessed conditions like thèse. The chair of the
Baroness, in deep mouming, stood beside the coffin ; the
streets were lined with interested European spectators,
and with impassive Chinese, perhaps dimly wondering
what it was ail about. What a change of circumstances
within that two and a half months, and what a wonder
that events shaped by an unseen Hand had brought about
such a surprising révolution, for the man who fired the

500

CHINA IN CONVULSION

shot was already in the custody of the Germans, admitting
the act, but explaining that he was obeying the orders of
his immédiate superiors.

During the entire siège more than seventy Chinese
Peking carts stood in the British Légation, a réminiscence
of the expectation that an overland joumey to Tientsin
would be soon undertaken, and they would ail be wanted.
As soon as the besieged began once more to go upon the
streets, there occurred one of those surprising altérations
of conditions to which despite their perpétuai récurrence
it was difficult to become accustomed. The city was
fîooded with foreign troops, and such Chinese as had re-
mained soon began to perceive that nothing would be
safe in merely Chinese possession. Accordingly many of
them who had foreign friends among the besieged, or
even mère acquaintances, hastened to confide to them^
the carts and mules which in the sudden and universal
demand for transportation, it was impossible to save from
confiscation. Thus was realized the Chinese adage which
says : " Nothing to eat in the morning, and at night a
horse to ride."

The disagreeable and dangerous pervasiveness of some
of the Continental soldiers became so obtrusive and in-
trusive, that it was necessary to remove the Chinese
Christians, especially the school-girls, from their siège
quarters to safer and more secluded places. The quest
for suitable headquarters occupied some of the guardians
of thèse helpless wards for many weary days. In many
cases Chinese who had been in good circumstances were
more than willing to put their property at the disposai of
any foreigner whom they knew, to prevent it from being
despoiled.

In two instances considérable bodies of Chinese Chris-
tians were lodged by the consent of the military and le-

■Il

■ il;
il"

AFTER THE SIEGE

501

gation authorities in the palaces of Mancliu Princes,
which had been abandoned by their owners in terror. As
the extensive complicity of ail the Manchus in Peking
with the Boxer movement became established as a fact,
it seemed increasingly probable that the property in thèse
places would be promptly confiscated. In accordance
with the express advice both of the British and the
American Ministers, it was decided to sell the property
thus abandoned, and to use the abundant proceeds for the
support of the destitute Christians, the number of whom
continually increased as refugees from distant places
began to hâve courage to corne into the city.

This step gave rise to much misapprehension, and when
the story was repeated with unconscious exaggeration by
those ignorant of the peculiar circumstances, led to the
propagation of much absolutely unsupported scandai. It
would hâve been quite possible to hâve refused to enter
thèse places at ail, but having entered them, the only way
to préserve the property from miscellaneous looting was to
take possession of it under the highest authority then in
existence, and to use it in ways which that authority ap-
proved.

With the flight of the Empress and the Court, the whole
Chinese army disappeared from vision, dispersed in many
différent directions, harrying the people through the
régions where they passed, and anon congregating in Pao
Ting Fu and other centers, only again to scatter. The
mère occupation of Peking was probably regarded by
them simply as an untoward incident, and by itself ac-
complished little or nothing tow^ard the settlement of the
numerous and intricate questions arising upon every hand.
The extensive supplies of arms which seem to hâve been
sent to Peking during the siège, were concealed in a great
variety of places, many of them coming to light in un-

— I

-'tUJ

502

CHINA IN CONVULSION

•m

ili
m

il:

IF i;

expected localities. Young Fargo Squiers with a com-
panion discovered a great number of cases of Mânnlicher
carbines; two of thèse they conveyed to the American
Légation, but upon returning for the rest, it was found
that the French had seized them. Mr. Tewksbury learned
through a Buddhist priest that in a temple a short dis-
tance outside of the Chang I gâte of the southem city
there were stored several cases of 3^^ inch shells belong-
ing to the captured Krupp guns. On reporting this to
the United States officers, a Major and a guard were sent
to take possession. Similar finds were made in other
quarters.

One of the most interesting discoveries was the mode of
construction of the elaborate gun-platforms which the
Chinese had put up inside the south-eastern corner of the
Impérial City, for attacking the Légations and the Su
Wang Fu. Thèse were built of pine pôles of large size
carefully and strongly lashed together, supporting a plat-
form about twenty-five feet in height, with an area of
about twenty-five by forty feet. A long ramp led up to
each one, for dragging the guns into position. A careful
count showed that not less than seven hundred pôles had
been required for each platform. They were provided
with strongly built roofs of two inch planks and the port
holes, which had been dug through the coping of the city
wall, were protected from rifle-firing by doors of 3-16
inch iron as bullet shields, — apparently some of the plun-
der from the electric light works. Either one of thèse
batteries properly worked ought to hâve made the Brit-
ish Légation and the Fu untenable after two hours firing ;
yet, except during the final night of the siège, the exécu-
tion actually done was trifling.

The water-gate directly below thèse gun-platforms had
been most securely barricaded with bricks and stones, as

i >.,:[:.

BRITISH LEGATION WALL

~. - . ««««ss^-w s. i<M^lttM„ ■ .

«^^^2

•5^

;:^l*. \. '* '^■-V'«

CHINESE GUN PLATFORM FOR FIRING ON THE LEGATION

li»''':

AFTER THE SIEGE

503

if to prevent the besieged from making" a rush on the
Impérial and Forbidden cities, and capturing the Court !
At the same time, the corresponding gâte in the southern
wall of the northern city, through which as already men-
tioned, the first foreign troops actually entered, was left
wholly unguarded, some of the iron bars being altogether
lacking, and the remainder easily removed.

By far the most interesting sight in Peking after the
rehef, was the Pei T'ang, or Northern Cathedral, which
had been defended with suprême courage from the i6th
of June (four days before the Légation siège began),
until the i6th of August (two days after the Légations
were deHvered), when the first entry, singularly enough,
was made by the Japanese troops. The extensive grounds
are adjacent to the west wall of the Impérial City, and had
been attacked from a gun platform similar to the one just
described, situated at the north-west corner of the wall,
but on the outside, as well as from rifle-platforms only
a short distance ofï. Just beyond the north wall of the
orphanage premises was situated a large magazine stored
with sulphur and other materials for the manufacture of
powder, of which the Chinese made incessant use.

During the sixty days of uninterrupted attack there
occurred four explosions, due to the mining of the Chi-
nese, which was indefatigable and on a large scale. Two
of the four were very severe and resulted in great loss
of life, especially among the Chinese children. In one of
thèse explosions the roof of a building fell in and buried
an Italian officer five feet deep in the débris. It was
supposed that he was of course killed, but some hours
after, when there was leisure to attend to it, excavations
were made, and he was found to be uninjured!

The Cathedral was terribly battered by shells, but most
of the bullets were fired far too high to do much execu-

iJif.

v''-

504

CHINA IN CONVULSION

tion. During the whole two months of the Cathedral
siège, the attacks of the enemy were never intermitted, —
as was the case at the Légations — and in ail that weary
time no messengers were able to get out, and no outside
news was received. During the period of semi-truce at
the Légations, those besieged in the Cathedral, hearing
no more artillery, naturally concluded that the Chinese
had been victorious, and that the Légations had suc-
cumbed.

The total number of foreigners imprisoned in the prem-
ises was about ninety, of whom forty-three were officers
and marines. There were several thousand Chinese, and
a very inadéquate food supply, as Bishop Favier had ex-
pected that they would ail be rescued within a short time
after the siège began. At the close there was absolutely
nothing to eat, the besieged having been reduced to two
ounces of food a day ; and when the relief arrived
even this morsel was not available, and the civilians had
agreed to go without food that what there was might be
given to the fighters. The Mother Superior, a vénérable
lady of great âge, never wavered in her conviction that
the Lord would assuredly save His little flock. She lived
through the siège to see her prophecy fulfilled, and then
quietly passed away in peace.

The accurate foresight of the Bishop in forecasting the
coming storm was equalled by the heroism of ail those
who passed through this frightful ordeal, which on some
accounts was much worse than that experienced by those
in the Légations, as its duration was longer, the attacks
continuons, the resources more meagre, the defenders a
mère handful against vast numbers, and the harrowing
suspense in regard to what was taking place outside was
never once broken. Whatever may be the fate of Chris-
tianity in Peking or in China, the Northern Cathedral

-r^-Ht-

-.■:i^-:

AFTER THE SIEGE

505

will always remain as a vvitness of what Christian men
and women, Chinese as well as Europeans, can do and
suffer for a faith to which they hâve given their whole
selves, and for which they would gladly hâve given their
lives.

The foUowing additional notes upon the Siège of the
North Cathedral are condensed from an account by Rev.
Gilbert Reid.

There were congregated there 30 French officers and
marines, 10 ItaHans, 13 French Fathers, 20 Sisters, and
3,200 native converts.

There was food enough for about 500 usually Hving
on the place, but the task of feeding six times that num-
ber was a serions one.

At first the Chinese had eight ounces of food each day,
but toward the end this was reduced to two ounces. The
men worked well as long as their strength remained, but
afterwards could not do much more than crawl about
and keep up a mère existence. The supply, such as it was,
chaff, grass, and leaves of the trees, could only hâve
lasted a few days more, and then famine and pestilence
would hâve occurred. The foreigners fared better as
their strength was indispensable for the defence.

The attack, at first by Boxers, began on June i5th, when
forty-eight of the enemy were killed. By June 20th,
Chinese soldiers appeared, and ever afterward continued
to be the chief factor. On that day they also began
cannonading, firing with one gun straight into the main
entrance of the Cathedral grounds. The marines made
a rush upon the enemy and captured the gun, which was
the only artillery they had during the whole siège. The
cannonading thus began earlier than at the Légations
r.nd was more severe. For three days the Cathedral was
under fire from at least îourteen guns, while the number

■r

506

CHINA IN CONVULSION

was ordinarily not less than four, including one from the
Palace grounds, and another from the palace of Prince Li.

There were twenty-eight successive days of shelling, —
being four days more than the whole period in which
any of the Légations were shelled. During thèse days as
many as 2,400 shells were fired, and on June 24th, 380
shells burst in the grounds.

The only defenders of the Cathedral and its vast
crowd of helpless refugees were the forty marines who
were sent from the foreign guard, stationed at the six
différent places where the fortifications were made
strongest. The French were supplied with 2,000 rounds
of ammunition, but the Italians had less. As soon as one
of their number was killed a Chinese would take his
place. Night and day this small number had to keep
watch, and be ready to resist every device of the enemy.

The shelling left its marks on every other building as
well as on the Cathedral itself. But the greatest effect
was from the.powder explosions. As many as eighty
persons were killed in one explosion, and 400 in ail, of
whom 120 were children. The loss among the natives
was mainly from thèse mines. The Foundling Hospital
was a total wreck, a fitting illustration of the designs of
the enemy.

At the beginning as many as 600 of the native con-
verts were armed with swords and spears, but when the
Chinese soldiers began firing shot and shell, such equip-
ment was useless. Forty rifles and one gun were the
defence against perhaps 2,000 rifles and a dozen guns.

However superior the strength and number of the
enemy, they made no attempt to assault and enter the
place. The shots of the French were too well aimed to
encourage such an attempt. A kind Providence rested

AFTER THE SIEGE

507

over the place, and the united prayers of each morning
brought their blessing in rich munificence.

The enemy who fought, and the Empress and advisers
who schemed, had clearly one intent, and that was the
annihilation of the body of Christians who never fired a
shot except in self-defence. To the crédit of Catholic
France and Catholic Italy the calamity was prevented.

The defence was one of sublime heroism. The head
of the Mission, Bishop Favier, was the leader of courage.
While untrained to martial deeds, he maintained cheer-
fulness and hope, and by calmness of spirit and trust in
God, kept in check any panic among the converts, and
ail despondency among the marines. Half of the Italian
defenders, and both of the French officers, with three
marines, were killed, or one-fourth of the total. How-
ever desperate the position, the Bishop never lost heart.

The Siège in Peking, from whatever point of view it
is regarded, will always remain a mémorable expérience
in human history. It was the culmination of a movement
without any parallel in the annals of the past, and which
is not likely to be repeated under any future conditions.
There is much about it which is obscure, and much which
w411 perhaps remain so. But as an example of the stead-
fast, patient courage of a handful against a host, of the
sagacious use of slender resources, of the bravery of
men and the fortitude of women, of unfaltering trust in
God, and of a great deliverance wrought by Him against
ail human probabilities, it is a story, however inadequately
told, which the world will not willingly let die.

^'-

XXVII

THE HAND OF GOD IN THE SIEGE*

FREDERICK the Great is said to hâve inquired of
his Chapîain wliat he considered to be the proof
of the authenticity of the Bible. The Chapîain
repHed: "The Jews, Your Alajesty."' Should any one
ask what is the évidence of a Providence which watches
over the affairs of men, the conipendious answer might
well be: " The Siège in Peking." Instead of submitting
the case to argument, it is better to confine our attention
to a few outHne facts.

1. The préservation of the hves of the foreigners in
Peking before the Légation guarcLs arrived. There is
])rubable. but not certain, évidence that the Grand Coun-
cil held a meeting at which the question of exterminating
ail Occidentals in Peking was discussed, and nothing but
the vacillation of Prince Ch'ing seems to hâve delayed
the act.

2. The arrivai of the Légation guards by the very last
op])ortunity. Had they been two days later, the utter and
irréparable ruin of the railway and the gênerai blaze
throughout the country would bave prevented them
frum coming, as it prevented Admirai Seymour a few

* The 'substance of tliis addrcss was dclivcrcd at a Union

Thanksiriving Service, hcld in the British Légation grotmds,

Peking, Snnday morning Ang. njth, after the arrivai of the re-
lie\ing army.

508

c:.'.M!\ii <»i i «>i c:m'R( 11. imkinc.

THE HAND OF GOD IN THE SIEGE 509

days after. This would hâve insured the massacre of
every foreigner at once.

3. The immunity from attack while foreigners were
unaware of their serious péril. Many were scattered in
distant parts of Peking, and some even at the Western
Hills, as if nothing were wrong. They were gathered in
by the 8th of June. The largest part of ail, twenty-
four in number, travelled without escort thirteen miles,
from T'ung Chou, through a région seething with animos-
ity to foreigners, not only without attack, but with no
threatening symptoms of any sort.

4. Thèse Americans just mentioned, with others to the
number of seventy, took refuge in the large premises of
the Methodist Mission, where for a period of twelve days
they were in a state of semi-siege, a time which was a
most important rehearsal of the coming period of far
greater trial. An elaborate organization was at once
efïected, committees of many kinds chosen, fortifications
and defences begun, sentries mounted, the Chinese Chris-
tians drilled and armed, so that when the whole body of
foreigners assembled at the British Légation, and the
British Minister desired the active coopération of the
Americans, the whole machinery was in order, and it was
only necessary to slip the belt on the wheel for it to begin
to work.

5. The safety of the native Christians. When the
sudden murder of the German Minister led to the order
that ail foreigners should repair to their Légations, noth-
ing was said in regard to the native Christians. They
were regarded as outside the sphère of influence of the
Ministers, who took no action in regard to them at ail.
To many they were an unconsidered and a negligible
quantity. Largely through the agency of the lamented
Professer James, who was killed at the very time of the

If^fl

JlT

510

CHINA IN CONVULSION

entrance of the Christians to the palace which he had
helped to secure for them, they were graciously and mar-
vellously provided for, at a time of dire extremity, in the
Su Wang Fu. Little as most of us realized it at the time,
this palace and its grounds were absolutely essential to
our salvation. Without it the British, Spanish, Japanese,
French and German Légations could not hâve been held,
and without the services of the Chinese Christians the
work of defence could not hâve been prosecuted. It
might hâve been said, " except thèse abide in the ship,
ye cannot be saved."

6. In round numbers there were probably three thou-
sand persons to be fed during the siège, exclusive of the
many hundred marines. Many foreigners came into the
Légation, as did nearly ail the Chinese, without any pro-
vision whatever. It was inherently improbable that any
considérable food-supply could be obtained within our
lines, for a siège of unknown duration. Yet in a grain
shop on Légation Street was discovered between one
hundred and two hundred tons of wheat of this year's
crop, recently arrived from Honan. Besides this, there
were mountains of rice, white and yellow Indian corn,
puise, and much else. AU the shops in Peking dealing in
foreign goods were within our lines, and their stores
were immediately available, and during the whole siège
were absolutely essential.

There was a large supply of ponies for the races, as
well as mules, most of which were consumed for food,
while nearly ail the remainder were needed for hauling,
grinding grain, etc. The food for ail thèse animais was
supplied as remarkably as that for men and women. Con-
sidérable sorghum and beans we.re discovered, besides a
huge pile of millet-straw close to two dwelling-houses
which had been burned, — one on either side of the straw,

THE HAND OF GOD IN THE SIEGE 511

which was not disturbed. Many old résidents of Peking
were surprised to find the water of the eight wells in the
British Légation was of great excellence, and it was
abundantly proved that it could be safely drunk without
being filtered or boiled. While there were heavy drafts
on thèse wells during the great fires, they never once
failed us.

The fuel supply was absolutely unlimited, though had
it been absent nothing could hâve taken its place. We
were surrounded by hundreds of thousands of pounds of
coal, which had only to be brought a short distance.
Wrecked buildings afiforded ail the kindling needed and
abundant timbers for fortifications.

7. Miscellaneous supplies were procured from the for-
eign stores ; and clothing for many foreigners, who had
not even a change of garments, was found at tailor shops
near by. One of the greatest, most imperative, and con-
stant needs, was material for sand bags, of which perhaps
50,000 may hâve been made. At first, légation curtains,
damask tablecloths, and any and every fabric obtainable
was used. Later the supply from the foreign stores and
Chinese sources seemed literally inexhaustible, and
to the end never gave out. From Chinese dwellings
within the lines, or without, were procured enormous
quantities of clothing most useful for the destitute
Chinese Christians, until their wants in ail directions
were amply supplied, much being sold at auction for their
benefit.

Materials for the defence were discovered in many
places, notably in a blacksmith's shop, where were ob-
tained an anvil, bellows, smelting-pots, and best of ail,
an old Chinese cannon which proved invaluable. It wâs
mounted on an Italian carriage, loaded with Russian shell
refiUed by the British armourer, charged with Chinese

■(;-

512

CHINA IN CONVULSION

powder, and fired by an American gunner — justly termed
the " International Gun." In many shops and houses
were found britannia-ware to the extent of several cart-
loads, much of which was used in making balls for the
cannon, and shot for the ItaHan one-pound gun, besides
many bullets. Of ail the miscellaneous stufï which came
to hand, very little proved amiss in the end.

8. The restraining hand of God upon the Chinese.
When foreigners were on their way to the Légations,
and everything was in a chaotic state, the Chinese might
readily hâve annihilated the whole body at a blow. While
the Chinese held the city wall, they could easily hâve
made every Légation uninhabitable if they had used the
right means. Rifle shots alone would hâve been suffi-
cient.

Then they adopted well-chosen plans to burn the
British Légation, by the spread of fires set on the out-
side. Of thèse attacks, three were fierce, persistent, and
dangerous in the extrême. Yet in the end they not only
ail failed, but we were left in each case in a stronger posi-
tion than before. More than once the wind suddenly
veered about, saving us from what appeared to be immi-
nent destruction. Buildings being removed which shel-
tered the enemy and which might spread fires in our Léga-
tion limits, we were better protected. The destruction of
the Hanlin Yuan was the means of extending our line of
defence a considérable distance, the position being later
made almost impregnable.

More terrible than ail else was the threat of mining.
This we knew to hâve been actually begun in two places,
and perhaps elsewhere, one mine in a building in the
Carriage Park, and one on the wall near our most ad-
vanced post to the west. Why were thèse mines never
finished?

THE HAND OF GOD IN THE SIEGE 513

The Chinese might at many différent times hâve made
a sudden and a violent attack at a weak point, from which
it would hâve been difficult to défend ourselves, the lines
being very long and the defenders few. Had we been
attacked by European or Japanese troops, they would cer-
tainly hâve crept down the edge of the Canal in the dark,
where our rifles could not command them, and hâve
rushed the front gâte. Only two days before the siège
was raised, was a platform completed for the planting of
a gtin to prevent this, though, owing to the greater péril
elsewhere, the gun was never mounted upon it. A few
hundred Chinese, willing to throw away their lives to
ensure the capture of the Légations, would hâve taken
them at any moment during the first month of the siège.
Why was it never done, or even attempted? The Chinese
were in some way kept from following up the principal
advantages which they gained.

At the very beginning of the siège nearly ail the Léga-
tions were abandoned in a panic, but the Chinese did not
enter, and the positions were reoccupied. At another
time the city wall was abandoned, but the Chinese did
not find it out until too late, and it was at once retaken.
When the new battery had begun to play on the house
in the south stable court, a few shots threatened to bring
the house tumbling down. Rifles attacked the battery
and it was withdrawn, and never replanted there.

At a later date shells were thrown into the house of
the Chinese Secretary in a way to threaten the whole
Légation, as well as that one dwelling. Again the rifles
assailed the gunners, and after five shots the battery was
withdrawn permanently. Time after time, when the
gunners appeared to hâve got the exact range, the shell-
ing ceased. The very last night of the siège the shells
were most destructive, but only ten shots were fired, and

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the next day the gun was gone. The most terrible en-
gines of destruction were rendered comparatively harm-
less.

It has been estimated that between a million and a
half and two million bullets must hâve been discharged
at us. In some of the ear'iier attacks, when we appeared
to be surrounded by several thousand foes, there seemed
to be 124 shots a minute, or more than two a second.
Yet excluding men at the loopholes, only three or four
pcrsons are known to hâve been injured by thèse bullets
in the crowded British Légation, where there were prob-
ably never less than 800 persons on an average, and some-
times over 1,000. One marine was killed in this way,
and two or three others wounded, and the last day of the
siège two civilians were scratched. After the relieving
force had entered the Légation, the only injury received
by any lady took place. No child was hit, though the
yards swarmed with them.

Careful count shows the number of shells and shots
iired at ail the Légations during the siège to be about
2,900. In the British Légation it is believed that no one
not on duty at the loop-holes was ever really injured by
any one of thèse, although a few Chinese were hurt by
bricks knocked down by cannon balls. Hundreds of solid
shot fell in the Hanlin courts, in the Ministers' houses,
and in other crowded places. Why were thèse innumer-
able missiles so harmless ? For a long time there appeared
to be from twelve to fifteen guns playing at once. Thir-
teen bomb-proofs were laboriously dug, but so far as is
known not one of them was ever entered to escape from
a shell.

9. The restraining hand of God in warding off disease.
The overcrowding was excessive, the conditions most
unwholesome. Orientais are impatient of sanitary re-

THE HAND OF GOD IN THE SIEGE 515

i\Â

straints. Whooping-cough, measles, typhoid and scarlet
fevers, as well as small-pox, hâve ail been experienced
during the siège, by both foreigners and Chinese, but
there was no contagion to speak of, and no épidémie.
What an opportunity for the development of Asiatic
choiera! Bad and insufficient food had caused considér-
able mortality among Chinese children, and the aged, but
in gênerai the vital statistics hâve been extraordinary.
There was no known case of heat-stroke, and for tins
latitude the weather throughout was phénoménal.

The physicians available for service were exceedingly
numerous and skilful. One of the most intelligent pa-
tients declared that in no hospital in the civilized world
would better care and more tender nursing be secured.
Lady doctors laid aside ail professional étiquette, and
were content to act simply as nurses. Under the circum-
stances, the percentage of losses in the hospital cannot
be considered large, especially among so many serions
cases.

10. The Lord sent a spirit of confusion among our
enemies, who feared us far more than we feared them.
Their most savage attacks seemed designed to prevent us
from making sorties which they exceedingly dreaded and
tried in every way to prevent.

On our part there was a spirit of unity rare to see.
Greek, Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians frater-
nized as never before. We represented every country
in Europe except Turkey and Greece, besides three in
Asia, and the United States. What a Noah's Ark ! Yet
the thought of Plato and the hint of Cicero, concerning
" the common bond " which links the whole human race
was seldom more strongly felt, realizing the idea of Paul
that we are ail members one of another. Amid political
and military jealousies this fact will remain a precious

5i6

CHINA IN CONVULSION

memory. The harmony of the defended was well matched
by the bravery of their defenders.

In ail thèse things we see the Hand of God in the Siège
in Peking. In many of its aspects it is fully and com-
prehensively anticipated in Psalm CXXIV, especially the
seventh verse, which was sent home as a telegram the
day after relief came. We honour the living for their
heroism in defending us. We cherish the memory of the
brave dead. But most of aîl we thank the Lord who
brought us through lire and water into a healthy place.

XXVIII

THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING V

FORTY years hâve elapsed since the first occupa-
tion of the capital of China by European troops,
in 1860. At that time, every considération was
shown to the feehngs of the Chinese: the city was left
uninjured, and within a month of their first entry the
troops were withdrawn from within the walls. Great
things were hoped from the blow to the national pride
involved in this brief occupancy. It was confidently ex-
pected that it would prove the death-blow to the old
stubborn arrogancy that has so long looked down upon
the foreigner as an outcast and a barbarian, and made
Peking a closed city to the outside world.

But after more than a génération of intercourse with
Europeans, Peking must still be called an anti-foreign
city from first to last.

Although the Yamên Ministers hâve gone to the Léga-
tions for occasional banquets, it has always been notice-
able that there were no return visits at their own homes,
and the effort to introduce such an innovation a few
years since was a blank failure. Except in the case of
the missionaries, it is still true that the homes of the
city are tightly closed to the outsider.

The number of treatments in the varions hospitals, es-
pecially in the pioneer one of the London Mission, has
amounted to hundreds of thousands — perhaps even to a
million or more — and many wide and effectuai doors hâve

517

» ^-

. <*,

r:.,J..

fî-

•^ie (•

;

5i8

CHINA IN CONVULSION

thiis been opened to the Chinese heart ; but, taking Peking
as a whole, it bas remained irreconcilable in its contempt
and hâte.

It bas long been known tbat tbe native pundits who
teacb foreigners tbe language would not recognize tbeir
pupils on the street should tbey meet them, because, wbat-
ever tbeir private views might be, to do so would cause
the pundit to lose " face," or self-respect. And what
was true of scholars was to a considérable degree the
case also with the tradesmen, who were willing enough
to absorb the foreign dollars, but who despised tbeir
owners. The same was also true to a large extent of tbe
working class — even the coolies — who felt themselves
immeasurably the superiors of those for whom tbey toiled
— a view not, perhaps, unlike tbat entertained by tbe
Jews in Babylon toward tbeir conquerors.

The southern city of Peking bas always prided itself
upon being far more pronouncedly anti-foreign than the
Tartar city. It bas steadily resisted every effort to buy
a foot of its sacred soil for missionary purposes, and if
tbere bave been occasional exceptions in the success of
such attempts, tbey bave but served to emphasize tbe
gênerai rule.

Such bas been the response of the capital to tbe first
foreign occupation, wben leniency and magnanimity of
treatment were scrupulously observed. The second occu-
pancy bas occurred under circumstances widely différent
from the first, and with conséquences never to be for-
gotten by the Chinese. If the crimes tbat led to it were
of a singular atrocity, tbeir punishment also bas been of a
singular completeness.

Wben tbe Boxers first arrived in practically limitless
numbers, tbey were distributed like soldiers ail over tbe
city, and fed, as soldiers often (but not always) are, at

! ? '■' M

c/î

CL,

c/)

THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING 519

the expense of the people. This would hâve been a heavy
tax, but it was followed by much worse. In order '' to
gnard the Légations," the large detachments of the troops
of Jung Lu, Commander-in-Chief of the provincial army,
and of General Tung were brought in. Thèse soldiers
were related to the Boxers much as scorpions to grass-
hoppers.

Between them the city was reduced to an acute pitch
of misery such as it had never known since the arrivai of
foreigners. Many families were extinguished, and in
others only one or two out of eight or ten members re-
mained alive. Hundreds of hcuse doors were walled up
entirely, which often meant that there was no one left.
The savages from the province of Kansu who followed
General Tung speak a strange dialect almost unintelligible
to the Pekingese, but they hâve written their names in
blood. They are to the Chinese in Peking what the
Chaldeans from afar were to the ancient Jews, " a hasty
and a bitter people."

The ruin of ail Christian property was but the be-
ginning of destruction. During the week of burn-
ing, the relatively few foreign houses by no means suf-
ficed to quench the unquenchable thirst for places to
loot and to destroy. On some days one could count six or
eight distinct fires in différent quarters, the greatest of
them ail being the destructive conflagration outside the
Front Gâte, in the southem city, where were situated the
richest shops and the most flourishing trade of Peking.

When it was once more possible for foreigners to
traverse the streets of the city, the désolation which met
the eye was appalling. Dead bodies of soldiers lay singly
or in heaps, in some instances covered with a torn old
mat, but always a prey to the now well-fed pariah dogs.
Indeed, dead dogs and dead horses poisoned the air of

520

CHINA IN CONVULSION

i'\

;];::::

II i\ f"
Ml?; .! -1

s i* ■<'■ ■

!(''■}

every région. The huge pools of stagnant water were
reeking with putrid corpses of man and beast; leaK cats
stared wildly at the passer-by from holes broken in the
fronts of shops boasting sucli signs as " Perpétuai Abun-
dance,'' " Springs of Plenty/' " Ten Thousand Prosperi-
ties," and the oft-quoted maxim from the Great Learning,
" There.is a highway to the production of wealth." One
might read over the door of a place thrice looted, and
lying in utter ruin, the cheerful motto, " Peace and Tran-
quilHty." For miles upon miles of the busiest streets of
the northern and southern city not a single shop was open
for business, and scarcely a group of persons was any-
where to be seen.

But the capital of the Chinese Empire had no sooner
been occupied by the Allies and its territory distributed
for purposes of patrol among the several military contin-
gents represented, than the Chinese began to adapt them-
selves to the new relations with the same ease with which
water fits itself to the dish into which it is poured. T^e
Japanese, having the command of the Chinese wri^len
language, were the first to enter this new field, and in
three days the whole city was inundated with little flags
with a red dise in the middle, and thousands of doors
began to be omamented with the legend : " Compilant
subjects of the Great Japanese Nation." For some time
it was common to meet Chinese v/ith such flags, the
upper space blank, and only the words '' compilant sub-
jects " inserted, the nation to which they gave their
adhérence being left to be fiUed in later — a striking com-
mentary on the " patriotism " of the Chinese. Of ten
men on the streets, eight would probably be 'furnished
w^ith flags of différent lands (in cheap imitation only,
and much the worse for a heavy shower). The advice
so often given by Chinese to one another not to " foUow

■m

,^'li.

!'f^^^

THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING 521

, ■3- --.'.:k^^

foreigners " has, then, brought about this resuit, prob-
ably unique in the history of mankind.

Not only were flags made the symbol of allegiance to
other and unknown countries, but the EngHsh language
was tortured to compel it to announce this allegiance.
" Belong Japan " was the notice on an old shed in the
great Ha Ta street. " Noble and good Sirs," read another
placard, " please do not shoot us. We are good people."
Surely never was there stranger and more unanticipated
fulfillment of the prophecy that " the sons of them that
afflicted thee shall corne bending unto thee," than the cir-
cumstance that within a few doors of a temple which
served as a Boxer headquarters one read the surprising
legend, " God Christianity men," while the remainder of
the alley was decorated w4th the reiterated pétition, " Pray
officer excuse. Hère good people."

There was not only no business doing in Peking in
the early months of the occupation, but the very sources
of commercial prosperity had been eut up by the roots.
In the northern city were four allied banks, each with
the character " Hêng," denoting Perpetuity, and the syn-
dicate (supposed to be owned by a eunuch of the Palace)
was considered as safe as the Bank of England. In
the third week in June the Chinese soldiers plundered
each of the Perpetuities, which hâve ceased to exist —
as for a time did ail other cash-shops and banks. The
streets were abundantly supplied with bank-bills, which
blew hither and thither with the gusts of wind and the
swirls of dust, and were impartially nosed over in the
gutters by the few surviving dogs.

It was not many months, however, ère the shrewd
Chinese had a System of cash-shops once more in opéra-
tion, greatly modified by the inrush of foreign dollars
which now became the standard currency of the city.

U. i

522

CHINA IN CONVULSION

1 ■■ ^*i

During the extrême political uncertainties of the winter,
it sometimes happened that the price of silver in terms
of Peking cash suddenly advanced, at one time to the
extent of twenty-five per cent within a period of about
three weeks. This was supposed to be because silver can
be buried with facility, while brass cash is much too bulky,
and it was considered only prudent to confide one's
bulhon to Mother Earth, who, when not tampered with,
is practically the only safe banker in the Empire.

That the gâtes of Peking, so intimately associated in the
minds of ail Orientais with the safety of the people, suf-
fered severely during and after the siège bas been al-
ready mentioned. The Boxers were responsible for in-
directly igniting the outer tower of the Ch'ien Mên dur-
ing their costly conflagration of June I3th, and the inner
tower was set on fire accidentally through the carelessness
of a signal party after the British troops were in posses-
sion.

The outer tower of the Ha Ta gâte also disappeared
in flames and smoke during those stormy days, while that
of the Ch'i Hua Mên was destroyed by the Japanese on
their entry. After the foreign soldiers took charge of
Peking the city gâtes were never closed at ail, the de-
pendence for security being not upon the wall but upon
the guards and the sentries at the outposts.

The first instinct of the Occidental on taking posses-
sion of a Chinese city is to provide facile means of ingress
and egress. The Chinese seldom make gâtes except in
the middle of the v/alls on each face of the city, to the
great inconvenience of traffic and with a waste of time
utterly intolérable to Westemers. Peking had not been
occupied three days before the hole already mentioned
had been blown through the walls into the Impérial
City, at the head of the canal above the British Lega-

1—4

C/3

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THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING

523

tion, and this has ever since been an important thor-
oughiare. At a point more than half-way up the east
face of the same wall another slit was eut also, wide
enough to admit of the passage of carts, saving many
hours of time in crossing the city. But the greatest
innovation of ail was at the southwest corner of the
Tartar City, where the British dug a tunnel quite
through the entire outer wall, making an arch, securely
boarded in, and labeled in Chinese " English Gâte." It
has a barricade on the outside and on the inside, and has
become indispensable to foreigners, although the Chinese
will doubtless hasten to close it up when they hâve the
power. The cutting thus laboriously drilled through the
tough concrète, on which dynamite is said to hâve made
but a faint impression, gave an interesting exhibition of
the internai anatomy of the fourteen and a quarter miles
of this vast protecting rampart, which after ail failed to
protect.

During the spring there was witnessed the remarkable
spectacle of the démolition by the Royal Engineers of
the south-western tower at the corner of the wall of the
northern city, that its timbers might be employed for
the rehabilitated railway to Tientsin. It will be remem-
bered by those who hâve evervisited the Capital of China
that each face of thèse towers has eight and forty little
Windows each provided with the board shutter on which
is painted the picture of the mouth of a cannon — a not
inapt symbol of the gênerai defences of Peking.

Directly in front of the Temple of Heaven was the new
terminus of the Tientsin and Peking Railway, formerly
at Ma Chia P'u, a mile or two outside the southern city.
A huge breach was made in the wall of the southern
city, through which the trains enter, reminding the
traveller of old York in England — an innovation for

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

which, but for the Boxers, we might hâve waited long.
In front of the station stretched a long row of electric
lights, the plant of which was rescued'from the Summer
Palace by the British, and was now for the first time made
useful.

The carts and wagons which cluster about the sta-
tion on arrivai of the trains were l^ept from overrun-
ning the platform by a long line of stone posts with
a familiar look. One face read '* Southwest boundary
Wang Family," and the next " Northeast boundary Chang
Family." They came from the corners of cemeteries in
the country, the practical and unsentimental Occidental
soldier finding the removal of thèse landmarks the easiest
way to accomplish his end.

The original terminus of the Lu-Han Railway, one of
the first enterprises of this sort undertaken by the Chinese
Government, was placed at Lu Kuo Ch'iao, on the Yung
Ting (or Hun) river, so as to be at a safe distance from
the Capital. During the military occupation it appeared
to be a suitable opportunity to extend the line directly
to Peking, no questions being likely to be asked. This
was accordingly donc, and a hole was blown in the west
wall of the southern city, and the rails laid near the
dividing wall between the cities and parallel with it.
The station was fixed just outside the Ch'ien Mên.

The British military authorities, on the other hand,
determined upon a line to the Peiho at T'ung Chou, which
was at once begun on the same facile terms. The em-
bankment passes through the enceinte of the Ha Ta gâte,
to a station just outside the water gâte through which
the British relieving force entered the city ; from the Ha
Ta gâte eastward it passes under the wall in a direct
line. through a breach in the wall of the southern city.

Thus T'ung Chou, which eut ofif its own hope by refus-

THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING

525

ing the railway when it was first projected, may yet
through its agency be raised, as it were, from the dead.

The plan of the AlHes in this and numerous other im-
provements appears to be to introduce practical améliora-
tions of existing conditions which may hâve to be
defended by pressure for a few years, after which it is
hoped that the Chinese will so thoroughly appreciate
them that there will be no call for a return to the previous
conditions.

Let it not be supposed that because Western modes
of transportation are increasingly employed, Asia is sud-
denly to be hustled into the abandonment of its past and
of its traditions. Perhaps the best symbol of that past
and its traditions is the patient, slow, but sure-footed
camel, who has always abounded in Peking streets, " a
prince in winter, a beggar in summer," with bits of hair
hère and there clinging to his almost bare hide. The long
lines which used to be seen loaded with tea for Russia
hâve disappeared, but droves of them are still bringing
coal from the western hills as of yore. It is a Chinese
adage that when the camel carries despatches, whatever
may be said of his speed, he is at least sure. Attentive
contemplation of their apparently expressionless visage
may reveal the ground-plan of a sly half-wink, as if the
leader of the long line of deliberate créatures were calmly
ruminating thus : " Ah ! I perceive that you believe you
could get on and not use me. Ah ! you were wrong, as
you shall see; for I am strong, I can wait long; hère I
belong; long after you and yours are gone, hère I shall
be."

The numerous jinrikishas which had begun to form so
prominent a feature in Peking, and which were so utterly
extinguished by the siège and its concomitants, again
became all-pervasive, forming a useful link in the not too

526

CHINA IN CONVULSION

abundant facilities for locomotion. Carts once more began
to ply for hire, at rates somewhat advanced above those of-
former days, and the streets, including the few which had
been metaled, after being badly worn by the heavy army
and otlier traffic, were repalrcd, although but superficially,
if at ail, by the military authorities.

In ordinary tim.es the dust is partly laid by throwing
on the roads ail the waste water of the city, but for many
months this was altogether pretermitted, and the resuit
was such depths of loôse, friable soil as passed ail pre-
vious expérience, which was already sufficiently painful.
The whole winter may be said to hâve been one semi-
continuous dust-storm, reducing life to its lowest
terms, although the climate is not in itself objec-
tionable.

Under the military government of the city, Peking
was lighted at night as it had never been before,
in many places every house being required to maintain a
lamp at the door. Even on the walls of the Impérial
City, and in places where heretofore there had usually
reigned Cimmerian darkness, small kérosène lamps shone
clear, enabling the traveller to see his way with sufficient
distinctness. Even the smaller alleys were thus lit to
some extent, and in the larger streets, as outside the
Ch'ien Mên, the eiïect was not unlike that of a Western
row of Street lamps. The military also endeavoured to
teach the Chinese how to keep their streets and alleys
clean, an art never previously acquired in the capital of
China. Had the occupation of the city been prolonged,
there ought to hâve been a marked improvement in its san-
itation as a whole ; but that the Chinese themselves will
ever adopt and enforce régulations like thèse is too much
to expect. As the saying goes, " When the windlass stops,
the garden-beds dry up."

THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING 527

The huge piles of lime which during the siège were
so conspicuous in readiness for the repair of the Peking
highways, were absorbed by military or by private indi-
viduals, who will doubtless never again find such material
50 conveniently provided. A huge combination of cap-
ital had a '' corner " on ail the lime-kilns in the Western
Hills région, as well as on ail the brick-kilns, and expected
to realize great sums when rebuilding once set in.

The siège barricades were everywhere entirely re-
moved, and the British Légation was soon put into
its normal trim and tidy condition. But the wall at the
extrême end of the north stables was left as the reliev-
ing forces found it, battered by the incessant impact
of buUets, shot, and shell, the whole surmounted by a
damaged lookout, surmounted by decaying sand-bags,
while beneath on the outer face of the wall are printed
in bold capitals the significant words : " lest we

FORGET."

The disposition of the refuse from the cavalry stables
appeared to hâve been a perplexing problem. It was ill
solved by making huge winrows in the spacious broad-
ways in front of the Impérial City on the south, forming
a perpétuai Gehenna, where lean and mangy dogs
during the bitter winter weather reposed in peace and
security on the warm and reeking manure piles. One
of the military eccentricities was the renaming of ail
the Peking streets, one being " Gaselee Road," another
" Stewart Road," etc., so that when an American sol-
dier informed one that his barracks were at " the corner
of Ave. A and 5th St." in the southem city, it was neces-
sary to study a new map.

The présence of so many foreigners in the Capital ren-
dered the pursuit of philological researches both easy
and fascinating. One of the more récent arrivais wished

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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to know why the Chinese were always saying " Quite
so," and what they meant by it. It tumed out to be
merely a reflection of the impatient foreigner, whose most
imperious demand is k'uai-tsoii (go on fast.) Still
another thoughtful observer noticed the singular fact that
the Chinese appeared famiHar with one of the most doubt-
ful of French novelists, and frequently spoke hîs name
— " Zola," tsou-la (gone) !

The one phrase of pure and unadulterated Pekingese
which is more certain to be heard than any other, is the
expression '' Pitkou pcnrh " — meaning that the sum of
money supposed to bave been mentioned is less than the
article cost. It is said that " poko " is a Filipino word,
meaning " a little," and it was soon introduced into
Pekingese as a new slang phrase with a wide range of
meaning. A defective postage-stamp was " pukou
pcnrh," and so was a lad who failed to win a race with
his fellow, or a lamp chimney with a flaw.

The city in which ail foreigners were but îately stormed
at with shot and shell, now began to display posters in
Chinese informing the natives at what places schools
might be found where English, French, Russian, or Jap-
anese could be learned. The walls of the entrances to
the Forbidden city bore hnge hand-bills notifying the
whereabouts of the " Y. M. C. A. Reading, Writing, and
Coffee Rooms," while on West Légation street might be
observed the announcement printed in neat capitals :
" The work-shop in which any iron-work are pro-
posed." French and German advertisements everywhere
abounded, and the main street of the southem city bris-
tled v/ith notifications in every leading European lan-
guage, as well as in Japanese ; they were of every variety,
from a barber's shop with its colored pôle, to the per-
emptory announcement at the railway station in front of

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THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING 529

'■M

the Temple of Heaven : " No Admittance Except on Bus-
iness.

The Winter Palace, within the innermost recesses of
what the troops hâve dubbed " The Sacred City," was vis-
ited diiring the winter by many thousand persons, mili-
tary and civil, and later by a stream of tourists, and while
ail of its buildings may not hâve been entered, the greater
part of them are now as familiar to us as the palaces at
Versailles, and hâve been photographed times without
number. It bas been well known that from the very first
opcning of thèse apartments to the sélect circle, the curios
and bric-a-brac began to disappear, until, ère weeks had
passed. nothing portable was left in sight, and but little of
any kind which would be worth carrying away. It is sup-
posed that much still remains within the storehouses and
treasuries with which the résidences of princes and the
Impérial family are amply provided ; but for the exclusive
and haughty Manchus who hâve so long ruled Qiina, it
is difficult to regard their abodes as other than hopelessly
defiled by the contamination of the Barbarian for so many
moons.

There were left the foreign musical instruments, an
organ, a baby-organ, and a piano, ail horribly out of
tune, together with a pile of books in the Emperor's
îibrary, some silk-covered mattresses on the divans
(stuffed with cotton), and the usual worthless bric-a-brac
of the Chinese mansion, ail that is really valuable having
been removed to some other sphère of usefulness. Some
time ago there was the huge brass (or bronze?) éléphant
v/ith his preposterous accompaniments of a train, but like
the real animais in the city he seems to hâve gone the
way of the rest, and perhaps some time when a visitor's
vest-pockets had an unusual bulge. it was owing to this
two foot monstrosity tucked carelessly away inside!

53°

CHINA IN CONVULSION

■^^

As the restrictions upon entering became more strin-
gent, the number of doors closed up with a long type-
written set of rules and régulation multiplied, until there
were many places, once easy of access, closed to ail
corners. And the public was politely requested not to
kick the Chinese attendants because they declined to open
doors which they were forbidden to unlock. This cau-
tion was not unnecessary, as the demeanour of the mili-
tary portion of the visitors frequently demonstrated.
They are used to being minded without question, and to
hâve a " heathen Chinée " refuse to do what they told
him was intolérable.

On the whole the more minute and reiterated inspec-
tion of the " Palaces " was disappointing. We knew ail
the while that they must be much the same as other
Chinese élégant dwellings, yet we had a secret hope that
it would prove otherwise. To begin with, courts in the
Winter Palace are surprisingly small in area, and one
is not without a feeling of pity for an Empress and an
Emperor who should hâve to put up with much smaller
breathing-places between their dwellings than some of
their humbler subjects. Why the palaces were laid out
on such a scrimped pattem is as unaccountable as the like
phenomenon in the village hamlet, where the land, being
worth absolutely nothing at ail, is treated as if it were the
corner-lot of a city, and must not be wasted. Taking
into account the far ampler accommodations of the build-
ings used as headquarters by Count von Waldersee and
the German officers, it is easy to see why they should hâve
gradually displaced in favour the others in the more
'' Forbidden City " itself .

This "Western Court" (Hsi Yuan), which lias long
been the city home of the Empress Dowager and the
Emperor, is situated to the west of the main Forbidden

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THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING

531

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City, to which it forms a species o£ annex. The abode
of the former (called Ying T'ai) was the handsomest
building in Peking, with rich black-wood carving adapted
to entrance the eye (and to hold the dust) in an unusual
degree. In the adjacent courts there were théâtres, lotus-
ponds, and endless pavihons, while at the south-western
angle there was a stretch of what is probably the most
extensive and elaborate rock-work in China, so skilfully
concealing the relatively small areas of the enclosure that
the gênerai effect was that of intricate labyrinths, though
the whole tract is but a few rods in width.

Still further east is the palace of the Emperor (Nan
Hai Tzu) in which for many months he was confined
upon an island in gilded misery, daily sitting on the ter-
race on the southem side overlooking the lake, and vainly
longing for a turn in the wheel of Fortune, which, when
at last it came, by no means brought the relief expected.

On the night of the I7th of April the Ying T'ai Palace
of the Empress Dowager was largely destroyed by a
fierce fire, which was so rapid in its spread that the
Commander-in-Chief of ail the Armies was rescued
through a window, while his Chief of Staff, Gen.
von Schwartzhoff, v/ho returned to his room to save val-
uable papers, was bumed to death immediately. It is
altogether likely that thèse, and similar disasters, are
largely if not entirely due to the careless manner in which
Westerners introduced their huge stoves into the fragile
structures designed to be heated only by braziers, or at
most by coal fires under the brick floor. The first step
taken by the Occidental is to build brick partitions, and to
wall in the vérandas, and the next is to set up his stoves
with pipes of ail sizes, made of the most imperfect ma-
terials, protrnding through the flimsy wooden lattice-work
at ail heights and angles. The Chuiese servants, in the

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532

CHINA IN CONVULSION

"à.

effort to suit their masters and keep the fires always hot,
stuff the stoves to the top with fuel, and then leave the
stove door open to prevent too rapid combustion. With
such antécédents the conséquences experienced are almost
inévitable.

From the Nan Hai Tzu to the Ying T'ai, and northward
along additional lotus-ponds, extended the Une of the toy
railway built for the délectation of His Majesty, where
he was wont to ride in the carriages pushed by coolies so
as to insure immunity from railway accidents. For the
accommodation of the handsomely fumished cars elabo-
rate sheds had been built, but the vehicles had long been
entirely exposed to the weather, and during the rains and
snows had not only parted with their élégant varnish, but
likewise with every scrap of plush and velvet trimmings.
A string of open freight cars was daily employed for
removing the manure from the stables of the German
cavalry.

The hitherto inaccessible Goal Hill became greatly
appreciated by the Ghinese as a récréation park, for which
it was much frequented. At its eastern side near the base
is pointed out the gnarled and stunted pine-tree on which
the last Emperor of the native Ming Dynasty hung him-
self in 1644, when he saw that the Manchus had entered
his Capital and seized his Empire.

In the beautiful Iho Park, within the inclosure
known as the " Summer Palace," or Wan Shou Shan,
several miles northwest of Peking, the Empress spent
much of her time, and it was hère that she was
visited by her favourites in the officiai ranks, bring-
ing Word of everything said and done outside. Thèse
spacious and beautiful grounds, known as the Moun-
tain of Ten Thousand Ages, were in 1860 visited
by the besom of destruction as a penalty for the

:' 3ï

COAL HILL, CHINESE SERVING GERMAN OFFICERS

SUMMER PALACE FROM THE LAKE

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THE PUNISHMENT OF PEKING 533

treachery of the Impérial Court in capturing and tortur-
ing Sir Harry Parkes and others while protected by a flag
of truce. Within récent years the buildings hâve been
restored to something of their pristine beauty, and re-
stocked with those élégant adornments inséparable from
Oriental luxury.

It is a strange fate which lias overtaken this pleasure
park that, at the expiration of just forty years from the
former destruction, it should once more fall into the
hands of the Barbarians, and, while not this time reduced
to absoiute ruins, should yet be unmercifully looted. Even
the huge Buddhas were toppled over with violence to
get at their true inwardness, and the looters hâve often
been rewarded by securing old Chinese treasury notes
dating back to the middle of the fourteenth century.

The crowning Temple to the Five Hundred Buddhas,
on the crest of the hill, which almost alone escaped the
dévastation of 1860, lias now been less fortunate, for in
some unexplained manner a fire was started in it, and
though its structure was too massive to fall, its walls are
blackened and cracked from the efïects of the intense
beat.

From the lake at the base of the hill upon which this
Temple stands to the summit, stretched a splendid suite
of apartments, which when inspected by civilians were
found to be scènes of wreck and ruin. The rooms were
littered with broken fragments of carved partitions, and
pièces of immense plate-glass windows, while prisms of
chandeliers and broken bulbs of electric lights strewed
the floors. That portion of this palace assigned to British
care was carefuUy guarded and kept in fair condition,
while ail bric-a-brac still remaining was removed to a
place of safety and securely guarded.

The fate of the Impérial palaces in falling into the

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534

CiilNA IN CONVULSION

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hands of the invader was matched by that of the abodes
of the Princes, Dukes. and other nobility, ail of which
were promptly pitched upon, as a " military necessity,"
for headquarters. The former palace of Prince Ch'un
in the southwest corner of the city in which the présent
Emperor was born (and which therefore had to be given
up as a résidence and rebuilt as a family temple) was
occupied by Gen. Stewart. Among its unique features
was a model of a Chinese junk made with great fidelity
in détails, but built on a foundation of brick and stone
in an artificial pond, v/here the occupants might go and
imagine themselves on a voyage. This was employed by
the British as a small-pox hospital !

A still more surprising curiosity, however, was a model
of a small steam-boat likewise on a rock-work basis in
another pond, in which were decks, upper and lower,
steering-wheel, cabin with complète set of berths, each
state-room with a foreign lock, etc., etc., ail complète.
This proved a most useful mine to the carpenters in refit-
ting the Fu for foreign use, and ail the cabin flooring, the
locks, gangways, and the like, were unceremoniously
transferred to the rooms of the General and his stafï.

At another palace in the neighbourhood there was sup-
posed to be treasure buried, which the officers tried in
vain to discover. At îength a représentative of the owner
succeeded through Li Hung Chang in getting a pass for
men and carts to go by night and remove whatever was
concealed, the British officer being politely requested to
shift his bed (temporarily) while the jars of ingots buried
beneath were being exhumed !

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XXIX

THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION

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ASIDE from the résidences of the nobility, count-
less dwellings of those whose names are known
ail over China were open to inspection, and with
the inspection commenced what vvas practically a trans-
formation. A particularly desolate place of this sort on
an alley opening on the Ha Ta street was pointed out as
belong-ing to Wêng T'ung Ho, formerly tutor of the
Emperor. The Austrian contingent took possession of
the house of Ch'ung Li (Governor of the Nine Gates of
Peking) — a very attractive place not at ail like the typical
P^u and quite neat and clean. When the late owner sent
over to ask for a fur garment as the winter was coming
on, they genially replied that they had none to spare!

By an arrangement with the Italians, the T'ung Chou
Christians and their shepherds occupied the premises
known as the Chao Kung Fu, north of the Tung Hua
gâte, and close to the Impérial City wall. This place was
ovvned by someone who had an eye to the picturesque,
and built a very pretty two-storied building facing east
and west, called the '' Ying Ch'un Lou,'' or '' Chamber to
Welcome Spring." An enemy at Court promptly de-
nounced the audacity of erecting such a structure which
should command a view of the Impérial City, and the
Empress Dowager saw her opportunity and fined the
unhappy welcomer of the Spring one hundred thousand
taels. As he was unable to raise more than forty thou-

535

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536

CHINA IN CONVULSION

sand taels, tiie Empress kindly confiscated his place for
the remainder, and gave it to her own younger brother,
whose son was living in it when the troubles came on.
The owners were very willing to hâve foreigners in occu-
pation, as their premises were thus safe from further
pillage than they had already undergone from the Ital-
ians, and they hâve now been put in good order again
at some expense. A considérable Christian community
is lodged in numerous houses ail around. The hours by
day and night are sounded by a watchman on the large
500-pound bell of the North China Collège at T'ung
Chou, which was stolen by the Boxers when the place was
burnt, carried to a village and buried, and later rose from
the dead and was brought to Peking. This bell and three
or four bunches of keys are ail that now remain visible
of that institution of leaming, aside from low rows of
brickbats on its former site, and numerous pits.

After the occupation of the premises by the T'ung Chou
station, Mr. Tewksbury, its indefatigable manager-in-
chief, employed the chamber mentioned above as a
printing-ofïice, whence hâve issued, together with much
else, numerous copies of the tonic-sol-fa hymn-books to
replace those destroyed last year. One of the rooms con-
sists of five expansive divisions, and appeared to be fore-
ordained for a chapel, which it has become. It is now
filled every Sunday with several hundred Christians, and
the Duke and Duchess who formerly lived there regularly
attended the morning worship. During the winter the
premises, through Prince Su as middleman, were leased
to the Mission for two years at a fair price, payment
beginning at the signing of the Protocol in January. At
the back of the room used as a chapel hung a large tablet
draped v/ith white silk, as the Chinese symbol of moum-
ing, and across its front were hung, against a background

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THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 537

L * .;«

of blue cloth, tags of silk containing the names of those
members of the T'ung Chou church who gave their lives
in witness of their faith. The Ust, though far from com-
plète, embraced the names of forty-four men, forty-six
women, and forty children.

The Missions of the American Presbyterians and of
the American Methodists were each lodged in the rési-
dences of the gentry, with full approbation of the
owners, who would otherwise hâve lost everything left in
thèse dwelHngs. The latter Mission required accommo-
dations for the students of the Peking University, and
for the hundred or more school-girls who had been suc-
cessfully carried through the siège, but for whom a secure
domicile was imperative.

The expériences of the London Mission refugees were
so unique that a few paragraphs may well be devoted to
them as strikingly illustrating the exigencies of the time.

On account of the absence of the maie members of the
Mission, Miss Georgina Smith found herself in charge
of about 200 destitute refugees who had no food and
no means of getting any. The compound next to the
London Mission on the southeast was vacant, having been
owned and occupied by a Manchu family active in the
Boxer outrage, who had promoted the destruction of the
mission buildings and later walled in a portion of the land
for their own use. Now they justly feared punishment
and had ail fled, and the authorities, légation and mil-
itary, handed over this place to Miss Smith with ail which
it contained.

She had no money and could get none, but she issued
tickets for a certain amount of grain, redeemable on
demand at the neighbouring shops just resuming business.
The latter preferred the orders to ready money as they
were liable at any moment to be robbed by the Russian

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

soldiers, against whom Miss Smith was provided with a
written protection signed by the General, which was
framed and in constant réquisition.

The furniture of the premises was left untouched, and
funds were raised in the only practicable way by the sale
of the furs and other clothing of the establishment. AU
the converts were set to work and the proceeds thrown
into a common fund, a plan which worked surprisingly
well. Contracts were taken for making mattresses, quilts,
and horse-cloths for the British troops, and then for the
Germans. Later another contract was taken to furnish
hay for the Indian horses, and finally to undertake the
scavenging of the German section of the city, thus pro-
viding full employment for ail. Preachers, teachers, hos-
pital-dispensers, and ail others received a uniform allow-
ance of about sixpence a day.

When German rule replaced that of the Russians the
whole district w^ould hâve been impartially occupied and
incidentally looted but for the prompt action of Miss
Smith, who offered to provide the Germans with furni-
ture for barracks, officers' rooms, etc., on condition that
the matter should be left entirely in lier hands, and no
soldiers allowed to enter the homes of the people. On
thèse terms the non-Christian Chinese in the neighbour-
hood gladly collected ail that was required, and countless
familles were saved from spoliation.

The authorities with the aid of the Christians sought
out some of the chief Boxers and dealt with them, while
others through intermediaries offered to make restitution
or compensation for the injuries which they had inflicted
on Christian familles, and in this way provision was made
for widows and orphans. In récognition of her distin-
guished services Miss Smith was presented with six pairs

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THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 539

of the gorgeous " Myriad People Canopy," the highest
popular honour in China, and not often bestowed.

Attentive considération of an instance like this makes it
strikingly évident how much may be accomplished by one
resolute and resourceful Western woman, and how hope-
less it would be to judge of such conditions and the steps
required to meet them without full and accurate acquain-
tance with the facts.

The Government of China has always been conducted
through the agency of the six Boards, of War, Rites,
Works, Revenue, Civil Office, and Punishments, mostly
situated on a street named after one of the most impor-
tant— the Board of War. At the wide doors con-
ceaHng the arcana of this Chinese officiai life, foreigners
hâve for the most part hitherto gazed from afar. Every
one of thèse Boards was promptly occupied by the mili-
tary, as well as several other Government Bureaus in the
vicinity, some of which wQve destroyed during the occu-
pation, and others, like the Board of Revenue, burned
somewhat later.

The Board of Works and the Board of War fell
to the British as headquarters of an Indian régi-
ment, the tall and dusky warriors of the hill tribes of
the Indian frontier making themselves at home in the
ample apartments at their disposai. The thrifty Japanese
contrived to get the west side of this same street redis-
tributed so as to come vvithin their lines, and then sent
a caravan of mules working day and night for a long
period, and carried ofï from the Board of Revenue treas-
ury a sum reported to be at least three million taels, in
silver ingots. This same Oriental race, who appeared to
know- much more about Peking than the Pekingese them-
selves, promptly fastened their talons on ail the principal

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Impérial granaries, and are said to hâve gained posses-
sion of rice to the value of several million dollars — their
indemnity being thus automatically paid with no diplo-
matie pressure whatever, or any consent asked of any
" Power."

Perhaps one of the most characteristic structures in
China is that of the Board of Punishments. Ail the Boards
are situated almost in a block just west of the British
Légation, but this stands by itself to the west of the divid-
ing Street of the city. You know when you get to it,
because you seem to be going into a basement as you
alight from your cart and look down into the main
entrance, which is several feet below the average level of
the road. If your visit is in summer, you will see a huge
pond in the first courtyard, and the same repeated in
every other. If you enquire of one of the attendants,
remaining after the Empress took her flight and somebody
liberated ail the hundreds of prisoners then confined there,
to what height the water really comes when it is highest,
he raises his hand to about the level of his neck, " To
hère." " But," you observe, " then there must be water
in ail the side-rooms, which you see are on a still lower
plane " " Of course," he replies simply.

Scattered about the court were parts of the Complète
Laws of China, at présent much more conspicuous in Pe-
king by their absence than otherwise, and records of cases
innumerable, now gone to the région which Carlyle com-
pendiously referred to as '' the mud-gods."

The prisons proper, of which there are perhaps twenty
or twenty- four (or perhaps forty-eight, it does not mat-
ter), are ail just alike, old buildings with brick walls, with
thick wooden gratings to the windows, which a Euro-
pean prisoner would whittle in two with a pocket-knife
in fifteen minutes, and within, two-inch planks laid on

THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 541

, w

piles of loose bricks. Copies of the " Peking Gazette "
were at first (just after the siège) as thick hère as the
leaves in Vallombrosa (or thereabouts), and that was far
the best place to get complète files at that time, when ail
others had omitted to " take in " the " oldest daily paper
in the world." Later the place was used as an Interna-
tional prison for a sélect lot of criminals, or alleged crim-
inals, who had not been condemned by the military, and
were sent to the Chinese to be tried by their own officers.

In the spacious Carriage Park adjoining the British
Légation on the west, which was such a thom in the side
of the besieged, there are several large halls for the
storage of the Impérial fumishings.

The British relief corps had no sooner occupied the
Légation than a hole was blown in the Carriage Park
wall by means of dynamite, and the swarthy Pathans and
Beluchis filed into the large pastures thus placed at their
disposai. It did not take long to run out of doors the
lacquered red and yellow Impérial équipages, se-
dan-chairs, wedding-chairs (incliiding the one used when
the Emperor was married), and elephant-carriages of an
eccentric and peculiar construction, where they were after-
wards exposed to the vicissitudes of the hot August sun
and the pouring rains.

Mountains of paraphernalia were found in every build-
ing— silk cushions, satin pillows, gorgeous harnesses and
trappings of every description and of no description at ail.
Mule-loads of this élégant rubbish were brought into the
Légation for sale by auction, or perhaps for transmission
to the distant Isle of the Océan whence came the " fierce
and untamable Barbarian " (as the British used to be
termed in Chinese despatches). Both in the expansive
grounds of the Carriage Park and in the far larger ones of
the Temple of Heaven, parks of artillery stood serenely

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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awaiting fresh orders, the mules meantime trampling in
the mire hundreds of moth-eaten officiai hats made of felt,
and furlongs of once élégant and costly silk coverings of
bridai chairs and palanquins. The tall weeds, undis-
turbed for no one can say how long by the hand of man
or the hoof of beast, rapidly disappeared, and the entire
spectacle was one adapted to make Celestials weep.

The destruction of the Hanlin Yuan has been described
in connection with the narrative of the siège, but a
few additional détails deserve mention. The principal
literary monument of the most ancient people in the
world was obliterated in an afternoon, and the wooden
stéréotype plates of the most valuable works became a
prey to the fiâmes, or were used in building barricades,
or as kindling by the British marines. Priceless lit-
erary treasures were tumbled into the lotus-ponds, wet
with the floods of water used to extinguish the fires,
and later buried after they had begun to rot, to dimin-
ish the disagreeabîe odour. Expensive camphor-wood
cases containing the rare and unique Encyclopsedia of
Yung Le were nlîed with earth to form a part of the
ramparts for defence, while the innumerable volumes
comprising this great thésaurus were dispersed in every
direction, probably to every library in Europe, as well as
to innumerable private collections. Not a few of the
volumes were thrown into the common heap to mold and
to be buried like the rest.

Thousands of Hanlin essays lay about the premises,
the sport of every breeze, serving as fire-wood for the
troops. Odd volumes of choice works furnished the waste-
paper of the entire Légation for nearly two months ; they
were found in the kitchens, used by the coolies as pads for
carrying bricks on their shoulders, and lay in piles in the

THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 543

outer streets to be ground into tatters under the wheels
of passing carts wlien traffic was once more resumed.

Qf the varied forms of Nemesis connected with the up-
rising against foreigiiers in China, the fate of the ancient
and famous Hanlin takes perhaps the foremost place.
Out of twenty or twenty-five halls, but two remained and
a few months later eVery trace of thèse had been removed
from the Hanlin premises, which are now a part of the
British Légation grounds. On the northern side a high
wall has been put up, with scientiôc loopholes concealed
in its upper part, and protection for gunners in arched
recesses at the base, while a clear space is left in front
to make a surprise impossible.

Within three minutes walk of the British Légation
stands an old yamen known as the Li Fan Yuan, which
had to do with Mongolian afîairs. During the siège it
was barricaded and loopholed, and served as one of the
numerous points from which to attack the Légations,
being directly across the main road from the northern end
of the Su Wang Fu, and but a few rods distant. When
the siège was over the buildings were found to be in
ruins, and some sales of loot were conducted there by the
Italians, but otherwise the place was completely aban-
doned.

During the winter this ancient Government Bureau
was fitted up as an International Club, at the rear of
which it was possible for members to order meals in
parties or singly, while a large room was devoted to the
indispensable bar. In the front building there was a
large room supplied with the latest British and Conti-
nental periodicals. The most récent telegrams were
posted upon a daily bulletin, and on a large placard were
registered the names of about five hundred members of

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544

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the Club — mostly the military officers of the eight différ-
ent nations représentée in Peking, whose flags floated
serenely from as many staffs at the entrance.

The part which the Tsung Li Yamen, or Foreign Office,
has taken in the relations between China and the West
is well known. It has been an Oriental circumlocution
office, not to transact but to prevent the transaction of
business. It was itself an epitome of the double-dealing,
shuffling, and treacherous policy which has marked the
course of China's intercourse with her *' Sister Nations."
A just fate has overtaken it, for while guarded by a party
of Japanese soldiers, the varions interpreters of the Léga-
tions went on a set day and unitedly sealed each the
bureau containing the records of the correspondence with
his own country, so that they are in the safe custody of
ail the Powers, while not accessible to any one solely —
least of ail to the Chinese. Surely the humiliation of a
great Empire could scarcely go lower than this.

On the first of May thèse records were restored to the
custody of the Chinese officiais appointed to take them
over, but one of the terms of settlement between China
and the Powers involves the abolition of the Yamen as
a Bureau — the only fit manner of dealing with this cum-
brous and exasperating pièce of Oriental machinery.

The questions with regard to the survival of the rec-
ords of Chinese yamens and other public offices in Peking,
is naturally one of much interest to the Chinese them-
selves. From repeated and diversified inquiries one
seems justified in inferring that as a rule there is noth-
ing whatever left of the documents of any of the six
Boards, or of the public offices of any sort with the excep-
tion of the Tsung Li Yamen.

Among the numerous offices for preparing the ma-
terials for future historiés, are two historiographers'

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THE CAPITAL ÎN TRANSFORMATION 545

bureaus, the one belonging to the State and called the
Kuo Shih Kuan, which is situated in the Impérial City,
inside the Tung Hua Mên. The records of the Emper-
or's sayings and doings were kept in the Ch'i Chu Chu
which was located, as we are told, within the limits of the
HanHn Courts. When the latter were attacked, the
records were prudently moved to the Kuo Shih Kuan for
safe keeping. A Chinese teacher who visited the place,
ascertained its présent condition. He reported that it
was closed, but that the contents hâve long since been
scattered to the winds of heaven. During the anarchy
foUowing upon the occupation of Peking, whoever had a
mind to do so visited the place and carried oflF whatever
he chose for waste paper, and although there may be
some parts of the archives remaining, nothing is said to
be complète, and ail might as well be lacking.

On the night of the 4th of June, 1901, a building called
the Wu Ying Tien in the southwest corner of the For-
bidden City was destroyed by a fire, the origin of which
was disputed. It was a Throne Hall, or Impérial Pavil-
ion, and its contents were archives of State, edicts, rec-
ords, books, and blocks of governmental works, and
attached to it were the Recording Office and the office
of one of the Grand Secretaries. It was the final act in
a long séries of conflagrations and destruction, the ulti-
mate effect of which can not fail to be far-reaching.

The Astronomical Observatory situated on the eastern
wall of the city, and containing the ancient and wonder-
ful products of the genius of the early Jesuits in China,
Verbiest and Schall, was speedily dismantled by the
French and the Germans, every one of the instruments
being removed to the French or German Légations, and
in the process the needless incidental damage was so great
that the whole place was left a wreck. The Chinese

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looters were not long in following those from abroad, and
the iron railings which once enclosed the terrace were
broken ofï in mère wantonness, and many of them stolen
— as why should they not be, since the place was ruined?
It is a perfectly just reflection that this vandalism of
Continental troops, under orders from their highest mili-
tary authorities, is far less excusable than the attack of
the savages under Tung Fu Hsiang on the Hanlin Yuan,
for that was done under strong excitement, and this de-
liberately and against the protests of a large part of the
civilized world.

The Examination Grounds display the same reckless
destruction. The cells for the students (a little less than
8,500 in number) open in front, with a roof slanting back-
ward, supported on two or three small pôles. Other wood-
work there is none. Yet in order to secure this trifle of
material for kindling, hundreds of the stalls were pulled
down, as well as the buildings at the entrance.

It should be mentioned that the foreign troops in urgent
need of firewood during a cold winter, demoHshed indis-
criminately whatever buildings were most convenient — -
yamens, old granaries, and temples. It was reported that
by the time the winter was over, hardly any temples re-
mained in the city of T'ung Chou.

The headquarters of the American troops during the
military occupation of Peking were in the Temple of
Agriculture, a spacious séries of enclosures in the-south-
ern part of the Chinese city. One of the main halls was
employed as a hospital, and another as a supply dépôt
for the commissariat, displaying long rows of hams, cases
of tobacco, boxes of army beans, and barrels of beef.

One of the side halls became a reading-room, and others
were hospital wards. Another had been used for
the storage of the gilded and lacquered spécimens of

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THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 547

agricultural implements, the plough, the seed-drill, the
harrow, the brush-harrow, the spade, the broom, the pitch-
fork, and smaller utensils such as baskets and broad hats.
Ail of thèse were unceremoniously hustled into the open
air, and some of the smaller articles fumished convenient
fuel for the gth and I4th Régiments of U. S. Infantry.

The officers for whose headquarters the main halls were
used had no sooner taken possession, than they began to
liave holes eut in the vénérable walls and large plate-glass
Windows inserted, a proceeding which must hâve ap-
peared to the shades of the divinities worshipped as an
additional profanation and humiliation.

The marble altar where the Emperor worships old
legendary Shên Nung was a convenient place for the
cavalry horses to be left in charge of the nearest coolie,
and the choice spot of earth which the Emperor is sup-
posed to cultivate with his own hand every successive
spring, as an example to the tillers of the soil ail over
the Empire, was quite indistinguishable amid the dense
growth of omniprésent weeds.

Across the wide street opposite the Temple of Agricul-
ture is the vast area, at least a mile on each face, in-
closing the Temple of Heaven. For many years it was
absolutely inaccessible to foreigners, and even during
the minority of the présent Emperor it was difficult to
set one's foot inside. Now there is not a single Chinese
anywhere to be seen, the keepers having been ail driven
away by the British when they took possession imme-
diately on reaching Peking. One can drive his cart quitc
up to the lofty terrace leading to the triple cerulean
dômes denoting the threefold heaven. Each gâte was
sentried by a swarthy Sikh soldier — the personification of
the domination of a greater empire than that of Rome
in its best days — who merely glanced at you as you passed

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or asked unintelligible questions in Hindustani, and made
a respectful salaam when he was informed in several
European languages, as well as in Chinese, that you
were unable to catch the drift of his observations.

The door to the great circular building devoted to the
ancestral tablets of the Manchu dynasty stands wide
open. It contained a huge tablet on the northern side, to
Impérial Heaven, and eight cases — four on a side — to the
eight Emperors who hâve thus far reigned during the
past two hundred and fifty-six years. Every one of the
eight cases, with heavy carved doors, has been broken
open, and every one of the eight tablets to the deified
ancestors has been taken away by British officers for
transmission to the British Muséum — an act of almost
justifiable reprisai for Chinese treatment of the foreign
cemetery.

The Emperor's Hall of Fasting was used as the head-
quarters of the British army in this part of the city, and
every day was partly filled with many cart-loads of loot
— silks, furs, silver and jade omaments, embroidered
clothing, and the like. This was daily forwarded to the
British Légation, and sold at auction for the benefit of
the army, to be soon replaced by as much more. The
Personal apartments of the Emperor in the rear served
as the bedrooms of the officers, who looked mildly sur-
prised when the circumstance was communicated to
them at their dinner, and merely gave an inquiring glance,
as much as to say, " Well, what of it, don't you know ? **

The seventh section of the Peace Conditions imposed
by the Powers upon China provided for defences around
the Légations and for the removal of ail Chinese build-
ings from their vicinity. The " Légation Area '' was
construed to embrace at least ail the territory within a
rectangle bounded on the south by the wall of the city,

II--;

548

CHINA IN CONVULSION

or asked unintelligiblc questions in Ilindustani, and made
a respectful salaam when he was informed in several
European languagcs, as wcll as in Chinese, that you
were unable to catch the drift of his observations.

The door to the great circular building devoted to the
ancestral tablets of the Alanchu dynasty stands wide
open. It containcd a huge tablet on the northcrn sidc, ta
Impérial Heavcn, and eight cases — four on a side — to the
eight Emperors who hâve thus far reigned during the
past two hundred and fifty-six years. Every one of the
eight cases, with heavy can^ed doors, has been broken
open, and every one of the eight tablets to the deified
ancestors has been taken away by British officers for
transmission to the British Muséum — an act of almost
justifiable reprisai for Chinese treatment of the foreign
cemetery.

The Emperor's Hall of Fasting was used as the head-
quarters of the British army in this part of the city, and
every day was partly filied with many cart-loads of loot
— silks, furs, silvcr and jade ornaments, embroidered
clothing, and the like. This was daily forwarded to the
British Légation, and sold at auction for the benefit cf
the army, to be soon replaccd by as much more. The
Personal apartments of the Emperor in the rear served
as the bedrooms of the officers, who looked mildly sur-
priscd whcn tlie circnmstance was communicatcd to
them at their dinner, and mercly gave an inquiring glancc,
as much as to say, " Well, what of it, don't you know? "

The scvcnth section of the Pcace Conditions imposed
by the Powers upon China providcd for dcfences around
the Légations and for the rcmoval of ail Chinese build-
ings from their vicinity. The " Légation Area " was
construed to embrace at least ail the territory within a
rectangle bounded on the south by the wall of the city.

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THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 549

on the north by the wall of the Impérial city, on the
east by the Ha Ta street, and on the west by the médian
line of the city, leading to the Ch'ien Mên ; but that part
lying north of Légation street, and west of the Board of
War street will probably be excluded as superfluous.
Within this broad tract, measuring more than a mile
in length by perhaps half a mile in breadth, the most
revolutionary changes at once began, such as the dém-
olition of dwellings, yamens, and temples, and the gên-
erai rehabilitation of the old Légations, with the most
libéral additions.

Opposite the Austrian Légation stood a green-tiled
building which contained the Tablets of the pre-Imperial
Ancestors of the founders of the Manchu Dynasty. This
comes within the territory demanded for the Légations,
and will be removed, the efforts of the Chinese and
Manchus to save it having proved abortive. Its removal
is in itself a fit outcome of the Manchu effort to end ail
relations with the rest of the civilized world by destroy-
ing its représentatives.

The Japanese take in the Su Wang Fu, to which they
hâve a strong claim, while the Italians, the French, and
the Austrians, in like manner will cover a large part of
the fighting area of the siège, absorbing the site of the
Impérial Maritime Customs, the Impérial Mint, and the
unfinished Chinese Bank,

The abolition of the immémorial buildings belonging
to several of the six Boards was vainly resisted by the
Chinese, who will be helpless in the présence of the
new fortresses commanding the Impérial palaces. It is
a bitter humiliation, but one which the Court of Peking
richly deserves.

That Court was itself the great contriver and executor
of the crime against ail nations in Peking, and some of

550

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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îts agents hâve suffered a fit penalty. The provincial
Treasurer of Chihli, Ting Yung, whom a Military Com-
mission held at Pao Ting Fu in October adjudged guilty
of the death of the fifteen British and Americans killed
near that city, was there beheaded, together with others
of lesser importance. During the winter two other officiais
of high rank were handed by the Allies over to the
Chinese authorities to be beheaded in Peking, Ch'i Hsiu,
and the son of Hsù T'ung, Hsù Ch'eng Yu.

No Chinese had more to do with promoting the attack
upon foreigners than Li Ping Hêng, former Governor
of Shantung, and subsequently the active agent of the
Empress Dovvager. He either died or committed suicide,
and was subsequently bewailed at his home in Chang
Tê Fu, Honan.

Impérial Decrees ordered and subsequently certified
to the death of Prince Chuang (who was allowed to
strangle himself), of Yii Hsien, the most infamous of them
ail, under whose personal superintendence forty-five for-
eigners were hevvn down at his yamen in T'ai Yuan Fu, of
Chao Shu Ch'iao, Ying Nien, and others of less notoriety.
Kang I, another important factor in the Boxer rising,
was reported to hâve died in southern Shansi. Since there
was no foreign witness of thèse deaths or exécutions the
évidence of their reality lias been regarded by many as
inadéquate, but there seems little reason to suppose that
any of thèse officiais will ever again figure in Chinese
afîfairs. There is a long list of those who might well
hâve been included, but if ail were named who are
guilty it would be hard to make a beginning and still
harder to know where to stop.

The expériences of the Chinese Court in the second
enforced flight of the Empress Dowager within forty
years, hâve a peculiar interest for one wlio pursues this
strange story to its conclusion. The foUowing notes of

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THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 551

some of its incidents are quoted fram an interesting
article by Miss Luella Miner, in thfe " Century Magazine,"
the collator "being a progressive Chinese who, together
with his relatives, .suffered much bittemess from his
friendship for foreigners, and regard for Western leam-
ing. It is morally certain that the Empress Dowager
had been deceived into a belief that foreign troops were
either not near Peking, or would be unable to enter it,
otherwise her delay in effecting her flight is utterly in-
explicable.

" On the I4th of August the sound of rifles and cannon
was heard incessantly throughout the day, and it was
rumoured that foreigners and native Christians were
sneaking up from T'ung Chou and attacking one of the
eastern gâtes. Toward evening it was noised abroad
that a great company of Mohammedans, in most peculiar
costume, had entered the city and encamped in the Temple
of Heaven. Not till the next day was it generally known
in the city that Peking had been captured by the * for-
eign devils ' and that the so-called Mohammedans were
Indian troops under British officers. That Tuesday after-
noon, soon after the Rajputs and Sikhs had entered the
British Légation, General Ma was summoned to the
Palace, and commanded to await the Impérial chariot
at the northem gâte of the Forbidden City. Toward
evening the American troops captured the Ch'ien Gâte,
and sent shot and shell against the southem gâte of the
Impérial City. The Empress Dowager wept, and to-
gether with the Emperor, the Empress, and the heir ap-
parent, burned incense in the palace and prayed to Heaven.
Kang I entered the palace and with great eamestness
urged them to seek a refuge from the blast of the enemy.
An edict was issued ordering ail the princes and ministers
to foUow in the Impérial retinue.

"Early on the morning of August I5th, the allies at-

552

CHINA IN CONVULSION

1 1

tacked both the southern and eastern gâtes of the Im-
périal City, whereupon the high Ministers hastened to
the Ning Shou Palace to see the Empress Dowager; but
before they entered the palace a eunuch met them with
the intelligence that the Empress Dowager and the Em-
peror had already fled, having heard a false rumour of
a révolution.

" From the I4th of June, when the Empress Dowager
retumed to the city palaces, she had simply twisted her
hair in a knot and worn the common dress of the people.
The morning when she took her flight it was in this
guise. The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Em-
press, and the heir apparent, each rode in a separate cart,
the Empress Dowager having Duke Lan's private cart,
from which she had the red side-awnings removed. They
left the city by the Tê Shêng Gâte on the north side,
General Ma escorting them. The Chinese report that the
favourite concubine, " Pearl," was strangled and thrown
in a well. Of the Princes, nobles and high Ministers,
about thirty were in their retinue; Prince Tuan, Prince
Chuang, Duke Lan, and Kang I being of the number.

*' The first night the royal fugitives lodged at Kuan
Shih, a little village containing a Mohammedan inn, about
thirty miles north of Peking. At this point they obtained
mule litters, — palanquins borne by pôles on the backs of
mules, one in front and one behind. The Empress Dow-
ager lay down in her litter ail day, eating very little.
The next night they lodged at Ch'a Tao, a place just
outside the inner arm of the Great Wall, about fifty miles
northwest of Peking. The District Magistrate did not
know of the arrivai of the chariot, and had made no
préparation for their entertainment, so there was nothing
for the Impérial table but a few grains of corn, while
the retinue ail had a hungry look. The District Magis-

THE CAPITAL IN TRANSFORMATION 553

trate had only one sedan-chair, in which the Empress
Dowager rode from this point, while the Emperor and
the Empress still rode in the mule-Htters.

"On the I7th of August they arrived at Huai Lai.
When they left the capital in haste and confusion, they
were simply clad in summer raiment. After going
through the Pass, the weather became suddenly cold, so
they stayed in the Pure-True Temple of Huai Lai for two
days to make their winter clothing.

*' On the 20th of August they arrived at Hsiian Hua
(twenty miles from Kalgan). From this point three Ver-
millon Pencil edicts were dispatched, one giving the
causes which led to the flight of the Impérial family, the
Emperor blamifig himself for lack of intelligence in his
use of men as officiais, and blaming his Ministers for not
using to the utmost the talents with which they were
endued by Heaven. A second edict commanded the Min-
isters to follow the court to T'ai Yuan Fu, while another
remitted the taxes of the région through which they had
passed. They stayed five days at Hsiian Hua.

" From Hsùan Hua they went to Ta T'ung (near the
northeastern boundary of Shansi), where they stayed two
days. In going from there to T'ai Yuan Fu they passed
through Tien Chên. This place had already been looted
by rebels, so that shops and markets were ail empty.
Just as the District Magistrate was in great confusion and
dismay, having nothing to lay his hand to, it was an-
nounced that the holy chariot had suddenly arrived.
Crazy with grief and fear he drank poison and die^. So,
when the Impérial party arrived they found only an empty
city, and that night supped on a few drops of soup. They
then sent the Impérial butler, a eunuch, back to Peking
to purchase provisions and other necessities.

" When the chariot, the retinue, and the Eight Banner

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554

CHINA IN CONVULSION

'(Manchu) soldiers arrived at T'ai Yuan Fu, over three
hundred soldiers were sent back to Peking, under the corn-
mand of General Tê, with only four taels apiece for
pay, and later over three hundred men were sent back
under Prince Su, each man receiving five taels. Of the
high Ministers, only Kang I, Wang Wên Shao, and Chao
Shu Chiao were left in the Impérial retinue, though there
were several lesser Ministers.

" Toward the end of September the eamest plea of the
Emperor for a retum to Peking seemed likely to win the
day. The provincial Treasurer of Pao Ting Fu tele-
graphed that the allies wqtq about to make an attack on
Pao Ting Fu, followed by an invasion of Shansi, so again
the wish of the Empress Dowager prevailed, and the
course of empire took its way westward. It is almost as
far from T'ai Yuan Fu to Hsi An Fu as from Peking to
T'ai Yuan Fu, so now it seems as if the Empress Dowager
had burned her bridges behind her. In this ancient capi-
tal of the Empire she means to stand at bay."

It seems likely to be the strange fate of this woman,
after directly authorizing the commission of perhaps the
greatest crime against the intercourse of nations in the
whole history of the human race, to be restored to her
usurped throne, and to undisputed power, with no criti-
cism upon her conduct in the past, and no guarantee as
to her behaviour in the future.

Whatever her fate or that of the Empire which she
did so much to ruin, one of the most picturesque scènes
of modem times will continue to be the Punishment of
Peking. The city bas been turned inside out, like the
fingers of a glove, but whose hand shall ultimately fill
it remains still to be settled.

XXX

THE RUIN OF T UNG CHOU

THE city of T'ung Chou, twelves miles east of
Peking, is situated at the head of navigation of
the Peiho, or North River. The plain upon
which Peking is built, while thickly populated, does not
afïord sufficient suppUes for the use of a large city, and
every year enormous quantities of tribute rice from the
central provinces pass through this river port on their
way to the capital.

The very name of the city dénotes that it is the town
by which traffic pénétrâtes to Peking (" t'ung " signifying
"to pass through"). From T'ung Chou to Peking a
broad stone road on a high level was constructed cen-
turies ago, but this bas fallen into complète disrepair, so
as to furnish at once a monument of the capacity and the
incapacity of the rulers of the Empire. Parallel with this
great stone road, of which countless foreign travellers
bave had heart-breaking (and back-breaking) expéri-
ences, a canal leads to the Tung Pien Gâte of Peking, at
the junction of the northern or Tartar City with the
southern or Chinese City. Five blocks interrupt the pas-
sage of boats, the cargoes requiring as many reshiftings,
but to the patient Chinese this is an altogether minor
matter.

Contrary to the erroneous impression prevailing in
Western lands, Chinese cities may be said to be built with

555

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556

CHINA IN CONVULSION

an invariable irregularity for geomantic purposes, but
few city walls even in China hâve such a devions out-
Hne as that of T'ung Chou. This is because it consists
of two cities, an old and a new, the latter added many
hundred years ago on the western side of the former one,
apparently for the purpose of including within its spa-
cious and devions circuit an Impérial Granary, long since
fallen into ruin.

Ovving to the composite structure of the city, T'ung
Chou enjoys the unusual (perhaps the unique) distinction
of having two south gâtes, but the principal suburbs are
outside of the east and the west gâtes, although that on
the north, in the vicinity of the handsome and striking
old pagoda, is also of considérable size.

What the population of T'ung Chou may hâve been
no one can say with certainty, but there is good reason
to suppose that since foreigners hâve known it there
hâve been perhaps between fifty and seventy thousand
persons in and about the city. The arrivai of the grain-
boats from Tientsin, as well as those bringing the tribute
direct from Shantung, was an annual event of capital im-
portance to the whole population, for a large part of the
people got their living directly from this nourishing
stream of rice. This rice which had formerly been
brought in junks by sea, and within récent years in
steamers from the south, was trans-shipped at Tientsin
to spécial boats which ultimately discharged their cargo
on mats spread upon the bank of the canal leading to
Peiho, a short distance below. Aftcr being measured
and sacked, it was carried to the granaries, thence pass-
ing through the intricate and tortuous channels estab-
lished by Chinese précèdent before reaching its final des-
tination. Armies of huge brawny coolies were to be seen
shouldering the clumsy sacks weighing perhaps consider-

THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

557

ably over 200 pounds avoirdupois, and in this manner
thousands of laborers found employment.

Next. to the excitement caused by the annual arrivai
of the tribute grain, was that occasioned by the various
Literary Examinations in Peking, especially that for the
second degree of " Selected Men " (Chii Jên). For a pe-
riod of several weeks, when the river was alive with boats
and boatmen, innkeepers, carters, wheelbarrowmen, mer-
chants, and cooHes, as well as many others in T'ung
Chou, reaped a rich harvest. At such times the priées
of boats and carts would mount to extravagant figures,
for the traveller from a distance was completely at the
mercy of the local sharks, each one of whom took care
to get a libéral bite. Aside from thèse spécial causes of
prosperity the steady stream of officiai and unofficial
travellers, merchants, and traders, and the handling of
the merchandise passing through for Peking, particularly
the large and important item of foreign freight, upon
which it was easy to collect the most exorbitant charges,
made the carrying of goods and passengers a lucrative
specialty of this gateway of the Capital.

For about a third of a century, or since 1866, T'ung
Chou has been a station of the American Board Mission,
beginning with small premises in the center of the city,
and later extending to others further west. Within the
past ten years they hâve embraced also an extensive area
some distance beyond the south-west corner of the city.
Within the city walls were located a dispensary and hos-
pitals, for both men and w(>men, a theological seminary,
schools for boys and girls, as well as four dwelling-
houses and numerous other buildings. Outside the city
was the North China Collège of the American Board,
together with four dwelling-houses occupied by the
faculty of that institution ; there were also adjacent

558

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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premises, where were the beginnings of an industrial
plant.

It is important to observe that, from the first, the rela-
tions of the people of T'ung Chou with the foreigners
living among them had been one of idéal friendliness.
There had not only never been a riot, but no disturbance
of any sort had broken the uniform harmony. The in-
fluence of the long years of work in the hospital and
dispensary had been wide-spread. The Collège was
recognized by the people and by the local scholars as an
honour to the city. Intercourse with the officiais had al-
ways been friendly, and sometimes cordial. That the
foreigners were well known and trusted, the following
instance will show.

When the AUied Forces attacked Peking, in October,
1860, the city of T'ung Chou took occasion to capitulate
on its own account, offering to fumish the foreign troops
whatever was required in the line of supplies, on the
condition that the city itself should not be harmed, — an
arrangement which was carried into effect.

During the progress of the war between China and
Japan, when it was feared that Peking must fall a prey
to the invader, Dr. Sheffield, the Président of the Collège,
was approached, with a view to ascertaining whether in
the event of the arrivai of the Japanese he would under-
take to go out and meet them, and make such terms as
would secure the integrity of the city. When it was
learned that he was willing to assume the undertaking,
upon a set day a guard of five hundred soldiers was sent
to their résidences to escort Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Good-
rich to the military headquarters. There they were re-
ceived with the salute of cannon, reserved for officers of
the rank of Governors-General, and were introduced to
an audience with several high officiais, ail of whom

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THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

559

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treated the foreigners with the highest respect, and were
greatly relieved at the prospect of intervention at a crisis
of peculiar difficulty. While the later movements of the
Japanese did not call for the exécution of this service,
the fact that it was asked and promised, and especially
the gaudy concomitants of the explosion of so much
powder and the marching of so large a force of soldiers
in honour of two foreigners, tended to surround them
with a blaze of glory, the eflfects of which were not
evanescent.

For more than ten years previous to the building of
the railway between Tientsin and Peking, such a work
had been not only projected, but approved by Impérial
Edict. Upon one occasion, when it seemed about to
materialize, Dr, Sheffield was visited by one of the gen-
try of the city, whose first movement was to perform
the kotow. Subsequently he arose to explain that he was
praying to be saved from the terrors of an invasion of his
ancestral grave-yard by the iron road of the fire-wheel-
carts, which would disturb the slumbers of his fore-
fathers, and bring swift and irréparable ruin upon the
whole family. It was no doubt difficult for him to com-
prehend, and still more to believe, Dr. Sheffield's statement
that this entire business from first to last was in the hands
of the Government, and that private Americans living in
T'ung Chou had absolutely no connection with it.

After many false starts and countless set-barks, the
building of the line from Tientsin actually began to take
shape after the close of the war with Japan. At a pre-
vious period, when it was regarded as certain to material-
ize, Chinese speculators took pains to lay liold of large
tracts of land in the vicinity of the city, where the rail-
way station was likely to be. The people of T'ung Chou
were in an agony of appréhension lest the geomantic for-

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560

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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tunes of their city be overwhelmed with disaster, and
the trade ruined by the new and dreaded innovations now
not merely threatened, but certain to corne upon them.
They had left no means untried, no stone unturned to
avert this calamity, but in vain.

At their very extremity one more device was thought
of, which was their last hope. The difficulty with the
innumerable protests which had been made was, that
some yet more influential counter-memorial always took
the wind out of T'ung Chou sails, and left them in a
worse position than before. It was by bribing the Cen-
sors in Peking that an influential mémorial against the
proposed line was secured, pointing out its dangers for
T'ung Chou, and the undesirability of antagonizing the
people of that city. There was a popular impression that
one of the Princes was also induced to interest himself
in the matter, and that it was owing to his influence that
the course of the railway was turned toward the west,
around the great Hunting Park, known as the " Nan
Hai Tzu," where it passed through a région destitute of
any towns of importance. While it would receive no
local traffic, there would at least be no opposition. At
ail events, although the evil could not be altogether pre-
vented, it was at least driven to so great a distance that
it would no more disturb the peace of the denizens of the
City of Pénétration.

There was a brief period during which thèse hopes
seemed to hâve been completely accomplished. Every-
thing went on as it had always done, and fear was
banished. But in the spring of 1897 it began to be no-
ticed that the usual number of travellers did not visit the
city, en route to Peking, and that the boat traffic fell
off in an unexampled manner. This happened to be the
year for the triennial examinations in Peking, when, as

THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

561

mentioned, T'ung Chou expects a plenteous harvest. But
only a fraction of the students came by tlie river as they
had hitherto invariably done, for the fire-wheel cart had
just begun its regular trips, and the curiosity of the travel-
ling public to see it and to expérience the sensation of
" rapid transit/' brought such a multitude of passengers
that the means of transportation were much more than
exhausted. The vans were ail filled, and so were the
freight cars ; even the platform cars used for hauling
gravel had to be pressed into service.

The railway was a triumphant success from the start,
but poor T'ung Chou wept in secret (and in public)
places over the loss of its passenger traffic. Business
was no longer done as before. The inns were largely
unoccupied, the stores sold but little, building and re-
pairing stopped at once ; the carters and donkey-boys, con-
stituting a by no means insignificant portion of the active
life of the city, had nothing to do. Venders of food on
the Street found a small and a diminishing market. The
barbers would tell their customers, as they gossiped over
the dressing of their queues, that from the largest firm
in the place down to the peripatetic seller of ankle-ties
not a soûl but was suffering from the locomotor ataxia
which had attacked every form of business. In short
the place was beginning to die, and the people were likely
to die with it.

This was bad, but worse was in prospect. The numer-
ous important families who farmed the tribute grain
business of T'ung Chou had good reason to fear that
their innumerable perquisites, derived from the trans-
portation, the storing, and the handling of the rice, would
soon be eut ofï. It had been discovered that galvanized
iron box-cars had proved a complète protection to the
great quantities of tea formerly shipped from Tientsin

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562

CHINA IN CONVULSION

via T'ung Chou for Russia, much of which used to be
stolen en route by broaching the packages on the river.
A mémorial to the Emperor already quoted had long since
suggested the sending of the Impérial supplies by the
same route, on the ground that " it would put a stop to
stealing by the crews of the boats." It would also put
a period to the subsistence of a large part of the T'ung
Chou people, as they clearly foresaw.

But as their earnest prayer had been granted and as
the péril had not invaded their grave-yards, and as the
new road was built for the Emperor himself, it did not
appear that there v^as anything ta be done about the
matter, unless it might be to repent in dust and ashes,
which the whole city appeared to do. From the merchaiit
in his large and unfrequented shop to the manure-gatherer
and the beggar, ail alike would tell you of the decay of
business and the fact that it was no longer possible to
make a living. A score or more of large firms were said
to hâve removed bodily from the eastem suburbs of the
city to Peking, to regain their trade which had left them,
and in some of the streets grass was literally growing
where it had never been before noticed.

The northern part of China is the land of dust-storms.
On some sunshiny day it is noticed that the rays of the
sun appear to be less powerful than usual. Presently
they are obscured. No cloud is to be seen, but a duU
haze of a dark brown hue becomes more and more per-
vasive, until the dust settles down quietly from above, or,
if the wind has arisen, arrives in swirls speedily envelop-
ing everything, so that on the worst occasions it may be
necessary to light the lamps in the middle of the day.
No one knows whence the dust comes, why it comes
at some times and not at others, or why it comes at ail.
It is simply an indisputable and an influential fact.

THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

563

Not unlike the dust-storm of the quiet type, was the
arrivai of the Boxer movement at T'ung Chou. " Like
a spirit it came in the van of the storm."*

The writer reached that city on the I7th of May by
boat from Shantung, with a guard of three soldiers, who
were regarded with surprise by ail foreigners and most
Chinese, as an unwonted and a superfluous luxury of
travel. The river route was quiet, and so was that by
land. T'ung Chou was quiet also, although there were
rumours that trouble was brewing in the east suburb.
It was afterward known that the Boxer virus had been
brought by men who came in boats from Tientsin, or
perhaps Tu Liu, a noted Boxer head-quarters on the
Grand Canal eighteen miles south by water, and after-
wards nearly destroyed by foreign troops. The training
was recommended as useful for protection of one's per-
son, one's home and family, and one's village. It had no
éléments of hostility to foreigners, and was so simple that
even children could learn it, as was soon demonstrated.

Occasionally some of the ladies going about as usual
in their sedan-chairs or otherwise noticed démonstrations
which attracted their attention. Once a man capered in
front of the chair and made motions as if to eut off his
head, and the by-standers laughed. In about ten days
the rumours grew more alarming, but were vague, inde-
finable, and could not be verified.

The movement had no sooner begun to make headway
than a beggar was seized who had been to the foreign
hospital for treatment of the itch, where he had been
given a sulphur ointment. This was held to be a deadly
drug designed for use in the poisoning of wells. An
elaborate examination was held by the Chou Magistrate,
at which the charge was solemnly declared to be not
proven, but it had the efïect of inflaming the minds of

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564

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the people, already wrought upon by the rumours of
what had been donc, or was to be done elsewhere, in the
way of driving out ail the foreign devils.

The culmination of this movement has already been de-
scribed in connection with the account of the flight of
the party of Americans from T'ung Chou to Peking, on
the 8th of June. A notification was sent to the officiais
that the premises were turned over to their care, and
on the following day the collège was burned and looted
by the troops themselves, as well as the dwelling houses
and every building connected with the place. On the day
following, the same ruin fell on the property in the city,
where a large street chapel was approaching completion.
So complète was the wreck that it was not only possible
to ride a horse over the site of two-story buildings but
it was difficult even to identify the sites themselves.

The telegraph office and the Impérial post-office were
likewise destroyed. The post-master (a Christian) had
a séries of the most dramatic adventures in the escape to
Peking, where he turned over his accounts in fuU, and
then barely made his escape to the south, arriving eventu-
ally in safety at Shanghai. Shen Taotai was imprisoned
in his own yamen, the sport of the Boxers, and was at
length enabled to fly, being plundered en route of ail his
possessions, his yamen being one of the first places looted.
Such was the terrorism of the Boxer movement that it
may be said that the whole population of the city went
into it, willingly or otherwise, with a heartiness wonderful
and instructive to behold. If there were any who pro-
tested, their voices must hâve been drowned in the gên-
erai madness. Their only tangible grievance was the rail-
way which had destroyed their traffic, and to right this
wrong T'ung Chou committed suicide !

The Chou Magistrate was especially hateful and hypo-

THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

565

critical, endeavouring to get évidence against the foreign-
ers through the incriminating testimony of the beggar
arrested with his colored itch-ointment ; failing in this he
had the yamen-runner who made the arrest beaten eight
hundred blows, for the real reason that the proof was in-
complète. When the hospital was pulled down he had
the skeleton found in Dr. Ingram's laboratory ostenta-
tiously hung up in the front hall of the yamen, where it
was exhibited to every one as a positive and visible dém-
onstration of the truth of ail the charges previously in-
sinuatcd against the Westemers. When the Collège was
pillaged the Taotai ordered the Chou Magistrate to
take the articles of value and put them into the treasury,
but the latter purposely did nothing, and allowed every-
thing to be either looted or destroyed.

The Intendant of the Grain Yamen, named Ch'ang
Ts'ui, was really the head of the T'ung Chou Boxers, and
the most incriminating documents were found in his prem-
ises when they were occupied by United States soldiers.
A few months later large bundles of thèse papers with
complète lists of the Boxer leaders, the memoranda of
their camps, rations, and followers, and much other like
information, were captured by the British, and sent to
Mr. Tewksbury to be overhauled and annotated.

A few paragraphs from the graphie account of a Chinese
" Refugee " on his flight south, may serve to give an
insight into the condition of this city after the foreigners
had escaped. He arrived on the 2ist of June and saw a )
boisterous crowd entering the city gâtes, while others
flred ofï three voUeys from their guns as a sign that
some Christian had been killed, after being dragged to
the bank of the canal, where the bodies of the slain were
thrown to prevent the infection of the country with an
épidémie.

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566

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Thèse volleys were heard many times a day, and indi-
cated the terrible slaughter in progress, for about one hun-
dred and fifty of the Protestant Christians of that station
in city and country lost their Hves in this reign of terror.

When the Boxers had gathered sufficient headway,
they demanded an interview with the Taotai, intending
to kill him. He, however, resolutely refused to see
them. The Boxer mob began threatening to break
down the yamen doors, when the other subordinate offi-
ciais, although ont of sympathy with him, came to his
rescue and saved his life, the Boxers being persuaded to
accept ten " shoes " of sycee (taels 500) in lieu of the
Taotai's head. It was also agreed that he was not
to appear outside his yamen upon any pretext, else he
would be killed. They further compelled him to give
them a written Commission empowering the Boxers to
keep order in T'ung Chou and its dependencies, to punish
ail traitors found by them, to demand money and food
whenever necessary, and to decapitate ail who threatened
the city.

On the 22nd of June, the Impérial Decree having ar-
rived authorizing the destruction of the Légations, the
Boxer banners had prefixed to the characters " Support
the Dynasty; Exterminate Foreigners," the additional
words : " By Impérial Command." The resuit of this
was to make the Boxer desperadoes absolutely suprême,
and from the 26th of June onwards the city was under
their sole control.

It is worth noting that after the arrivai of Li Hung
Chang, the Chou Magistrate, under whom ail this took
place, was restored to his office (without protest from
the Ministers), and it was with him that the T'ung Chou
missionaries were obliged to negotiate for indemnities for
the native Christians who had been pillaged through

THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

567

the connivance of this very man, now ostentatiously
friendly and complaisant.

The embarrassments attending a readjustment of the
old relations was aptly expressed by the prefect who was
appointed to confer with the missionaries as to the in-
demnities for the Christians, and the punishments which
sliould be thought sufficient to atone for so many cruel
and unprovoked murders. *' If you are to take those
really responsible," he observed, " you must begin with
the Empress Dowager and go right down, for we were
ail in it," — an accurate and a compendious summary of
the gênerai situation.

Within a few days after the Japanese had taken the
city, several tons of powder stored in a small building
on a section of the northem wall were blown up, by
Indian troops as is supposed by some, but with the resuit
of a terrifie explosion which not only destroyed its
authors, but the city itself for more than a quarter of a
mile in either direction. The ruin and désolation within
this area was more complète than in any other région in
northem China. The whole tract seemed to hâve been
tossed in a blanket, so great was the force of the con-
cussion. The temple to the god of war, a prominent land-
mark in T'ung Chou, was left in fragments, its skeleton
standing, but the remaining timbers lying or leaning at
every angle. The roof also was gone, but amid the débris
three figures of the late divinities might be seen standing
erect, as if striving to appear unconcerned at what had
befallen their abode. The city was parcelled out among
the varions detachments, and while the Japanese, had
they been in sole control, might hâve carried out their
promises, as it was, not many hours had elapsed before
T'ung Chou was looted and bumed. From the centre of
the city eastward to the east gâte, scarcely a shop re-

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568

CHINA IN CONVULSION

mained on what was once the great thoroughfare, and
on the main street Connecting this with the north gâte
not a single shop or dwelling remained standing. Nearly
ail the large places of business were destroyed, and the
dévastation in the eastern suburb, which is long and popu-
lous, was only less complète. The western suburb escaped
being burned, and to a large extent the northern also, but
the latter was occupied by the French and the Russians,
from whom the people sufïered unspeakably.

A correspondent entering the city tried to find a house
which had not been looted in which to spend the night,
and where he hoped to secure a bedquilt. He did indeed
find three in succession in the same building, but each
one contained a dead Chinese woman, who had evidently
been first outraged and then eut open, and covered with
her own bedding ! The miseries of the people for leagues
about T'ung Chou and for ail the following month, from
the brutalities of the foreign soldiers, will never be known.

A month after the capture of the city the apparent
population, aside from the attendants upon the foreign
troops, amounted to but a few hundreds of persons. One
might walk for miles even in the western part of the city,
where the buildings had not been extensively burned, and
see no sign of life in any court-yard other than those oc-
cupied by the Japanese, — with the exception of the troops
of starving dogs. Carts and rikshas were to be seen
tumbled into a pond, and covered with green slime.
Some of the largest shops had been looted but not burned,
and within was still a large quantity of fumiture which
there was no one to use. Only the account-books left
scattered in the street indicated what firm had gone to
wreck, while on the dead-wall opposite smiled the felici-
tous saying: " Great Joy on Issuing from the Door."

On the north back street where the foreigners had lived,

THE RUIN OF T'UNG CHOU

569

and where some of their neighbours had joyfully ha-
stened to plunder their goods, might now be seen in Japa-
nese, French, and Engîish the announcement : ** This peu-
ple is belonged to Japanese entirely 5th régiment." " No
admittance to enter this house," was common, and in
some districts every door had " Japan " over it, with the
motto overhead in Chinese (left over from the last New
Year's posting) "Impérial Grâce; Family Happiness."

In the destruction of the dwellings of the foreigners, ail
the adjacent houses had been destroyed also. Not a shop
was open, not a vender to be seen, not a cup of hot
water nor an egg to be bought, but throughout nineteen-
twentieths of the long city désolation reigned suprême,
while the Japanese flag waved over the granaries holding
what was left of the tribute rice, which had been the life-
blood both of T'ung Chou and of Peking. On the river-
bank, where in the autumn of the year trade was wont to
be brisk, there was indeed a busy scène, but it was not
the grain-fleet from Tientsin, nor the cargo-boats with
tea for Russia, but the Japanese, British, French, Russian,
and American transports crowding the otherwise un-
vexed waters of the canal leading to the Peiho. Not a
boat arrived or departed but under military orders, and
every boatman was impressed under inexorable — but
mildly despotic — martial law.

In a particularly impassable mud-hole (probably dating
from the Yuan Dynasty) one might come on the strange
spectacle of a party of Sikhs engaged in making out of
the roof-timbers of a Chinese house a species of bridge,
covered with doors, shutters, and other wood-work, on
a foundation of huge bundles of ripe sorghum eut from
the fields with the grain attached. The miHtary road, of
which this bridge formed a minute section, passed directly
over deep trenches where the walls of the grounds of

■-fi

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570

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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the Nortli China Collège had lately stood. When it was
destroyed the Boxers or the joyful neighbours hastened
to plant its land with Indian corn, and by the time the
troops arrived in the autumn this was just ripe enough
to feed the animais of the members of the mission who
halted there to inspect the ruins.

Over the whole twelve- miles betvveen T'ung Chou and
Peking one might pass and repass, and never see a hu-
man being, nor find at any of the countless tea-houses
and inns along the route a single opportunity to pur-
chase a mouthful of food, or even to water the animais.
Unusually luxuriant crops were standing absolutely un-
touched, or if, as happened later, the heads of the grain
were eut off, it was done swiftly and furtively, and with
scouts looking both ways to detect the présence of for-
eign troops on that much travelled military road. Many
of the soldiers took a keen delight in shooting every hu-
man being in sight who looked like a " heathen Chinese,"
and the resuit was a broad belt of practically depopulated
territory, where any one could pillage the empty houses
with comparative impunity, except for the ail pervading
fear of the sudden appearance of the dreaded polyglot
foreign troops. Each of them represented a hasty and a
bitter nation, marching through the breadth of the land
to possess the dwelling-places that were not theirs, whose
horses were swifter than the léopards, and more fierce
than the evening wolves, their horsemen spreading them-
selves and coming from far.

Many weary months was this heavy burden to be borne,
with many nameless horrors upon which we do not ven-
ture to touch. And ail this — and more — was a part of
The Punishment of T'ung Chou.

ff:

Vi.

XXXI

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

THE city of Tientsin is the natural gateway for
the provinces of Chihli and Shansi, as well as
for parts of Shantung and Honan, and of Man-
churia and Mongolia. In its relations with foreigners
there is much which is instructive, and which in view of
the history of the past year throws Hght upon the action
and interaction of causes in a manner well adapted to rivet
attention.

The Tientsin men hâve a réputation for violence, espe-
cially in speech, and ail over China are dreaded as quarrel-
some and obstreperous. In some places in the central
provinces the inns hâve a standing notice : " No Tientsin
men admitted." When the Taku forts were captured in
1860 Tientsin capitulated on its own account, and fur-
nished the foreign troops with ail the provisions and other
supplies needed, at remunerative rates, soon learning how
to make out of a military occupation a mine of w^ealth.
But the people of Tientsin from the first moment of their
acquaintance with foreigners down to the présent time
hâve had no love for them. At the very beginning of
their knowledge of the barbarians a new nickname was
employed to designate them, by allusion to their hair, and
they were called "" Maotzn." There has never been a time
when any foreigner passing through the streets or sub-
urbs of this inhospitable city might not at any moment
hear himself saluted by infants scarcely able to walk alone,
reinforced by children of both sexes and ail âges, with a

571

if?

m km

572

CHINA IN CONVULSION

taunting chorus of '' Mao ! mao ! mao ! mao I ' as long as
he was within hearing.

The Tientsin massacre of 1870 has already been men-
tioned among the instances in which the mob élément was
encouraged by the literati and not discouraged by the
officiais, and its resuit was the loss of twenty foreign
lives. The French were the principal sufïerers in this
outbreak, but by an unfortunate coïncidence their over-
whelming defeat by Germany in that year made the tardy
settlement with China in every way unsatisfactory. Had
the Tientsin riot been properly punished, it is morally cer-
tain that many important events in the subséquent rela-
tions between China and the West would hâve been dif-
férent.

But though France failed to secure adéquate répara-
tion for the wrong done to ail foreigners, according to the
belief of the Chinese themselves the city and région could
not escape the vengeance of Heaven. The surrounding
country is low and flat, and for many successive years
it was inundated in a way to cause terrible misery to
an enormous number of people. Refugees by the thou-
sand, and even by the ten thousand in years of heavy
floods or wide-spread famine, flocked to this metropolis,
where they were huddled together in great mat-sheds,
or allowed to crowd into buts plastered with mud, so
low that an adult could not sit upright ; there, with no
other furniture than a broken iron kettle and a rice-
bowl or two, the occupants lay piled together like the
puppies of a litter, kept from freezing in the terrible
blasts of winter only by a few handfuls of straw on the
bare ground, their ragged clothes, and fragments of
gunny-bags.

The population of Tientsin has been estimated at a
million, or in that vicinity, but this is almost certainly

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

573

too high a figure. The city itself is small, and the suburbs
while crowded are narrow and straggling. But within
the past two décades the increase bas been marked. The
water traffic centreing hère is enormous, and there are
miles upon miles of boats, laid up in winter, but intensely
active during ail other seasons.

The great growth in the commercial prosperity of Tien-
tsin is wholly due to the advent of foreign trade, which
had advanced with giant strides. Lord Charles Beresford
found that the amount of duty coUected in 1897 amounted
to about £139,000, a gain in nine years of nearly 65
per cent ; while the total value of ail the exports and
imports in the same year was about £9,232,030, being an
increase in ten years of 99 per cent.

No shrewder people than the Chinese are to be found
upon this planet — or perhaps any other. They hâve never
had the smallest difficulty in perceiving that the phé-
noménal prosperity of the " Open Ports " springs from
foreign trade, and they are ready enough in every one
of them, as well in British possessions like Hongkong,
Singapore, and Penang, to put themselves under the rule
of the outer Barbarian. But this is not to say that they
love him, or even like him. because they do not. Of the
innate antipathy between the Chinese and foreigners Tien-
tsin is an excellent, because an indisputable example.
What harm had ever corne to the people of Tientsin from
the Settlements, where the Occidentals lived, and in
v^hich they hâve expended annually a sum equal to the
revenues of a kingdom, ail of which fell into the hands
of the Chinese? There was, indeed, in the détails of the
intercourse much to be regretted, and something might
be said to show that the Chinese had a grievance, but on
the whole their treatment we believe to bave been con-
spicuously fair and just.

■-i:.:J-

■ê

Ê:

574

CHINA IN CONVULSION

The rise of the Boxer movement was far to the south
of Tientsin, and appeared to wake little responsive écho
in that turbulent metropoHs — a fact which excited the
surprise of many old " China hands." Even in the early
montHs of 1900 very httle if any unusual excitement
was visible, and absolutely no sign of a great popular
rising. A few anticipatory Boxer enthusiasts who
paraded the streets to beguile the people were promptly
arrested, severely punished, and put in the wooden collar;
when the ferment apparently disappeared.

Yù Lu, the Governor General of Chihli, like most other
high officers everywhere in China at that time, was a
Manchu. There is always much difficulty in ascertaining
what a Chinese (or a Manchu) officiai means by what he
says,. or by the proclamations which he issues, but there
certainly appeared to be strong circumstantial évidence
that His Excellency was not then friendly to the Boxer
enterprise. Gen. Mei, the commander of the provincial
troops, was actively fighting and destroying them in large
companies, which could not hâve been the case had Yii
Lu desired to stop him, as the Governor of Shantung
(Yii Hsien) did with his military officers. At ail events
there was an apparent effort to put the Boxers down,
and some of the proclamations had a ring of severe ear-
nestness and firm purpose. A little later ail this was
changed by the undoubted approval of the Boxers by the
Court, and definite orders from Peking to patronize and
to utilize them.

It was noted as a singular and on the whole an un-
accountable fact that this city, which one would hâve
expected to be the head-centre and distributing point of
ail maleficent anti-foreign virus, was not actually cap-
tured by the Boxers until long after they had been operat-
ing in Pao Ting Fu, Cho Chou, and T'ung Chou. In

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

575

the country districts within an hundred miles they were
already violent by the middle of May, and Christian refu-
gees were pouring into the missionary compounds at the
foreign settlement in anticipation of a storm which they
well knevv would be unprecedented.

The correspondence afterward discovered in the ya-
men of the Governor General showed conclusively the
complicity of that officiai with his subordinates in Pao
Ting Fu (under instructions from Peking), in feeding
and patronizing the Boxers. The events which took place
along the line of the Lu-Han railway, and especially the
destruction of the machine shops and engines on the 28th
of May at Fêng T'ai, and later the stations on the Peking
line, made a profound impression at Tientsin, which was
already throbbing with excitement.

The escape of a large party of Belgian engineers from
Pao Ting Fu has already been mentioned, and added to
the tension of feeling. They had left that city on twelve
boats for Tientsin with an escort and an interpréter.
They were abandoned and betrayed on the river, lost
their way, became separated, and several of them dis-
appeared. Twenty-six of them formed a square with
the women inside and made direct for Tientsin, travelling
as well as they could, being ill clad, ill shod, and w^ithout
food, and obliged to drink from pools and streams as
they could. Five of this party, almost délirions with suf-
fering and excitement, became separated from the others,
two of them arriving in Tientsin by themselves. A rescue
party of twenty-five mounted volunteers and ten men on
foot bravely went out to bring in the refugees ; the former
missed them by going around the city, but the others
brought them into the settlement much more dead
than alive, and for a time they were totalty unabîe to
give any account of themselves. One man was shot in

57^

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the leg, and had besides seven wounds in the shoulder
and head ; one of the ladies was shot through the shoulder,
and others had wounds of varions descriptions.

The Chinese in the city, as well as the settlement, with
few exceptions were convinced that the Boxers could do
ail that they claimed — and more. They could resist
swords, were impervious to bullets, could émit fire at will,
and could fly. The foreigners, on the other hand, were
much too self-confident. The very same correspondent
who reported the adventures and sufferings of the engi-
neers, remarked on the 3rd of June that " there is no
reason whatever for anxiety about Tientsin." The people
of the native city were almost crazed with excitement.
Many houses were found smeared with blood, and this
was laid to the door of the Christians, while incendiaries
and robbers saw in the gênerai disorder a rich harvest
time.

On the evening of June I4th (one day later than the
similar outbreak in Peking) the Boxers began opérations,
and from the second story of high buildings their pro-
ceedings could be watched. Three chapels inside the city
were set on fire, and many of the adjacent buildings were
involved in the conflagration.

It was probably not anticipated by those who exerted
themselves to destroy foreigners by shooting at them
from buildings on the land adjacent to the French settle-
ment, that within a few weeks their property would be
confiscated and in some cases sold to the very ones whom
the late owners had diligently endeavoured to kill ; nor
did the short-sighted Chinese who surreptitiously at-
tacked their employers foresee that it would not be long
before it would not be safe for them to go about the
streets of their own city, and that after nine o'clock at
night no Chinese would be allowed abroad on the foreign

AMERICAN BOARD MISSION, TIENTSIN

AMERICAN BOARD MISSION, TIENTSIN, AFTER THE SIEGE

57^

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the Icg", and had besides sevcn woimds in the shoulder
and head ; one of the ladies was shot through the shoulder,
and others had woiinds of varions descriptions.

The Chinese in the city, as well as the settlement, with
few exceptions were convinced that the Boxers could do
ail that they claimed — and more. They could resist
swords, were impervious to bullets, could émit fire at will,
and could fly. The foreigners, on the other hand, were
much too self-confident. The ver}^ same correspondent
who reported the adventures and sufferings of the engi-
neers, remarked on the 3rd of June that " there is no
reason whatever for anxiety about Tientsin." The people
of the native city were almost crazed with excitement.
Many houses were found smcared with blood, and this
was laid to the door of tlie Christians, while incendiaries
and robbers saw in the gênerai disorder a rich harvest
time.

On the evcning of June T4th (one day latcr than the
similar outbrcak in Peking) the Roxers began opérations.
and from the second story of high buildings thcir pro-
ceedings could be watched. Three chapels inside the city
were set on fire, and many of the adjacent buildings were
involved in the conflagration.

It was proba1)ly not anticijDated by those who exerted
themselves to destroy foreigners by shooting at them
from buildings on tlie land adjacent to the French settle-
ment. that within a few weeks their property would be
confiscated and in some cases sold to the very ones whom
the late owners had diligently endeavoured to kill ; nor
did the short-sightcd Chinese who surrcptitiously at-
tacked their employers forcsce that it would not be long
before it would not hc safc for tlicm to go about the
streets of their own city, and that aftcr nine o'clock at
night no Chinese would be allowed abroad on the foreign

Vé'^.

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

577

concessions, except jinrikisha men actually drawing a
foreign passenger.

There is no doubt that the Chinese armies under com-
mand of General Nieh and others fought with a des-
peration for which nothing in the war with Japan afforded
any parallel. The officiai report of Yù Lu publishcd in
the '' Peking Gazette " of June 25th and subséquent dates,
is an interesting document. He mentions that the troops
and the Boxers are in coopération, and that the latter
were willing to offer their services freely and had fuUy
demonstrated their patriotism. Their numbers actually
présent at Tientsin, can not, he says, be less than 30,000,
and " they regard the burning of churches and the killing
of foreigners as their profession." So did His Excellency,
for in the papers captured at his yamen there is an entry
of one hundred taels as having been paid as a reward for
the heads of two foreigners !

The net resuit of ail this Boxerism and of the sacrifice
of so many Chinese soldiers in numerous engagements
was that the Chinese troops were utterly routed (even
where they might hâve made a formidable stand outside
and beyond the walls), and the city left a prey to its foes.

Military government at once began, and so likewise did
destruction and pillage. When the whole field had been
surveyed the destruction of life and of property was
found to hâve been enormous. Of the former it is im-
possible to speak with definiteness,but of the latter there
were every where visible proofs. The south gâte which
the Japanese blew open, and at which they entered, had
its tower totally destroyed, and a temple within the south-
eastern quarter, used as an arsenal, was the scène of a
great explosion. Between the south gâte and the cen-
tral drum-tower many of the houses and shops w^re
burned, and between this tower and the north gâte noth-

578

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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ing was left standing on either side of the street. From
the drum-tower to the west gâte the ruin was not quite
so universal, while east of the drum-tower except in the
vicinity of a mission church there was not much dévasta-
tion.

Outside the north gâte, the narrow street extending
to the iron bridge leading to the yamen of the Governor
General for display of its wares and for the extent of its
trade, was perhaps one of the finest in ail China. Be-
tween the Boxers, the Chinese soldiers, and the local
ruffians whose habit was first to loot and then to burn,
this long row of business houses was almost entirely ob-
literated, involving losses amounting doubtless to tens of
millions of taels. For many days the principal occupa-
tion of many soldiers, and civilians also, was the garner-
ing of the rich crop of looted silver from the innumerable
places where it was to be found, and whence it was car-
ried off by the wheel-barrow load and the cart load. It
was a standard storv that when the attention of a soldier
was called to the fact that he had dropped one or two
" shoes " (each worth about $70 Mexican), he would re-
ply ; " Never mind, you pick them up — I hâve ail I want ! "
The treasure found in the various yamens must hâve been
enough to fumish a mint.

The fate of thèse yamens was interesting as a part
of the gênerai rétribution. That of the Governor General
which for twenty-two years had been occupied by Li
Hung Chang (a large part of it accidentally destroyed
by fire during the winter), became the headquarters of a
" Tientsin Provisional Government," established by the
mihtary authorities, when it was found that there were
insuperable objections to conceding the request of the
Russians thatTientsin should be turned over to that Power
alone. This Provisional Government was constituted by

.:.|i*i>;;^jyyi

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

579

the appointment of a British, a Russian, a Japanese, and
later a German, Colonel to act as Commissioners, the
number being subsequently increased to six, assisted by
the necessary staff for the exécution of the functions of
policing and controUing so large a city and so important

a centre.

As soon as Tientsin was taken every Chinese officiai,
civil as well as military, promptly disappeared, and most
of them suffered extrême " bitterness " on the flight
southward, being systematically pillaged by the Chinese
at ail points of their long journey, so that they were in
many cases reduced to absolute penury. The yamen of
the Customs Taotai (one of the most important in the
city) was occupied by the Japanese; that of the Prefect
by the French ; while those of the District Magistrate, of
the Sait Commissioner, and of the Brigadier General, were
reduced to complète ruin. Thus an incidental outcome
of the plan of the officiais to combine the Boxers and
the Chinese troops to drive the foreigners into the sea,
was that within sixty days of the beginning of serions
opérations officiais, Boxers, and Chinese soldiers had ab-
solutely disappeared from the scène, leaving the hated
foreigner in undisputed charge of everything everywhere.

The fort near the Governor General's yamen from
which the settlement had been viciously attacked, was
soon taken by the Japanese, who posted a small guard
over it, other troops occupying the numerous forts in the
immédiate vicinity. Numbers of new and unused Krupp
guns were captured in the neighbourhood of the city,
showing the utter demoralization which seized the Chinese
soldiers when once it had set in.

The city had no sooner been occupied than the British
and other officers pressed on to the river outside the north
gâte to seize the junks, cargo-boats, and house-boats for

580

CHINA IN CONVULSION

•M-

te,

'1^

military transports, in conséquence of which thereafter
not a boat could stir nor a boatman peep except with
military consent. Every craft of every sort either had
the label of some " outside country " painted upon it —
British 87, U. S. Transport 63, etc., — or flew a flag with
the mystic symbol " T. P. G.," showing that it was reg-
istered and licensed by the Tientsin Provisional Govern-
ment, as were the carts, barrows, rikshas, " and also much
cattle."

The rice tribute came to an abrupt period, and ail the
extensive supplies on hand were soon looked after by
some of the military, who were at once omniprésent and
omnipotent. The long mountain ranges of sait stocked up
on the left bank of the Peiho, had over them a Russian
flag at one end, and a French flag at the other, and for
the next year or so no salt-boats left for the interior,
where the people got on as they could.

At the New Year season, when the Chinese most de-
light in the promiscuous and unrestrained explosion of
innumerable bunches of fire-crackers, proclamations were
issued in Tientsin (as well as in the other cities under
foreign military rule) positively forbidding anything of
the kind on pain of arrest and punishment. Few of the
hitherto universally posted omamental and flowery in-
scriptions over doorways, and on the door-posts, were to
be seen, and such was the terror inspired by the foreign
soldiers that even formai bows on the streets (said to
be forbidden by the Japanese police) had to be wholly
pretermitted. It was not considered altogether safe to
perform thèse indispensable cérémonies even in the pri-
vacy of one's own court-yard, where even women were
said to be sometimes arrested for indulging in the in-
évitable gambling appropriate to the period of national
relaxation. Under thèse strange and bitter conditions

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

581

many Chinese were heard plaintively to exclaim that it
would hâve been better not to bave any New Year at ail !
A year ago the word ''yang'' (foreign) was every-
where so odious that even the innocent Mohammedans
who sold '' yang jou " (sheep-meat, a word with the same
-:i Sound but différent meaning), were attacked on that ac-
count. Everything foreign was taboo, or if indispensable
was dubbed with a new name. Foreign drilling must
be called " fine cloth " or " wide cloth/' foreign rifles
" knobbed-guns/' foreign matches " quick-fire," and the
like. But now Chinese were everywhere to be met,
dressed in foreign hats, coats, trousers, and boots (and
in winter even in hitherto unprecedented mittens and
gloves), the cast-off property of soldiers and civilians.
Ali classes learned the military salute with more or less
inaccuracy, the smallest children ostentatiously perform-
ing it before every passer by, and old beggar women care-
fully shaded one eye under the impression that they were
thus punctiliously observing the foreign proprieties while
soliciting a " foreign cash."

The fate of the materials which were especially de-
pended upon for the destruction of the hated foreigner
is an apt illustration of the miscarriage of plans which
seem to their promoters the best laid in the world. The
Arsenal in the southeastem corner of the city was found
stocked with weapons of the most miscellaneous nature, ail
of which v/ere taken over by the Provisional Government
and issued to whatever foreigner presented a request for
them as a defence to his life and property. Lead from
this Arsenal and elsewhere was collected by the Provi-
sional Government, melted into 200 pound bars, and
shipped to Shanghai in large quantities, the proceeds
going to swell the handsome revenues which were pres-
ently pouring into the coffers of that energetic corpora-

:i3t,4

IVi

582

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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tion, which with conspicuous success undertook many
branches of administration hitherto distributed among a
score or more of yamens, or left altogether undone.

The right to excavate and remove the remains of the
Arsenal at Hsiku partly destroyed by Admirai Seymour's
party was sold at auction, the purchaser unearthing vast
lava-flows of lead and other métal melted in the gênerai
combustion, to the enrichment of the foreigner and the
impoverishment of the Chinese Government.

For two months after the siège the people of Tientsin,
many of whom had fled to villages at a distance, were
afraid to return, but by degrees the city began to look
less deserted, and the Taku road which passes through
the foreign settlement began to assume something of its
wonted activity. Numerically considered, the destruction
of dwellings in the city itself was a small matter when
compared with that in the environs. The densely crowded
main street running through the French concession, upon
which were most of the Chinese shops dealing in foreign
goods, was totally destroyed, not a single building left
standing. Some of them were bumed by the foreigners
during the siège to prevent them f rom being used as forts
to attack the foreign houses, and then the shops were
looted by whomever could get there first. Large tracts
of the French concession were bumed in the same way,
for since so much was being destroyed it would be con-
venient to hâve the whole area laid out anew, and no
questions asked.

On the east of the river around the railway station,
where the fighting was most furious, not a Chinese dwell-
ing was left, nor for a long distance in any direction.
The villages along the river between Tientsin and Taku
hâve likewise been destroyed, and the same was true on
every side of the city, but in varying degrees. This ex-

li V.

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'lil ■'. 'if

à '€

M:
'Mi

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

583

tensive diminution in the number of houses, resulted in
great inconvenience and discomfort, and, when the cold
weather came on, in unspeakable misery. Extravagant
rents were demanded for the meanest huts ; even more
serions than the lack of an abode was the difficulty of
buying food and the scarcity of fuel, for the rains had
been déficient, and the crops, such as they were, had
been neglected.

Prices were at a preposterous figure, while wages, ow-
ing to the irrational standard set by the mihtary, seemed
to promise sudden riches, forty cents being paid for the
labor of a short day, instead of twenty as heretofore.
Cash ceased to be the topic of conversation, as it had
been since the création of ail things, and ail the talk was
of "mao" (dimes), and "yuan" (dollars). But this
fictitious prosperity had its outcome in the fact that in-
stead of one's buying for cash — a tenth of a cent — as a
unit, almost nothing was to be had for less than ten cents,
so that in terms of food and clothes no one was much
better oflf than before.

To thèse evils due to a violation of the laws of political
economy, were added oth>ers arising primarily from a
contempt for the laws of nations. China had defied the
world, and the world was upon her. With such a poly-
glot force of troops it was next to impossible to keep
them in order, and as a matter of fact it was not done.
Some of the Russian, the French, the Indian, and the
German troops distinguished themselves as high-way
robbers, plundering the Chinese of their money, their
goods, and their clothing, and this in broad daylight and
in public places.

Military raids into the régions about Tientsin were
made in ail directions, and although it is impossible to
get at the facts it is certain that the three shortest of

^-tv.-5 !.

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1^ *-■

i< ■>

Il I ' f 'V '■•

584

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the Ten Commandments were constantly violated on an
extensive scale, and with no redress for " the heathen
Chinese." Every individual coolie must hâve a label
sewed to his coat, or he might be commandeered by an
urgent military officer for his particular job, perhaps
being paid good wages, and perhaps at the end being
dismissed with a kick. Lest their badges be stolen from
them for the protection of others, some of the Chinese
had brass plates clamped to their arms, and many poor
fellows after working hard ail day on their way to their
hovels had the results of their toil snatched from them by
a French trooper from Algiers, or a German from Kiao-
chou.

The native scoundrels who had lately been drawing ra-
tions from the Govemor General as '* patriotic Boxers,"
had thrown away their red girdles, and while the looting
season lasted gave themselves to that industry with a
single eye and with both hands earnestly. If however,
one continued poor, he mingled with the crowd and of-
fered his services as a policeman of the Provisional Gov-
ernment, where he might levy black-mail indiscriminately,
since there was no one to testify to his past record.
Now and then, as a resuit of too great temerity one such
lost his head, but this was regarded as a mei*e incident
in the ordinary line of risks, and had no deterring effect
upon others.

The professional rowdies and blacklegs of Tientsin,
as the fruit of their prudent exertions at the moment of
destiny, are now rich and prosperous, while those who
were formerly well-to-do are either in exile or in poverty.
As one outcome of this inversion of the social order, the
poor being suddenly rich and the rich becoming poor, the
numerous and important charities of Tientsin were largely
dried up at the fountain-head. The soup-kitchens which

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TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

585

-f ; :■: -:■-'•

usually flourish were sought in vain, and although there
are still a few benevolent gentry who would gladly do
something for those in distress, their inadéquate resources
are, in classical language, but '' a cup of water to put out
a fire in a cart-load of fuel."

Whatever the excellences of the Tientsin Provisional
Government, which within a certain radius were many,
it entirely failed in the first principle of good administra-
tion, that the work should be donc through the Chinese
themselves. Li Hung Chang indeed appointed a District
Magistrate, a Prefect, and a territorial Taotai, not one
of whom was allowed by the six military " kings " who
held the actual authority to open an office in the city,
even if he could set foot in it with safety. The last
named officiai., who is a man of weight and dignity in
the Chinese scale of rank, ought to ride in a chair, and
appear in his robes of office, but he was ordered out of
Tientsin as if his arrivai were an impertinence, and was
not even allowed to hâve a place of business anywhere
within the county limits. When he called upon the
" kings " he dared not appear in his proper costume,
but only in undress clothing, being rightly assured that
they would never know the différence.

The whole Chinese System of government is one of
graded and interrelated responsibility. By their wanton
acts of violence the Chinese at Tientsin put an end to
their own rule, and that which took its place was at
best limited, inadéquate, and irresponsible. The inces-
sant raids of the military drove away the officiais in v/ide
tracts of country, over which there was no government
of any kind. Bands of pirates who usually rob water-
craft and hide up the inaccessible creeks and bays, now
ranged the country as mounted thieves. Their only and
inappeasable cry was for " silver." If that were not

f- .-^ \.-.- f I

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586

CHINA IN CONVULSION

forthcoming, the poor wretch who was attacked might be
tied by the queue to a beam in his own house and slowly
roasted over a fire of fuel. This is termed " sitting on
the lotus flower." Or he might be forced into a frame-
work of telegraph-wire heated red-hot, which is called
" riding on the fire-wheel cart," until he should pay the
sum demanded. When complaint was made to the Pro-
visional Government, the very natural reply was received
that they had at présent (although later it was other-
wise) no jurisdiction beyond the outer rampart of Tien-
tsin — ail the rest was a No-man's land dedicated to mis-
rule and to primeval chaos !

The great eastern arsenal, from which the attacks upon
the settlement were so fierce and persistent, was captured
by the Russians on the 27th of June, and although largely
destroyed as a work-shop for weapons, became an excel-
lent Russian hospital. The western arsenal, in the
" Treaty Temple," was a complète wreck, and ail its ma-
chinery was sold to private speculators by the Provisional
Government, and was stacked up in a melancholy row
next to the foreign cemetery on the British Concession.
The huge bell presented by the Krupp Company to the
Chinese Government long years ago, was in tum pre-
sented by the Provisional Government to the Tientsin
British Municipal Council, where it hangs in the Pub-
lic Gardens, and is expected to give the settlement its
much-needed standard of time. Could the military
humiliation of Tientsin go deeper than this ?

The land lying between Tientsin city and the settle-
ments had gradually increased in value to the extent of
many hundred per cent, and as much of it was dotted
with graves it was not to be had at any price. Not many
months after the capture of the city the French Consul
General issued a circular notifying the public that that

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TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

587

office " did not recognize " the validity of any Chinese
deeds drawn before the I7th of June (tKe date of the
capture of the Taku forts), and that within specified and
expansive limits ail land had now by this fiât become the
property of the French Municipal Council, any previous
deeds requiring to be registered at the Consulate. In
pursuance of this act of annexation the ruins of Chinese
houses were leveled, broad boulevards laid out in dé-
sirable directions, and ail plaints of Chinese owners for
compensation answered with a shrug of the shoulders.
As much of this land had swarmed with dwellings, the
hardship to innocent owners was great and remediless,
and presently thèse unfortunate individuals found them-
selves required to pay a tax of several dollars a month
for the right to continue in temporary occupation of their
own houses ! Thèse additions to the French territory
extended from the settlement, north to the river, and
thence west to the rampart enclosing the city. Upon a
large part of this it is announced that in future no
Chinese will be allowed to live.

Immediately adjoining this is the Japanese quarter, em-
bracing the whole battlefield of July I3th, and extending
to the south wall of the city, and east and west from the
Peiho to the mud rampart. The densely crowded houses
had almost ail been destroyed, and over the ruins of every
door was posted a sign in Japanese and Chinese : *' This
house reserved for Japanese troops."

Along the whole frontage of their extensive addition
they demolished ail buildings, dwellings, shops. yamens
and temples with the rest, and opened a wide street along
the water front, which the Provisional Government con-
tinued the whole distance to the Grand Canal, and to the
Iron Bridge opposite the yamen of the Govemor General.
Innumerable Chinese shops and dens thus disappeared.

588

CHINA. IN CONVULSION

f 4ti'. ■

The boulevard which replaces the narrow and tortuous
alleys is macadamized and wholesome — but it is by no
means certain that the late Chinese occupants are entirely
happy.

In continuation of this new avenue it was decided
by the Provisional Government to make a roadway en-
tirely around the city, but this could only be accomplished
by the removal of the city wall. A contract for this work
was given out to a Chinese, who, during the winter
months hired armies of the poor, thus having the melan-
choly satisfaction of assisting in destroying the defences
of the city which had so recently felt the need of them.
Multitudes of " squatters " along the city wall were
thereby dislodged and had no place to go, and such was
the number of homeless wretches in the bitter months of
the winter, that every temple was choked with them, and
they filled even the jail of the yamen of the District Magis-
trate, an officiai for whom there was now no yamen and
no use. The whole city wall was levelled, the city moat
filled up, and adjacent dwellings demolished, ail to make
a long esplanade, sixty or more feet wide, encircling Tien-
tsin, looking to the probable introduction of an electric
road to accommodate the steadily growing and hitherto
unmanageable traffic.

A proceeding so revolutionary could not take place
without exciting the most bitter opposition from the gen-
try and the people, who sent repeated and urgent memo-
rials to Li Hung Chang against it, pleading piteously in
the figurative language of the Orient that a Chinese city
without walls is like a woman without her nether gar-
ments ! Li quashed their pétitions with the curt remark
that the wall was old and of no protective value, and the
work went on apace to its completion. In the meantime
the officiai surveyor of the Provisional Government was

.i!.ïl

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

589

set at work to map out the whole région, and to mark out
a Street of uniform width from the north to the south
gâte, remorselessly cutting off several feet from each shop-
front for the advantage of that hitherto disregarded en-
tity, the Public. The extensive ponds and holes in dif-
férent corners of the city are ail to be fîlled up, and
the land offered for sale, and as every situation is in-
comparably more accessible than before, the ultimate
convenience will be great, while the actual owners may
perhaps be heavy losers.

The mountains of bricks from the facing of the city
wall were exposed for sale, and now form the enclosing
walls and the pavements of foreign premises on the
settlements, whose owners a few months since were shot
at and bombarded by soldiers posted on that same city
wall and perhaps treading on thèse very bricks. Through-
out ail the streets and alleys of Tient sin, and the other
cities similarly governed, the houses are ail numbered
with Arabie figures, and many of the streets hâve been
renamed, especially by the Japanese, who appear to re-
gard their settlement as merely an addition to the Islands
of Nippon.

Below the mud rampart so often mentioned, the Ger-
mans, by the same simple formula now exclusively em-
ployed, hâve annexed a large tract which lias become an
intégral part of the German Empire. Across the Peiho
on the east, the same facile plan has been foUowed by
Belgium, by Russia (whose miles of addition included
the railway station, and brought two Empires to the very
verge of war), and by Italy and Austria. Each of thèse
nations has now broad areas dignified by the satirical
désignations of " Concessions," but which might rather
be styled " Aggressions."

AU the " Powers " (except China) are now accommo-

590

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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dated with a commodious water-front, nearly the whole
distance from the junction of the Grand Canal and the
Peiho being appropriated in this way, with the prospect
of larger demands for the " hinterlands " of each section
in the future.

The foreign settlements of Tientsin hâve been turned
into a camp, and its principal buildings occupied for mili-
tary purposes. The Gordon Municipal Hall was a British,
and the Union Church an Italian hospital. The Japanese
took the building of the Y. M. C. A.; the Tempérance
Hall was filled with Sikhs, the Tientsin University with
Germans, the Chinese Military and Médical School with
French. Ail nations, ail races, were on perpétuai exhibi-
tion. One might see everywhere the sturdy little Japa-
nese; the coarse-featured, stocky Russian; the somewhat
undersized Frenchman (perhaps a company of Zouaves
from Algiers in flaming scarlet trousers of astonishing
size and shape) ; the burly young German; the stout Brit-
isher of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers ; the lithe American ;
together with a motley flow of tall and swart Sikhs, Pa-
thans, Beluchis, and Rajputs, as well as the Chinese or-
ganized into the British First Régiment of Wei Hai Wei ;
hère and there an Austrian, Italians decorated with huge
tufts of feathers on their hats, and occasionally the
shrewd white-turbaned Parsee.

To deal with the problem of the commissariat for ail
this mixed multitude was a mighty task.

In the dead of night one might detect the deep tones
of the bells hung to the neck of long strings of camels
loaded with stores for Peking, a mode of transportation
not seen in Tientsin for décades, and only employed while
the railway was undergoing its slow repairs. The streets
were choked with interminable processions of British
pack animais, lines of the capacious Studebaker American

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FIRST BRITISH-CHINESE REGIMENT, WEI HAI WEI

RUSSIAN TROOPS EN ROUTE TO PEKING

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590

CHINA IN CONVULSION

The foreign settlements of Tientsin hâve been turned
into a camp, and its principal buildings occupied for mili-
tary purposes. The Gordon Municipal Hall was a British,
and the Union Church an Italian liospital. The Japanese
took the building of the Y. 'M. C. A. ; the Tempérance
Hall was filled with Sikhs, the Tientsin University with
Germans, the Chinese ]\Iilitary and Médical School with
French. Ail nations, ail races, were on perpétuai exhibi-
tion. One might see everywhere the sturdy little Japa-
nese ; the coarse-featured, stocky Russian ; the somewhat
undersized Frenchman (perhaps a company of Zouaves
from Algiers in flaming scarlct trousers of astonishing
size and shape) ; the burly young German ; the stout Brit-
isher of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers ; the lithe American ;
together with a motley flow of tall and swart Sikhs, Pa-
thans, Beluchis, and Rajputs, as well as the Chinese or-
ganized into the British First Régiment of Wei Hai Wei ;
hère and thcrc an Austrian, Italians dccorated with huge
tufts of feathers on thcir hats, and occasionally the
shrewd whitc-turbaned Parsee.

To deal with the problem of the commissariat for ail
this mixed multitude was a mightv task.

In the dead of night one might detect the deep tones
of the bells hung to the neck of long strings of camels
loaded with stores for Pckin,^^, a mode of transportation
not seen in Tientsin for décades, and only cmplo}'ed while
the railway was undergoing its slow rei^iairs. The streets
were choked with interminable ])rocessions of British
pack animais, lines of tlie capacious Studebaker American

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TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

591

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army wagon, the clumsy forage carts of the Russians,
German vehicles bought from the Dutch and made in
Java, and the trig Httle trucks of the Japanese. The big
humped Indian buffalo drew a Hght framework support-
ing a water-barrel for the Mohammedan troops, and long
lines of ail descriptions of wheeled drays or carts struggled
at the hydrants, or at the hose-pipes furnishing distilled
water.

The enterprising Cantonese, who owned most of the
Chinese stores dealing in foreign goods, being regarded
by the Tientsinese as practically foreigners, were either
driven away or killed, and their possessions impartially
looted. The " Tientsin Road " on the French settlement,
formerly filled with thèse shops from end to end, was
totally destroyed, and their places taken by French bar-
racks. The Temple of the " Purple Bamboo Grove "
(Tzu Chu Lin) which gave its name to the settlement,
was wholly demolished and burned, its site being heaped
with the timbers of wrecked buildings. The once stylish
Victoria Road was lined with patient Chinese squatting in
attendance upon stands (if that can be called a " stand "
which is merely a cloth spread upon the ground), dis-
playing a stock of pears, eggs, turnips, and the odds and
ends saved or plundered from the wreck of the numerous
stores dealing in foreign goods — candies, lamps, chimneys,
towels, socks, mirrors, pictures, and ail the miscellaneous
wares found in Chinese shops, each " stand " a small de-
partment store in itself.

New places of business burst forth in unexpected spots.
A gate-house suddenly developed a glass-window on the
side to the street with the legend : " Exchange to Money,"
for the coin was most confusing. Counterfeit dollars and
fractional currency abounded, so that one was afraid to
take any change at ail. The city which hated foreigners

■■i^

,'<"■:

t. . iù'i'.

TIENTSIN AFTER THE SIEGE

593

which will make the year of the Boxer rising seem in
retrospect like a troubled dream.

And ail this it will owe to the far-sightedness, energy,
persistance, and skill of the foreigners for whom in the,
closing year of the nineteenth century the Chinese Gbv-
emment andsAeg50mu,M*-'pg«pfe had no other wish than
to kill them ail. /"^'^

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XXXII

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR

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TO describe in détail the expériences of the great
number of foreigners who were scattered ail
over the interior of an Empire far larger than
the whole of Europe, would of itself require a volume.
Ail that can hère be attempted is such a rapid survey
as to make clear that the Boxer movement was in no
sensé a " rébellion," which it soon became the interest
of the Government itself and especially of its Ministers
abroad to represent it to be, but a deliberately planned and
comprehensive attempt to exterminate foreigners wher-
ever found.

That there were edicts issued from the Central Gov-
ernment in Peking to différent and distant parts of the
Empire ordering the immédiate massacre of ail foreign-
ers, is certain. The évidence is of a varied and convincing
nature. Intelligence of such a Decree was brought to
missionaries ànd others by friends in the yamens, by
friendly telegraph operators, and by officiais — some of
them of high rank — in at least three provinces and in
numerous places hundreds of miles apart, almost
simultaneously. Twice at least the original dispatch was
seen by foreigners, and its phraseology is indelibly en-
graved on the memories of those who were stunned by
the appalling and unexampled words : '' Fêng Yang-jcn
pi sha, yang-jên t'ui hui chi sha," '' Whenever y ou meet

594

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 595

foreigners you must kill them, and if they attempt to
escape they must still immediately be killed."

It has been generally believed that the two Ministers
of the Tsung Li Yamen who were executed during the
progress of the siège in Peking, Hsû Ching Ch'êng, and
Yiian Ch'ang, admitted that they had altered the char-
acter for " kill," into another meaning " protect " (pao),
and this is said to hâve been affirmed by the son of one
of them, and assigned as a reason for their décapitation.
This point remains in some obscurity, for several différent
reasons. As a matter of fact the dispatch was not
altered within the numerous régions where it most seri-
ously affected foreigners, and in the case of Impérial
Edicts it is thought incredible that any one should dare
to take such a step at once fatal and futile. It was of
course convenient both for the Govemors General and
Governors who refused to obey this Decree and later for
the Qiinese Government itself to assume that it was
" spurious," a légal fiction which has been consistently
maintained, and will doubtless remain as the standard
explanation among the Chinese, and among many for-
eigners. The theory in that case is that Prince Tuan was
" a usurper," and that his clique gained possession of the
seals of State, and for a time put the real " Government "
under duress.

It is a Chinese maxim that "an officer dépends upon
his seal," — losing that he loses his office too, and having
the seal he ex oMcio is the person to whom the seal be-
longs. Prince Tuan was put in power by the deliberate
act of the Empress Dowager herself for a definite pur-
pose, and there seems to be no évidence that his acts
were either disavowed by her, or in any way objection-
able to her until their conséquences became so. After
that, the adoption of the theory of " spurious Decrees "

596

CHINA IN CONVULSION

was inévitable, and has been definitely fixed by an Edict,
as from the Emperor, ordering the collection of ail the
Decrees issued after the siège of the Légations began, that
their genuineness might be officially denied, so as to put
an end to their citation as acts of " the Government of
China." But it should be distinctly recognized that such
disavowal has no real bearing upon historic facts, and
can in no way undo the irréparable past.

In this connection peculiar interest attaches to the ac-
companying note from Sir Robert Hart, Inspector-Gen-
eral of the Chinese Impérial Maritime Customs:

Peking iSth June, 1901.

1-1

" Dear Dr. Smith :

" It would be interesting to get a really reliable Chinese
account of Palace doings — and Peking doings — during
1900: As it is, we are ail guessing and inferring and
putting this and that together, but we hâve not got at the
facts yet ! It's ail a question with no finality in it — you
may put down your pen, but every new touch will bring
a new picture to the eye that looks through the kaléido-
scope of history — and the Aurora Borealis of circum-
stance will change unceasingly.

" Truly yours,

" ROBERT HART."

While the Empress Dowager may not hâve had Per-
sonal knowledge of every Decree put forth in her name, it
is morally certain that without her gênerai sanction none
of them could hâve been issued. That she was kept mis-
informed of the actual conditions is altogether likely, and
nothing is more probable, if not indeed certain, than that
the décisive and irrévocable step was taken in one of
those paroxysms of fury to which ail Chinese and Man-

:-K8|?:

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 597

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598

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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chus, high and low, the latter quite as much as the
former, are perpetually liable.

That this act was itself caused by a pièce of intelli-
gence received just before the décision was taken, which
exerted a powerful influence on the mind of the Empress
Dowager, has been often and confidently affirmed, and
is in itself so natural an explanation of lier sudden anger
that, while it is impossible at présent to prove it, there
is yet sufficient évidence to adopt it as an hypothesis. It
must be premised that it had long been the habit of the
Court to hâve translations made from the foreign jour-
nals in China for palace perusal, many of which must
hâve been particularly unpleasant reading.

The story is that on the igih. of June an unknown offi-
ciai in Shanghai sent to the Grand Council in Peking a
telegram embodying the substance of something which
had there appeared. What that article was is not known,
but that there were editorials printed at that time which
would hâve been likely to produce such efïects is indis-
putable. Of that type is the following paragraph, which
appeared in the leading journal of the Far East, the
*' North China Daily News," on the moming of June
I9th, 1900.

" The Empress Dowager is reaping the whirlwind witli
a vengeance, and it is very doubtful whether she will
stay in Peking to gather the harvest. . . . Instead of
having one or two Powers to pacify, China is at war with
ail the Great Powers at once, and she is at war by the
choice of the Empress Dowager and her gang. . . .
Whatever happens, this gang, if it does not go of its own
accord, must be driven out of Peking. It is to be hoped
that it will be possible to get out the Emperor Kuang
Hsû and replace him on the throne. Meantime, it should
be made perfectly clear that it is the Empress Dowager

■^

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 599

.|>.:f;;S'^|

who has undertaken the présent war, and that we are not
fighting China, but the usurping Government at Peking."

This newspaper, which has for a sub-title " The Su-
prême Court and Consular Gazette," might very naturally
pass among the Chinese for what is remote enough from
its real character, the organ of the British Government
and its officiai spokesman, although the smallest acquaint-
ance with the facts would show any reader that it was
the almost incessant critic of the acts of that Government.

The Rehef Expédition under Admirai Seymour had
been already ten days on its way from Tientsin to Peking.
Should it succeed in entering the city this was to be its
program, and no faltering for sentimental reasons was
to be allowed : " The Empress Dowager was to be de-
posed," — the mère suggestion of which had brought about
the coîip d'état of 1898. '' Hell has no fury like a woman
scorned " — and the rest we know.

Attention has been repeatedly called in thèse pages to
the fact that the greatest hostility to foreigners in China
arose among the Manchus, rather than the Chinese. In
the Grand Council the former were represented as being
practically unanimous in favour of defying the world,
while the latter offered strenuous albeit unavailing ob-
jections. The leading officiais at the bottom of the move-
ment, with a few prominent exceptions, were Manchus.
Among the singular phenomena of this strange time was
the frankness with which Chinese Ministers abroad ex-
pressed themselves in regard to the policy of the Gov-
ernment at home, in marked contrast to the usual cau-
tion of ail Chinese officiais in refusing to commit them-
selves. Press reports of utterances of this sort on the
part of the Minister to Great Britain (Lo Feng Lu), the
Minister to France, and the Minister to the United States
(Wu Ting Fang), agreed in thus fixing the responsi-

f:' < ifc

600

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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bility for the invasion of the laws of nations on a Manchu
clique.

The substance of a few sentences from an interview
with the first named, as pubHshed in the October (1900)
number of *' Crampton's Magazine" (English), clearly
illustrâtes this point. " The enlightened part of the popu-
lation," he says, '* including ail the Chinese Viceroys and
Governors, condemn the Boxer movement, and hâve no
sympathy with it. But with the Manchu Governors and
Viceroys the case is différent. They get their posts with-
out rigorous examination tests, and are on this account less
educated. No educated Chinese would believe, for in-
stance, that foreign rifles would prove harmless in battle.
I should never hâve supposed that a Manchu mandarin
could believe such a statement. It has been a révélation
to me, I confess. If there is to be a free compétition of
talents, there can no longer be a class monopoly of the
high offices of the Empire. The Manchus are ail con-
servative, while the Chinese are more libéral."

After explaining how Confucius can be interpreted
as in favour of some check upon unlimited authority, he
expresses the opinion that there would be no justice in
the demand for implicit obédience if the man at the
helm of State would go madly in support of a Boxer
movement so as to endanger the destiny of four hundred
millions of people who are quite innocent. He closes
with thèse significant words : " I hope that fînancial, edu-
cational, and judicial reforms will be introduced after this
crisis is over, and I would even say — as a représentative
of my country as well as of my Government — that I hope
the Powers will insist upon reforms."

The Chinese Ship-of-State under its Manchu Pilots
was thus launched upon its dangerous course down un-
known rapids, and the shock was distinctly felt in every

t:f"

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 6oi

ichu

part of the huge craft, from the southern top of the
province of Kuangtung to the banks of the Amur River
in the distant north, and from the sea-board to the con-
fines of Turkestan. No such évidence of the unity of
the Chinese Empire has ever been witnessed.

It was of the greatest importance to the Government
that there should be practical unanimity of action through-
out the Empire, as w^ell as in the Peking Grand Council,
and to make sure of it a Decree was issued on the 26th
of June, addressed to tw^enty-four Governors General,
Govemors, MiUtary and Naval officiais, in the following
terms :

" We yesterday announced to Li Hung Chang, Li Ping
Hêng, Liu K'un Yi, and Chang Chih Tung, the facts
that it is equally difficult to repress or to soothe the
feud of the society men against the converts, and that hos-
tilities were first resorted to by the Pow^ers.

" The reluctance of you Viceroys and Governors, after
considering the position and estimating your strength, to
provoke foreign enmity lightly, may w^ell be the policy
of tried Ministers Consulting the interests of their State.
But unfortunately, in the présent case, the Boxer bands
hâve spread over the whole capital, and their numbers
are not less than several hundred thousand. From soldiers
and people up to princely and ducal palaces, alike comes
one cry of hatred of the foreign religion : the two can not
exist together. Repression meant intestine trouble and
the utter ruin of the people. The only course, therefore,
vi^as to turn the movement to account, v^^hile slowly de-
vising reformation. The waming in your mémorial not
to endanger the State by believing their heretical talk,
leaves out of account the helpless position in which the
Court is placed.

" Did you Viceroys and Governors realize how great is

602

CHINA IN CONVULSION

ri :■■

■':>.■,

;'!:,^''

the crisis in the capital you would surely be unable to
eat and sleep in peace, and would be so anxious to do
your duty that you could never think of making one-sided
représentations. The présent state of things is one in
which the incitement and pressure of providential op-
portunity and human afïairs hâve combined to make war
inévitable. Do not any of you longer hesitate and look
on, but with ail speed provide troops and supplies, and
vigourously protect the territories ; for any remissness
you shall be cal!ed to account."

That an}^ Chinese officiais, after a warning such as
this, should hâve hesitated to obey the express and re-
peated commands of the Court, would seem to hâve been
in itself virtual rébellion, especially as it was not the eue
of those in authority to claim or to admit that the Em-
press Dowager was in any sensé a " usurper."

The outcome of this unexampled situation was that
Chang Chih Tung, Governor General of the prov-
inces of Hupei and Hunan, Liu K\in Yi, Governor Gen-
eral of the " River Provinces," and Yuan Shih K'ai, Gov-
ernor of Shantung, entered into an agreement with one
another and with the représentatives of foreign Powers
that order should be maintained within their territories
upon certain specified conditions, of which the absence
as far as possible of foreign gun-boats formed a part.
While refusing to relinquish her treaty rights, Great
Britain w^as anxious to do everything in her power to
strengthen the hands of thèse Chinese officiais who were
" loyal," if not to the reckless Manchu rulers, at least
to the best interests of China itself.

It was most fortunate that the welfare of Great Britain
was represented at Shanghai by Mr. Pelham L. Warren,
as Acting Consul General, and later as Acting British

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 603

Minister, and at Hankow by Mr. E. H. Frazer, whose
activity and energy were constantly exercised for the
gênerai behoof. At the suggestion of Mr. Warren, an
arrangement was made by which the British Government
took the unusual step of loaning Chang Chih Tung the
sum of £75,000 for ten years at 4^^ per cent, on the
security of the unpledged likin revenue of his provinces.
Mr. Warren pointed out (Aug. 9th) to Lord Sahsbury
that it was " most important to strengthen the Viceroys
in their présent position, for if they were overthrown the
resuit would be a rising, the suppression of which would
involve the expenditure of much time and the employ-
ment of large forces, and this would inevitably be
followed by the partition of China. The firm position of
the Viceroys," he adds, " has for the time checked the
plans of the Peking Government for a gênerai uprising
against foreigners, which but for this would certainly
hâve been carried out."

The policy of Yuan Shih K'ai in Shantung, where the
Boxer movement had its origin, was very unpopular, and
it is said that his own life was in constant danger, a
spécial guard of a thousand of his men — the best drilled
soldiers in China — being stationed at his yamen gâtes
with machine-guns to prevent any démonstrations. Many
months later, when it was perceived that it was only the
foresight and fîrmness of Governor Yuan which had pre-
vented Shantung from being over-run by foreign troops
as the adjacent province of Chihli had been, the popular
feeling changed materially; but in the summer of 1900
the outlook was a dark one.

Another officiai to whom perhaps the most crédit of ail
is due — considering that he is a Manchu — was Tuan
Fang, then Acting Governor of Shensi. His firmness

m-..

ffS ,— **•

604

CHINA IN CONVULSION

prevented the development of the Boxer bacillus in the
province, and in the face of the decree of extermination
already quoted he used the utmost diligence in pro-
tecting ail foreigners, not only within his jurisdiction but
also in sections contiguous to it, without that punctilious
révérence for boundary lines which generally characterizes
Chinese officiais. He specially dispatched strong escorts
for ail foreigners leaving Shensi, and gave express orders
tliat the soldiers should not return until their charges
had been actually turned over to the troops of Chang
Chih Tung sent to meet them, wherever that might
happen to be. On the long routes thus traversed from
Hsi An Fu to the comparative quiet of Hupei, there
were times when but for such protection the travellers
would hâve been attacked by large armed bands, and
might easily hâve been destroyed. As it was, ail the
foreigners both in Shensi and in Kansu escaped across
the mountains of Hankow, with no loss of life.

In the adjoining province of Honan, while there was
no actual massacre, there were terrible hardships, and
marvellous escapes. The officiais and the people were
more hostile than in Shensi, yet there were some notable
exceptions.

In Shantung, thanks to the protection of Governor
Yuan Shih K'ai, there was not only no foreigner killed
during the troubled season of anxiety and flight, but
comparatively little of the suffering elsewhere so com-
mon. The American Consul at Chefoo, Mr. John Fowler,
(assisted by the Rev. George Comwell and others), dis-
played the greatest energy and resourcefulness in this
time of emergency, at his own risk chartering, by the
kind aid of the Japanese Consul, a small Japanese steamer
at several hundred dollars a day. This made repeated

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6o4

CHINA IN CONVULSION

j)revcntc(l tlic dcvclopmcnt of the Boxer bacillus in the
j)rovince, and in the face of the dccree of extermination
already quoted he used the utmost diligence in pro-
tecting ail forcigners, not only within his jurisdiction but
also in sections contiguous to it, without that punctilious
révérence for boundary lincs which generally characterizes
Chinese officiais. Ile specially dispatched strong escorts
for ail foreigners leaving Shensi, and gave express orders
tliat tlic sokliers should not return until their charges
had been actually turned over to the troops of Chang
Chili Tung sent to meet them, wherevcr that might
happen to be. On the long routes thus travcrsed from
îisi An Fu to the comparative quiet of Hupei, there
were times when but for such protection the travellers
would bave been attacked by large armed bands, and
might easily bave been destroyed. As it was, ail tlic
foreigners botli in Shensi and in Kansu escaped across
the mountains of Ilankow, with no loss of life.

In the adjoining province of Ilonan, while there was
no actual massacre, there were terrible hardships, and
marvellous escapes. The officiais and the people were
more hostile than in Shensi, yet there were some notable
exceptions.

In Shantung, thanks to the protection of Governor
Yuan Shih K'ai, there was not only no foreigner killed
during the troubled season of anxictv and flight, but
comparatively little of ^he suffering elsewhere so com-
mon. The American Consul at Chefoo, Mr. John Fowder.
(assisted by the Rev. George Comwell and others), dis-
playcd the greatest encrgy and resourcefulness in this
time of emergency, at his owm risk chartering, by the
kind aid of the Japanese Consul, a small Jaj)anese steamer
at several hundred dollars a day. This made repeated

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i*f

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 605

trips to Yang Chia K'ou, at the mouth of an artificial
canal terminating near Chi Nan Fu, by which and other
means more than two hundred and sixty foreigners were
brought safely out of the province.

The firm stand taken by the triumvirate of high Chinese
officiais previously mentioned, saved the central and the
southem provinces from becoming inoculated with the
virus so fatal farther north, but it did net and could not
prevent isolated manifestations of hostile feeling in the
intensely anti-foreign coast provinces, as well as in the
interior. Early in the summer there was serious danger
in Yûnnan, where the French had been active, but
from whence they were compelled to retire. There were
hostile démonstrations in Kuangtung, resulting in much
loss of mission property, and thèse continued at inter-
vais for a year or more. Fukien was excited, though not
to the danger point ; and it became necessary to remove
ail foreigners from the isolated port of Wên Chou farther
up the coast.

On the 22nd of July a ghastly tragedy occurred in
K'ù Chou Fu in western Chêkiang, by which Mr. and
Mrs. Thompson, and two sons. Miss Desmond, Miss
Sherwood, and Miss Manchester, of that city, and Mr.
and Mrs. Ward and infant, with Miss Thirgood, sta-
tioned at Ch'ang Shan, were ail killed with the utmost
cruelty. The movement among the people by which thèse
missionaries of the China Inland Mission lost their lives,
is believed to bave had no direct connection with the
Boxer rising, but was a local rébellion, in which the Dis-
trict Magistrate was himself killed while endeavouring
to quell it.

Although there was no actual outbreak in the remote
province of Szechuan in south-westem China, it was con-

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606

CHINA IN CONVULSION

'ii>

sidered advisable to remove ail the foreign résidents from
that province, and from the other interior stations of ail
inland provinces, to the ports.

There is no reasonable doubt that the Boxer rising had
been planned to corne to a crisis in the eighth moon, for
occult reasons connected with the intercalary eighth month
of that year, already mentioned in a previous chap-
ter ; but, like a time-fuse which could not be regulated, it
exploded prematurely in the month of May, at least
twelve weeks in advance of schedule time.

Some of the phenomena connected with this sudden
development were entirely new in the long expérience of
foreigners in China. In Mukden, the capital of Man-
churia, for example, the relations between the Protestant
missionaries and the officiais had been of the most
friendly character. The Military Govenior had assured
the Presbyterian missionaries, who were holding their
annual sessions during the early part of June, that no
safer place could be found than where they were. Yet
within the space of less than a week the whole atmos-
phère had changed, and the extrême of friendliness on
the part of officiais and people was replaced by suspi-
cion and hostility. The Governor would return no answer
to communications of urgent importance, and it was évi-
dent that the température had been artificially altered
from Peking. The Protestants escaped just in time to
Newchwang, their property being destroyed by a mob on
the 30th of June, and the Roman Catholic Cathedral being
burned and sacked (July 2nd) and ail its inmates roasted
or butchered.

Places in which heretofore there had never been any
open hostility to Occidentals were suddenly turned into
hot-beds of fanatical fury against everything foreign, the
people stopping at no atrocities until their purposes were

fil ''i

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 607

accomplished. The passions o£ the Chinese appeared
to be kindled, as fires are lighted by stray sparks falling
in dry prairie grass, automatically and with no previous
préparation of any sort. This occurred not in cities
only, but in the most remote and inaccessible mountain
hamlets, as well as on the crowded plains and on the
Mongolian steppes. After ail reasonable explanations of
this fact hâve been ofïered, it must be admitted that
there is a residuum of mystery in thèse terrible explosions,
resembling those of contact mines, without perceptible
antécédent causes.

The foreigners north of Mukden scattered through
Manchuria were able to escape by the friendly help of
the Russians to Harpin, or other places of relative se-

curity.

There had long been serions friction between the
Chinese and Manchu population of Manchuria and the
numerous Russian troops sent to guard the new railways.
To what extent this had gone it was difficult to judge,
owing to the constitutional réticence of the Russian press.
The Russian Empire was suddenly electrified by the an-
nouncement that, on the I4th of July, the steamers on
the Amur River had been fired upon at the Chinese town
of Aigun by Chinese officers who affirmed that they were
acting under orders, one Russian officer being killed and
six men wounded. The next day unexpectedly and with
no waming the Russian town of Blagovestchensk across
the river was bombarded by a Chinese battery, three
Russians being killed and six wounded.

The reprisais on the part of the Russians for this
breach of faith, under the misconstrued orders from St.
Petersburg, were of a terrible nature, involving the
massacre of many thousand Chinese, men, women and
children, whose bodies filled the Amur, as certified by

6o8

CHINA IN CONVULSION

.:|

s'il

the testimony of several independent and unprejudiced
travellers, themselves eye-witnesses of the dévastation. In
the following September the British Légation in St.
Petersburg called the attention of Lord Salisbury to the
report in a Russian paper of a formai thanksgiving serv-
ice held on the ashes of the Chinese town of Sakalin,
now renamed IHnsky, in the présence of the authorities,
the army, an Enghsh officer, and a large crowd of
people. The priest said : " Now is the cross raised on
the bank of the Amur which yesterday was Chinese.
Mouraviefï foretold that sooner or later this bank would
be ours." It was added that " in a beautiful speech Gen.
Grisbsky congratulated the victorious troops ! " In reply
to the remonstrance of the British Minister to Russia,
Sir Charles Scott, Count Lamsdorf explained that the
Government had only just heard of this incident, and
that it was an unauthorized act of the military at too
great a distance from the central Government to be in
touch with its views.

Meantime Russian troops were pouring into Manchuria
in immense numbers, and the Russian Government was
able to give the most satisfactory assurances to ail the
Powers in regard to her intentions to turn over Man-
churia to the Chinese, as Sancho Panza definitely prom-
ised Don Quixote that he would perform the necessary
self-flagellations on behalf of the Lady Dulcinea del To-
boso " just as soon as ever I hâve a mind to do so."

Next to ordering the attack by the regular Chinese
armies on the Légations, the most fatuous act of the
Chinese Government in the summer of 1900 was its
assault upon Russia, to the threatened dismemberment of
the Chinese Empire, and the exposure of " the open
door " to unknown périls in the future.

In the province of Chihli there were many Protestant

.™î^

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 609

and far more numerous Roman Catholic stations, from
which if the foreigners escaped at ail, it was with diffi-
ciilty. The sea-side resort of Pei Tai Ho, one hundred
and fifty miles from Tientsin, near the Shan Hai Kuan
railway, was soon isolated, and its résidents were re-
moved to a British vessel, the various establishments being
promptly looted by the local villagers without the aid of
Boxers or soldiers.

From T'ang Shan to Shan Hai Kuan the railway was
defended by the Cantonese and others employed in the
mines, and there might be seen the singular spectacle of
an Impérial railway operated by the workmen for their
own convenience and safety, the coal mines being like-
wise kept from injury, until the advent of the Russians,
who impartially plundered ail property public and private.

From Pao Ting Fu to Ting Chou the Lu-Han rail-
way was kept in opération for the transport of Chinese
troops.

The London Mission station of Ts*ang Chou on the
Grand Canal was destroyed, but thanks to a frîendly
officiai its occupants escaped overland to a small sea-port,
and thence to Taku. Those living at Hsiao Chang, farther
to the Southwest, another station of the same mission,
fled to the village of P'ang Chuang in Shantung
and thence to the coast.

It was the strange fortune of the last named mission
station, after having been threatened for more than a
year, to escape at last absolutely untouched and even un-
entered, being, with the exception of defended treaty-
ports and one or two minor instances, perhaps the only
case of this sort in ail the vast stretch from the Yellow
River to the Amur. The temper of most of the people
was friendly, the réputation and influence of the hospital
and dispensary wide-spread, but the rancourous fury of

i 'ri

1',

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the Boxers thirsting for loot was held in check only by
a timely agreement between one of the native pastors
and a Boxer leader, by which, in considération of a
" feast " and a horse to boot, the place was not to be
attacked.

The résidents of Kalgan, American and Russian,
escaped across the interminable déserts of Urga and
Kiakhta, with great hardships and many wonderful de-
liverances from seemingly insurmountable périls.

The China Inland missionaries in Shun Tê Fu were
for a time in great danger. They were driven out of
their city, but after wandering in the mountains were
escorted a part of the way to Shansi, whence they were
turned back by an officiai just in time to save their lives,
and at last found refuge in the great Cathedral at Chêng
Ting Fu. Owing to the prudent and inflexible détermin-
ation of the civil and military authorities not to open the
city gâtes, this was not attacked at ail. Hère the Roman
Catholic Bishop, three priests, five nuns, and a party of
refugee Belgian railway engineers were protected until
rescued by Chinese and later by the French troops about
the middle of October.

The adventures of the Greens and Miss Gregg, who
were at Huai Lu Hsien at the entrance to the Ku Kuan
pass, were of the most terribly dramatic character, and
fumish material for a small volume. They endured
everything, hunger, nakedness, péril and sword, and their
escape at ail is a standing miracle. The fate of Dr. Tay-
lor, Dr. and Mrs. Hodge, Mr. and Mrs. Simcox, and
three children, of the American Presbyterian Mission;
of Mr. Pitkin, Miss Morrill and Miss Gould, of the Amer-
ican Board, and of Mr. and Mrs. Bagnall and daughter,
and Mr. William Cooper, of the China Inland Mission,
at Pao Ting Fu was still more tragic.

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FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 6ii

By the connivance of the officiais, civil and military,
they were ail killed. The former party were burned alive
in their dwelling by a mob on the last day of June, and
the two latter parties were shot, stabbed, or beheaded, on
the first day of July.

In penalty for this great crime a mixed Military Com-
mission sitting in that city in the following October, after
fuU investigation recommended that the Provincial
Treasurer Ting Yuan be beheaded, together with Kuei
Hêng, the Tartar officiai of the city, and Lient. Colonel
of the cavalry camp, near the China Inland Mission, to
which Mr. Bagnall and his family with Mr. Cooper fled,
only to be betrayed to the Boxers and slain. This sen-
tence was approved by Gen. Gaselee and Count von Wal-
dersee, and was carried into exécution. Several of the
temples principally used by the Boxers as their head-
quarters were also blown up, the most important being
that of the city-god, and the Ch'i Shêng An, in the south-
eastern part of the city. where the prisoners had been
examined at the Boxer altar. Ail the towers of the city
gâtes were destroyed, and the corner of the city wall was
also blown away for a distance of several yards, to leave
a brand upon the provincial capital which had witnessed
such officiai crimes.

But it was in the province of Shansi and the adjacent
régions of Mongolia that the most terrible fruits of the
Boxer rising against foreigners were produced. This was
mainly due to the présence there of the founder and
patron of the Great Sword Society, Yû Hsien, so often
previously referred to, who had taken his seat as Gov-
ernor when the nets for extermination began to be spread.

It has already been mentioned that so rapid was the
spread of the anti-foreign rising that, by the time danger
had become certain, it was sometimes too late to escape.

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 61 1

r.
y;

By the connivance of thc officiais, civil and militar}%
they were ail killed. The former party were burned alive
in their dwelling- by a mob on the last day of June, and
the two latter parties were shot, stabbed, or beheaded, on
the first day of July.

In penalty for this great crime a mixed Military Com-
mission sitting in that city in the following October, after
full investigation recommendcd that the Provincial
Treasurer Ting Yuan be beheaded, together with Kuei
Heng, the Tartar officiai of the city, and Lient. Colonel
of the cavalry camp, near tlie China Inland Mission, to
which Mr. Bagnall and his family with Mr. Cooper fled,
only to be betrayed to the Boxers and slain. This sen-
tence was approved by Gcn. Gaselee and Count von Wal-
dersee, and was carried into exécution. Several of the
temples principally used by th.e Boxers as their head-
quarters were aiso blown up, the most important being
tliat of the city-god, and the Ch'i Shêng An, in the south-
eastern part of the city. v/here the prisoners had been
examincd at the Boxer altar. Ail the towers of the city
gâtes were destroyed, and the corner of the city wall was
also blown awav for a distance of several vards, to leave
a brand upon the provincial capital which had witnessed
such officiai crimes.

But it was in the province of Shansi and the adjacent
régions of Alongolia that the most terrible fruits of the
Boxer rising against foreigners were produced. This was
mainly due to the présence there of the founder and
])atron of the Great Sword Society, Yii Hsien, so often
previously referred to, who had taken lus seat as Gov-
ernor when the nets for extermination began to be spread.

It bas already been menlioned that so rapid was the
spread of the anti-f()reign rising that, by the time danger
had become certain, it was sometimes too late to cscape.

; ù

6l2

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Many of the missionaries, especially in the northem part
of Shansi, were Swedes, with but an imperfect acquaint-
ance with China, and with only infrequent communica-
tion with the coast. Others, both British and Americans,
who had been long in the country, had become accustomed
to being rioted, and regarded this as but one of the ex-
tended séries of outbreaks of which they had had abun-
dant expérience in the past. Many of them could not
make up their minds to désert their native Christians,
and nobly preferred to die with them, rather than to con-
sult their own safety only.

Friends at the ports exhausted every effort to convey
information of the apparent conditions to those known
to be in danger, but events moved so rapidly that it was
impossible alike for those at a distance and those nearest
the storm-centre to détermine with certainty what it was
best to do.

The danger of the missionaries, great as it was, was less
than that of other foreigners unable to speak the lan-
guage, and in regard to whom nothing was known by the
Chinese who saw them pass. Capt. Watts Jones, a brave
officer of the British Royal Engineers, was barbarously
murdered west of Kalgan. Mr. Saunders, one of the
members of the China Inland Mission whose party en-
dured the most terrible sufferings before they escaped
from Shansi through hostile Honan to Hankow. at one
place saved his life only by proving that he was not the
railway prospector who had been through the country
some time previously, disturbing the repose of the Earth
Dragon, spoiling the fêng-shui, and preventing rain, thus
bringing on the terrible drought which was destroying
the whole land.

It will be seen from an appended table that the total
number of Protestant workers murdered during the whole

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 613

Boxer disturbances was one hundred and thirty-six adults,
and fifty-three children, of whom more than eighty-four
per cent were killed either in Shansi or the adjacent ré-
gions of Mongolia. The story of a few of thèse terrible
expériences can be recapitulated only in the merest out-

line.*

On the 29th of June, the Swedish Union in association
with the Christian Missionary AUiance, experienced a
fearful tragedy at So P'ing Fu, in northern Shansi, when
ten of its members were killed at one time. Six members
of the China Inland Mission were slain at Ta T'ung Fu
at about the same date. At T'ai Ku Hsien, on the 3ist
of July, Rev. D. H. Clapp and wife, Rev. Geo. L. Wil-
liams, Rev. F. W. Davis, Miss Rowena Bird, and Miss
Mary Partridge, ail of the American Board Mission, were
killed, and their heads are supposed to hâve been sent
to T'ai Yuan Fu.

There were numerous other atrocities in other cities,
but nowhere anything equal to the terrible spectacle at
T'ai Yuan Fu on the Qth of July, the account of which we
hâve from an unwilling witness, — a Baptist couvert whose
story has been confirmed from other sources. He saw
the foreign pastors and their wives and children, the
Roman Catholic priests and nuns, and several Chinese
Christians, taken to the Governor's yamen. Hearing that
they were to be killed, he vainly endeavoured to get out
of the crowd, but was borne along by it, and witnessed
the massacre.

* Partial accounts of some of the expériences of the members of
the largest of the Protestant Missions in China, may be found in
"Martyred Missionaries of the China Inland Mission, With a
Record of the Périls and Sufïerings of Some who Escaped."
It is a volume of more than three hundred pages, filled with taies
of touching pathos, a story of which anybranch of the Christian
Church in any country and in any âge might well be proud.

•M

ïm.

614

CHINA IN CONVULSION

1 i-,n:

" The first to be led forth was Mr. Farthing (English
Baptist). His wife clung to him, but he gently put lier
aside, and going in front of the soldiers knelt down
without saying a word, and his head was struck ofï
by one blow of the executioner's knife. He was quickly
followed by Mr. "Hoddle, and Mr. Beynon, Drs. Lovitt
and Wilson, each of whom was beheaded by one blow of
the executioner. Then the Governor, Yii Hsien, grew im-
patient and told his body-guard, ail of whom carried
heavy swords with long handles, to help kill the others.
Mr. Stokes, Mr. Simpson, and Mr. Whitehouse were next
killed, the last by one blow only, the other two by several.

" When the men were finished the ladies were taken.
Mrs. Farthing had hold of the hands of her children
who clung to her, but the soldiers parted them, and with
one blow beheaded their mother. The executioner be-
headed ail the children and did it skillfully, needing only
one blow, but the soldiers were clumsy, and some of the
ladies suffered several cuts before death. Mr^. Lovitt
was wearing her spectacles and held the hand of her
little boy, even when she was killed. She spoke to the
people, saying ' We ail came to China to bring you the
good news of the salvation by Jésus Christ ; we hâve done
you no harm, only good, why do you treat us so ? ' A
soldier took ofif her spectacles before beheading her, which
needed two blows.

" When the Protestants had been killed, the Roman
Catholics were led forward. The Bishop, an old man
with a long white beard, asked the Governor why he was
doing this wicked deed. I did not hear the Governor give
him any answer, but he drew his sword and eut the
Bishop across the face one heavy stroke; blood poured
down his white beard, and he was beheaded.

" The priests and nuns quickly followed him in death.

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 615

. k

Then Mr. Pigott and his party were led from the dis-
trict jail which is close by. He was still hand-cuffed, and
so was Mr. Robinson. He preached to the people till
the very last, when he was beheaded with one blow. Mr.
Robinson sufïered death very calmly. Mrs. Pigott held
the hand of her son, even when she was beheaded, and
he was killed immediately after her. The ladies and two
girls were also quickly killed.

" On that day forty-five foreigners were beheaded in ail,
thirty-three Protestants and twelve Roman Catholics. A
number of native Christians were killed also. The bodies
of ail were left where they fell till the next morning, as
it was evening before the work was finished. During
the night they had been stripped of their clothing, rings,
and watches. The next day they were removed to a place
inside the great south gâte, except some of the heads,
which were placed in cages on the gâtes of the city wall.
Ail were surprised at the firmness and quietness of the
foreigners, none of whom except two or three of the chil-
dren cried, or made any noise."

l^iàuKiJW^gien was Governor of Shansi for but a few
months, yet such was the fatal spell thrown over the peo-
ple of that hitherto friendly province by the known ap-
probation of the Impérial Court, that when he left the
city he was escorted by thousands of the people, who had
prepared wine and refreshments along the road-side for
miles, his " boots of honour '' were taken ofï and hung in
the city gâte to commemorate his virtues, and as if this
were insufficient, a stone tablet was erected in the south
suburb to glorify his achievements in clearing the province
of the hated foreigners.

It was almost universally recognized at the entry of
the foreign forces into northem China that the honour
of the five countries represented among those officially

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ilj

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6i6

CHINA IN CONVULSION

4. A?

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butchered at this time (Great Britain, the United States,
France, Italy, and Holland) as well as the safety of ail
future résidents of Shansi, required that an indelible
brand should be affixed to T'ai Yuan Fu, as was done at
Pao Ting Fu, and that the yamen of the Govemor ought
to be destroyed. But in the pressure of other military
expéditions ail over northern Chihli, this one was omitted,
to the extrême surprise of the Chinese, and later to the
unalterable conviction on the part of the population of
Shansi that their province was totally inaccessible to for-
eign troops.

Four différent parties from the southem portion of
Shansi succeed^d after terrible sufferings in making
their way to Hankow, but some of them died of ill treat-
ment or exhaustion. So far as known it appears that in
this part of the province, while nineteen escaped, thirty-
five adults and ten children were killed, or died.

One of the most pathetic instances of ail was that of
a Company of ten, composed of Mr. and Mrs. Atwater and
two children, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Price, and daughter,
of the American Board Mission, with Mr. and Mrs. Lund-
gren and Miss Eldred of the China Inland Mission, who
were betrayed by the officiais of Fên Chou Fu, taken on
a pretended journey to the coast, and then killed at the
junction of two counties, their bodies being tumbled into
a pit near by at the request of the villagers.

While this tragedy was being enacted in this distant
province, American cannon were already shelling the For-
bidden City in Peking, but it was too late to save the
lives of this and other beleaguered bands, some of the
members of which were killed more than a month after
that event.

The stories of the tragédies connected with those who
at last escaped from their tormentors, yet so as by fire, are

i tj

'-fi

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 617

among the most touching memorials of the Christian
Church in any âge. ^len, women and children were be-
sieged in their own dwellings, and when thèse had been
fired, were speared or stabbed as they endeavoured to es-
cape, or were thrust back into the flames. They were
driven forth from their homes as outcasts unfit to Hve,
robbed of their scanty possessions at every turn, until in
the bhstering beats of June, July and August, they were
bareheaded, bare-footed, and in niany cases possessed of
only the clothing upon their bodies. In repeated in-
stances ladies were left but a single garment, and on more
than one occasion a missionary was deprived of ever}-
stitch of clothing, standing naked upon the streets
of the inhospitable villages of Shansi. One Catholic priest
escaped only by being carried a long distance in a coffin.

They were continually not only under that observation
without sympathy which Mrs. Browning called torture,
but were every where, for days and weeks in succession,
confronted by mobs, chased from village to village, into
mountains, and swamps, obliged to take refuge in aban-
doned buts, in grave-yards, and often in caves of the
earth. Thev were hunted bv armed bands like wild
beasts, and when caught were beaten, dragged on the
ground, — one of the ladies being purposely run over by a
cart to kill lier — were tied hand and foot, and carried to
Boxer altars that it might be decided by the spirits when,
where. and how they should be murdered. Sometimes
they were saved because the villagers were afraid to bave
them killed in their village, sometimes by a timely faîl of
rain, and again by the instinctive pity of Chinese for the
poor sufïering children and the agony of their mothers.

Repeated efforts were made to poison them, they were
often almost starved, and compelled to subsist on roots
and leaves. Some of them were delirious from uncared

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6i8

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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for wounds, and ail were subjected to the continued nerv-
ous strain of incessant alarms by day and by night. They
were the victims of repeated and deliberate treachery on
the part of officiais, soldiers, and professed guides. Yet
amid the almost ail pervading gloom some act of human
Jdndness would lighten their sky. Some officiais were
most friendly, and would hâve been still more so had they
dared. One such was degraded by the Empress Dowager
when she traversed Shansi, for no other reason than his
kindness to the destitute foreigners passing through his
jurisdiction. In some cases members of the same family
were not allowed to see or to care for each other, although
almost at the point of death. Is it any wonder that one
who escaped remarked that the text most frequently re-
curring was that which declared that '' the tender mercies
of the wicked are cruel ? "

Who were thèse that were thus entreated ? They were
earnest God-fearing men and women who had left ail to
obey the command of their Master to make known the
glad tidings of the Kingdom of Heaven ; men and women
of . irreproachable character and blameless lives ; some of
them graduâtes of the best collèges and universities, to
whom attractive careers had been opened in the home
lands, but upon which they had turned their backs. Many
of them had given long years of toil to the relieving of
Chinese suffering in dispensary and hospital work.

Many months later the last letters of some who were
killed were brought out of their concealment by faithful
Christian friends. There is in thèse missives no note
of despair, only the solemnity of those face to face with
a terrible death. One father leaves as a legacy to his
son the hope that when he shall be twenty-five years of
âge he may return to China and take up the work which
the father could not do.

iiPÉ

Â :'î':

'ï ■ \ïy

FOREIGNERS IN THE INTERIOR 619

As long as the Church of God survives upon the earth,
the record of the lives and of the deaths of thèse mar-
tyrs will be a precious héritage.

That so many parties, travelling under the conditions
which hâve been imperfectly hinted at, should hâve passed
through hundreds of miles of hostile territory, been seen by
hundreds of thousands, and in the aggregate by millions
of enemies, many of whom were eager for their death,
and yet hâve escaped to tell their story, is a moral miracle
to be accounted for only by the récognition of the re-
straining hand of God.

The great disproportion between the number of the
Roman Catholics killed and that of the Protestants, ap-
pears to be due to the greater size of the Roman Catholic
flocks, and to the circumstances that in numberless cases
the}; had extensive establishments which they defended
v'ith earth ramparts, deep ditches, and rifles or even for-
eign machine guns. The number of such places success-
fully defended is at présent unknown, but is certainly not
a small one, and thus far we happen to hâve heard of
but two instances where thèse defences faiîed.

No more illustrions examples of martyrdom can be
found than some of those of the Roman Catholic faith.
Bishop Hamer of the West Mongolian Mission, nearly
thirty-five years in China, was seized while celebrating
mass, bound, and marched through the city to be mocked
by ail that saw him. His hands were eut ofï while he
was counting his beads, and three days later his garments
were torn off, he was wrapped in cotton upon which
petroleum was poured. and was bumed alive. Five thou-
sand Christians were killed, and every church and build-
ing in his diocèse was destroyed.

In the Jeho district, Father Segers was tied by his
hands and feet and carried by a pôle, not allowed to speak

H::

i- '

620

CHINA IN CONVULSION

to his converts, but thrown into a ditch, where he was
buried alive. Once he contrived to stand up and his
head became visible, when he was struck on the head
with a mattock.

Surely if anything is to be leamed from the teachings
of history, if the saying of Tertullian that the blood of
the martyrs is the seed of the Church is a law of unwast-
ing and perennial energy, and if the promises of God
are still secure, a rehgion which has done so much for
China, and the heralds of which hâve sufïered so much
from the Chinese, has a great work yet to do in the
régénération of that Empire.

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INTENTIONAL SECOND ÈXPOSURE

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620

CHINA IN CONVULSION

to his converts, but thrown into a ditch, where he was
buried alive. Once he contrived to stand up and his
head became visible, when he was struck on the head
with a mattock.

Surely if anything is to be leamed from the teachings
of history, if the saying of Tertullian that the blood of
the martyrs is the seed of the Church is a law of unwast-
ing and perennial energy, and if the promises of God
are still secure, a religion which has done so much for
China, and the heralds of which hâve suffered so much
from the Chinese, has a great work yet to do in the
régénération of that Empire.

IK2.

■s:

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XXXIII

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

Canadian Preshyterian Mission, North Honan.*

The trouble which began in Honan during the spring
seemed to be local in character, originating in the severe
drought from which we had been suffering. Three crops
in succession had failed. As early as March there were
riots in différent places. Some of thèse were of a serions
nature, in which there were conflicts between the people
and soldiers, lives being lest on both sides. By the month
of June matters became very serious indeed, every day
bringing fresh reports of granaries searched and wealthy
farmers looted by bands of starving men. The Magis-
trates stationed small posts of militia at ail the market
towns, but were unable to préserve peace. They acknowl-
edged their helplessness by refusing to punish any who
were accused of stealing grain, saying it was useless to
punish starving men, and that those who had lost grain
might look upon it as having afforded help to their dis-
tressed neighbours.

On June I5th we were startled to receive a telegram
from Tientsin saying " Escape south." We also got the
news of the murder of two Belgians at Pao Ting Fu.
Not having had any reliable news from Tientsin for sev-
eral weeks, we were ignorant of what was happening
there and did not feel like deserting our station without

* Prepared at the author's request by the Rev. Jamea A. Slim-

mon, one of the party.

621

■y

622

CHINA IN CONVULSION

V- i

knowing the reason why we had been advised to do so.
We waited on anxiously looking for letters but none
came.

Meanwhile we communicated with Mr. Jameson and
party of the Peking Syndicate, who had passed through
our town on the way to Huai Ch'ing Fu. In reply there
came a letter from Mr. G. D. Jameson, saying that he saw
no reason for escaping, as he had not had any word from
his agent at Tientsin or Peking; and he could rely on
their sending word if matters were very serions. But
for our comfort he added that if we thought it necessary
to go he would place everything he had at our disposai, —
arms, money, etc., and the personal services of himself
and Messrs. Reid and Fisher.

On June içth we received word that our friends at
Ch'u Wang were besieged by a mob of over a thousand
people. This trouble was brought on by a woman who
declared she had seen Mrs. MacKenzie at an upper win-
dow performing mysterious rites and sweeping the clouds
from the sky. Mrs. MacKenzie had been cleaning a win-
dow in her new house, and this seen from the outside
looked like making passes and motions towards the
clouds. The mob gathered round for two or three days,
but seemed to be in need of a leader. The officiai on
being appealed to for help promised to send it, but first
of ail tried to disarm our friends by asking for a loan
of any rifles or other arms in their possession. This
ingenuous request was politely refused as was also one for
a few thousand taels of silver " to purchase arms for
the soldiers.'*

From this time on till the 24th, things began to look
more and more threatening. Our bankers refused to
pay us any more money, although they had a considéra-
ble balance in our favour. We heard of Boxer societies

-'M

; I-

: i '

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

623

springing up in différent towns and gradually coming
nearer us, until on the 24th a few Boxer teachers arrived
and founded a Boxer school. The motto of this branch
was " First kill the foreigners, then annihilate the
Manchus."

On June 25th we received word that our friends at
Chang Tê Fu and Ch'u Wang had decided to make their
escape, and that they were arranging to travel together
to Chi Nan Fu, which seemed the best route. Later on
they had to abandon this plan, as they found it impossible
to hire carts for the trip, could get no escort across the
strip of ChihH Province which lies between Honan and
Shantung, and had no means of speedy communication
with the Governor of Shantung. Our friends had de-
cided on this step because of another telegram which had
arrived, saying that the Taku Forts had been taken by the
Allied Forces. We knew then that trouble was certain.
We sent off messengers, one to ask Mr. Jameson and party
to meet us at the Yellow River, another to the Prefect at
Wei Hui Fu, and another to the Magistrate at Hsû Hsien.
We were afraid of delay in being referred from one
Yamen to the other.

We got no help from the Prefect. An escort however
was promised by the District Magistrate, and friendly
messages were returned. But he refused to take charge
of our house, saying that in the présent state he could not
possibly guarantee protection of our property.

Things were at their very darkest on the 27th. We
had got together the few things that we had decided to
take with us, but it looked as if we should require to
make our escape in the dark, taking no more with us than
we might be able to carry ourselves. The carters who
had agreed to take us had backed out of their bargains
and would not come nea.r us, though we offered four or

€'!

[ 4^ i-

624

CHINA IN CONVULSION

five times the usual rates. Dur servants were panic-
stricken, as we heard of one band of desperate characters
planning to attack us before we left our premises ; and of
another band at the other end of the town, formed for
the purpose of attacking us after we left.

There was no sleep for us that night ; indeed there had
not been much for several nights ; but this particular one
was passed in trying to put courage into our servants,
and in spurring on the few friands we had in the town
to take active measures on our behalf. We induced one
man — our teacher (a literary graduate), — to interview the
leaders of one band, and by reasoning, expostulating and
threatening, to persuade them to let us go in peace.
Another friend performed the same office with the other
band. But the argument that weighed most with both
was that we had failed to secure carts, and could carry
nothing away with us.

Daybreak of the 28th arrived and while we welcomed
it as a relief from the terror of the night, we dreaded it
as the day on which we should hâve to set out on our
journey without having been able to make proper
arrangements for transport. We had sent a messenger
to a neighbouring town to secure carts there at any cost,
and as he had not yet returned we feared he had failed
in his mission. To our great relief, he turned up with
four carts while we were pretending to take breakfast. It
did not take us long to get our boxes and bedding on
board.

And hère one of those incidents occurred that force
us to believe in a spécial providence. Just as we were
almost ready to mount our carts and face the mo^b that
had gathered around our door, the officer in command of
the Militia in our town returned from an expédition
against some robbers, bringing prisoners with him. At

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

625

our request he called on us and we persuaded him to
send some of his men to escort us a few miles on our
way. This nonplussed the mob who got the impression
that the officer had come by arrangement for our spécial
protection. And the fact that he had prisoners with him
proved to the rowdies that he did not hold his office in
vain.

The whole town was gathered together to see us off,
and lined the streets three and four deep on both sides
ail the way from our house to the town gâtes ; but ail
passed ofï quietly and a few miles out our spécial escort
left us to the care of four men who had been provided by
our Magistrate. We made our first hait at Wei Hai Fu,
and at once sent our cards to both civil and military offi-
ciais, also to Father Gerrard, who called on us in the
course of the evening. Vv^e explained the situation to the
priest. and invited him to join our party. He replied
that he had not power to do so without permission from
his bishop, and if the bishop concluded that it was not
safe for the priests to remain at their posts, they would
ail retire to a place already prepared among the hills,
where ail their couverts were armed and could hold out
against an army.

The military officiai arrived just in time to disperse the
mob that had gathered round the door of the inn, and was
getting beyond the control of our escort. The local soldiers
dispersed them and we had peace for the rest of the night.
Ncxt day we halted at Hsin Hsiang Hsien for our mid-
day meal. I was well known at this place, and put up
at the inn of a man who had been f riendly for some
years. We had been there about an hour when this inn-
keeper told us that some Boxers had arrived in the town
a day or two before and that some of them had just come
to him making inquiries about us, our destination, etc.

626

CHINA IN CONVULSION

it-f

We at once sent our card to the officiai to inform him
and ask for protection. The only resuit was that we
were told that the officiai was not at home, and that our
informant was at once sent for by the Yamen people
and told to get rid of us at once. We started oiï fully
expecting to be pursued by the Boxers, but reached our
inn at night without having heard anything more of
them, and from there on '' Boxers " seemed to be an
unknown term.

Next day, 30th, we reached Yuan Wu Hsien, quite
close to the ferry on the Yellow River, where we were
to meet Mr. Jameson and party. The officiai hère at once
put a strong guard at the door of our inn and thus
secured perfect quietness for us inside.

In the evening we were much relieved by the arrivai
of a mounted messenger from Mr. Jameson, bringing
word that he and his party were comihg with a large
escort, plenty of silver and a few fire-arms.

Next day, Sunday, ist July, we got to the bank of the
Yellow River first and waited two hours for Mr. Jame-
son. When they arrived we found them dressed in
Chinese costume. They had found the people at Wu
Chih Hsien — their last halting place — very rude. The
Magistrate not only declared he could not protect them
unless they put on Chinese clothing, but made them give
up much of their luggage. The clothing not only failed
as a disguise but seemed to emphasize the fact that they
were refugees, and must hâve been meant by the officiais
to humiliate them or else as a practical joke, for they cer-
tainly looked awkward and clumsy.

Just as we got to the south bank of the river, we saw
the Chang Te Fu and Ch'u Wang party arrive on the north
bank, so we waited till they came across. We were now
a large company — made up as follows : Ch'u Wang party,

: i P

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

627

Mr. and Mrs. MacKenzie and one child, Dr. and Mrs.
Leslie, Misses Mcintosh and Dow; Chang Te Fu party,
Mr. and Mrs. Goforth and three children, Miss Pyke and
Miss Dr. Wallace, Messrs. Griffith and Hood; Hsin Chên
party, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Slimmon and
one child ; Peking Syndicale party, Messrs. Jameson, Reid
and Fisher. The missionaries had only a small escort,
but Mr. Jameson's party had a fine escort of mounted
men, and a petty court officer who was very useful in mak-
ing arrangements with officiais by tl^e way, about local
escorts, inns, etc. Having now the Yellow River between
us and the Boxers, we got ofï bright and early next mom-
ing, ail in good spirits, with the exception of Mrs. Slim-
mon, who was beginning to be anxious about her baby,
who showed signs of breaking down under the strain of
the journey.

Mr. Jameson was inspired with a happy thought this
morning and sent a man ofï on horseback to dispatch a
telegram from K'ai Fêng Fu to the British and Ameri-
can Consuls at Hankow, informing them of our where-
abouts and asking that help be sent. The messenger had
seventy miles to go, seventy miles back, and then to catch
up with a party travelling thirty-five miles a day. It was
a great undertaking, but Mr. 'Jameson was not a man to
be daunted by difficulties and the feat was accomplished
at the expense of the plucky little pony, that died after
reaching Fan Ch'êng. The sending of the telegram
proved to hâve been a wise proceeding, as it conveyed to
our friends the first intimation that we were alive, and
also enabled our Consuls to get Chang Chih Tung to
send us much needed help.

The next two days we suffered much from beat, as we
were travelling through the loess région. The sun blaz-
ing down into the deep roads made them like ovens, and

lîl

628

CHINA IN CONVULSION

II;

Ht"

%':;

1 ;(■■

the roads being thirty or forty feet below the level of the
country there was no possibility of getting any breeze. On
reaching Hsiang Hsien we found Mr. and Mrs. Gracie
living in seeming peace and quietness. They were sur-
prised to learn that we were fleeing for our lives and
invited Mrs. Slimmon and myself to stay with them for
a while, and give our little one a chance to recover. She
was by this time very ill indeed and we were sorely
tempted to run the risks and accept the invitation. But
at midnight Mr. Gracie came to our inn and told us
that the converts and friends had strongly advised them
to join our party, which they decided to do and w^ould
hâve done, but found it impossible to secure carts. They
expected to be able to do so in the course of the day and
try to overtake us. Subsequently we learned that they
made their escape by way of Chou Chia K'ou to the
province of Anhui, having most harrowing expériences
by the way.

We were now approaching the Nan Yang Fu district,
the only place where we really anticipated any trouble,
and our fears proved to be only too well grounded. On the
7th July we arrived at Hsin Tien, thirty li north of Nan
Yang city. We had intended halting there for the night,
but on our arrivai we found it impossible to get accom-
modations for the whole party. Mr. Jameson, with his
usual thoughtfulness for the ladies and children, decided
to push on to Nan Yang city, well knowing that it was
a most dangerous place at which to hait.

And just hère I would like to say that Mr. Jameson
and his party nobly fulfîlled the promise that they per-
sonally, and ail they had, would be at our disposai. They
not only gave us the best rooms at the inns when there
was any clioice, but shared their stores with us, giving up
their last tins of milk when they learned that our friends

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

629

had exhausted their own supply. They let us hâve ail the
silver we needed, and without this help it would hâve
been impossible for us to get along. Mr. Jameson also
proved himself to be a born leader. It was a great relief
to leave everything in his hands. knowing tliat there was
no détail of arrangements, such as interviewing Man-
darins, getting the daily local escort, securing inns, and
the hundred and one little things incidental to such a
journey, but were in most capable hands. He never
seemed worried or anxious, but had a cheery word of
encouragement for each one as he went his daily rounds.
On leaving Yu Chou at daybreak Mr. Gôforth's serv-
ant took the wrong road and later the other parties got
separated from us and went by a différent way. This
took the large company of ladies and children safely past
a procession of rain dancers that we ran into in one of
the towns en route. Mr. Jameson and his friends were
on horseback five hundred yards ahead of our carts, and
suddenly found themselves surrounded by an armed body
of men two hundred strong, followed by a huge rabble.
The rain dancers wore green wreaths on their heads, and
were armed with huge swords, being on a pilgrimage to
a famous temple to pray for rain. Catching sight of
the foreigners they at once surrounded them, crying out
" Hère are the foreign devils that hâve chased away the
rain." One of the leaders suggested killing them at once,
and our friends had a bad ten minutes persuading the
crowd that it would be a dangerous thing to try. Mean-
while we came to the fringe of the crowd, and leaming
that it was a rain procession, we did not stay to make fur-
ther inquiries but turned hastily up the first lane, which
proved to be a cul de sac, and our carts stood there with
their backs toward the main street effectually screening
us from the mob, who passed by quite unaware of the fact

tîÛi

«■;■:•

1-
1-

\f.

630

CHINA IN CONVULSION

that there were foreign women in their midst. Upon get-
ting through the town we found Mr. Jameson and friends
filled with the gravest appréhensions for our safety.

We arrived at Nan Yang Fu after dark, and searching
the city for quarters had finally to separate and put up
in miserably poor inns, but this turned out to our advan-
tage. We approached our inns from the south, thus
throwing those off the scent who were expecting us from
the north. On trying to see the officiai we were told he
would see us at eight o'clock next morning. This looked
ominous. At midnight a messenger arrived from the
party at Hsin Tien, saying they were besieged in their
inn, and asking for help. We tried to see the Mandarin
to get help for our friends, but only succeeded in getting
a promise that some runners would be dispatched to put
down the disturbance. Mr. Jameson, seeing that it was
useless to expect help from the Mandarins, sent back half
of his mounted escort.

Some of our servants told us that the Roman Catholics
had been besieged in their fortified place four miles away,
and that a soldier had been beheaded by the officiais, be-
cause he had carried out their orders too literally, and
in trying to disperse the besiegers had injured one of
them ; we also leamed that plans had been made to kill
the whole of our party, and it was for this reason that
we had been told to wait till eight o'clock next morning.

Realizing our danger, we at once got our tired animais
hitched up again, and got off at three o'clock and
travelled to Hsin Yeh Hsien ; hère some of the mounted
men who had been sent back to Hsin Tien to help our
friends turned up, and told us what had been taking place.
Our friends had been in negotiation with their besiegers,
who were demanding a large sum of money. They
waited on in their inn till eight o'clock, hoping that assist-

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

631

ance would corne from us, then despairing of that hope
they left their inn, and were surprised to find the town so
quiet.

The sigh of relief they gave on reaching the town gâte
was tumed into a gasp of dismay as they passed through
and found a mob of several thousand people waiting for
them outside. A band of two hundred men lining the road
waited till the last cart had passed out of the town and
then made a sudden attack on our friends, who jumped off
the carts and tried to frighten them off by firing a few
revolver shots over their heads. Mrs. Leslie, who was
completely prostrated by the fatigue of the joumey, was
unable to get off her cart, and it was in trying to shield
her that Dr. Leslie was seriously injured. Besides a large
number of flesh wounds he had his right wrist and right
leg eut through to the bone, the large sinews in each case
being severed. Mr. Goforth also received bad sword
cuts on the head, and two of Mr. Jameson's men who
fought bravely received severe wounds, which later proved
to be fatal. When our friends got clear of the carts, the
mob began at once to break open the boxes and the sight
of the loot turned the armed band from their design, thus
enabHng our friends to make good their escape.

In the course of the day they ail found their way back
to the main road, managed to get the empty carts, and
proceeded on their journey, having lost everything, but
thankful to hâve escaped alive. At daybreak next morn-
ing the servant who had lost his way rejoined us. He
belonged to Mr. Goforth, so we gave him a shoe of silver
and sent him back to meet his party.

We pushed on towards Fan Ch'êng and about midday
reached the border of Hupei province to find a fine body
of soldiers sent out to meet us from Hsiang Yang Fu. by
order of Chang Chih Tung. Our hearts went up in

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632

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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thanksgiving as we realized that hère was real and adé-
quate help, and that consequently our dangers were over.
Arriving at Fan Ch'êng we found that every provision
had been made for our safety and comfort. We waited
hère for our friends, who arrived on the night of the
loth, in a sad plight indeed, poor Dr. LesHe especially
being in a bad case, having had to He in the bottom of his
cart for three days without having his wounds attended
to since they had received the first rough dressing by
Dr. Jennie Dow, who tore up one of her remaining gar-
ments to make bandages for him.

We spent ail of the next day providing them with an
outfit. Mr. Jameson and his friends were able to supply
the gentlemen with underclothing, etc., while the ladies
had to be content with a Chinese wardrobe. Our sweet
little Eleanore died on the iith, just nine months old,
and while our hearts felt too sore for v/ords, we were so
thankful that she had lived until reaching Fan Ch'êng, as
w^e were able to take the body on from there and hâve it
buried in the English cemetery at Hankow.

We travelled down the Han River to that port, and
two days out from there were met by a steam-launch
sent out by the American Consul to bring us in.

Arriving at Hankow on the 2ist we went directly on
board a steamer for Shanghai, having been twenty-four
days on our journey.

English Baptist Mission, Shansi.

Upon the entrance of Y-éfedtfeiep into Shansi as Gov-
emor, the Boxers spread rapidly throughout the province.

Communication with the coast was eut off in May, so
that moncy supplies were not received. About June 2ist
Mr. Farthing wrote from T'ai Yuan Fu to Mr. Dixon,

ifciv

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

633

at Hsin Chou, that it was known that a telegram had
come f rom the Empress Dowager to destroy ail foreigners,
and added " If true, I am ready and do not fear ; if such
be God's will I can even rejoice to die." On reading this,
Mr. Dixon said to Mr. Chao, his evangelist, " I feel just

the same ! "

In the city of Hsin Chou, from June 2y2^\h, near
the mission premises, theatrical performances were given
to the god of wealth. A great crowd were présent
and a clamouring mob formed at the mission gâte. Ap-
peal was made to the Magistrate who at first promised a
guard, but it failed to appear.

By this time the Edict telegraphed from Peking had
become known, as when another request was made, with
threat of reporting to the Governor if not granted, the
Magistrate repHed, " Tell the foreigner he can report to
the Emperor if he likes and I shall not fear ! "

Reports from country stations of violence of Boxers
towards native Christians led to sending a messenger to
T'ai Yuan with a letter of consultation to Mr. Farthing.
On reaching T'ai Yuan the messenger found some of the
missions already destroyed and ail abandoned. He ha-
stened back and reported the circumstances. Mr. Dixon
comprehended the growing danger, called the mission to-
gether and after consultation decided upon flight. There
were eight in their party.

Taking food, clothing, and bedding, with some money,
they set out in the early morning and travelled thirty li
where they rested for a time. While at this point they
leamed that two hours after they left their homes a
proclamation from the Governor had come for the local
officiais to destroy the foreigners' houses and kill the
foreigners. On hearing this they decided to move on at
once to the place of hiding which they had chosen.

634

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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After leaving the village Mr. Dixon dismissed the
faithful evangelist Mr. Chao, who was only persuaded
to leave them on the considération that he might get word
to foreign friends and perhaps secure help. It was a
sorrowful parting, but in it shone forth the brave spirit
of those who were soon to lay down their lives. Mr.
Dixon said " If we are ail killed and not one escapes there
are many more to take our place." Mrs. Dixon spoke of
lier four children who were to lose a mother's care, but
said, " God will surely raise up friends for them."

This same evangelist retumed to Shansi in October
and learned the rest of the story of this company.

On the evening of that day they reached the village
of Liu Chia Shan where the one Christian of the place
had his home in a cave, and where they expected to pré-
pare a cave for themselves as a place of refuge and
defence.

They lived in this place for twenty days unmolested,
when their place of hiding became known to the Boxers
who sent a company to arrest them. The villagers fled
and the band could not efïect their arrest. A few days
later a deputy with soldiers went to them and with prom-
ises of a safe escort to the coast induced them to retum
to Hsin Chou. By this time their food supply was
exhausted, and they had been five days without food.

On arriving at Hsin Chou they were taken to the ya-
men. The Magistrate asked how much money they had
in the bank, and when told drew it ail out and kept it
himself.

The missionaries were placed in the common jail where
they were kept for sixteen days, receiving only the poorest
prison fare. On Aug. 7th. a deputy from Yû Hsien came
to see that the Governor's will was carried out.

Two days later they were taken from prison, placed in

1 i,'i!-

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

635

four carts and told they were to be taken to the coast.
Arriving at the east gâte of the city the missionaries
were dragged from their carts and stripped of ail their
clothes. Then both Boxers and soldiers set upon them
and literally hacked their heads to pièces. Their bodies
were dragged outside the city and left on the banks of a
river where they were shamefully treated by villagers
near by. Later the head of the Hterary graduâtes of the
city, who had been friendly to Mr. Dixon, bought mats
in which to wrap the bodies and hired men to bury
them at the foot of the city wall.

After the massacre the highest military officiai went to
the mission houses, chose the articles which he wanted
for himself, and then turned the houses over to the
soldiers and the people to loot.

China Inland Mission, Honan."^

The long continued drought in Honan had produced
a restless feeling among the people and made them ripe
for mobs and riots. Warning had been sent by mission-
aries fleeing from the north that it would be better for
us at Shê Ch'i Tien to escape at once.

Sunday, July 8th, a large crowd gathered at the close
of the service, watching the Christians as they scattered,
and although it was dispersed without an outbreak it
became évident that we must hasten our préparations for

leaving.

The next morning at an early hour the streets were
again packed with a mob, evidently intent on mischief.
We could not go into the streets, but our boxes were
taken over a wall into a neighbour's yard, and we ail
followed by means of a ladder. Soon after this the mob

* Dr. G. W. Guinness and party.

636

CHINA IN CONVULSION

^':k

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were battering on our front door. Our teacher, who was
pale with appréhension, said " I fear worse than death
may happen to you ! " The landlord of that house led us
to his guest-hall in one corner of which was a ladder
leading to a loft. He bade us " go up quickly and keep
still ! "

There we lay hid, listening to the shouts of the mob
and soon to the crash of falling timbers and masonry.
The rioting had begun in eamest. The beat was intense
and in a little time we heard the crackling of flames, and
saw the smoke of our burning homes. Suddenly there
were a rush ! The mob had traced us over the wall and
into the room beneath, where every sound was heard by
us. " Kill the foreigners ! They must be hère ! Let us
go up the ladder ! "

After brisk altercation they were dissuaded from doing
80 and went away only to retum again and again. They
got on the roof and stared in through the five Windows
but we stood between the windows, flat against the wall.
Once two boys caught sight of us and spread the news.
Back came the crowd but again were blufifed ofif by the
landlord.

So passed the day from 7 a. m. till 8 p. m. when dark-
ness brought relief. One of the ladies had been seriously
ill and was very weak. Her month old babe might cry
and reveal our whereabouts, when ail would be lost. We
prayed in silence and the Lord heard and kept the child
quiet from dawn till dark. A pot of tea was passed up
and then the wearied mother could quench her thirst.

Then the landlord came and said '' Don't delay ! Fol-
low me ! " We descended the ladder, crossed the court
and entered a room where grain was stored. A stool
was placed on a great basket of grain, from this we

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

637

clambered through a trap-door to a loft above The stool
was removed, the door shut and ail trace o£ our where-
abouts was gone. The room was full of dust and rub-
bish, but it gave us a safe refuge for four long days.

That first night we le'ft the loft to go to another
house where carts were to take us away when the police
again appeared at the front gâte to search the house.
Back we hastened up the ladder and their search was
again futile. The next morning rioters came and finished
the work of demolishing our house. Ail day their yells
and blows on the house sounded in our ears. Towards
night I heard two men piling timbers near our hiding
place to burn us out, but they did not fire the house.

Every night new plans for escape were discussed.
Every day fresh bands of searchers came to hunt for us.
At midday of Thursday our landlord suddenly appeared
and said " Fly ! they hâve corne with swords to kill you ! "
In two minutes ail had dropped through the trap-door
and scaled the wall into the garden of our ruined home
and were standing in the blazing sun. Soon a man fol-
lowed us over the wall, failed to see us, and called back
'' They are not hère ! " We were soon safely back in our
loft asi^ain.

That night came rain and with it a chance to escape
to a large business firm, where we were hidden in the
strong room in the top of the house. The room w^as
small and dark with one window eighteen inches high.
Hère we stayed twelve days, guarded by a member of
the firm who was armed with gun and sword and sharp,
heavy iron pins for throwing.

In the early morning of our last day carts were brought,
in which we made our way out of the city and eight H
down the river where a small boat was in waiting with

|ll!,lii

638

CHINA IN CONVULSION

four men for escort. The boat was searched by customs
officiais at différent barriers twelve times or more, but
we Vv^ere not discovered.

We and our escort lived in the one small cabin thirteen
days until we reached Hankow in safety. We paid our
escort their well-eamed reward and dismissed them. We
were ragged and dirty, and in clothing that we had lived
in for a month, but we were thankful to bave been
brought safely through our périls by One who " never
forsakes those who trust in Him."

China Inland Mission, Shansi.*^

Mr. and Mrs. Ogren had been stationed at Yung Ning
in the western part of Shansi only a year. The officiais
were very friendly, one of them having asked Mr. Ogren
privately the right way to pray for rain, as his own
prayer had been unavailing. The people had become rest-
less and threatening because of the long drought.

In the middle of June the Boxers came to the city. They
rapidly made recruits and soon a guard was sent to
protect the mission from them. The officiai advised Mr.
Ogren to take his family away. Their servants began
to forsake them.

One day a man went through the streets beating a
gong and warning the people away from the wells which
the foreigners had poisoned. That day the main spring
of the city turned red. The officiai dared not let Mr.
Ogren longer visît him but sent his Secretary by night to
consult with them. They at last asked the officiai to
furnish them with funds for their journey, their own
supply from the Coast being eut off. This he was ready
to do ; also to take charge of their house.

* Story of Mr. and Mrs. Ogren.

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639

That night while packing, a spy was discovered in a
tree of the court watching them. Before daylight the
morning of July i3th Mr. and Mrs. Ogren and their little
child started in a litter for the Yellow River eighty li
away, to go to Hankow. They were provided with a
guard, and also with an order from the Magistrate to the
officiai at the river bank to hire a boat for them. On ar-
riving at the river there was a hostile démonstration by
the crowd but the officiai saw them safely ofï in person.
Two soldiers went with them on the boat.

The current was very swift and their frail craft was in
constant danger of being wrecked. They went five hun-
dred li, half-way to Tung Kuan, the corner of the prov-
ince where Shansi, Shensi and Hanan join. At this half-
way place they were told that a party of foreigners had
been murdered and their bodies thrown into the river only
a few days before, and it was probable that this would
be their fate if they continued down the river.

They decided to get across the river into Shensi, and
soon came to a place where there was an officiai eighty
years old who knew the Yung Ning officiai and showed
them great kindness. He had a farm across the river
in Shansi and offered to send them there and let them
hâve food, while they could hide in caves nearby till
peace came. While with this old officiai, a party of
soldiers came saying they were sent to drive the for-
eigners out of the province. Their host gave the soldiers
a feast and persuaded them to go away. He soon sent
the refugees on their way, with servants to escort them
across the river.

It was only ten li distant, but before going half that
distance they were set upon by robbers who took ail their
money, except one hundred cash, and most of their cloth-
ing. Reaching the ferry they crossed in the early morning

•-1.

640

CHINA IN CONVULSION

lift

but waited four days to send back to the old officiai for
money. This came and they walked on towards the
farm, going slowly, carrying their child. The next day
they reached the farm but were not kindly received by
the tenants. At first they refused them food but later
gave a scanty supply. They were twice visited by rob-
bers, and at last were threatened by the farmer's son,
who coveted the hundred taels ofïered by Yû Hsien
for every foreigner's head.

This led them to leave their hiding-place and make
their way northward again to return to Yung Ning. The
road was very rough, the country sparsely inhabited, but
many people were kind, so they could at least get one
meal a day and places to sleep.

After several days they came to a branch of the Yellow
River which they must ford on foot. An old man led
the way through the swift current. and also let them
rest at his place that night and the next day. The day
after, when nearing a customs barrier, they were set upon
by a crowd and later followed by a customs guard who
had been ordered to get them out of Shensi. This guard
several times seemed on the point of killing them, but
finally went with them across the river and then handed
them over to the Boxers.

The next morning Mr. Ogren was taken to the Boxer
General. Mrs. Ogren could hear his voice for a time
pleading for his life, then the sound of the incantations
inquiring if their lives were to be spared, then followed
a great uproar which she thought to be his death.

Later a man came to take her on, telling her she
and her husband were to be sent on to Yung Ning, but
she did not believe that the latter was still living. She
spent that night in a cave. In the morning while going
on they met a Boxer band and her guide disappeared.

É iil

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

641

The Boxers rushed at her as if about to kill lier, but
only ordered her to get away, which she did rapidly.

In the aftemoon she stopped under the shade of a
tree where many women gathered around her. They
were very kind and pitiful and gave food for herself and
babe. At night she learned that there were Christrans
across the river. She forded it, being nearly swept away,
and then found no friends, only enemies who would only
give her water and left her and the child to sleep under
the open sky. In the night two Christians stole to her
side and led her to a cave, but could do no more for
her because of the Boxers.

In the moming she re-crossed the river but was soon
seen by Boxers who with drawn swords drove her to a
temple. The head-man of the village came out and rescued
her, giving her food and some stockings ; the next day
he sent her on to Ta Ning under guard. The Boxers
followed full of fury and were with difficulty restrained
from falling upon her. Arriving at Ta Ning she was
taken to the common prison. Food and fruit and some
money were passed to her through a hole in the door.
The keepers were quite kind.

The next morning she was taken to the Magistrate,
and made to kneel while she told her story. He became
kindly in manner and said her husband was still living
and would rejoin her later. She was then led to an inner
court where the officiaFs wife wanted to sec her. The
lady came out on a balcony and threw one hundred cash
to her. That night in the midst of the night she heard
her husband's voice calling her. She found him speak-
ing through a hole in the door. The next morning they
were taken to a comfortable room in the yamen where
she was able to dress his wounds, cook some food for
him and hear the story of his escape.

iy' \r

"■/•;■

642

CHINA IN CONVULSION

\êk

When talcen to the Boxer General he had first been
upbraided for destroyîng the people with his doctrine and
was then given up to the crowd of Boxers. They kicked
and beat him cruelly, taunting him with *' Pray to your
Jésus now ! "

They led him to the bank of the river to kill him
and there fell on him with spears and swords. Being
clumsy with their weapons they inflicted no fatal wounds,
He finally jumped into the river and although his hands
were bound he struggled across and escaped in the dark-
ness. The next day a Christian f armer helped him with
food and money. Learning that his wife was at Ta
Ning he worked his way on to that city avoiding notice
and evading Boxers until just as he entered the city,
when he was chased to the yamen where the officiai
sheltered him. His wounds were severe, on head and
neck and shoulders, from sword and spear.

By this time it was the last of August. After two
days two donkeys with wooden pack-saddles were fur-
nished them and they were sent on to P'u Hsien. They
were attacked by Boxers, but their guard fought them oiï.
From that place they were to hâve gone on to P'ing Yang,
but orders came to send them back to Ta Ning.

This joumey was made in great pain and discomfort,
no food being given them. Her husband fell into the
water when fording a stream, but they at last reached
the city. They were again put in prison and given food.
At this time the little one grew very ill, but a man brought
a cow and they got milk. The vermin in the filthy prison
were terrible, and Mr. Ogren grew ill with fever. Their
only comfort was prayer.

Hère they lived on till early in October, when deliver-
ance came. Orders arrived to suppress the Boxers and
send the foreigners to P'ing Yang to be forwarded to the

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

643

coast. They went part of the way in chairs and part way
in mule litters, being forwarded from stage to stage by
the officiais.

Arriving at P'ing Yang they were most politely re-
ceived by the officiais and sent to a former mission house.
It was nearly ail in ruins but there were two rooms that
could be used. After a few days Mr. Ogren grew worse
and died October I5th. The Chinese were kind and as-
sisted in giving burial. Not a few surviving Christians
came to sympathize with his widow.

Soon after, the baby boy grew very ill, but again the
mother got a cow, and with proper food the child re-
covered. The latter part of October she was joined by
Mr. McKie, Miss Chapman and Miss Way, who with
herself were probably the only foreigners who had re-
mained in the province and survived the storm. Early
in December a little daughter was bom to her and a
month later the party were sent under escort south
through Shansi, Honan, and Hupei to Hankow, which
they reached after about six weeks of travel.

I- - ;

Kalgan to Kiakhia.*^

On June 6th, 1900, the Rev. Mark Williams and the
Rev. J. H. Roberts left Peking for Kalgan, returning to
that station in haste, to help the Rev. W. P. Sprague and
other members of the mission of the American Board
against the Boxers. With us went Miss Dr. V. C. Mur-
dock, to do médical work in Kalgan ; and Mr. Cari G.
Sôderborn, whose family were there. Passing through
Hsûan Hua Fu, we persuaded Mr. Lundquist and family
to go with us, for there were many Boxers in that city.

* Prepared at the request of the author by the Rev. James H.
Roberts.

644

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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On June -loth we reacHed Kalgan, and found a howling
mob at our gâte, — hundreds of men and boys having corne
to see our houses bumed. After a long time, an officiai
sent the mob away, but they returned in the evening, and
the danger became so imminent that a shot-gun had to
be pointed at the crowd. Most providentially, they
yîelded to that argument.

In the night we sent away ail the Chinese who were
with us, and at daybreak we fled to the Yamen of the
Manchu General. There were six in our party, includ-
ing Mrs. Sprague and Miss Engh. We asked to be pro-
tected one day, and sent into Mongolia with a guard. In
the afternoon a mob gathered in front of the Yamen.
The General tried to send us to another part of the city,
but we refused to go. At sunset we and our baggage
were removed to a little musty house in one corner of
the yard, and were locked up — whether for life or death,
we dîd not know — but after midnight we were sent with
a guard of many soldiers through the Great Wall into
Mongolia.

We found that the Mongols also were Boxers, and
there was no place where we could remain. At Hara
Oso, fifty miles northwest of Kalgan, we joined Messrs.
Larson, Soderborn and Lundquist, with their familles,
who were living in tents, and preparing to go to Urga.
Mr. Sprague went back to Kalgan, and got our money,
which was on deposit in a Chinese bank. He brought
with him Mr. A. L. Fagerholm, who was vainly trying
to reach the coast. Mr. Roberts also went to Kalgan, to
get warm clothing for the whole party. We ail rejoiced
that, when we had to flee for our lives, we found ten
camels and nine horses ready for our use.

On June 23rd, under a glorious sunset sky, we started

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

645

on our long journey. The third day we lost a camel, and
the search for it delayed us two days. Meantime mes-
sengers came from four Swedish missionaries, who had
been attacked by a mob in Fêng Chên and were hurry-
ing to overtake us. Their magistrale, most wonderful to
relate, had given them an indemnity of eight hundred
taels ($600), and they came to us with large supplies of
money and food. The latter was as necessary to us as
our camels and horses were to them, and we saw that the
loss of the camel was most providential, as without it
they could not hâve overtaken us.

Our party consisted of ten men, seven ladies, six little
children, and seven Mongols to care for the animais. At
the most we had twenty camels and nineteen horses. At
one place we were forbidden to draw water from the
well. The King of the Sunit Mongols forbade his people
to sell animais to us, and sent soldiers to watch the wells,
lest we put poison in them.

Mr. Larson was a splendid leader, a good marksman
and horseman, a fluent speaker of Mongolian, and a man
of great courage. He had traversed the désert of Gobi
twice before. We called him " Moses." We had an
armament of one rifle, one shot-gun, and two revolvers,
which, under the divine Providence, saved us from at-
tack.

Two ladies and two gentlemen each day formed a
Cooking Committee. The other men were a Fuel Com-
mittee, the fuel consisting of the dung of animais, dried
in the sun and wind. Two large buckets with covers,
carried on a camel, contained our precious supply of
water. The wells were far apart, and often the water
was undrinkable. Once in a few days we killed a sheep
and ate mutton, but the méat was little for so many

646

CHINA IN CONVULSION

te-

ilv

hungry people. Our chief food was thin rice or millet
gruel, with gravel in it that cracked our teeth. Once
in five or ten days, one would feel satisfied with his
dinner.

In the désert, ten days of great beat intensified our
thirst. The shade of the six carts, in whicli the ladies
and children rode and slept, was our onîy relief from
the burning sun : and the lack of sleep, due to constant
travelling in the night, made existence almost unen-
durable.

When within one hundred and twenty miles of Urga,
we telegraphed to the Russian Consul-General : " Six
Americans, seventeen Swedes, going to Urga request
protection." His answer, telling us to corne right to the
Consulate, gave us a new lease of life. Arriving there
July 30th, after thirty-eight days (660 miles) from Hara
Oso, we had four days of rest.

However, Urga was full of Boxers, and we must move
on. Russian passports were given us, to enable us to
travel to St. Petersburg; food was bought for our jour-
ney; and we started for Kiakhta, the nearest town in
Siberia. Mr. O. S. Nâstegard, Jr., a Norwegian mis-
sionary, who could speak Russian, went with us, and
became our " Joshua."

Shortly after leaving Urga, we met three hundred and
fifty Cossacks, who had been sent to protect us. In
thirteen days we travelled two hundred and ten miles
to the border of the two Empires, There the
Mongol Mandarin tried to stop us, but the Russian Gov-
emor of Kiakhta saved us from his clutches. We rested
there two weeks. Many Russians were very kind to us.
The infant child of Mr. Sôderbom died, and was buried
in a Russian cemetery, and even the Priest attended our

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

647

Protestant funeral. Money was sent by cable from
America for our use, but the robbers, who dogged our
steps fourteen days, could not get it, because we took it
in letters of crédit, to be paid in Irkutsk.

We hired a number of tarantasses — carriages with
wooden springs, drawn by three horses driven furiously
— and after going five days over prairie and mountains,
and through a magnificent forest, we reached Lake
Baikal, which we crossed on a small steamer September
ist. The waves on the lake were tremendous. Re-
covering from sea-sickness, we spent the night sleeping
on a railroad station platform. The next morning we
reached Irkutsk. Then ten days on the Siberian railway
brought us to Moscow. A Government permit granted
us a spécial car, new, clean and commodious. We left
our Swedish companions in St. Petersburg, and came via
Berlin and London to New York, where we arrived No-
vember 8th, after travelling more than four months.

It was a spécial providence that we were driven out
of China in the summer, for, exposed as we were to the
weather day and night, on the table-land of Mongolia,
and in the high latitudes of Siberia, we should hâve suf-
fered terribly from the cold at any other season. A Rus-
sian friend, on hearing about our joumey, said: " Your
guardian angels hâve come with you ail the way." Not
only during our flight, but also afterward, as we hâve
leamed of the many deaths of missionaries in China, we
hâve realized that God himself was leading us and fulfill-
ing his gracions promise : '' My présence shall go with
thee, and I will give thee rest."

The Rev. J. W. Stevenson, Director of the China
Inland Mission, compiled the following list of the Protes-

i S-:

'Ta;

648

CHINA IN CONVULSION

tant Missionaries who were killed, or who died from
injuries received during the Boxer uprising of 1899 and
1900; the societies with which they were connected; the
provinces in which they were located; and their
nationaHty :

SOCIETY.

SS;-'^

China Inland Mission

Christian and Missionary Alliance

American Board .... ,

English Baptist Mission ,

Shou Yang Mission

American Presbyterian, North ,

Scandinavian Alliance Mongolian Mission

Swedish Mongolian Mission

Society for the Propagation of the Gospel

British and Foreign Bible Society

Unconnected, Mr. A. Hoddle

Adults.

Children.

• • • •

135

Total.

79
36
18
16

5
4
3

188

■If

PROVINCE.

Shansi and over the Mongolian Border

Chihli

Chêkiang

Shantung

159

• • • •

135

188

NATIONALITY.

British ,

Swedish

United States ...

1901. Rev. J. Stonehouse, LfOndon Mission

71
40
24

29
16

135

• • • •

136

< • • a

100

188

189

!tS

!|^

NOTABLE EXPERIENCES

649

List of Roman Catholic Bishops, priests, and nuns
killed in 1900 :

PROVINCE.

Manchuria
Shansi.. ..
Mongolia. .

Chihli

Hunan . . .
Peking

N. B. — This list is probably not entirely complète.

i«S ,

1 '

XXXIV

CATASTROPHE TO THE NATIVE CHURCH

THE number of Protestant Christians in China at
the beginning of the Boxer movement, by which
is meant actual members of churches, was esti-
mated to be somewhat more than one hundred thou-
sand. To this shouîd be added three or four times as
many more who came under the gênerai name of adhér-
ents, denoting those who, while not yet baptized, were
either members of families where the leading éléments
were Christian, or were themselves favorably disposed
to the new faith. It is from this class that converts are
perpetually recruited. The membership of the Roman
CathoHcs, usually reckoned by families, was several times
as numerous, that faith having been in China for many
centuries. In each case thèse Christians were distributed
over a large part of the Empire, the number of Prot-
estants in Manchuria being much larger than elsewhere.

While there are among thèse communities some who
are wealthy, or rather in a small way well-to-do, by far
the larger number of them come from the farming and
the working classes. In China, as in the land of its
birth, it bas always been true that " to the poor the gos-
pel is preached," and considering the hopes which this
faith enkindles, and the barrenness of the average Chinese
life, this is not singular.

It is a capital error to suppose that there are in the
Chinese churches any considérable number of those who

650

i
t

- ' T -^ ■ • *

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 651

join them from unworthy motives, for what they can
get. Oî the Protestant churches at least we can speak
upon this point from full knowledge. The Chinese are
excellent judges of character, and in such a condensed
Society it is impossible that the main facts with regard
to every applicant should net be well and accurately
known. Numerous mistakes of judgment must of course
be made, but missionaries and natives alike hâve learned
by long expérience that eternal vigilance is the price of
a church which will not fall apart of its own weight, and
the tendency accordingly is continually toward a raising of
the standard.

It should be remembered that there are always and
everywhere serious risks attending the identification of
any one with a body like that of the Christian church
in China, and in the face of the inévitable ostracism the
advantages are too precarious to be attractive. Those
who had joined the Christians from unworthy motives
hastened in this last year to eut loose as soon as the
dangers of their connection became apparent.

It is important also to bear in mind the fact that in a
Society like that of China it is inévitable that every
Christian should hâve many enemies. It is a classical
saying that on entering a village one should inquire
its customs. In China the first and greatest command-
ment is not to do what others do not do also, for thus
only will the whole of the Chinese law and the prophets
be fulfiUed. But the Chinese Christian is ex oificio a
non-conformist. He objects to ancestral worshijî, which
is the real religion of the Chinese race. He refuses to
subscribe to the érection of temples, to the performance
of Taoist and Buddhist cérémonies, and to the village
theatricals held in honor of some god or goddess.

He is at variance with his family and with hîs clan

■ i

- 1

652

CHINA IN CONVULSION

rHV

i ■

h}-

on occasion of every wedding and every funerâl, and
weddings and funerals constitute a large part of the
earthly joys of the barren life of the Chinese. In the
incessant and intricate relations with innumerable indi-
viduals he will hâve différences on a great variety of sub-
jects with a great variety of people, and whether he is
himself at fault or not, he will hâve earned the ill-will
of many persons. And the Chinese hâve long memories
for grudges and spites, which are not infrequently carried
on from génération to génération, each one patiently
waiting until his turn shall hâve corne for that revenge
80 dear to the Chinese, and so strongly inculcated in the
Classics.

Ail persécutions of Christians in China hâve within
them thèse inévitable éléments, but this spécial one dif-
fered from ail that had gone be^re. Those were local
and sporadic, often secretly stimulated by the literati, and
not infrequently by officiais. This one was an émana-
tion direct from the Throne itself. Never had there
been such an opportunity as was now afïorded to pay
ofï old scores with compound interest.

The social solidarity of China is such that ail the
parts are more distinctly and exactly représentative of the
whole than perhaps in any other society in the world.
When it is remembered that the Chinese are deeply
imbued with a profound respect for ail the forms of
authority, one gains a faint notion of what an officiai
and especially an Impérial persécution must be in China,
far exceeding in its inhérent momentum those of ancient
Rome. The Chinese mind does not readily entertain the
conception of actual résistance to regularly appointed
magistrates. Every Chinese is unconsciously something
of a fatalist, and when he is commanded by the highest
power of which he knows anything to do or to forbear

{-'

ÏÏ.

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 653

■ ;i

^!il

]:,!

doing certain acts, he naturally regards it as '' the Will
of Heaven," and bends to the storm. That ail Chinese
did not behave thus in this universal persécution is itself
a phenomenon to be accounted for, and one which shows
that some force absolutely new in Chinese history had
taken possession of many of the Chinese race.

The officiais, some through motives of the deepest hos-
tility to Christianity, and some with a désire to save the
lives of their subjects, issued orders to the Christians
to recant, sometimes furnishing tickets which should be
pasted over their doors, certifying that they were no
longer members of '' the foreign religion " and were thus
entitled to protection. This plan was in accordance with
an Impérial Edict, and it is not to be wondered at that
many Christians fell into the cunning trap laid for them,
especially when, as in Shantung, it was accompanied by
the alluring words '' temporarily recant." In Man-
churia some of the magistrates hit upon the happy plan
of requiring the couverts merely to step over the figure
of a cross drawn upon the ground, which many of them
hastened to do, glad to hâve escaped with no worse
test, by no means realizing the significance of what they
had done.

In one marked instance in Shantung, two native pas-
tors under great pressure took upon themselves the
responsibility and the sin of vicariously recanting on be-
half of their whole flock, in order to save their lives.
They had not the smallest intention of denying the faith,
but nothing else was to be done, they thought, and it
was better that two men should incur guilt than that
the whole church should do so.

The innumerable varieties of recantation, actual and
merely nominal, make the problem of the rehabilitation
of the church in the régions where it prevailed a délicate

, wfi

654

CHINA IN CONVULSION

' S''

1 1'

and a serious one. But it should be distinctly recognized
that in ail but a fraction of cases it was regarded as only
a form, an error no doubt due in many cases to inad-
équate instruction on the part of their leaders. Innu-
merable instances of absolute refusai to deny the faith
under any circumstances, especially among the large
Roman Catholic communities, are everywhere reported,
but the case is not fully set forth without the distinct
avowal that this was by no means the universal rule.

In some régions the threats of the Boxers had been
heard for many, many weary months, or perhaps for
more than a year. The poor Christian communities had
been living the lives of isolated sheep with a day per-
petually threatened for the advent of the wolves in force.
Is it any wonder that at the last many of them fainted
with terror at the actuality so long menacing them, and
did whatever seemed to be required to prevent their aged
parents from being turned adrift with no home and no
food?

Some groups of Christians were pillaged over and over
again, while elsewhere there was nothing but rapine and
sudden death, the whole storm having passed over in an
afternoon, leaving scarcely a living représentative of the
iiated faith. '' Destroy Christians root and branch," was
often the war-cry, which the Boxers sought to carry into
literal eiïect by killing not only ail human beings, but
every cat, dog, and chicken belonging to the homes of
Christians, cutting down every tree, uprooting flowers,
and laying waste the courts and gardens of the ruined
houses. In a room occupied by a refugee Christian fam-
iîy, a forlorn little kitten was pointed out to a lady vis-
iter, with the remark : " A whole village was out ail night
hunting for that cat. They said that it must be found
and destroyed or it would bring calamity to the town.

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 655

It was picked up and sent to relatives at a distance and
so escaped."

Never was the prophecy that the foes of a man shall
be they cf his own house more exactly fulfilled. They
were themselves the spies and informants, whose précise
knowledge nothing could escape. Ail human affection,
ail social sympathies seemed to be dried up at the roots.
Daughters drove away their own mothers from their
doors, saying " Don't you corne in hère, or we shall be
implicated too — go to your foreign friends, let them look
after you." Even the storage of books, or clothing, or
any article of furniture was absolutely forbidden under
penalty of having the house pulled down or burned. The
nearest neighbors were often the ones who invited the
Boxers to corne, leading them through the village and
pointing out every door to Christian courts. Then when
the goods were dragged upon the streets and sold for
next to nothing, thèse were the ones who bought them for
a trifle, subsequently reviling and taunting the ow^ners,
when they crept back to their desolated yards, with the
observation that there was no more place for them — their
goods were distributed to new owners, and their land
had reverted to the village temples !

The cruelties of the persecutors found expression in the
most hideous forms. Ail the barbarities practiced upon
foreigners were shared likewise by their followers. Men,
women, and children were chopped into pièces and their
bodies thrown into running streams to be dispersed be-
yond power of doing in jury. Great numbers were burned
alive, and children were flung back into the flames after
they had once broken forth. Yet in one case known to the
writer a lad who had twice been bound and thrown into
the Grand Canal, and had each time succeeded in getting
free, was allowed to escape, because it must be *' the Will

656

CHINA IN CONVULSION

hSf:

il'

of Heaven." Unusually attractive Christian children
were sometimes adopted by the Boxers, or by others, val-
uable lives being thus saved. Many Christian maidens
were sold to a Hfe of odious slavery to be the " wives "
of the Boxers who had killed ail the other members of
their families.

The mutilation of Christians may be said in some
régions to hâve been the rule, not the exception, gen-
erally followed by a slow and terrible death. In other
cases the joints of the victims were dislocated, and they
were left in this maimed condition.

The writer was personally acquainted with a Roman
Catholic school teacher who was persecuted by the Box-
ers, middlemen finally arranging that his life should be
spared on payment of a fine of about thirty (Mexican)
dollars. His father, however, begrudged the waste of so
much money, and together with another son and a nephew
tied up the son and his wife in the middle of the night,
and killed them with a sword, their little girl being
thrown on the ground and stamped to death. Two small
boys, however, made their escape. The people of the vil-
lage, who had no sympathy whatever with Christianity,
were so incensed at this inhumanity that they refused to
assist in any way at the funeral.

It is worthy of notice that in many places the bitterest
animosity extended even to those who had been treated in
mission dispensaries, or whose connection with foreigners
had been only temporary and casual. In cases where
the number of those killed was large, sometimes amount-
ing to quite half of the total membership, there was an
additional percentage of those who thus sufifered vica-
riously. There were, on the other hand, some who while
not members of the church, nor even probationers, yet
refused to renounce its teachings, thus forming an

? -

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 657

exoteric band of martyrs whose number will never be
known.

Attention was early called to the important fact that
in many places where the Chinese Church was about to
be tested as never before, spécial strength was afforded
them for the coming conflict. In Peking, T'ung Chou,
and Tientsin, earnest meetings had recently been held,
at which large numbers of the leading members of many
churches had been brought near to God, and a similar
expérience was that of many mission stations in Shansi
and Chihli which had been visited by Mr. William
Cooper. Numbers of Christians afterwards testified that
they had been thus unconsciously fortified for the terri-
ble trials which proved to be so near.

The natural timidity and the clannishness of the Chi-
nese is well known to those who hâve had intimate rela-
tions with them. It has been previously mentioned that
both in Tientsin and in Peking the greater part of the
servants in every foreign establishment disappeared in
a body upon the prospect of danger. It is important to
recognize that the reverse was the case with the Chris-
tians, not merely where their safety was bound up with
that of foreigners, but where they might, but for their
fidelity, hâve easily escaped.

The most impressive instances of this are to be found
where the péril to Chinese Christians was greatest, in the
province of Shansi, where the Governor had given formai
authority to Boxers to kill ail Christians, and where any
one found writing letters to foreigners was slain with-
out mercy. The foreign letters from those who were
martyred in that province, continued in some cases to
within a few hours before death and concealed at great
risk by their couverts, furnish the most ample évidence
of the beautiful loyalty of the Christians, and of their

658

CHINA IN CONVULSION

ij-\

■f-'^t'

m.'

il';

11»!'

:«-'

W:
ï

fearful trials. In every mission headquarters the first
quest was for the mission records, that the names of ail
the followers of the " foreign religion " might be cer-
tainly known. When thèse were discovered it went ill
with the flock.

In repeated instances servants who had been sent away
for their own safety retumed on the eve of a riot, saying
simply : " 1 heard that you were to be attacked to-night,
and I thought that I ought to be hère to help you."
Many of them voluntarily served as couriers at the immi-
nent risk of their lives, not once or twice, but constantly,
and in this way it is known that many were killed. When
the missionaries had been robbed of everything, the poor
Christians sometimes offered to them their own scanty
hordes of silver or cash, saying that it was but right to
do something for those to whom they owed so much, " As
long as I hâve anything," said one such, " of course I
will share it with yOU." Many Christians ofïered to find
hiding-places for the foreign pastors and the ladies, at
the greatest risk to themselves, and others undertook
the yet more difficult office of acting as their travelling
stewards during their long and dangerous flight through
hostile régions.

Some of the prominent preachers were intrusted by the
missionaries with large sums of money, to be sent to
whomsoever appeared to be in the greatest need. One of
them thus became the steward of about two hundred
pounds sterling, which at no little risk to himself he dis-
bursed with great discrétion, in such a way as to assist
materially many missionaries who had lost everything,
and who had no resources. An instance of this sort
is of great weight as an aid in estimating the real char-
acter of the men who hâve embraced Christianity, and
who are at once its apostles and its proof.

M:-

. î

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 659

It is to be noted that the reports brought to the coast
of the expériences of the foreigners in the interior, while
greatly doubted at the time by some, afterwards proved
to be exact even in détails, and at the same time there was
no apparent disposition on the part of those who had
helped foreigners under thèse circumstances to pose as
heroes. In a letter brought to Hght many months after
the massacre of the English Baptist missionaries at Hsin
Chou, Shansi, was known, it appeared that the Boxers
had captured one of the leading Christians and had
taken him to the hiding-place of the missionaries that he
might witness their death. With the certainty of immé-
diate rétribution this Christian uttered a loud cry of warn-
ing to his " Pastor," and was immediately himself struck
with a spear or sword as a reward.

An evangelist and his family were ail dragged from
their carts in a Honan village, and their baggage being
thought insufficient for loot, they were ail, men and
women, stripped of ail their clothing and left naked in
the Street.

The manner in which the Christians met thèse terrible
sufferings was a perpétuai astonishment to their tor-
mentors. They could not understand what inspired the
calm courage of the tall and stalwart Teacher Liu of
Fên Chou Fu, who sat calmly in his room fanning him-
self and awaiting the advent of the Boxers, who killed
him instantly ; nor that of the Peking deacon who put on
his best clothes and went out to meet them joyously,
facing death with a smile. Was it any wonder that
the Boxers in their superstition eut out the hearts of such
people to endeavour by an inspection to ascertain the
source of their more than human courage?

The belief that Christians were able to poison weîls,
and to turn paper images into real foreign soldiers, was

■Mi

660

CHINA IN CONVULSION

practically universal, and accounted for much of the
insensate fury of the Chinese against them. The notion
also widely prevailed that within three days they would
rise from the dead, unîess energetic steps were taken to
prevent it. It was for this reason that so many were eut
in pièces, and burned, in exceptional cases the ashes being
passed under stone roUers and dispersed to the winds.
The same superstition also accounted for the entirely
un-Chinese refusai to allow the bodies of Christians to
receive any kind of burial. A couvert in Peking several
times passed the corpse of liis own mother lying in the
Street where she was struck down, but he dared not touch
it.

The question has been often raised as to what the mis-
sionaries in China are doing, and what are the results
of their work. They hâve been criticized as " idle and
mischievous," but now that the Boxer rising has burst
we are told that " they hâve turned the world upside
down/' The statement is most literally true. The
nature of the totally new energy widely diffused through-
out the Chinese Empire may now be clearly perceived.
It is one with the life manifested in the Roman Empire
in the days briefly described in the Acts of the Apostles,
and it is the only force adéquate to cope with the gigantic
ills of China. This proposition, to those who read the
story of the sufferings of the native church in China dis-
criminatingly, will be self-evident, while to others it will
remain an idle claim.

The interest of the appended instances of the expé-
riences of Christian Chinese is found not only in the
occurrences themselves, but in the fact that thèse are such
cases as bave first come to hand, and that it would be
possible to duplicate them by the thousand, until the
aggregate product would bc a séries of volumes exceeding

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 66 1

in bulk the Encyclopedia Britannica. Thèse narratives
need no other comment than a few explanations of techni-
cal terms, and bear within themselves the évidences of
their fidehty to truth.

Attention has already been called to the fact that the
spread of the Boxer movement was largely through
young boys who were put under the influence of some-
thing like hypnotism, or mesmerism. The proportion of
genuine subjects may hâve been small as compared with
the spurious, but the influence of a single genuine case in
a superstitions country Uke China wouîd be great, where
éducation, despite the claim of many influential Chinese,
is no bar to the wildest creduHty.

In many places, the baneful effects of the movement
became manifest to everyone, and often brought the whole
Boxer propaganda into discrédit. In one instance a lad
of fifteen was so filled with the frenzy for murder that
he attacked his own parents, an event which filled the
villagers with horror, and led to the disbandment of the
Boxer camp. Sometimes susceptible children would be
so strongly affected with the impulse to perform the
Boxer drill that they would go through with it irre-
spective of time or place. Thèse occurrences made many
reflective Chinese dread the unknov/n influence which they
had evoked. When ail the phenomena attending the
Boxer development are attentively considered, there is
reason to believe that many will corne to the conclusion
that if there is any such phenomenon in this world as
" Démon Possession," this was an instance of it.

die fréquent expression " Boxer altar," it should be
explained, does not refer to a place of worship, a pile of
stone, nor even a table, but dénotes the organization itself,
the band as a whole, with its " Great Elder Brother " as
leader, as well as the drill headquarters, and the idol

*•'.:

111

iîii

662

CHINA IN CONVULSION

il
li

m
1%:

iif-

I
m

llf-

shrines before which tests were made by burning incense
or paper. If the latter flamed high the accused was in-
nocent, but if the flame was feeble and deflected he was
guilty and must be beheaded at once. The opportunity
for fraud in ail thèse cérémonies is obvions.

Among the many singular phenomena connected with
the rise and spread of the Boxer sect, nothing seems
stranger or more in défiance of Chinese customs and the
ideals of long générations than the accompanying organ-
ization of the '' Hung Têng Chou " or '* Red Lantern
Light " Society. This was composed of young girls be-
tween the âges of ten and twenty, just the âge when
Chinese maidens are most carefully hidden in the seclu-
sion of their homes, — when to go about in the streets
would be in défiance of the proprieties, and to be exposed
to public gaze would be for rich and poor alike disrepu-
table.

Thèse girls in large companies were taken to the tem-
ples, put under the low and vicions men who were the
Boxer leaders, and after a certain amount of drill accom-
panied Boxer bands in their public parades. Their uni-
form was entirely of red, red cloth about their heads, red
shoes on their feet, red banners in their hands. Their
training was similar to that given Boxer boys, the répéti-
tion of charms by the leader, who was sometimes a man,
sometimes a woman, — following this the hypnotic trance,
then a frenzy of désire to fight with sword or spear or
gun.

The spécial power said to belong to thèse girls was to
ride upon the clouds and to point out the houses of for-
eigners or their friends, Christians or others. From the
clouds they could kindle a fire that would harm none but
those proscribed. From the clouds, too, they could cause
the iron battle-ships of the enemy to burn like tinder.

■il'

iiilfili Ui

CATASTROPHE TO NATIVE CHURCH 663

During the weeks when riots and fighting were most
violent, towards evening hundreds of ignorant, credulous
people would gather outside their villages and watch the
sun hastening to the west. The impression upon the
retina caused by gazing at its dise, causing a round red
spot to appear w^henever the eye should turn, was pro-
nounced the magie light of the " Red Lantern," and
excited cries of '* There are two !" "I see three ! "
" There are a great many in the north ! " would fill the
air. Then when the evening clouds gave back the sun-
set glow, this common sight took on the aspect of the
supernatural, and the people would whisper to each other
*' Truly the power of the Red Tantern is very great 1
With it we must conquer the foreigners ! "

Thèse stories of Chinese persécution may fitly con-
clude with the citation of a significant testimony in
regard to the relative qualities of the Chinese Christians,
from a paper read at the Newcastle Church Con-
gress, by the most accomplished lady traveller of the
day, Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop, who began her ex-
tended journeying with little or no interest in mis-
sions, and who has ended with a sincère dévotion to mis-
sion activity, after having enjoyed unequalled advantkges
for learning at first hand what is accomplished by
the effort to elevate the men and -the women of
the East.

'' Everywhere small, oft-times very small commu-
nities of persons had been formed, who by their aban-
donment of ancestral worship and idolâtrons social cus-
toms were subjected to a social ostracism, and who partly
in conséquence clung together as brethren, with a tenac-
ity similar to that which finds its secular expression in
the powerful Chinese organizations known as ' guilds.'
Thèse converts live pure and honest lives, they are teach-

664

CHINA IN CONVULSION

able, greedy of Bible knowledge, generous and self-
denying for Christian purposes, and so anxious to pré-
serve the purity of. their brotherhood that it would be
impossible for such abuses as disfigured the Church at
Corinth to find a place in the infant churches of China.
Above ail, every true convert becomes a missionary, and
it is in this spirit of propagandism that the hope of the
future lies. After eight and a half years of journeyings
among Asiatic peoples, I say unhesitatingly that the
raw material out of which the Holy Ghost fashions the
Chinese convert, and oft-times the Chinese martyr, is the
best stufï in Asia."

XXXV

■PERSONAL NARRATIVES

Kao Hsin

KAO HSIN is a gradiiate of Collège and Seminary,
and has been in charge of the preparatory sta-
tion school at T'ung Chou. This was closed at
mission meeting time and after the meeting he went to
his home fifteen li away. In a few days he came back
to learn of the condition of things. He found only one
man, Mr. Lin, in the city compound, who told him that
the missionaries had gone to Peking, and the church
members had scattered, and advised him to get his family
and follow to Peking.

While they were speaking, a man came from Yung Le
Tien and told them of the murder of the preacher Li Tê
Kuei while making his escape with his wife and three of
his children. His three older children were pupils in
T'ung Chou and Peking schools. Mrs. Li was Kao's own
sister. She had pleaded for her baby as it was such a
fine boy. The Boxers looked at it and said : " Yes ! un-
commonly fine! It might be an Emperor some day, it
must be killed first." So they dispatched the children,
hacking them with swords and burning them. They
killed at the same time several church members who
were escaping with the helper.

As Mr. Kao was starting back for his home he met a
messenger from P'ing Ku Hsien, where Deacon Li Wên

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666

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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Jung was stationed, forty miles from T'ung Chou. He
had corne to bring word to the deacon's mother that her
son was ill with fever and the invalid wife unable
to care for him, and to beg for help, After directing
the man to the deacon's mother's home, Mr. Kao went
back to Fu Hê, his home.

About dark, the P'ing Ku messenger reappeared say-
ing there was no one to go to the deacon's help. Mr.
Kao had told his family about the fate of the Christians
at Yung Le Tien and other places and consulted with
them about plans for escape. His mother, an efficient
energetic woman, said : " We are ail natives of this vil-
lage and our neighbours will not want to harm us women.
You and your nephew go to P'ing Ku where there are
no Boxers, and you will be safe yourselves and able to
help the sick deacon and his family. We will scatter
among our relatives in the village and I will stay and
care for the house."

Mr. Kao begged that they ail go to Peking, but she
thought her plan the safer one. His feelings overcame
him and she said : " Don't cry my son ! Can we not
bear this for Christ? If Jésus saves us we will be re-
united. If we are taken we die for Him. Can we not
trust Him ? Go quickly ! "

She prepared them a meal, and at eleven o'clock at
night Mr. Kao and his nephew, the eldest son of the
murdered helper Li Tê Kuei, set out, a neighbour going
with them to bring back word to the mother.

They reached P'ing Ku the next day at noon, and
found the deacon's wife in distress at the situation, — her
husband ill, and no cart or animais to be hired to take
them back to T'ung Chou. She had been praying that
God would open the way before them. Mr. Kao advised
them to remain as it was quiet there, and if it grew

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

667

dangerous the mountains were near where they could

hide.

The next day was Sunday and the little company of
Christians gathered for service. One from a hamlet not
far away in the hills consented to let Mrs. Li and the
children go to his home, though they had only millet and
sait and water to give her. They stole ont in the early
morning, Mrs. Li walkîng sonie distance to meet the don-
key sent for her. After seeing her safe in the new hid-
ing place Mr. Kao and the sick husband returned to
P'ing Ku where they remained another week.

Conditions grew worse ail the time. The evil reports
about Christians as poisoning wells and smearing blood
on the doors were started in the city. They were threat-
ened with being bound ready for delivery to the Boxers
when thèse should reach the city. A friendly yamen-
runner told them thèse things and advised them to leave,
giving the name of friends, one forty and one eighty li
away. Mr. Kao and his nephew decided to go. Deacon
Li at first remained behind but soon joined his wife and
started on his own long wanderings. They were sepa-
rated from that time on.

The first man mentioned would only give them one
meal and sent them on. After going a short distance they
were in the mountain gorges with no plain road. Bewil-
dered and knowing not where to go, they stopped and
prayed to God to guide, where there was no man to ask.
Two crows flew overhead and they asked that they might
fly in the direction they ought to take. They flew north-
east. This took them back to their unwilling host, whom
they begged to escort them a few li. He was afraid and
refused, but a caller came in who lived on that very road,
and he offered to direct them. '

It was cloudy and threatened rain and they begged this

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668

CHINA IN CONVULSION

guide to take them to his home for the night. He did
so and they had hardly entered the house when the rain
fell in torrents. For ten days they remained there work-
ing hard for their board. They had said that they were
Christians, so that when, soon after, a Boxer altar was
started there, the wife of the man was frightened and
wanted them to go, giving them money to help them on
their way.

The nephew was homesick and begged to return to
their home. They started back, but in a few H met Yang
Erh, a chair-bearer for a member of the T'ung Chou
Mission. He had been to P'ing Ku twice as messenger,
but was now fleeing for his own Hfe. He told how he
had been pursued by Boxers and had seen them eut down
others on the road, and said that neither T'ung Chou nor
Tientsin were safe for any Christians.

Mr. Kao and his nephew with Yang Erh turned back
to the north-east and went on outside the pass. The wild
rumours about Christians were everywhere, and beheved
by everyone. The rumours said that the Christians
smeared blood on the doors, which would make some one
in the household go crazy, and kill ail the family ; that
they poisoned wells so that the water would destroy those
who drank it; that foreigners were selling sheep-skins
and goat-skins and would later turn them ail into live
sheep and dogs and men. The sheep would hunt people
and destroy the crops, the dogs would bite people and
make them go mad, but the men were worst of ail as they
could not be conquered. If thèse sheep or dogs or men
were struck they turned back into sheep-skins or goat-
skins. The great trade of foreigners in black pig's bris-
tles was said to be for the purpose of performing incan-
tations over them, by which they would turn into evil in-
sects that would fly about and bite like a mosquito, the bite

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

669

proving fatal. The Boxers claimed that they alone could
avert ail thèse evils.

No one was allowed to stay at an inn, as it was said
that foreigners hired beggars, fortune-tellers, travelling
priests and peddlers to scatter blood and medicine. Every
suspicions stranger was searched. I£ any bottle was
found on his person they were sure it was medicine and
the man was at once eut to pièces.

It was necessary to appear unconcerned and walk boldly
to the crowds or inns as any attempt to avoid notice at
once awoke suspicion. They must hâve a reasonable
explanation for their journeying, so they gave as a
reason that they were going north in search of a debtor
who had owed his uncle a debt to get payment for the
same. As they several times got work for a few days in
the fields, they could say that they were searching for work
on account of drought on the pîain. The poppy harvest
was ready for the first slashing of the seed-pods, and
many came every year to do this work.

At one stage they joined a traveller who proved most
kind to them, took them to his village, found w^ork for
them with a rich man of the place, cared for Mr. Kao
during several days' illness and adopted him and Yang
Erh as " sworn brothers " and the nephew as a " dry
son." His kindness was the bright spot in the long,
sorrowful summer.

While at this man's village, word came of the destruc-
tion of everything foreign in Peking except the British
Légation and the Cathedral, and with a heavy heart Mr.
Kao thought of ail his fellow Christians as gone. At last
the news of the victories of the Allies in Peking reached
them in the mountains and they started back for the
plains.

Not far from his old home Kao Hsin met an acquain-

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670

CHINA IN CONVULSION

tance who exclaimed on seeing him, '' Why are you
hère ! " " I want to see my home and my family ! "
" Alas ! You hâve no home to see and your fam-
ily are ail dead, killed by the Boxers." Then the
dreadful détails were told of how his mother was
eut to pièces, ail his children but one little deaf
girl killed with his wife, ail the Christians of the
village, with nearly ail of their relatives, more than thirty
in ail, killed in most cruel ways. The aged grandmother,
over eighty-four years old, was a mid-wife and nearly ail
the villagers up to forty years of âge had been brought
into the world by her — so many begged for lier and she
was spared. " One old woman and one little girl can do
nothing to avenge those killed ! " they said contempt-
uously. They had searched everywhere for Kao Hsin,
but said he was a wizard of such power he could bur-
row in the earth and escape. They feared he would come
with an earthquake to destroy them.

Mr. Kao had travelled thirty miles that day and had
six more to go. He staggered on almost sleeping as he
walked. At last he crawled under a mat shed in which
were dead bodies and tried to sleep a little, but was
awakened every little while by firing guns and barking
dogs. At daylight some Russian soldiers impressing
workmen found them and drove them to some boats to
unload supplies. There was a motley crowd of coolies,
merchants, teachers, rich men, poor men — ail kinds in the
line. Their burdens were heavy and if they did not
handle them just right they were beaten. Kao Hsin felt
the lash because he dropped a box too quickly. After a
supper he slept on the w^et ground with no bedding.

The next day he was harnessed in with some men to
drag cannon over the stone road outside the city near

•4:

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

671

to the ruins of the collège. One man fell, the wheel ran
over his leg and broke it. Another, who thought such a
life too bitter to endure, jumped into the moat as they
went over the bridge and was drowned. That night they
were well fed and given dry clothes. After a little they
were better treated, were given three meals a day and
paid ten cents besides.

He remained a month in ail, thinking the Christians ail
dead and himself the sole survivor and that the mission-
aries would ail hâve been sent home. So he made no
effort to get away. One day he met a T'ung Chou church
member on the streets and learned the good news that
many were saved. His présence in T'ung Chou was re-
ported to the Mission in Peking and he was soon passed
over to the Americans and sent up to the Capital.

Deacon Li

To find a Christian in a Chinese yamen reminds one

of the " saints in Nero's household

Yet it was in

such a place thât Li Yùn Shêng was converted, and it
was in pursuing the duties of that place that he led for
twelve years a consistent Christian life. He was' known
as a man faithful to duty, one who took no bribes and
shared no " spoils of office." He had the respect of the
officiai in T'ung Chou and of his associâtes in the
yamen. Such a man was a shining mark for the malig-
nity of the Boxers. He had seen the burning of the Mis-
sion buildings and boldly denounced the deed. " Your
punishment will come," he said, " and thèse buildings will
be restored." When the massacres began, the officiai at
the head of the yamen took Mr. Li under his own pro-
tection and found a small, retired room where he was

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672

CHINA IN CONVULSION

^1 i'\:

hiddcn. When the Boxers came to the yamen and de-
manded the Christian in hiding, they refused to give
him up.

At last the Boxers, who had no respect for dignitaries,
broke into the yamen and began a search. Mr. Li was
taken by the official's command into the apartments of the
vvomen. But the Boxers penetrated to that court and
soon found their victim. He was dragged out and taken
to an altar near by, where they put him to deâth. His
wife was a very timid woman and when she heard of her
husband's death she went to a pit of water not far away,
leading her httle daughter, and the two plunged into the
water together.

Deacon Li was buried but the word went around among
the Boxers that so zealous a Christian would rise from the
dead in a short time, so his body was exhumed and
burned to ashes.

The Unknown Martyrs

Among those who died for their faith in this field were
many whose names are unknown, but whose steadfastness
in the face of death produced so much wonder among the
heathen that their stories are b^ing told by those who
" were consenting " by looking on silently when they were
condemned.

At P'ing Ku Hsien two men were taken to the " Great
Elder Brother " of the Boxers for his décision as to
which was guilty of following the foreign rehgion. After
repeating his incantations he turned and pointed to one
and said " This is one of them ! " The man was led away
and killed, the other one was released. He turned away
and went off a Httle distance, then came back to the
Boxers. '' What are you coming back for? You can

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

673

go," they said. He replied '* Kill me too! 1 too am one
of them ! " And they led him to where his friend had
died and there killed him.

At the T'ung Chou north gâte two boys of thirteen and
fourteen years of âge were making their escape into the
country wh^ the Boxers seized them to question them.
Thèse nameless young confessors said beldly " We are of
the Jésus Church." When about to be bound they said,
'' You need not bind us. We will not try to get away.
Every step we take to your altar is one step nearer
heaven." And they soon joined the victors above.

'Mm

Deacon Hêng
(As told by himself)

" On returning to Peking from Annual Meeting we
found the danger and excitement in the city had greatly
increased. A council was held and, soon after, the mis-
sionaries and the girls of Bridgman school were removed
to the Methodist Mission, while many of the men of the
church remaîned to guard the Mission. On the evening
of June I3th, a man came rushing to the chapel say-
ing ' The Boxers hâve entered the city and are setting fire
to the Missions.' I went into the street and could see the
smoke of the Methodist street chapel and of the London
Mission rising to the south of us. The streets were full
of excited people saying ^ They will come hère next !
Thèse will be the next to die ! ' After a short consulta-
tion we decided we could not défend the buildings and
could only tfy to save our lives by flight.

" There were many who saw me and knew me, but I
made my w^ay to the north part of the city where I was
least known, and as it was dark I hid in a temple near the

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674

CHINA IN CONVULSION

northwest gâte. From there I saw the burning of the
two Presbyterian Missions and further south the smoke
and flames of our own Mission.

" I rested part of the night but rose at 3 a. m. and went
to the Presbyterian Mission, which was still burning, and
saw the bodies of those killed during the night, some of
them in the burning buildings, some outside in the courts.
I went to the An Ting gâte, but it was closed not to be
opened till noon. After wandering around I came back
to the north-east gâte. I met several Christians of our
own and other Missions, but no one showed signs of réc-
ognition. Later we went out through the gâte together,
each making for his own place of refuge.

" 1 went to a village eight li away to warn a Christian
family living there. They gave me food and I rested
for a time, after which I went back to the city by the An
Ting gâte, which was now open. There were many
bodies of the Christians lying along the road, of which
I recognized one as a colporteur who had been killed while
carrying his books on his back. There were men and
women, young and old among them. I then went from
one to another of my relatives but none would let me
remain. I went to the yamen where I hâve duties but
was told there was no place for me.

" For a day or two I wandered about getting food
and shelter as best I could. At last I went to my uncle
and he said he would try to get me out of the city safely
but could not keep me, as it would surely bring ruin to
them ail.

" They advised me to shave my head and put on the
garments of a Bùddhist priest, but I was not willing to
wear that garb. Finally they brought me the outfit of a
fortune-teller, the mystic character of the ' Book of
Changes,' and wrote out for me enough couplets for

Siiii

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PERSONAL NARRATIVES

67s

twenty fortunes. Then my uncle put on his Manchu
robes for cérémonial service, gave a suit to me and we
rode out of the city as officiai and attendant. No one
challenged me. 'tie went a few miles with me, gave me
money fôr my journey and we separated.

** I went to the village at the north where there were
Christians, but found them scattered ; went on to another
place and found the Boxers were everywhere. I still went
north and after a few days reached a valley among the
mountains where a large branch of our family lived.

'* After waiting two days at an inn and no one appear-
ing, whom I knew, I decided to turn back to the city to
learn the fate of our church. I went to a few fairs on the
way, spread out my table, told a few fortunes, always
watching for familiar faces. At last I met three Chris-
tians who told me of the siège of foreigners and Chris-
tians at the Légation and North Cathedral. They said
we could not go to the city yet, — it was not certain that
any one would survive the fierce attack.

" So again I turned north, this time in company with
thèse three. We travelled by twos and stopped at différ-
ent inns. One of them soon hired out to a farmer and
the others found other work, but I was not strong enough
to be of any use, so I went to fairs and told fortunes,
working my way back to the north to my relatives.
Sometimes I was tempted to end my days in a river or
to jump from a précipice, but I held back from that sin,
feeling that God would care for me or take me to
Himself.

"At last I reached again the home of my relatives.
There were some sixteen families in the hamlet, ail of
our clan. I went to the head man, who was the only one
of an older génération — an uncle. There were four of
my own génération whom I could call * brothers.' I

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

could not tell them of my being a Christian but did tell
them of how Peking was in a state of chaos and ruin,
with fighting in the streets and robbers and Boxers every-
where. I had lied for safety and must ask them to give
me refuge until the country should become quiet. They
consulted together and agreed to share in keeping me.
There I remained until after the New Year. They were
poor people but they gave me food such as they had
and money enough for me to buy a sheep-skin garment
and other clothes for winter. I was kept in the house for
more than a month by sickness.

'^ As the weather grew warmer I could wait no longer
but turned back to the plain to see if any of our church
survived. The roads and inns were full of dispersed sol-
diers. Several times I told their fortunes and gave them
the truth. I told them they could not succeed in fighting
foreigners but had been deceived by the Boxers and had
better give up being soldiers and go to their homes!
They were not angry at this but paid my food and lodg-
ing and treated me kindly. I made my way to the city
gâte where the Japanese were in charge. I could not
make myself understood but found my way back to our
old Street.

" There I saw a notice in foreign letters on the gâte,
and came inside and found myself in the présence of those
whom I had thought dead. The Lord has brought me
back. I am far from perfect. The Lord has not donc
teaching me so He has let me live on to finish His work

m me.

Mrs. Li Pên Yuan {D or cas)

Li Pên Yuan is one of the younger preachers of the
American Board Mission, and Dorcas, his wife, is a wor-

lli

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PERSONAL NARRATIVES

677

thy helpmeet. She was educated in the Bridgman school
and is a woman attractive in person and of a lovely Chris-
tian character.

On the night when the Missions ^\4re burned in
Peking Mr. and Mrs. Li were visiting the brother of the
former in a distant part of the city. The brother was
a preacher of the Presbyterian Mission. As the mob
drew near that place they ail fled together but after go-
ing a little distance the two families separated so as to
attract the less attention. Mr. Li found a retired corner
in the angle of some house where he left his wife and child
while he went on to the great street to look about. She
could see him standing at the corner not many rods away
when a crowd of Boxers corne along. He knew it would
not do to run, so followed along as one of the crowd till
he could turn aside unnoticed and make his way back to
his wife. She had seen him apparently swept along by
the crowd, and as a long time elapsed and he did not
return she gave him up as lost.

She finally came out from hiding and worked her way
slowly back across the city to the American Board Mis-
sion, which was burning when she reached it. Wander-
ing about from one place to another she finally sat down
in front of a large gâte of a strange family and rested
till the morning broke. Soon after light a band of
Boxers came along and seeing the lonely woman and
child marked them with blood-hound instinct as refugee
Christians. Just as they stopped in front of Dorcas the
gentleman of the place, an entire stranger to her, came
out, took in the situation at a glanée, and said to the
Boxers, '' You are mistaken. This is a neighbour of
mine ! " His word was taken and the mob went on leav-
ing her there.

She told her story to this " good Samaritan " and he

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678

CHINA IN CONVULSION

went with her to a village near the eastern city gâte where
she had relatives living. They found the house de-
stroyed and the people fled. The man who was trying to
save her then said they were expecting a visit from a rel-
ative named Li, and she must represent that relative to
their family and go to his home till some other plan could
be made. The women at first received her cordially but
after a little, suspicions arose and then she told her story
to them. They would not let her remain. The man
begged them to keep the little one but they refused that
too. As Dorcas left the house he said to his wife, " The
one good act of my life you will not let me do ! "

She went back near the Mission from one old neighbour
to another, none of whom would receive her. She appealed
to a police-station, to a man who knew her husband, but
he drove her roughly away. Towards night she sat down
on some logs near a lumber-yard but was soon told to
" movè on " and when she said she had no place to go the
man pointed down a blind alley and said " You can wait
there." There was nothing to wait for but death.

Just then a carter of the Mission came along, saw
her and called her by name. She went to his cart and got
inside; he quickly dropped the curtain and drove up and
down the streets for hours trying to find some place o£
refuge. At midnight he drove into a cart-stand yard and
received permission to keep his cart and mule there for
the night. Dorcas spent that night in the cart. The lit-
tle child of only two years, a bright winsome little one,
seemed to know she must keep quiet and did not cry
once in the night.

The next morning at earliest dawn they drove away and
went to a village where some Christians were known to
hâve taken refuge, and there she remained until word
was taken to her husband who came and took her to the

iMj?:?

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

679

Methodist Mission. They had been separated from
Wednesda}^ night till Saturday morning and he had
searched ail over the city for her.

The T'sai Family

This family is one of the oldest Protestant Christian
families in North China, the présent head of it, Mr. T'sai
Fu Yuan, being of the second génération of Christians.
He has been a preacher for nearly twenty years, and their
home has been a centre for the church of the Yû Chou
région.

By the latter part of June the whole city and région
were aflame with the Boxers. Mr. T'sai was in the city
with his family. His aged mother, who shared the uni-
versal Chinese dread of extinction of the familv, saw the
approaching crisis and told her son and grandson that
they must fîee while it was yet possible. After vainly
protesting they at last yielded and left the city about the
middle of July. They first went to Hsi Hê Ying, where
there were other Christians, but found that place still
worse than Yù Chou, as the large Catholic Church drew
the Boxers to its attack from the whole région around.
He then went on to Pai Lu, where he had friends, but
soon left them and took refuge in the watch tower of a
melon patch, where a Catholic old lady was also in hid-
ing. He remained in this place until he learned of the
destruction of his home and the death of ail his family
except the son who was with him.

The crisis in Yù Chou culminated about the last of July,
when a large body of Boxers passed through on their way
to attack the Catholic Church of Hsi Hê Ying. At that
time a mob surrounded the Mission place and led out the
women to a temple near by, locking them within. Then

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680

CHINA IN CONVULSION

the chapel and homes were looted and burned, after which
the crowd scattered, leaving the women in the temple
without even a guard. Toward night they were able to
escape and went back to their ruined home. They found
two small side rooms which had not been' destroyed and
went into thèse to prépare some food for themselves.

In a little time some rowdies of the city came to pick
up anything that might remain in the ruins and found
the women there. They raised the cry and gathered the
Boxers again. Some demanded that they ail be killed,
and some of the baser of the crowd suggested that the
young women might be sold to the public houses for a
good sum. At this the blind old grandmother raised her
voice and said, " We are not that kind ! Kill us if you
want ! We can die ! "

The Boxers being on their way to battle did not wish
to défile their swords with the blood of women, so led
them to the well in the court and threw them in, one
after another, burying each with stones and earth as she
was cast in. In this way it is thought six perished, though
there are rumours that two were carried away and given
to a military officiai.

Pastor Mèng CM Hsien

Pastor Mêng Chi Hsien was the oldest of the
younger body of preachers in the Mission of the American
Board, who had been trained from youth in the Mission
schools. For eleven years he had been an ordained
pastor at Pao Ting Fu, He was a man of strong con-
victions, of great energy, was a natural leader, beloved
and trusted by ail.

He and his younger brother, Pastor Mêng Chi Tseng,
attended the Annual Meeting of the Mission at T'ung

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PASTOR MENG, A MARTYR OF PAO TIXG FU

^^■»

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

68i

Chou, both taking prominent part in the meetings. While
thèse were in progress, tidings came that the railroad
was destroyed and communication with Pao Ting Fu
eut ofï. Mr. Mêng decided to return at once to stand
by Mr. Pitkin's side in the périls and perplexities of the
hour. He went overland, most of the way on foot. The
three devoted missionaries at Pao Ting Fu, Mr. Pitkin,
Miss Morrell, and Miss Gould, who were eut off from
ail hope of escape, were quietly going on with their work
for the church.

During the month of June, Mr. Mêng, with other
preachers, and returned collège students, opened the street
chapel daily. They saw the gathering storm and advised
the church members to leave the city, helping them to
choose places of escape, but thèse preachers and the Bible-
readers deliberately decided to remain at their posts.

They said : " Our missionaries hâve remained with us,
— we will stand by them and live or die together." They
could hâve escaped had they fled. AU who went away
did escape. They chose to stay, although they saw
more clearly than their foreign friends the inévitable
results.

One man, a life long friend of Mr. Mêng, said to him,
" We hâve lived together, now we will die together."
** No ! " said the pastor, " My place is hère with our
missionaries. I shall stay, but you must take my oldest
son and get away. If you escape and he is spared, he
will represent me and carry on my work." So the friend
took the son, a fine boy of fifteen, and went away. After
many dangerous expériences during the summer he
brought him safely to Tientsin after the arrivai of the
Allies.

Friday afternoon of June 27th, Pastor Mêng was at
the street-chapel packing books and furniture, preparing

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682

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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to remove from the rented building, as notice to do so
had been given by the owner.

Suddenly a company of Boxers came into the chapel,
seized him, bound him, and carried him to their altar in
a temple in the south-east corner of the city. The first
blow had fallen upon the mainstay of the native church.
He was beheaded at the altar, his head exposed as that
of a criminal, while the body was buried like a pauper's
near the citv wall.

Nine months later to a day, a great mémorial service
for the martyred missionaries and Christians was held
at Pao Ting Fu, attended by the chief officiais of the city
and witnessed by thousands of silent spectators. In the
stately funeral procession were banners and flags, em-
broidered catafalques, native musicians, a long line of
carts filled with mourning friends, and ahead of ail, above
thirty mémorial banners, more than half of which were
to the memory of this noble man. They were no empty
show, but gave the last, true estimate of the best men
of the city, officiais and merchants, guilds and citizens, of
the life and character that had been lived in their midst.

Chang Ch'ing Hsiang

Chang Ch'ing Hsiang was a member of the senior class
of the North China Collège, and had returned to Pao
Ting Fu at the close of the collège year, taking part in
the work of the station up to the time when the storm
broke upon the Mission.

The night that the elder Pastor Mêng was seized by
the Boxers was a sleepless one in the Mission. Ail felt
that they were doomed to death, and it was only a ques-
tion of time. Towards morning, Ch'ing Hsiang's mother,
who was one of the Bible-women, came to him and said:

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PERSONAL NARRATIVES

683

''There is no need for ail to die. You are young and
may hâve many years of work for the Lord. I shall stay
and die with Miss Morrell. You must try to escape."

Starting out in the early dawn, he first went to their
home to get money and an extra garment, then turned
south to a place twenty-five miles away, where there were
Christians. Arriving at the town towards night he found
the streets alive with Boxers coming in from the coun-
try, and knew it was no place of refuge, so turned back
to retrace his steps. He was pursued a few li by some
villagers who noticed his being a stranger and alone.
As night came on it rained heavily, and in the darkness
and storm he made his way on the railroad back to his
home. His sister met him with the warning to flee at
once, as search had been made for him. He had had no
sleep for two nights, his limbs were swollen and every
step was painful, but his friends led him out a few li
and he set his face towards the hills.

He fixed on a town a hundred miles away as his
destination, and knowing that single travellers were
viewed with suspicion, soon joined some merchants going
to that place. After reaching there he decided to go into
Shansi, not knowing that it would be entering the tiger's
den. He soon joined an officiai train whose followers
were friendly, and with them made the journey ail the
way to T'ai Yuan Fu. Arriving there he learned that
already a large number of missionaries had been killed,
and he himself saw a Boxer mob chase down some
Catholic Christians.

His money was almost gone, and he turned his face
back to Pao Ting Fu, hoping the worst would be over
when he should hâve again made the long journey. After
going thirty miles he found that he had taken a branch
road to T'ai Ku, and was only ten miles from the city.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

His classmate, K'ung Hsiang Hsi lived there, and al-
though not knowing whether he were yet alive, he de-
cided to try to find him. Entering the city he found the
missionaries were still living and made his way to the
gâte. It was very closely guarded as spies had visited
them, and his ragged, travel-worn appearance excited
suspicion, so that the door was shut in his face.

He finally met his friend and they found a hiding
place in a village not far away. After the Mission
was destroyed he was again in great péril, and after
a hasty visit to his friends, he started to return to Chihli.
He soon joined other travellers of his own province and
in their company made the long journey out of Shansi
safely.

He then turned south to a village where there were
Christians, and a good deacon took him in and treated
him as a brother. He had journeyed over a thousand
miles on foot, had an ulcer on one leg, and his feet were
covered with blisters. His clothes were in tatters, and
his shoes almost gone. He received the kindest care, his
needs were supplied, and he was soon able to join them
in the harvest fields and work with them till news came
that foreign troops had entered Pao Ting Fu. Then the
deacon went with him to keep him company. The
friends at Pao Ting Fu received him as one from the
dead, having heard repeatedly that he had been killed in
Shansi.

His expériences illustrate those of hundreds who wan-
dered from one place of hiding to another, suspected,
hunted, in danger every moment of being recognized, not
knowing each morning but the new day might be their
last. The marvel is that so many were able to escape the
constant périls, and survive as witnesses to the providen-
tial care of their God.

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

685

Mrs. Huo's Story

" When we saw the danger increasing around us/ I
said to my husband. ' We must not ail die. You must
go away and hide. They are not so likely to kill me and
the children as to kill you. If I am spared you can hunt
me up afterwards. If not it will be God's wilL' So I
baked him some cakes, rolled up his quilt and some
clothes, and then had to fairly push him out of the door.

" After the Mission houses were burned the Boxers
came and took me and the children to their altar for trial.
As we started I begged them to let me say a few words.
' You want to talk now do you ? ' 'If you will let me, —
if not I will keep silent.' ' Well, talk ahead ! ' So I told
them how we had lived there many years, how^ our neigh-
bours ail knew we had quarrelled with no one, had of-
fended no one, how my husband was gone and I was
alone with my little children. Would they not be merci-
ful to me and the little ones? Some of the by-standers
said : * What a pity to destroy the children ! '

" They put chains on my hands and feet as I sat on
the ground and then ordered me to get up. I tried sev-
eral times in vain, then told them it was impossible, and
finally said my body was ' inconvénient,' and 1 could not
rise without help. They then called two women who
belonged to the jail to attend to women prisoners, and
they led me to the prison, where I spent seventy-two days.
They gave me coarse food and drink. After twenty days
my baby was born. The officiai had ordered clothing for
the child, and extra food for me, but thèse things did
not reach me, being kept by the guards. The little one
lived only three weeks. I did not know the fate of my
poor children, from whom I had been separated, but I

^ Pao Ting Fu.

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686

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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prayed God every day to spare their lives and restore
them to me.

" After a time two other Christians, a mother and a
daughter who had given themselves up to the Boxers
voluntarily, were put in with me, and we comforted each
other. They were alone and knew they could not escape,
80 they went to the Boxer leaders and told them plainly
that they were Christians, and would not give up Christ,
and they could kill them at once. The Boxers did them
no harm, but shut them up in the prison, and they came
through safely with me.

" There was another woman prisoner there, one who
had been very wicked, and who was awaiting her sen-
tence at the law, expecting death. She was friendly and
anxious to know about us, so we talked freely together.
One day I asked her, ' If you must die hâve you any
one to help you in the next world ? ' * No, no one,' she
said. I said, * We hâve some one. We are not afraid to
die.' So I told her about Jésus who died for us, and who
takes away the fear of death. She was a very bright
woman and learned quickly. We taught her to pray, and
she learned to trust in Christ to forgive her many sins.
I told her at last. ' If they come to deliver us, you may
tell them you are a Christian too now, only you must
never go back to your old life of sin.'

" Sure enough, when the foreign soldiers let us out she
too was released. The interpréter for the troops was a
missionary, and he asked her many questions to test her
knowledge of the truth, and she answered them well.
She has gone back to her father's home in a distant vil-
lage, and I am going there to see her as soon as it is safe
for me to walk there. The Lord saved me, body and
soûl, why shouldn't 1 try to save some one else, body
and soûl?

•Si'

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

687

" After a time, before the soldiers came, we heard that
some foreigners had been brought to the prison. ' Could
it be Pastor Ewing, corne to try and save us ? Were they
to be killed ? ' we asked. ' No/ the guard said, and then
added, ' You need not worry, no one will kill them or
you now,' I did not then know that they meant that the
foreign armies were in Peking, and every one was afraid
of their vengeance, but I felt sure we were safe and
would in some way be dehvered. In time I learned that
the foreigners were Mr. and Mrs. Green and their party.

" At last the time came when they brought us out of
prison and restored my four children to me. They had
been taken to the city orphanage and cared for during
my long stay in prison. They were sick and wasted from
poor fare and lack of mother's care, but they had not
been unkindly treated. After a time my husband came
back, so we are ail spared to each other. God has been
very good to us. My children are His to do with just
what He wants.'*

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Dr. Ch'iu

Dr. Ch'iu was a former student with Dr. Atterbury at
Peking, who was carrying on an independent practice, and
had a medicine shop of his own.

As the Boxer altars multiplied in the city and danger
to Christians increased, Dr. Ch'iu became aîarmed for his
own safety. He is very lame and this made it harder for
him, rendering him conspicuous, and making it difficult
for him to flee. This led him to go out of the city to
relatives in a village a few li away, before the attack on
the missions began. His relatives refused to allow him
to remain, so after vainly trying to find a hiding-place, he
returned to the city. Not long after that the great out-

688

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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break occurred. His shop of foreign medicines was
looted, and his home also. He was seized by the Boxers
and taken to their altar. In his fright he yielded to their
demands and burned incense to their idols.

They were still bent on killing him, when some one
suggested that he be kept alive to dress the wounds of
those who had been wounded during the attack on the
Légations. With this in view they took him to a temple,
where were over thirty suffering from wounds, lying on
the steps or in the court, or one of the rooms, while in
another large room lay more than twenty bodies of those
already killed. Thèse bodies were to be kept, as the
Boxer leaders promised that after a few days ail would
rise from the dead and again join them in exterminating
Christians and foreigners.

For more than ten days Dr. Ch'iu was kept a close
prisoner in this court, the decaying bodies of the dead,
and the groans of the living, ail about him, his own life
depending on his success in healing those under his care.
His guards never left him day or night. He knew it
would be impossible for some of the wounded to recover,
having no medicines or appliances to use for them, and
he quietly waited the end, praying for forgiveness for
yielding in the matter of burning incense.

Then came a sudden turn in afifairs. A wealthy village
had been pillaged by Boxers, although not related to the
proscribed classes, foreigners or Christians. Their lead-
ing men came into the city and entered complaint, and
the Company at the temple where Dr. Ch'in was confined
were summoned to appear. Some went to the officiai and
the rest fled, leaving no guard. This was the opportunity
for flight, but to flee into the streets was vain, as others
would seize him. He succeeded in sending a message to
his older brother, who came with a cart and took him

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PERSONAL NARRATIVES

689

to his home. This brother vvas a lieathen, and not in
danger for himself, and although during the days of at-
tack he had refused shelter to his brother, he now took
him in and hid him away, and for two months succeeded
in keeping him from the Boxers. When the troops came
in he was taken by the missionaries to a place of safety.

'-'«

Wên Li

One of Miss Newton's school girls, Wên Li, was be-
trothed to a young doctor, Mr. Ma, of one of the leading
famiHes of the Presbyterian Mission.^ Wên Li's own
mother was not a Christian, and was ont at service in a
wealthy Chinese household. As Wên Li had no home
when the school was disbanded, she was sent to her
future mother-in-law.

The family desired to hâve a wedding in the usual man-
ner, — to send the bride to a friend's house, and hâve her
brought in a red bridai chair ; but the streets were so
disorderly, and the mobs so rude that they feared a wed-
ding among Christians would attract notice and lead to
trouble, so the matter was delayed from day to day. One
day Mr. Ma received notice that they must give up their
rented house to their landlord. They went to the Mis-
sion, where a few empty rooms were found, and there
they made a temporary home. It then seemed best to
hâve a quiet wedding which should place the young bride
in better position to receive the protection of her husband.

That very night the mission houses were burned. A
Company of native Christians hid away in a court where
there were trees and shrubs, but the light of the burning
buildings betrayed their présence and they were pursued
and struck with knives and axes. Thev made their es-
cape but were soon separated. Wên Li, with her hus-

^ Peking.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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band's sister, hid in a ruined temple, the front of whicH
was burning, so that the smoke of the fire gave them a
veil as they crouched against the brick wall in the rear.
By morning this hiding-place was searched, and those in
hiding were taken to the Boxer altar to be tested. Wên
Li was released, but the sister-in-law was killed.

The same day the young husband was also taken again
and was put to death. Wên Li, the bride of a few hours
was left alone, a widow. She carried two severe wounds
on her neck from the Boxer knife, and in pain and terror
made her way to her mother. But her mother could not
keep her, and after going from place to place, she was
taken into the home of a sister of Wên Yen a school-
mate, where she remained two months. The husband
of the family was a Boxer, but he gave thèse girls his
protection. They had to sufïer from his reproaches, and
constant efforts to make them recant.

One day he said to them, " I am bearing a bad name
on your account. I am accused of making you my lower
wives. I must give you up to the Boxers unless you
recant." His wife then said, " We hâve protected them
so long they must not die now." Wên Li was ill from
her unhealed wounds and was discouraged, so when he
lit a stick of incense and said, " You've only to kneel
while this is burning and then you will be safe," she
could hold out no longer. The wife took pity on her
distress of mind and body and broke off the incense stick
to only an inch or two, to make the time the shorter. As
the poor girl told her story she broke down weeping, and
asked me to pray for her forgiveness for yielding in the
time of trial.

At the close of the siège she was taken to the place
where the mission had established itself, and with care
and kindness soon recovered. She was later again mar-

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

691

ried to a young nian whose fiancée had been killed during
the Boxer reign of terror.

Mr. Chang and Mr. Wên

After the allied troops reached Peking, Mr. Tewksbury,
with a Company of helpers, went to T'ung Chou to le^rn
the fate of the Christians who had not gone with them
to Peking. They also went to the deserted yamens,
gathering up documents which should give évidence as
to Boxer leaders and their victories.

Among the papers of the city magistrate was one stat-
ing the trial of a Mr. Chang of the London mission. His
home was in a village near T'ung Chou, but his business
was in Peking. When the city became full of Boxers ail
business was broken up, and Mr. Chang went to his home
and took his family and fled. Being recognized, lie was
seized by the Boxers, stripped of clothing, bound with
ropes upon a cart and carried to T'ung Chou to the offi-
ciai yamen. The cords had worn ofï the flesh so that he
was already covered with bleeding wounds when taken
to his trial.

On being questioned he plainly stated his faith. He
said that he had been several years in business when he
was attracted to the street chapel of the London mission.
The more he heard of the Jésus doctrine the more he
considered it a good doctrine, and after attending church
for a year he was baptized. He said, '^ This is my faith.
I am ready to invite death. I am not afraid to die, and
shall not give up my religion." The writer wrote out his
statement and he affixed liis mark, the impress of his
second finger. He then knelt down and began to pray,
when the officiai left the court and the Boxers fell upon
him and hacked him in pièces.

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692

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Later his son gave a statement of his death, fully agree-
ing with the officiai record. Still later the magistrate
when discussing with the missionary the terms of indem-
nity, also told of this man's trial, and then added, '' How
could I save his life when he said right out where ail
could hear him that he was a Christian ? " That a man
cou-ld die for his faith was beyond the heathen officiars
power to comprehend.

A Mr. Wên, with his wife and child, of the same mis-
sion, were taken to Prince Chuang's place by the Boxers,
but through the influence of a friend were released. As
they were leaving, Mr. Wên was again seized, his head
was shaved, he was loaded with chains and taken to the
country from village to village, the Boxers claiming that
they were taking him to Peking for punishment but
lacked funds. After levying money in one village they
moved to another; in every place Mr. Wên was subjected
to insuit and indignity from the crowds. While being led
about in this way the nevvS reached his captors that the
Allies had arrived, upon which they ail took to their heels.
Mr. Wên hastened to the capital which he reached safely,
and later learned that his wife and child had found refuge
in the country, so that they were soon reunited.

Mr. Chiang

Mr. Chiang, of the London Mission, was sixty-seven
years old, a very saintly Christian, and a great Bible
student. He was taken safely to the Methodist Mission,
but was anxious about his youngest daughter who was
still in the country, and wanted to leave his shelter to
fiîid her, At the first opportunity he slipped away and
was not seen again.

On his way to the country home he was pointed out to

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

693

the Boxers. They seized him and told him they should
kill him. He asked for a little time to pray, and falling
on his knees he began — " Father forgive them— " but his
prayer was not completed. The knives fell on him as he
knelt and he was hacked to pièces.

One of the married school girls of this sàme Mission
was saved by her husband in this way. In an unfre-
quented spot he built a stone hut leaning against a blank
wall. It was about four feet square on the ground and
six feet high with neither doors nor windows. When the
wife and child were inside he bricked up the entrance,
leaving only an opening for passing in food. Hère the
mother and child remained for six weeks, the husband
going back and forth at the risk of his Hfe to take them
food. Sometimes he was unable to get to them for
twenty-four hours together. The poor Httle child lived
only a short time after they were able to leave the hiding
place, being reduced about to starvation by the scanty
supply of food.

Mr. and Mrs. Chang

One of the ypung preachers of the London Mission,
Mr. Chang, whose wife was a former bright school girl,
took his family to the Methodist Mission when the Chris-
tians were flocking there from ail parts of the city.
Later, not thinking that a safe place, he took them back
to his adopted father's and left them for a short time.
While he was gone the wife, little babe and blind old
mother were turned upon the streets by the landlords.

As Mrs. Chang moved slowly along, guiding the steps
of the blind mother — not knowing where to go, a Boxer
came along, seized her by the sleeve and said " Follow
me ! " While they went along he had a Boxer trance.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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Throwing himself on the ground, he foamed and raved
a short time then rose and pointing a stifï finger at her,
said '' Y ou ersh mao tzu! I will kill you ! " He soon led
her near a city gâte where there was a soldier guard of
about fifty men and not far away several bodies of those
who had been killed.

Mrs. Chang thought she was to be killed and began
praying for strength to bear witness for the Lord to the
end. They began to question her. " Are you a Chris-
tian? " '' I am." " Of what church? " " I am a Prot-
estant." He then offered her a stick of incense and said
" Burn this and your life will be spared." She replied
firmly " Never ! " The crowd which had gathered began
to shout " Kill ! Kill her and see if her body rises again
and goes to Jésus Christ." She turned to them and said
" My body eut into pièces will remain scattered on the
ground like those others, but my spirit will escape you
and rise to the Lord." The Boxer started off to get his
knife. One of the soldiers called out " You hateful
Christian! You ought to die, but what would become
of your child ? Quick ! Run for your life ! "

She trembled so she could scarcely step, but ran as fast
as was in her power and with the soldiers helping her
she escaped before the Boxer returned. Hidden away in
a filthy corner she passed the night. Towards morning
a man came along with a lantern as if looking for some
one. As he drew near she saw it was her husband ! He
had been looking for her sihce noon of the day before.
They got a cart and escaped to a village, where a friend
bought safety by bribing the villagers not to report them.
Later Mr. Chang went to the city to try to find his old
mother, was arrested by the Boxers and murdered, and his
head eut ofï and ofïered to the idol.

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PERSONAL NARRATIVES

695

Christian Students

Wang Chih Shên was a student of the Methodist Uni-
versity, a senior. At the close of the school year he re-
turned to his home at the east. He was well known as
a Christian and was soon seized by the Boxers. They
urged him to recant. He not only refused to do so
but bore testimony before his persecutors to his faith.
They tried to make him stop but he persisted in exhort-
ing them and the crowd about him. They finally eut
off his Hps, then his tongue, and then eut him up hmb
from Hmb till he expired. Perhaps no case of greater
bravery and greater sufifering is known.

Another student when seized and asked " Are you a
Christian ? " first repHed " What would you do with me
if I were?" then said '' Yes, I am a Christian." They
killed him on the spot.

Wu Hsi K'ou was a member of the junior class. He
was taken near Shan Hai Kuan where a heathen adopted
him as a servant. He kept him safely through the stormy
times and when the troops came, gave him clothing and
money and sent him away.

At Tsun Hua the keeper of a tea-shop rescued one of
the school boys, took him home as a son, cared for him
through the time of danger and later when his uncle came
searching for him gave him up safely.

Wên Lan was a former pupil of the girl's school and
was employed as teacher at Tsun Hua. When the church
and school were scattered, she with her grandmother and
a few others fled to the hills. For two days they had no
food. At last they thought they might as well run the
risk of being found by Boxers as of starving to death, so
they gathered sticks and lighted a fire. The smoke be-

696

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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trayed their hiding place. The Boxers came and seized
them.

In their company was a former student of the Univer-
sity who had been employed on the railroad, and had
grown cold in his faith. On the road Wên Lan began
exhorting him in EngHsh to repent and make ready to die.
He tried to stop her as the Boxers would recognize them
as Christians, but she said, " We shall tell them plainly
we are Christians." She encouraged the Httle band to be
faithful to death. When they were about to be executed
she asked to be allowed to speak to the people. It was
permitted and she gave an earnest testimony of her faith,
then said to her companions, " We shall soon be in
heaven," then covered her head with a handkerchief and
said " Kill me now." She died after two blows of the
knife.

Wang Ching Lin had studied medicine, then entered
the regular University course. He was put to death in
the city, and it was reported that his body was eut in six
pièces.

One student helper was seized and urged to recant.
He refused repeatedly. At last they prepared a vessel to
receive his blood, made him kneel over it, and began
carving on his neck slowly. His courage failed him and
he consented to burn the one stick of incense which saved
his life.

Young P'u was a Christian servant who was with the
missionaries, away from his family. His wife was seized
by the Boxers and wounded with a knife. She was a
fine appearing woman and they evidently wanted to spare
her life. They tried to persuade her to become the wife
of one of the Boxers. She refused to do so. They then
shaved her head and put on the garments of a Buddhist

T'i

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

697

nun, but she refused to act in this character. At last
after vainly trying to make her recant, they decided that
nothing was left to do but to kill her. She had two little
children. As she was bound, the older child ran by her
side carrying the younger, begging the Boxers to spare
their mother. They killed the mother and the two chil-
dren on the same spot.

1 .i ,
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Mrs. Ma

During the early days of the outbreak a native catechist
of the AngHcan Church was killed, leaving a wife and
two children. Mrs. Ma disguised herself, took her two
children and hid away in a temple. She was seen by a
friend of her husband, a Mr. Wei, who was very sorry for
her helpless condition. Although he was not a church
member he was in danger from the Boxers because of
friendly relations to foreigners. He had taken the pré-
caution to obtain the good-will of one of the Boxer leaders
as a measure of self-protection. He went to this man
and told of the death of Mr. Ma, begging that if the wife
and children were brought to him he would save their
lives, as onlv Mr. Ma himself was a Christian.

In a short time Mrs. Ma and her children were taken
to the altar and she was questioned. " Are you a Chris-
tian?" " Yes — I am!" The Boxer leader was per-
plexed, and finally had her put into a prison. He wrote
a letter to Mr. Wei asking what it meant that he should
hâve said she was not a Christian while she said she was.
We do not know what further passed between them, but
though Mrs. Ma remained true to her faith she was re-
leased in a few days and allowed to go unharmed.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

Roman Catholic Christians

The refugee Christians of the Protestant Church bear
witness to the faithful manner in which Catholics met
death in many places.

Deacon Hêng said " In one place I saw the death of a
Catholic family. A mother and two children were bound
and led away. A neighbour begged for the younger
child and took it to keep, but the mother and older child
were led away and eut to death. I heard her cry ' O
Lx)rd ! O Lord ! receive my soûl ! ' That soûl truly went
to heaven."

Wên Ts'ui, the young girl saved in Shansi, said that
the Catholics were very brave. The children when led
to death said '' You are bringing us great honour ! This
is our day of great joy ! "

Deacon Li of T'ung Chou told of a Catholic hiding in
disguise who when brought out and questioned confessed
to being a Christian and died for his faith.

Notes of Persécutions of Christians in K'ai P'ing Circuit

English Methodist Mission *

Li Fil, preacher at Ying Kê Chuang. Seized by Boxers
in Lan Chou district ; burned on the back and shoulders
in several places ; stabbed in the stomach, fortunately not
deep enough to cause death ; the back of both heels eut
with knives so that he will be lame as long as he lives;
then bound with ropes so tightly that the marks remain
upon his breast to-day, and conveyed to the Yamen at
Lan Chou. There his persecutors appealed to the magis-
trate to exécute him, but whether from fear or kindness,
he refused to do so, throwing Li Fu into prison, faint and

* Contributed at the request of the author by the Rev. John
Hediey.

iÉI£

PERSONAL NARRATIVES

699

bleeding from his wounds. There he lay for about three
months, cared for only by a fellow prisoner, who washed
his wounds and shared his food with him. Li Fu was
only released from prison when Mr. Hinds returned to
Tientsin in September and wrote to the Lan Chou magis-
trale. The poor fellow sufïered so much in the hands of
his tormentors that he pleaded with them to put him out
of his misery at once, or even to bury him alive. His wife
and children were also very badly treated. Mrs. Li had
lier clothes torn off her back, and with her husband was
bound with ropes on a cart. One child, four years old,
was caught by the feet, and hurled across the court-
yard like a log of wood. Another child received a bullet
in her back, yet not a mortal wound. Li lias since received
a large sum of money as compensation for ail his sufïer-
ings, but proposes to dévote part of it to the building of a
chapel, or the support of a preacher in the district where
he suffered.

Li Shu Chih. Member at Yung P'ing Fu city chapel.
He was caught by the rabble, headed by a wealthy Manchu,
bound and carried to our own chapel where a mock trial
was held. Hère he boldly avowed his Christianity, and,
although appealed to several times, absolutely refused to
recant. He was beaten with 500 stripes, then thrown into
city prison, where after about two months of awful suffer-
ings, he passed away in the faith and hope of the Gospel.

Chang S hou Chên. Preacher at Hsiao Chi. With his
wife and seven other members of his family, burned alive
in their home.

Chang Yu Wen. A lad seventeen years old. Very
earnest member. Resisted so bravely ail temptation to
recant that his body was chopped in pièces, nailed to wall,
and offered for sale at 500 taeîs per pièce — ^^an only child.

At Hê Chuang, thirty li from Yung P'ing Fu, twenty-

•••;»

700

CHINA IN CONVULSION

«■

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three members and probationers were killed, most of
whom had opportunity to recant. Prominent among
those who died were : —

Hê Ming Chang, one of the elders. His wife and little
son also perished. Mr. Hc, with his wife and child, had
escaped to the hills, but was pursued and recaptured. To
ail their offers he refused to listen and was burned alive.
His wife and child were thrown from the précipice by the
brother of Mrs. Hê, who afterward descended and kicked
mother and infant to death.

Yang Lin and wife : Yang Yi Ch'ing, wife and daugh-
ter : Yang Shou : Yang Chimg, one family of seven. Cap-
tured together and carried to a temple. Kept there for
some hours, but unanimously refusing to recant they were
murdered at midnight, their bodies being eut in pièces
and flung apart.

Hsil Yang Hsi and daughter. Sister and nièce of above
Yang Yi Ch'ing. Neither of thèse had been baptised.
Mrs. Hsii was a widow, thirty-two years of âge. An uncle
of her husband's had a grudge against her becausc she
would not marry again, and himself led the Boxers to her
home, where they wounded mother and daughter, and then
drowned them in the River Lan. The uncle took posses-
sion of the property, but after the first visit of missiona-
ries to Yung P'ing Fu, sent deeds, etc., to the preacher.
The magistrate is dealing with this case, and making dis-
position of the land.

Chên Hsi Kung. Teacher at Pai Chia Tien Tze and a
literary graduate. This man's courage and bearing so as-
tonished his persecutors that after killing him they eut
out his heart to see what had given him such fortitude.
The heart was left for some days on a stone in the village.

Chên Jèn Yi. This little fellow, only ten years old, had
been baptised as an infant. The child was caught and

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PERSONAL NARRATIVES

701

asked if he were a Christian, to which he replied that
he was. Asked again if he would forsake Jésus, he re-
fused most boldly and was eut down there and then. Two
brothers and two nephews, although not baptised, died at
the same time.

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XXXVI

FIRE AND SWORD AMONG THE SHANSI CHRISTIANS

ON the I9th of September a native Chinese helper
named Wang Lan P'u arrived in Peking, with
a non-Christian acquaintance who had kindly
corne many hundred miles to see him safely through the
disturbed districts. His story is of great interest,not onlyin
itself, but for the incidental Hght which it sheds upon the
modus in which the almost incredible fanaticism of the
Boxers was introduced, took root, and bore its terrible
fruits ail within the space of a few days, and before any
one could hâve supposed such results possible. Mr.
Wang's story is very similar to another brought but two
days before by Mr. Fei Ch'i Hao, a graduate in 1898 of
the North China Collège of the American Board at T'ung
Chou, who related with extrême circumstantiality the
murder of most of the missionaries in the Tai Yuan Fu
valley. '.

With this introduction we will let Mr. Wang tell his
own story, which was heard in détail by the writer three
différent times, on the last occasion full notes being taken,
and many détails supplied. There was not only no
attempt at embellishment, but his own sufferings and
those of his family were dismissed in a very few sen-
tences, as being too unimportant to be mentioned, or toc
terrible to be dwelt upon.

*' In the fourth moon (in May) there is held hère a
large fair which lasts fifteen days, where many horses and

702

FIRE AND SWORD IN SHANSI

70Z

mules are sold, and excellent theatrical exhibitions are
given, thus attracting enormous crowds. At this fair
the Boxer excitement was propagated, and an attack was
planned upon the chapel of the China Inland Mission,
which was only just completed.

" The local Magistrate, knowing what was going on,
went out himself and drove away the crowds threaten-
ing the attack, using a whip on them till they were dis-
persed. This happened twice, but the third time the mob
was uncontrollable and the Magistrate was himself
beaten, his spectacles knocked off, and his sedan-chair
broken in pièces. This was on Sunday, and the mission-
aries were at the chapel for a service. They escaped to
the roof and then took refuge in the house of a church
member named Chou, who was a carpenter. The rioters
foUowed and pulled the shop down, the Magistrate los-
ing his officiai hat in the scuffle. There was a military
officiai there also, and between them they put the mis-
sionary (whose name was Larsson) and his companion
(who had recently arrived and whose name I do not
know) on a cart, the two Magistrates having whips in
their hands, and riding outside the cart one on each side
to protect the foreigners. The mob foUowed throwing
clumps of dirt and the like, and the curtains of the cart
were torn in pièces.

" It was now noon, and when the missionaries arrived
their clothes had ail been torn to bits, but the Magistrate
gave them other clothes and took them into his yamen,
saying that he would repay them for their losses. This
official's surname was Juan (Rwan) from somewhere in
the south of China. He had a kindness to Christianity
because when he was a child he had been at a Mission
school, and he used often to come into our chapel and
look about.

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CHINA IN CONVULSION

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" The missionaries remained in the yamen two or three
days. At first nobody cared for the foreigners, they were
so occupied in looting the chapel, which was torn down
to the foundations, everything being carried away. Else-
where the chapels were ail burned. The Magistrate sent
the missionaries on to Ying Chou in the night, as the
mob kept coming to the yamen to try to get them. He
lent them his own cart, with a Military Officiai for an
escort, and two soldiers, or runners. For the church-
members he hired a long cart, so that at Hun Yuan none
were killed. At a later period, when they had returned,
they were chased about the city and abused, being daubed
with filth if they would not recant — but not one of them
did so.

" Mr. Karlberg, with whom I worked, and myself
remained at Ying Chou. On the 26th and 27th of the
moon the people began to pray for rain, but the Mag-
istrate thought there would be no trouble in conséquence.
He required those that were going through the rain-
praying cérémonies to register their names — that is, the
leaders — so as to know whom to hold responsible. He
sent for the literati and enjoined them to prevent any
trouble. Soon the leaders of the Boxers arrived at Ying
Chou, inviting coopération in killing foreigners. Even
the children began to learn and practise the drill, and
the whole thing was brought to a head within about
three days. The Magistrate invited Mr. Karlberg and
myself into the yamen, where we remained some days,
but as we went in the night not many knew that we were
there, and there was no external disturbance. Mr.
Karlberg rode on horseback, and reached So P'ing in less
than two days, escorted by men sent from the yamen, and
there was no trouble anywhere.

" On the first day of the 6th moon things became so

'J, -'.'J

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FIRE AND SWORD IN SHANSI

705

bad that the Magistrale wanted me also to get awa}'.
He told me to put on the dress of a yamen confier, gave
me one of the yamen horses, and wrote a dispatch to the
prefect at So P'ing telling the conditions of things. As
bearer of an officiai letter I should be much safer, though
I was well known ail along the road. I also took dis-
patches to the Magistrale at Tso Wei Hsien, the first
county town, where I arrived at dark. I went at once to
the yamen, just in lime to see the chapel there set on fire
by a mob. The church members saw me in the yamen,
and none of them had then been injured. 1 only spent a
part of the night there, as il was unsafe, and slarled very
early the next morning getting Iwenty li before day-
light, escorted by yamen men.

" By the middle of the forenoon I was in So P'ing Fu,
where I went direct to the yamen wilh the horse and to
deliver the dispalches, and then to the mission head-
quarlers to tell the news. Everything was still quiet
there. Four of us went to see the Magistrale. The
Magistrale went over to see the Prefect when we applied
to him, and the latler said, * Do whalever you like about
it,' meaning thaï he did nol care. He is one of the Man-
chus, who ail vioîenlly haled Chrislians, not for any par-
ticular reason, only they had a devil inside which made
them do so. Afler this the Magistrale had no plan of his
own. He was asked for an escort to Kalgan, and
promised to furnish one to the boundaries of his own
country. He ordered five or six caris, for which the price
was agreed, and he paid it ihrough the yamen men.

" We returned to the chapel much pleased thaï there
appeared to be a way of escape, and were busy getting
ready when a mob gathered. In a Irice the door was
forced, and looling began. We saw thaï things were
hopeless, and again fled to the yamen, the Magistrale

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706

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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giving us one small room for ail the missionaries, and
another for the Christians, and they were outside not
inside rooms. His treatment was very perfunctory, and
boded us no good. At this time the crowd had not
become savage; they were fully occupied in looting the
premises. By noon we had reached the yamen, and the
house was soon after burned.

*'It was ingeniously proposed to represent to the people
that I had corne to the city with Impérial Orders just in
from Peking, requiring ail foreigners to be sent there in
manacles. In this way the lives of the prisoners could
be saved from the mob, and when we were clear of the
city and of danger it would be easy to remove the fet-
ters. To this the missionaries agreed as a shrewd device.
A blacksmith was called who made six pairs of hand-
cufïs, one for each of the men. As I had the yamen
horse to take back, and my own family to look after, it
was thought best that I should return to Ying Chou. I
remained in the stable court of the yamen. During this
whole day the missionaries were too excited to eat, and
when they reached the yamen no one ofïered them any-
thing, not even a drink. After I had been asleep some
time, being very much exhausted, I was loudly called out
by name, and everyone saw that mischief was meant. I
could not escape, so I went out and found a great crowd
of Boxers and Manchus, who began to beat me terribly
and dragged me ofï to the still burning chapel to throw
me into the fire.

" It was not long before I lost consciousness entirely,
being half dead and supposed to be entirely so. I learned
afterwards that the Boxers felt me to see if I was really
dead and thinking that I was, they did not care to drag
me the rest of the way simply for the trouble of throw-
ing me into the fire. Besides, two men were standing by

ém

FIRE AND SWORD IN SHANSI

707

■m

who befriended me by using a great deal of conciliatory
language to the Boxers, begging them to let me die where
I was. One of them was from a village near by, the other
a sort of local buUy in the city who had often seen me in
the Street chapel. He was fond of the doctrine, only he
could never make up his mind to repent. They felt my
heart and puise, saw that I had no mortal wound, and
waited by for me to revive, which the night-chill helped
me do. The mob, meantime, had left me, to go back to
the yamen and try to drag the missionaries out to kill
them. There were ten or more Christians there, whom
they beat severely; some of them probably were killed,
but they did not get at the missionaries.

" My benefactors helped me up and took me back to
the yamen, and wanted to lay me inside where I had been
before, but the yamen men would not admit me on any
terms. ' Suppose he should die hère, who would be sup-
posed to hâve killed him?' But they gave the two men
my horse, clothes, bedding, cash-bag, and my dispatch,
and while one of them led my horse the other one carried
me on his back outside the city. Between them they
helped me on the horse, though I was so weak and faint
that unless supported by one while the other led the ani-
mal I could not hâve sat on him. They went with me ail
the way to an inn, where we happened to meet the cook
of the missionary family. We dared not stay there, so
they soon ail helped me on the horse again.

" The cook returned to his home in Fên Chou Fu, and
the man from the city went with me ail the way to the
end of the first day's journey. On the way, at a town
forty li from the city, I met travellers who told me that
that morning thirteen foreigners had been killed near
So P'ing Fu. I heard this at two différent times, and
am sure it is true. They were probably manacled, and

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708

CHINA IN CONVULSION

could make no résistance. I gave the men who escorted
me some clothes for their kindness, as I had no money.
In my feeble condition I was three days in getting to
Ying Chou.

'' When at a town forty li away from there I was told
that it was useless to go back, as the place had been
destroyed on the third of the sixth moon (June 29th).
I heard also that my mother and others had been sent by
the Magistrate in a cart to So P'ing Fu, but that she had
been overtaken by the Boxers half a day's journey distant,
brought back, and herself, with my brother, sister, my
little child and an old lady named Wu (my wife had died
in the second moon) buried ahve. Not only this, but the
head yamen-runner who had escorted them was also
thrown into the fire, the cart burned, the mule killed
and thrown into the flames, as well as the dog and chick-
ens of the yard I lived in. People were not tied, but
just thrown into the fire loose and driven back whenever
they tried to get out. It was a slow and a bitter death,
which I do not like to think of .

" Ail the church members were captured at the same
time, except my brother who used to do a little trade
and sell Christian books on his own account, and was
away from home at the time. The Magistrate was in-
formed of thèse events, and did his best to save the life of
his own yamen servants, but was told that if he pressed
the matter he himself would be thrown into the fire too.

*' Notwithstanding thèse dreadful stories 1 could not
give up the idea of returning to see for myself if this
was true, — and there was the horse to be taken to the
yamen. So I went on by myself. About ten li from the
city a band of forty or more Boxers set on me, and rec-
ognizing me with glee, ordered me to get ofï the horse,
tied me tightly and dragged me on to the city. They

FIRE AND SWORD IN SHANSI

709

called their Head-master of Boxers, who happened to be
a tinker, whose occupation was mending iron kettles. He
could not even read, but now he was a ' Head-master.'
The Magistrate soon had my arrivai reported to him,
and heard that the Head-master was trying the case. The
Magistrate sent a pohte invitation to the Head-master to
corne to him, which he did.

" Then the Magistrate said that he had ail along felt
grave doubts whether thèse were true Boxers, and
whether they could, as pretended, keep out arrows and
bullets. He now proposed to test this. ' Let your men
go through their spells, make themselves invulnérable if
they can, and I will attack them with guns. If you are
not hurt, you may kill the courier Wang in any way
you like; you are true Boxers and I will be one too;
otherwise I shall know that you are not the true Boxers,
and your claim is a fraud.' The Head-master had the
Boxers from one village or région only with him, but
he thought it over, and as it seemed a fair proposition he
assented, but wished himself not to be in the ranks but
to one side, so that he could tell when the Spirits had
really arrived. He also insisted that the test should not
begin until he announced that the Spirits had arrived.
To this the Magistrate agreed.

" By this time it was late at night — nearly midnight —
but, the story having got out, the whole city was there
with torches and lanterns to see the spectacle. There was
a Chên Wu Temple on the city wall, and in front of that
the Boxers were drawn up making their passes in the air
and otherwise practising for the trial.

" Most of the many onlookers were below the wall in a
good position to see. The four yamen men that the Mag-
istrate had appointed to guard me wanted to see and
loosed me, so that we could ail look on together. The

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710

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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Magistrale had given careful directions and looked after
the loading of the guns himself with balls as well as
powder. Foreseeing that there was to be trouble he had
engaged two hundred experts who could fight, wrestle
and shoot, to be his guards, and it was thèse men that he
set against the Boxers. They waited until the Head-mas-
ter cried 'Shcn lai la' (The spirits hâve corne), when the
Magistrale, who had a gun himself, gave the order ' K'ai
ch'iang' (Open fire). Four or five of the Boxers were
killed outright, six or seven were hurt so that they fell
over the city wall, and not a single man among them was
without a wound. Then they ail scattered.

" The Magistrale now summoned me and told me how
he had been unable to protect his own yamen headman,
and that it was not safe for me to remain. He gave me
twenty ounces of silver and some brass cash, logether
with an officiai letler which I was to take to T'ai Yuan
Fu (where I expecled to go), mainly as a protection to
me in travelling. Although very unfil to ride a horse
or even to move al ail, I went away that night. We then
knew nolhing aboul the altitude of the Governor loward
the missionaries, or I should never hâve thought of going
in that direction.

" Afler aboul ihirly li I gol into serions trouble.
There was a crowd al a large village who suspecled me,
and were sure that I was a follower of foreigners. They
accused me of having little figures of men cul oui of yel-
low paper, and foreign bewildering medicines aboul me,
and searched me to see. In this way they found my
silver, and also the officiai letler. Il was nolhing but the
latter that saved my life. Then the crowd was divided,
some crying : ' Kill him anyway and be done with him ; '
while the rest said : ' He is a courier, let him go on his
officiai roule; it is none of our business.' In this way

FIRE AND SWORD IN SHANSI

they wrangled for a whole half day, and some well-
intentioned people spoke a good word for me. In almost
every mob there are some of this kind; not ail are the
very worst.

" I learned afterwards, what I did not then suspect, tliat
there was a little party who privately agreed that it was
best to let me go, and then they would pursue me on their
own accomit, rob and kill me, and divide the silver
among them. I went on as far as I could, and had got
seven or eight li when some men came running after me,
crying out that I must leave the big road and take a
byway, for there was a band of men just behind intend-
ing to chase and kill me, who were armed with swords and
guns. This perplexed me very much, and I was not sure
but this was a plot to kill me. They were very urgent,
so I yielded, and left the road where there was a pass in
front and a mountain near. It was not a cart road, but
for pack-mules only. I came to a village and begged
them to let me rest there for a time, but they would hâve
nothing to do with me.

''But at another small village an old man was kind to
me, and advised me against going to T'ai Yuan Fu, which
was 800 or 900 li, while it was only 600 or so to Pao
Ting Fu, the capital of Chihli. Hère I stayed for three
days until the pursuers would hâve ail gone back, and
then I made a détour around the mountain and regained
the main road. After this I went to Wu T'ai Hsien,
where the famous mountain is, escorted by a man who
was sent by my village friends, with whom I had to share
my silver, so that I had very little left. Beyond this, at a
place called Tai Ving, I met the Boxers again, and was
once more examined. Hère I told a différent story from
the former one, and said I was a trader returning home. I
had torn up the officiai document which would now havc

■m\

712

CHINA IN CONVULSION

1 1 ' ;

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implicated me. Not to hâve told différent stories at dif-
férent times would hâve been impossible ; there was really
no help for it. Finding that Boxers were worse and
worse the further on I went, I resolved to turn back into
the mountains again, 120 H to a city named Fu P'ing. I
did not then know the characters, but as ' Fu ' means hap-
piness, and ' P'ing ' peace, I thought the Lord v^as open-
ing a way to both, and though the first character was
v^^rong, I did get relief. I told my story to the inn-keeper,
and he advised me to do a little trading with what small
funds I had left.

" There was a neighbour of his who knew how to make
twisted dough-nuts fried in oil, and I got to know him,
gave ail my things to him as security, and did a small
business in this way with him for more than two months.
There were no Boxers at ail in that plac^. When it
came to the 8th moon, I thought I might go on. In
that time I had cleared a string and a half of cash, and
bought a good many things besides. I had no adven-
tures on the way to Pao Ting Fu, and there I heard that
ail the foreign buildings had been burned, and many
church members killed. I did not hear of the murder of
any foreigners there. On the way to Peking the Sikh
soldiers took away the money of myself and the man who
came down with me. It is ^ great joy to me to see so
many Christians together again, and to tell and to hear
of the Lord's mercies."

la: ; ; <È

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Note — The following are the names of the missionaries mur-
dered at So P'ing Fu, so far as known- —

Of the Swedish Union, Mr. and Mrs. S A. Persson. Mr. N.
Carleson, Mr. O. A. L. Larsson, Mr G. E. Karlberg, Miss J.
Lundell, Miss J. Engvall, Miss M. Hedlund, Miss A. Johannsson.

Of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Mr. and Mrs. C.
Blombergand child.

XXXVII

A TWELVE-MONTH OF FOREIGN OCCUPATION

IMMEDIATELY after the siège was raised, Peking
was divided among the armies of invasion for pur-
poses of patrol and as a base for possible opérations
elsewhere. The Russians and the Japanese appeared to
hâve the largest number of troops, but as the coming
and going was incessant, no accurate statements were pos-
sible for more than a day at a time.

In about a month it was suddenly announced that the
Russian forces were to be withdrawn, and, soon after, the
Russian Légation actuaîly departed for Tientsin, where
it remained for a short time and then returned, its lead
not being followed by any other Power. It was évident
that the occupation of Manchuria was causing a great
deal of trouble, and that if other armies could be per-
suaded to leave Peking at the suggestion of Russia, the
latter would gain the crédit for doing China a good turn,
while at the same time serving her own interests.

For the remaining months, untiî the end of the year,
there was an increasing séries of military expéditions in
every direction from Tientsin and from Peking, some
of which were on a large scale and fully reported, while
others attracted little attention. The one which was
of the chief interest was that to Pao Ting Fu, starting
both from Tientsin and Peking, the intention being to
arrive simultaneously. The resuit illustrated the inhérent

713

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714

CHINA IN CONVULSION

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weakness of a campaign in which eight distinct sets of
armies bore a hand. The French from Tientsin arrived
just a week before the British, the German, and the Ital-
ian contingent, and it was currently reported that they
exacted a heavy " ransom " on their own account for
sparing the city. Whether this is true it appears impos-
sible to ascertain with certainty. Military opérations
anywhere are hard to follow and the facts difficult to
verify. In this case they are at least eight times as ob-
scure as usual, and some of them do not appear to be
objects of knowledge at ail.

It was soon perceived that if any one first-class Power
had been dealing with China, progress would hâve been
definite and steady. In the case of two Powers, the de-
lays were twice as great and the progress twice as slow.
With three Powers the friction was so much increased
that the pace was diminished by a still larger percentage ;
and by the time that ail eight armies had to be reckoned
with, it becomes a complex and practically insoluble prob-
lem whether the decrease of efficiency has been inversely
as the square of the number of Powers involved, or as
the cube of the number of Major-Generals.

At Pao Ting Fu an investigation w^as held into the
behaviour of the Provincial Treasurer, Ting Jung, who
had been the patron of the Boxer movement for the whole
year. As a resuit of that trial, he was condemned
to be beheaded, together with the Tartar General of the
City and the Lieutenant-Colonel of the camp, who had
refused protection to foreigners, and whose soldiers had
stood idly by while the burning of the Mission premises
and the slaughter of missionaries was in progress. Of
ail the acts of the military since the capture of Peking,
this is the one most righteous in itself and most salutary
in its resuit, yet it has been perversely criticised as a

T W-

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

715

bloodthirsty cry for " vengeance," unworthy of Western
nations I

The German expédition to Kalgan, four days to the
northwest of Peking, was widely known by reason of the
accidentai suffocation of one of the high military officers
by the fumes of charcoal. What it amounted to it would
be difficult to say with précision. There was a raid in the
direction of the Impérial Tombs, for moral effect, with
results hard to summarize beyond the exaspération of the
Chinese and the demoralization of the troops. It is al-
ways a délicate matter to keep soldiers under control
when in an enemy's country.

The circumstances of the Boxer uprising appear to
hâve convinced the commanders of the armies of in-
vasion that the rules of international law had no appli-
cation to China at that time. There is, moreover, a con-
tagious demoralization of fighting men when they per-
ceive others acting in a lawless manner. War is itself
a repeal of law ; and of the extent to which it shall be
abrogated the soldiers themselves must to a large ex-
tent be judges. If this, or anything like it, was true of
the larger expéditions sent out incessantly, it was far
more so of those minor raids of which the public knows
little or nothing.

It would be a gross misrepresentation to affirm that
ail the commanders or ail the soldiers of any section of
the allied armies hâve been lawless and violent, for in
that case the results wou4d hâve been such as took place
along the banks of the Amur River, where helpless, in-
offensive villagers by the thousand were slaughtered and
their bodies thrown into the broad stream until it was
positively choked with them. But armies, like indivîd-
uals, will be judged, not by the best but by the worst
which they hâve donc; and in this case the worst must

• liT

7i6

CHINA IN CONVULSION

be admitted to hâve been very bad indeed. There hâve
been times when it has seemed as if the foreign troops
had corne to northern China for the express purpose of
committing within the shortest time as many violations
as possible of the sixth, the seventh, and the eighth Com-
mandments. The combined resuit has been such a state
of chaos in many districts as is at once incredible and
indescribable. Of the promiscuous murder of non-com-
batants there is overwhelming évidence, whicli need not
be cited. The only defence of this which is ordinarily
made is to reply : " Oh yes, of course, war is always like
that — what do you expect it to be ? "

Of the looting and wholesale robbery with violence,
both in expéditions and in districts which hâve been vis-
ited by small military parties, much has been written,
but it will be long before the whole terrible catalogue of
crimes is known. Long lists of the exactions made on
Chinese officiais and cities could be (and hâve been) made
out, showing that the total sums extorted for alleged
" protection " and " ransom " hâve been sufficient to im-
poverish the country for a long period. In some instances
the same cities and towns hâve been visited repeatedly
with reduplicated demands; and the fact that the expedi-
tionary " sphères of influence " bave been vaguely de-
fîned and imperfectly regarded, so that the same city
might be raided by différent sets of soldiers, has made the
condition of large régions more or less anarchie.

Two expéditions should be mentioned which stand out
especially as examples of what has been already men-
tioned, each under the conduct of the Germans. Of thèse
the first was to Ts'ang Chou, a city about sixty miles
south of Tientsin, on the Grand Canal. The Magistrate
of the city had always been friendly to the foreigners,
who had just removed the station of the London Mission

'/.Sligr

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

717

to the vicinity and put up extensive buildings. The Clii-
nese military officer in charge of the ChihU troops was
General Mei, who was not only on the best of terms with
the various foreigners living in that part of the province,
but had made it his principal business for the greater
part of the previous twelve months to fight the Boxers
whenever and wherever they could be found, and had
probably done more to defeat, disperse, and discourage
them than any other man in China.

The Germans made a raid upon Ts'ang Chou, plun-
dered the yamens of the Magistrate and that of General
Mei, who prudently retired to a distance upon their ap-
proach. They released ail the Boxer prisoners whom they
found in the city jail, returning to Tientsin in triumph,
whence a despatch was sent to Shanghai informing the
world of " A Successful Attack," saying that " the Ger-
mans hâve routed General Mei's forces at Ts'ang Chou,
looted his baggage, and killed forty-three men."

To those cognizant of the facts this inexcusable folly
boded no good for the denizens of such territory as may
hereafter come under German rule in Shantung or else-
where. Is it any wonder that General Mei is said to
hâve complained that " on ail eight sides I hâve no face
[self-respect and respect of others] left? "

In the district city of Yung Ch'ing Hsien, between
Tientsin and Peking, where Messrs. Norman and Robin-
son were killed early in June, the Germans made a visit
and killed nearly a hundred and fifty persons, with no
loss to themselves, under circumstances so indefensible
that the British remitted the monetary fines which had
been imposed on the city, and employed the money in re-
lieving the acute distress caused by the barbarity of the
Germans ! When attention was called to thèse and
numerous similar acts of the Germans, their militarv au-

■%>

l J

Ili

718

CHINA IN CONVULSION

thorities were greatly stirred up against Dr. Morrison,
the correspondent of the London " Times," who had first
formulated the feelings of those acquainted with the facts.
The resuit is supposed to hâve been, not the threatened
" court martial " of Dr. Morrison, who had purposely
understated the facts, but the imposition of a certain
amount of restraint upon German military action.

As the resuit of ail that gloomy winter one of the
lessons which hâve been impressed upon the Chinese in
varied but convincing forms is the moral inferiority of
foreigners to Chinese. This the Chinese had always
known and believed, but had never been able to demon-
strate.

Many years ago a son of Li Hung Chang, while under
a foreign instructor in Tientsin told him that his father
had once said that formerly he himself had supposed
Westerners as a whole to be more honest and more truth-
ful than Chinese, but his long and intimate expérience of
their ways had taught him the opposite. And, indeed, in
the item of struggles for contracts with the Chinese Gov-
ernment, the Syndicates who had need to deal with the
Viceroy, hâve not invariably illustrated the highest qual-
ities of the civilization whence they sprung.

But with the occupation of China by foreign armies the
veil — if there was one — has been torn away. The extçnt
of the lawlessness committed by Western troops in China
has probably been greatly exaggerated in the reports to
the press, but the conditions at the beginning were hor-
ribly bad, though they steadily improved, partly no doubt
in conséquence of the " bright sunlight of publicity "
which is nowhere without its déterrent force.

Making ail abatements, however, the impression upon
the Chinese, who only know or can know the facts through
the repercussion of rumour and through distorted native

' '"'*• ww\

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

719

journalistic média, is distinctly to lower the not too high
estimate which the Chinese had previously placed upon
Western character and morals. For them there is a
simple and easy explanation — foreigners hâve never en-
joyed the blessing of a thorough mastering of the contents
of the Four Confucian Books, and the Five Confucian
Classics. While they recognize with clearness that the
worst that has happened in China is but a fraction of
what the Chinese would hâve themselves perpetrated in
any foreign country which they might hâve overrun, the
fact that Western nations hâve always assumed the moral
inferiority of the Chinese, and hâve posed as their in-
structors, not in abstract principles only but in their daily
exemplification, has added to the sting of the disillusion.

The Chinese hâve also been enabled by thèse months
of foreign occupation distinctly to perceive what ail dis-
cerning persons predicted, that foreigners hâve no adé-
quate talents for dealing with the Chinese on a large
scale. The ancient and compact civilization of China
has been in opération for millenniums, and there is a
way and a rule for everything. The Westerner cornes
in with calm confidence that he will show them a thing
(or perhaps two), and he does. The Chinese adapt them-
selves to the sinuosities of the Occidental tempérament as
the water fits the boat which rushes through it, or as the
air closes about the flying projectile. But when the boat
or the bullet has passed, the water and the air are in situ,
ready for any number more of the same kind.

Despite the jaunty way in which even tliose of long
expérience in China and the Far East speak of the facil-
ity of governing China through foreign hands, and al-
ways cite " India " in évidence, it is plain to the dis-
criminating observer that there is really no just analogy
between the two. India is a muséum of races and lan-

il (

^^^, ...

y 20

CHINA IN CONVULSION

)-\

guages, while China is essentially a unit in its ideas and
its ideals, as well as in its history, language, and insti-
tutions. It ought to be understood by this time that
without the consent of the Chinese themselves no Power
on earth can really rule them, though many Powers may
overrun and endeavour to control them. If the Chinese,
during this year of stress and strain hâve succeeded in
finding out what " the Powers " want to do with the
Chinese Empire when it is within their combined " sphère
of influence," they hâve learned more than any one else
knows or for some time to come is Hkely to know.

The inévitable division among foreign councils has been
famihar to the Chinese ever since they hâve known for-
eigners at ail, and the Chinese and the Turkish Govern-
ments hâve united (and competed) in their capacity and
talent for making the most effective use of that fact
against them ail. But the phenomena of the past year,
when ail the Powers had the greatest possible motives
for combination, which lasted until the Légations were
relieved (and no longer), hâve taught the Chinese anew
that in disunion is feebleness.

That China will escape from much that at first appeared
inévitable as a punishment is as certain as that eleven
différent Nations hâve been worrying at her doors, await-
ing the settlement of their claims and due '* guarantees "
for the future. The Chinese can and will give them ail,
for in that line they hâve seldom failed, and in this hour
of their greatest distress are not likely to do so. An in-
dividual Chinese will and does make the most abundant
promises, when he is in trouble, as to what he will do if
only he is allowed another day of grâce. The Chinese
Government, which has been in a tighter place than any
of its subjects ever imagined it could be, can do no othcr
than adopt this policy, while the " experts " show in what

îl

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

721

way this can be accomplished — as very possibly it can be.
Whether it will be, is another matter, for the future, even
in the fixed and immobile Orient, is full of pleasant sur-
prises. Still, like the cheerful Chinese, we shall hope for
the best, and will await the resuit with what patience we
may.

The Empress Dowager has recently been issuing the
most admirable Impérial Edicts on the subject of the
protection of missionaries and of converts. " The failure
to do this last year was contrary to our wish often ex-
pressed, and hence many heads hâve fallen. Hereafter
there must be no failure in this direction." How repent-
ant this sounds, and how hollow as the supple bamboo,
which yields to the strongest pressure in any given direc-
tion, and upon removal of the same instantly résumes its
former position !

At Washington it is the fashion to look at the Chinese
situation through the colored glasses furnished by the
clever Mr. Wu, whose présence abroad at this crisis is to
China the greatest stroke of good fortune. It is easy for
him to represent that the Chinese Government is more
than ready to take over the functions of office everywhere,
and that it is quite capable of keeping order. But it
cannot possibly be comprehended in Western lands
how utterly the, Government of China is dépendent upon
the temper of the officiais and of the people to get its
orders executed. The great storm which has swept over
the face of China was raised by complex and long-con-
tinued causes, but it will not subside in a month nor in
a year, and, unless ail signs are deceptive, the tranquillity
which will be everywhere reported after an interval will
frequently be found to be only superficial.

During the period in January and February when the
Court seemed to be hesitating to grant the irrévocable de-

1.1

:s -

m ■'

,■1-

! *•: :.'

722

CHINA IN CONVULSION

mands for the punishment of the more important guilty
parties, the influence of that hésitation is known to hâve
been felt immediately in the military camps in Shantung,
under the command of Governor Yuan Shih K'ai. They
were apparently ordered to be ready to march northward
at an early day, and it was popuîarly supposed that a
large body of southern troops had been somewhere gath-
ered to support the advance, which was to be a death-
struggle with the foreigner. Even if the army was
beaten, it would at least make the whole country a waste,
and so useless to the invader. While this was probably
mère rumour, or at most a préparation for a possible con-
tingency, and perhaps nothing but empty bluster, in
either case it equally showed the determined bent of the
Chinese mind.

The wild passions which hâve been raised are not to be
spirited out of existence by a mère edict announcing that
peace has been arranged for ail within the Four Seas,
for the facts which underlie the troubles hâve been at
last ground into the Chinese national consciousness as
never before. It is a significant circumstance that, si-
multaneously with this military programme, the Shantung
Boxers hâve again begun to assert themselves, holding a
formai gun-drill (such as last year announced actual hos-
tilities) at a village within twenty miles of the home
of the writer of thèse lines. That fact was accompanied
by the open proclamation of an intention to résume the
opérations of last year, under the directions of the " Great
Fairy," who superintended them. This dignitary has of-
ficially informed the Boxers that in the previous out-
breaks they had squandered their opportunity by requir-
ing ransom money, and by the spoliation of the houses of
Christians, whereas this time ail that was to be absolutely
forbidden, and in the new attack every Christian was to

^^'

■■-■ :Q ■'

VICI-MTV UF LEGATION STREET, PEKING

rr?^

•-!" fPJî?

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

723

be killed, as well as the chickens and the dogs, that there
might be no root left alive when the grass should be
eut up.

Thèse renewed attempts, with the wide-spread brig-
andage that attends them, may be purely local. But they
are not the less worthy of notice as an indication of what
many of the Chinese would like to do were it within their
power. There is no reasonable doubt of the intentions
of Governor Yuan and other officers like-minded, but hère
again we must reckon with the " personal équation " on
an enormous scale. No Chinese and no Manchu, what-
ever his rank, can conduct the work of his position against
the united opposition of his subordinates. As the Chi-
nese saying goes, " One can manage with Pluto, but it is
with the small devils that the trouble cornes." Yuan has
issued the most stern proclamations, ofifering incentives
and positive rewards for the total suppression of troubles
with foreigners for a period of three years, but in many
districts thèse proclamations remain unposted, and the
people are left in ignorance of his utterances.

Another feature of the past twelve-month has been the
manœuvring of China's great antagonist, Russia, to play,
as at other times, the rôle of benevolent protector. The
American public, especially, dislikes to entertain the small-
est suspicion that it does not apprehend the basai facts
of the Chinese situation to such an extent as to render
the usual snap judgment safe. But it is not strange that
the peculiar relations between the Chinese and the Rus-
sian Empires should not hâve been forced upon the notice
of the Americans. To an unprejudiced spectator it is
clear that no foe ever so gravely threatened the exist-
ence of the Chinese Government as Russia has donc and
is still doing, yet the Chinese. while shrewd observers and
gifted with remarkable insight into motives and inten-

7^4

CHINA IN CONVULSION

tions, show little apparent perception of the real con-
dition of their Empire as related to their colossal neigh-
bour. Sometimes Chinese statesmen, when asked how it
is that they hâve drifted into this condition, simply reply,
" What could we do to prevent it? " — an inquiry to which
it is not easy to formulate a satisfactory answer.

Ail the world was aroused during the early spring to
the gravity of the situation in regard to Russian domina-
tion of Manchuria, although what the world proposes to
do about it finally, other than to send Notes and to pro-
pose inquiries, is not apparent. Yet the situation is not
inherently différent from what it has been for some years,
except that the folly of the Chinese, in their wanton at-
tacks on Russian cities and settlements, put the handle
of the sword into the hands of Russia, to use a Chinese
phrase — an advantage which, whatever other Powers may
say or do, she is not likely to surrender.

Ever since the conclusion of the war with Japan in the
spring of 1895 such a state of things was distinctly fore-
shadowed, but nothing was then done about it. Lord
Charles Beresford published in his literary weighty volume
on " The Break-up of China," the protests handed to him
by the représentatives of the British Municipal Council
of Tientsin, who informed him that at that time Man-
churia was practically a Russian province. This was at
least a brevet fact, if it had not then been promoted to
the dignity of past history, but no attention seems to hâve
been paid to it in our own country, except noting the
statement.

Hère is a door the closing of which will make a différ-
ence of unknown millions of dollars in American trade,
and that door shows signs of being forcibly slammed shut.
The State Department at Washington then secures writ-
ten affirmations, from a great variety of sources, that each

0* '

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

725

of the Powers approves in theory and wiîl support in
practice the plan of fastening the door open on equal terms
to ail. No one Power more cordially assents to this prop-
osition than Russia. It is exactly in the line of her policy,
her wishes, and her practice. We were ail delighted to
hâve American diplomacy score a decided and a unique
triumph, impossible to other Powers with a less pro-
nouncedly altruistic history ; and essays on " The Open
Door in China " filled the journals for many months.
Meantime Russia goes on with her préparations, and
when the heaven-sent fatuity of the Boxers gives the
golden opportunity, she knocks out the chocks, slams the
door, puts the key in her military chest, posts a strong
guard in the province, warns off ail others, draws up an
agreement of a stringent character with China in the
face of ail the Powers, smiles blandly at the Anglo-Ger-
man agreement, with which she is in full harmony, and
cordially sympathizes with the dictum of Daniel Web-
ster that "the past, at least, is secure."

The formai and merely nominal retirement of Russia
from her claims for the signature of the Manchurian Con-
vention may be laid to the partial agreement of some of
the Powers most nearly concerned, as well as to the unex-
pected expression of Chinese sentiment ail over the Em-
pire, which it is certainly not to the interest of Russia to
antagonize. That the disavowal of hostile intentions on
the part of the great Empire of the North means any-
thing more than the usual temporizing, until the times are
more favourable, no one probably believes, whatever for
diplomatie purposes he may say to the contrary. It is
an ancient and a signiftcant Chinese adage that " A mon-
key's hand drops no dates," and the same generalization
applies to bears — especially to the species which has
learned to be fond of Chinese dates. Every friend of

; (

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Ij^-

!<»«

726

CHINA IN CONVULSION

China and of Japan must sympathize with the difficult
position of the latter (as well as the former), forced to
choose a time for the inévitable conflict, the outcome of
which no human intelhgence can foresee.

The Hst of punishments demanded by the Powers upon
guilty officiais in conséquence of their complicity in the
atrocities of last year, is surprisingly small in the eyes
of the Chinese themselves, the number of those to be ex-
ecuted embracing less than fifteen persons, although about
240 defenceless and innocent men, women and children,
of several nationalities, were deliberately massacred by
officiai orders, largely in yamens or by soldiers detailed
for the purpose. The ostentations leniency of the Rus-
sians is a strange exhibition from a nation which could
tolerate the savage butchery of innocent Chinese on the
banks of the Amur River.

When it is remembered what thèse men hâve done,
and with what savage brutality many of them hâve plotted
to exterminate every foreigner in their jurisdiction, it
is évident to every one acquainted with the conditions
that in the New China, that ought to ensue after peace
negotiations hâve been completed, such officiais ought not
for a moment to be tolerated. The cry which appears to
be so popular in the United States, that to demand the
capital punishment of less than two score Chinese offi-
ciais as a partial expiation of the deliberate crime of the
Chinese Government is an exhibition of '' bloodthirsti-
ness," betrays a hopeless incapacity to comprehend the
real conditions in China, and, what is of more import-
ance, to grasp the aspects in which the matter must pré-
sent itself to the Chinese mind.

If Western Powers, whether moved by sentimentality
or by a désire to trade upon the supposed good will of the
Chinese, to be gained by minimizing the guilt of the

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

727

guilty, are to slur over the past and deal weakly with
those who are not only criminals in our eyes but in those
of the Chinese themselves, the inévitable resuit must be
to reawaken in ail Chinese officiais and people alike a
thorough contempt for Westerners who are so easily
hoodwinked. The Chinese will attribute the resuit to
every motive but the real one, and will certainly think and
feel that Powers who hâve held the sword in hand so long,
and yet hâve failed to employ it as Chinese know that
it ought to be employed, are not to be dreaded in the fu-
ture; and it is a moral certainty that the Chinese will act
in accordance with this view.

There was a spécial incongruity in this false sympathy
for Chinese wrong-doers when the Powers were governing
the cities of Tientsin, Pao Ting Fu, and Peking, and were
inflicting punishments upon Chinese miscreants in accord-
ance with Chinese law, without référence to Western
codfes. The Germans particularly are reported,.,ie'''Kave
eut of-^lie heads of many hundred Chijiese'^thin their
jurisdiction7""Tïl^y of them for^^tojfutely trivial offenses.
This is regardea""ïb«i^ simp].3f'^'"question of military admin-
istration, and no netic^ whatever seems to be taken of
it, while the^^€ftlement ortki^ penalties for the great in-
ternatipnât crime of 1900 is hifïidered from sources the
most opposite, through selfishness ancf^entimentality.

In this connection it is well to mention that renewed
attention has just been called in the foreign press of China
to the terrible nature of the sufferings to which the mar-
tyred missionaries were in many cases subjected. The
matter is a painful and a délicate one, especially in the
case of the ladies, but the suspicion that there is an effort
to suppress the facts, lest the knowledge of them should
lead to restrictions upon missionary work in the interior,
has only led to the publication of the most terribly shock-

Ib;

728

CHINA IN CONVULSION

'Il

-IS

ing détails, said to hâve been obtained from the lips of
eye-witnesses. It is undoubtedly better that the whole truth
should be known, for it must sooner or later corne to the
surface, and it is only by a calm contemplation of ail the
facts that a wise conclusion can be reached as to what
ought to be done to prevent a récurrence of similar
atrocities.

The prospect for such prévention is by no means as
hopeful as it should be. For ten months this part of
China has practically been embarked upon a foreign fleet,
tossing about in a stormy sea. Now the time has arrived
when the passengers and crew must be transferred back
to the old unseaworthy Chinese junks in which they were
before. The gangways are ail down, the water is full of
small sampans waiting to take men and cargo, but there
is so much of a swell that the exchange is not an easy
one to effect, and some will probably get drowned.

The very first step toward the safe transfer is the re-
turn of the court to Peking. But that the Emperor
should return alone, though much desired by foreigners
and by the most patriotic Chinese, seems not to hâve been
suggested. This means, the Occidental reader will do
well to bear in mind, that the relation of the Empress
Dowager to the Chinese Government — a relation of essen-
tial identity — is exactly what it was when one year ago
she gave the order to fire upon the Légations. It is not
known that the question of her right to rule the Empire
which she has brought to the verge of ruin and disrup-
tion has been so much as seriously considered.

The most melancholy feature of a situation full of
varying shades of colour, with a prédominance of the
darker ones, is that the Powers hâve taken no notice what-
ever of the déposition of the rightful Emperor, of the
fact that his présent anomalous relations to the Govern-

-5 3

■•<; ,5-7

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

729

ment of his Empire are unsatisfactory and fraught with
péril, that the recognized Heir Apparent is a youth desti-
tute of character, whose assumption of power would prob-
ably complète the ruin of the country within a year, and
that the Empress Dowager, who has brought this condi-
tion of things upon China and the World, still holds the
scepter undisputed and irrésistible.

It is vain to cherish the fiction that thèse circumstances
hâve no relation to anything which the Powers can do.
It is thèse conditions which hâve brought the présent
crisis, and to ignore them is to invite future disaster, as
is clearly foreseen and constantly predicted by the dis-
cerning. Yet as a year ago at this time, nothing is done
about the périls visibly imminent, and the hopeless dis-
agreement of the Powers probably renders action of real
unity impossible.

The Rev. Timothy Richard has visited Peking at the
request o-f the Governor of Shansi and the Chinese Peace
Commissioners, and has drawn up a scheme for the settle-
ment of the Protestant cases in that province which is so
conspicuously fair and just (and so utterly in contrast
to the Roman Catholic demands) that the Chinese press
comments upon it with uniform approbation. In consid-
ération of the fact that the people were acting under
orders in their riots of last year, he suggests that one
Boxer leader in each district be punished as a warning;
that the losses of converts be provided for and pro-
vision made for widows and orphans ; that the province
raise half a million taels, one-tenth to be paid each year,
for the establishment of schools to enlighten the people
of Shansi, thus avoiding delusions in the future — one
educated foreigner and one educated Chinese to manage
the business ; monumental stones to be erected wherever
converts were killed ; the officiais, gentry, scholars, and

CHINA IN CONVULSION

:? V

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;Ti5"' ~

HJ:-

people to receive courteously missionaries whenever again
sent, and apologize for the past; equal treatment to be
granted converts and non-converts in everything; and
fists to be kept of the names of rioters, that they may be
punished if they again offend. Thèse principles hâve
been agreed to by the représentatives of the Protestant
societies working in Shansi — the China Inland Mission,
the American Board, the English Baptist, the Gospel
Mission, and an independent organization.

Thèse suggestions were submitted to Li Hung Chang,
who is said to hâve been exceedingîy pleased with the
modération of the demands, exclaiming that never yet
had there been in China such an enUghtened and moderate
gentleman as Dr. Richard had shovvn himself to be, and
that if thèse suggestions were put into efifect there would
be no more missionary troubles in the Empire. Dr. Rich-
ard's long résidence in Shansi — from 1876 to 1886 — his
dévotion and tact in distributing famine relief at the be-
ginning of that period, his cordial relations with officiais
from the Governor down, and his wide réputation as the
best known and most représentative Protestant missionary
in China, combine to give his recommendations great
weight.

Représentatives of nine of the important missionary
societies in China hâve recently issued, both in English
and in Chinese, a " Statement " in regard to the con-
nection between missionaries and the présent crisis. It
is of the nature of an explanation, and incidentally a de-
fence, and has attracted favourable comment from the lead-
ing foreign journaîs of Shanghai for its conspicuous fair-
ness and modération of language. A paragraph from an
article in the " North China Daily News " dealing with
it should be quoted : " The charge that missionaries hâve
manifested an improper désire to see vengeance donc on

DR. AMENT RECEIVING VILLAGE DEPUTATION

s'fsiçi" V-

FOREIGN OCCUPATION

731

the perpetrators of last year's outrages is, except in pos-
sible isolated cases, as unfounded as Mark Twain's ig-
norant charges against Dr. Ament and his coUeagues in
Peking and its vicinity. Men who hâve examined the
whole question with an honest désire to arrive at the truth
without préjudice or partiality allow that the behaviour
of the missionaries as a body has not only been above
reproach, but worthy of praise and gratitude. They
hâve been anxious, as we hâve ail been anxious, to see
outrages such as those of last year made impossible in the
future, and as long as human nature is what it is, men
must be deterred from crime by the conviction that it
will be followed by punishment ; and not to hâve punished,
and punished severely, the culprits of last year, would
hâve been to invite a répétition of their crimes."

It is a hopeful circumstance that Minister Conger will
soon be on his way out again. It is simply a fact that at
the présent time there is no other man who can take his
place, or who ought to take it. Like ail the other Minis-
ters, he did not foresee the coming cyclone in China, but
when it came he proved a tower of strength, not to Amer-
icans only, but to the common defence — a service ill
requited by the theory prévalent at Washington that be-
cause his insight was so much greater and more accurate
than that of any one in Washington, his " mind was af-
fected ! " As Président Lincoln desired more Gênerais
who drank the *' whisky " to which General Grant was
alleged to be addicted, so the United States Légations
abroad would do well to lay in a stock of Ministers who
hâve the common sensé and the manliness of Mr.
Conger.

It is incidentally a gratification to many whose sensé
of justice has been outraged by the captious criticisms of
those with neither knowledge nor candour to compre-

732

CHINA IN CONVULSION

hend existing conditions, to see that Mr. Conger has not
hesitated to take the responsibility for his own advice con-
sistently given to American citizens acting in times of
storm and stress. He has comprehensively replied to ail
the current criticism by the remark : '' I am prepared to
justify the conduct of the missionaries before the siège,
during the siège, and after the siège."

It is well for the friends of those moral reforms without
which the régénération of this Empire is utterly impossi-
ble, to bear in mind that existing conditions do not alter
our duty to China, but only modify présent action. If
anything is certain it is that there is to be in some form
a new China. For that we shouîd watch, and perhaps
wait, but not idly nor as those without hope. Ail mission
methods should be re-examined, as ships are overhauled
in the dry-docks, but always with référence to a new and
a longer voyage than the last.

XXXVIII

THE OUTLOOK

THE questions arising in conséquence of the Con-
vulsion in China are too numerous and too com-
prehensive to be recapitulated in a closing chap-
ter, even if from a single point of view they could ail be
understood. In the preceding pages an effort has been
made to point out some of the remoter underlying and
predisposing causes of this great movement, which in
the peculiar condition existing was an inévitable part of
the évolution of the international relations of mankind.
Other nations were driven toward intercourse with China
by an impulse which they could no more resist than the
waters of the océan can withstand the pull of the moon,
clearly recognizing that no nation has either the right or
the power to refuse such intercourse. As a resuit China
was forced into relations with the West, unwillingly ac-
cepting treaties which she intended to keep only while
they could not be evaded or broken.

Had the Occidental Powers invariably observed the
far-reaching rule of Lord Elgin never to make an unjust
demand and never to retreat from a just demand once
made, China would hâve been peacefully coerced into
right relations with the rest of the World, to her own
unspeakable benefit and ours. As it was, the impact of
Western Nations on China was met by unvarying évasion,
duplicity, falsehood, arrogance, and an intolérable inso-

733

734

CHINA IN CONVULSION

lence which from time to time brought on conflicts, and
always with the same ultimate results.

The occurrences of the year 1900 displayed upon a great
scale the emptiness of those Chinese pretensions which
hâve never been and are not y et abandoned. They hâve
also exhibited, notwithstanding the universal prevalence
of a lofty System of theoretical moraHty, a " dauntless
mendacity," a barbarie cruelty, and a colossal pride, un-
exampled in modem history. The resuit of the humil-
iation of China before the Powers is to leave them con-
fronted with the gravest problem which Occidental civili-
zation has ever faced. Great issues hang upon the out-
come, both for China and for the World. That the
wishes and the supposed interests of the Powers are not
only not identical but apparently hopelessly irreconcilable,
has long been plain, from which arises the ominous and
significant fact that the only progress possible has been by
the composition of counteracting forces.

The outline of the terms of settlement with China in-
volved a mission of apology tO Germany for the murder
of her minister; monuments in desecrated cemeteries; a
prohibition of the importation of arms and munitions of
war ; the destruction of the Taku and other forts ; a Léga-
tion area in Peking, defended by foreign guards, with
provision for other forces elsewhere; a financial indem-
nity of perhaps 450,000,000 taels of silver, the payment of
which is to be distributed through the coming thirty or
fifty years ; the punishment of specified persons who were
most guilty in the late uprising; the suspension for five
years of examinations in cities where foreigners were
murdered ; the universal publication of the fact of thèse
punishments, a strict prohibition under penalty of death
of ail anti-foreign societies, and an Impérial Edict dis-

THE OUTLOOK

735

tinctiy recognizing the future responsibility of officiais for
outrages occurring within their districts.

There are undoubtedty some items in this list to which
exception may be taken as injudicious, but those most
familiar with the circumstances are most likely to agrée
that they are not in themselves unjust. Yet they are al-
together inadéquate, being mainly punitive, privitive, and
destructive in character, and containing no seed of future
promise. A unique opportunity for aiding in the rehabili-
tation of the most populous and most ancient of Empires
seems to hâve been lost. For this, the simple and adé-
quate explanation is that the numerous Powers involved
in the settlement do not désire for China the same things.
A more impressive object-lesson of the failure of diplo-
macy to achieve constructive results, when unhampered
by external conditions and operating on a large scale, has
seldom been seen. Unless China is in some way essen-
tially changed, past conditions- may gradually recur, but
for thèse changes we shall look in vain to Prime Ministers
of Western Powers, or to Ministers résident in China.

The long cherished and confident expectation that
China was to be gradually regenerated by her contact
with Western Civilization, by commerce, by steamships,
railways, telegraphs, and mines, has been demonstrated to
be utterîy insubstantial. It is thèse very appliances of
" f unded . civilization " which more than anything - else
hâve helped to bring about the Convulsion in China.
They are in themselves disturbing forces destitute of
moral qualities, not only not remedying the evils which
they inevitably occasion in an Empire like China, and
among a people like the Chinese, but having no tendency
to do so.

There remains the method of éducation, so earnestly

w^.

736

CHINA IN CONVULSION

i^'i ■■-"'. ■- ' .

advocated by Chang Chih Tung in his work already
quoted. By this means light is to be gradually introduced
into China, making in future such a crusade as that of
1900 impossible.

Education is indeed a valuable and an indispensable
agency, which to some extent bas already been employed,
and which must be used upon a scale ten thousand fold
greater before the darkness of the masses of China can
be expelled and replaced by light. But there are many
kinds of éducation. That which deals only with co-
ordinated physical or mental facts, conducted with what-
ever degree of thoroughness, has never yet proved adé-
quate for the régulation of the conduct of mankind. It
is intellectual only, leaving the highest parts of man's
nature unsatisfied and untouched. It is a two-edged
sword certain to eut in both directions.

The Chinese themselves hâve already perceived that
the rigid prohibition of the importation of arms and
munitions of war will eventually compel them to become
the producers of implements of destruction, perhaps upon
a scale never before seen in any land. The mère bulk of
the Chinese people, unmilitary as they hâve always been,
might conceivably make them, when once aroused, a
menace to mankind. Will a knowledge of chemistry, and
an ability to calculate the curves of falling bodies, and
the velocity of projectiles in itself suffice to keep the
Chinese under due restraint, with countless Lamps of
Aladdin always in their hands, always waiting to be
rubbed ?

It is true of China more than of any other non-Chris-
tian people, that they hâve never been profoundly moved
by other than moral forces. The rapid and irrésistible
prog'ress destined to be made by Western science in the
Chinese Empire will speedily and surely undermine

THE OUTLOOK

737

Chinese faith in the " Book of Changes," which under-
lies the pyramid of Chinese philosophy. Whatever is
permanently true will remain in imperishable blocks, but
the structure as a whole will be left in ruins, with Chinese
ideals pitilessly and irrevocably shattered. At this
critical period of the disintegration of outworn forces,
what new moral ideas are to replace the old?

Christianity has been in China a disturber, as it always
is and always has been everywhere. It had the fortune
(or misfortune) to be formally introduced to the Chinese
in connection with treaties imposed by force for ends
which the Chinese detested, — in this respect, however,
standing on a level with the rights of trade. It has also
had the additional disadvantage of being in one of its
forms indissolubly associated in the minds of the Chinese
with political agencies, which they dread with reason and
instinctively antagonize. There has been much in the
method of its propagation in China which is open to just
criticism, and which at this crucial juncture ought to be
fearlessly exposed, frankly admitted, and honestly
abandoned, new and better methods replacing those which
hâve proved faulty and unworthy.

But Christianity is itself an intégral part of modem
civilization, from which it can no more be dissociated than
the rays of light and of beat can be untwisted from the
sunbeam. The attempt on the part of the Chinese to
expel from their Empire spiritual forces, is an uprising
of the Middle Ages against the Twentieth Century. The
efifort on the part of some who hâve been cradled in
Christian lands, in an unspiritual and a materialistic âge,
to pinion and hand-cuff the disintegrating yet construc-
tive forces of Christianity in their opération in China, is
a futile struggle to reverse the tide of human develop-
ment, and to arrest the slow but irrésistible progress of a

■: il t

738

CHINA IN CONVULSION

•:^7

vl'

■■■Ïll

î^. HlJ' "3r

■If

■ SIS

-'■' SE ^fi!

law of man's spiritual nature. Let it be distinctly recog-
nized that the development of Christianity in China will
be and must be marked by conflict, perhaps not more so
than elsewhere, but surely not less. It will undermine
idolatry as it did in the Roman Empire, and upon the
wreck of the old will build a structure as much fairer
than the Roman as the moral ideals of the Chinese race
are higher and purer than those of that ancient state.

When adopted, and even imperfectly put in practice, it
may be expected to alter the life of the court, as it has
done in Western lands, inadequately Christianized though
thèse be. It will make the dry bones of Chinese scholar-
ship live by unifying, and for the first time completing,
their knowledge of *' Heaven, Earth, and Man." By the
introduction of new standards and new sanctions it will
begin to purify the Augean stable of Chinese officialdom,
a task, under right conditions, by no means impossible of
performance. For the mass of the Chinese people it
would at least make life worth living, joining the présent
and the future by golden links in a manner at présent
wholly inconceivable, yet the inévitable outcome of
spiritual enlightenment.

The wide diffusion of Christianity in its best form will
not suddenlv introduce into China the Millennium, for no
goal can be reached without passing through ail the inter-
mediate stages. But it will, for the first time in Chinese
history, realize the motto of the ancient T'ang, quoted at
the opening of the Great Learning, " Renovate, renovate
the people." Thus alone can the Empire be adapted to
the altered conditions brought about by the impact of
Western civilization, with its Pandora Box of evil and
of good.

The immédiate future of China will dépend on the one
hand upon her relations with the Powers, and on the

THE OUTLOOK

739

other upon the temper o£ the court, the temper of the
officiais, the temper of the hterati, and the temper of the
people. There is no possible way of reaching thèse vari-
ous classes so well and so directly as through the native
Chinese Church, which has already sufïered so much and
borne such witness to its faith by its life, and by the
heroic death of many of its number. This truth has found
expression in the notable magazine article in which Sir
Robert Hart frankly déclares that if, in spite of officiai
opposition and popular irritation, " Christianity wefe to
make a mighty advance," it might " so spread through the
land as to couvert China into the friendliest of friendly
Po^vers, and the foremost patron of ail that makes for
peace and goodwill." This, he thinks, " would prick the
Boxer balloon and disperse the noxious gas which
threatens to swell the race-hatred programme, and poison
and imperil the world's future."

It is well that the dilemma should be recognized and
squarely faced. Unless China is essentially altered she
will continue to " imperil the world's future." Other
forces hâve been to some extent experimented with, and
hâve been shown to be hopelessly inadéquate. Christian-
ity has been tried upon a small scale only, and has already
brought forth fruits after its kind. When it shall hâve
been thoroughly tested, and hâve had opportunity to de-
velop its potentialities, it will give to China intellectually,
morally, and spiritually, the Elixir of a New Life.

^^'^i:

i!.

■ 1

■^^^.ï

^^4'

?!hÀ

:Ïl

APPENDIX

THE GREATEST CYCLOP^DIA IN THE WORLD.

A brief summary of what is known of this great work
may be of interest.

In the annals of bibliography, remarks a great Chinese
scholar (the late Alexander Wylie), there are few in-
cidents comparable to the gigantic effort made by Yung
Le, the second Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who
reigned from 1403-1425.

Desiring to compile an all-comprehensive cyclopsedia,
he issued in a. d. 1403, a commission to a native scholar
to undertake the work, assisted by a hundred and forty-
seven literary men. Thèse having completed their labours
in a year and a half, the resuit was presented to the Em-
peror. As the work, however, fell far short of. His
Majesty's idea, a much more extensive committee of
scholars was appointed, with a commission to collect in
one body the substance of ail the classical, historical,
philosophical, and literary works hitherto published, em-
bracing astronomy, geography, the occult sciences, medi-
cine, Buddhism, Taoism, and the arts. Three scholars
were now designated as présidents of the commission, and
under them were five chief directors and twenty sub-
directors, beside two thousand one hundred and sixty-
nine subordinates. The work was brought to a conclusion
near the close of the year 1407, containing in ail 22,877
books, besides the table of contents, which occupied sixty
bocks. There is some irregularity in the principle of

743

iii

744

CHINA IN CONVULSION

yé

^'i

quotation; sometimes single clauses are given containing
the head character; sometimes whole sections of books;
and sometimes works are given entire if pertaining to
the subject.

When the first draft was laid before the throne,
orders were given to hâve it transcribed for print-
ing, and the copy was finished in 1409; but in considéra-
tion of the great outlay that would be necessary for the
workmanship, the blocks for printing were never eut;
and on the removal of the court to Peking the copy was
deposited in an Impérial apartment. What became of
this copy is not known, but it probably perished in a fire
which occurred in the palace in 1557, for in 1562 we find
a hundred transcribers appointed by the Board of Rites
to make two new copies. Three leaves a day was con-
sidered each man's work, at which rate they completed
their task in 1567. During the disturbances that occurred
at the overthrow of the Ming Dynasty and the coming
of the Manchus (1644), one of the copies, and also the
original draft which had been kept at Nanking, were both
destroyed by fire; and on the restoration of peace, one
copy was found to be déficient 2,422 books.

This great work bas proved of service to Chinese litera-
ture in a way not probably anticipated by its originators.
The wholesale sélections were at one time considered as
a defect, but hâve now become the most important feature
of the whole; for by this means three hundred and
eighty-five rare and ancient works hâve been preserved,
which would otherwise hâve been irrevocably lest;
and many of them hâve since been reprinted and
extensively circulated. Such is the history of the
most elaborate and most comprehensive work perhaps
in any literature, never published, yet always de-
stroyed only to corne forth from its ashes, It is not

APPENDIX

745

a little remarkable that it now owes its préservation —
so far as it has been saved — to the hated foreign devil,
but the separate volumes hâve been dispersed ail over the
world, and a few hâve found their way into American
libraries as unique curiosities.

DIRECTORY OF THE SIEGE IN PEKING.

This Register of the Siège is of varied interest, apart
from the personality of any of the participants, as a
species of index to the mode by which a handful of Occi-
dentals, confronted by unnumbered Asiatics, so disposed
of their limited forces as to make the most of them, and,
in the end, to win success from the very jaws of defeat
and extinction.

MlLITARY.

Major Sir Claude MacDonald, in charge of Defence Opéra-
tions.

Officers belonging to Foreign Detachments.

Austro-Hungarian, Capt. Winterhalder ; Capt. Kollar, Sub. Lt.
Tom Meyer; Baron Boynberg.

British, Capt. Halliday (wounded, hospital) ; Capt. Wray.

French, Lt. Darcy; Sub. Lt. Darcy (Pei T'ang).

German, Lt. Graf von Soden.

Italian, Lt. Paolini; Lt. Olivieri (Pei T'ang).

Japanese, Lt. Hara.

Russian, Lt. Baron von 'Raden; Lt. Dehn.

United States, Capt. Myers (wounded, hospital) ; Capt. Hall.

Officer in command at the Su Wang Fu, Col. Shiba (Jap.).

In charge Italian post, Su Wang Fu, Lt. Paolini ; Mr. Caetani.

Personal Staff of Sir Claude MacDonald, Mr. Herbert G.
Squiers (former Lt. U. S. A.), Chief of Staff; Capt. Poole, Adju-
tant: Orderlies, Messrs. Fliche, Hewlitt, Squiers, Jr., Barr.

Officers doing regular duty in charge of post on south city
wall, Capt. Hall, Capt. Labrouse, Capt. Percy Smith, Capt. Wron-
bleffesky, Lt. von Loesch.

Fortification Staff, Chief of Staff, Mr. F. D. Gamewell ; Aides,

746

CHINA IN CONVULSION

Messrs. Chapin, Ewing, Killie, Norris, Howard Smith, Stone-
house, and others.

In charge fortifications on south city wall, Mr. Squiers; Aides,
Messrs. Pethick, Cheshire, Moore, Splingard, and others.

Volunteers, gênerai charge, Capt. Poole. In charge Customs
Volunteers, Lt. von Strauch. In charge of Russians, Mr. Was-
silieff. In charge of French, M. Bureau.

Customs Volunteers. Lt. von Strauch, Messrs. Piry, Brazier,
Brewitt-Taylor, Reutenfeld, Macown, Richardson, Wintour,
Simpson, Konovaloff, Sandercock, Smyth, Bismarck, Bethell,
Ferguson, Lanon, De Courcey, Le Luca, Destallan, Diehr, Encar-
nascao. De Pinna, Dupree, Mears (Attached), Fliche, Barbier,
Hageman.

British Légation Volunteers. Messrs. Dering, Ker, Tours,
Russell (in charge), Hancock, Flaherty, Bristow, Giles, Porter,
Kirke, Hewlitt, Drury, Townsend, Barr.

Board of Works, Mr. Cowan. Attached to British Légation, Mr.
Thornhill. Peking Syndicate, Messrs. Bristow, Sabbione. Im-
périal Chinese Bank. Messrs. Houston, Oliphant. Hongkong
and Shanghai Bank, Messrs. Tweed, Brent.

Russian Volunteers. Messrs. Wassiliefï ''in charge), Alexan-
drofï, Koehler, Brackmann, Osipoff, Posdneyefï, Mirny, Wihl-
fahrt, Piskinofï, Polujanofif, Orlovsky.

French Volunteers. Messrs. Parrot, Bertaux, Philippine, De-
meyer, Chibant, La France, Berthe, Saussine, Bureau, Cuillierde,
Gieter.

Belgian Volunteers. Messrs. Yoostens, Goffinet, Roland, De-
Melotte.

Miscellaneous Volunteers. Messrs. Ament, Turner, Norris,

Allen, Peel, Allardyce, Peachey, Backhouse, Coltman, Jr., Dr.

Coltman.

Médical Department.

Doctors in charge. American Detachment, Surgeon Lippett
(wounded), Dr. Lowry, vice.

French and Austrian Detachments, Dr. Matignon.

Japanese Detachment, Capt. Nakagawa.

International Hospital, Dr. Poole, Dr. Velde.

Médical Assistants. Messrs. Amati (Italian), Dose (Ger-
man), Fuller (British), Yamagata (Jap.), Stanley (Am.).

International Hospital Nursing Staff. Miss Lambert, Matron.
Drs. Anna Gloss, Eliza Léonard, Maud Mackie, Emma Martin,

APPENDIX

747

Lillie Saville; Miss McKillican, Miss Newton, Miss Shilston,
Mrs. Woodward, Deaconess Jessie Ransome, Sisters Marie and
Stéphanie.

Honorary Stewards to Hospital. Messrs. R. Allen, Richard-
son.

In charge of hospital kitchen, Misses Chapin, Gowans, Russell.

Occasional Helpers at Hospital, Mme. de Giers and Russian
ladies, Mrs. Houston, Miss Sheffield.

CiVILIAN.

General Committee of Public Comfort. Messrs. Tewksbury
(Chairman), Bredon, Cockburn, Hobart, Kruger, Morisse,
Popoff. Secretaries, Messrs. Stelle and Galt.

Sub-Committees, bakery, Mr. Tewksbury; carpentry and black-
smithing, Messrs. Galt, Gamewell.

Confiscated Chinese Goods. Mr. Ament.

Fire Department. Messrs. Tours, Tweed.

Food Supply. Messrs. King, Berteaux, Clarke, Thornhill,
Fenn, Kolossoff, Oliver, Russell; mutton, Mr. Brazier; horse-
meat, Mr. Allardyce.

Fuel Supply. Messrs. Bailie, Wherry, Kanahami, Barbier.

Gâte Day Watchmen. North Gâte, Messrs. Martin, Smith;
South Gâte, French Brothers; Tunnel, Russian Volunteers.

Kitchen for Chinese Workmen. Messrs. Hobart, Goodrich,
Whiting, Walker.

Labour, Chinese Christians. Messrs. Hobart, Verity; Chinese
servants, Messrs. Stelle, Galt ; foreign, Mr. Cockburn.

Laundry. Mr. Brazier.

Markets, eggs, vegetables. Messrs. Brent, Allardyce.

Messenger Service. Chinese (English speaking), Mr. Hobart;
To Tientsin, etc., Mr. Tewksbury.

Milling. Mr. Fenn.

Registration. Messrs. Stelle, Galt, Cockburn.

Sanitation. British Légation, Messrs. Poole, Dudgeon, Inglis,
Herring ; Su Wang Fu, Fathers Banteynie, Baf cop, Drs. Ingram
and Ts'ao.

Shoe-repairing. Mr. Hobart.

Stabling, with care and sélection of animais. Messrs. Deering,
Dupree, Ker, Brazier.

Watch Repairing. Mr. Stelle.

Water Inspection. Mr. Davis.

t .

Ind

Abbé Hue, the, 35

Adaptability of Chinese, illus-
tration of, 581

Admirai Courbet, naval battle
of. 25

Admirais, council of. 436

Advertisements in Peking, 528

Allen, Y. J.; publisher " Re-
view of the Times," Shang-
hai, 129

Allied Forces in China, arrivai
of, 432; composition of, 439;
difficulties, 446 ; inactivity,
448 ; inadéquate equipment,
453; start for Peking, 454;
raising the siège, 461 ; con-
duct of troops, 715, 716, 718

Allied gênerais, conférence of,

453
Ament, Dr., goods placed in

American railroads, 118
American sailor, executed, 15
American text books, funds for,

142
American troops, Temple of

Agriculture headquarters of,

546; composition of, 454
Americanising Chinese, efïect

of, 23
Americans in China, ill treated,

21; plan defence, 233; organ-

ization among, 273. 509 ;

adopt resolutions, 494
Amur, massacre at the, 607
An Ching Fu, riot at. 82
Ancestral tablets of Manchu d3'-

nasty, British seizure of, 548
Ancestral Worship, question of,

34; décision of Pope against,

charge of, 281 ; charges Anglo-Chinese Collège, Presi-
against, 731 dent of, on French treachery,

American Bible Society, gives 25

Bible to Emperor, 129 Anglo-German railroad. 119

American Board Mission, an- Anglo-Saxon, and Chinese, 5

nual meeting of, at T'ung Anhui, troubles in, 156

Chou, 230; T'ung Chou com- Annam, Roman Catholic Bish-

pound, 557; destruction, 564;
massacre of missionaries,
610, 613, 616

American Légation, foreigners
take refuge in, 258; attacks
on, 335, 425. 428

American Methodist Episcopal
Compound in Peking, Ameri-
cans gather in. 215

American Methodist Episcopal
Mission, annual meeting of,
at Peking, 230

American Missionaries in Meth-
odist Compound, letter from
Mr. Conger to, 249

op in, influence of, 48
Anti-foreign governor of Pe-
king, appointment of, 224;
literature, issue of, 79 ; move-
ments, 87, 185, 22^; pam-
phlet, yy, picture gallery, 81 ;
proclamation, "jt, ; propaganda
and its results, 77-87; riots,
65-76
Antipathy, remoter sources of,

3-13
Antiquity of Chinese, 4
Argent. Mr., murder of. 83
Armistice, the 340-364; arrang-
ing terms, 355

749

750

INDEX

i^f?

;--i,

■Ml

" ' ■ ,^

^^;

)

•"■ ■ t.,

■ P.

î^

■m

y- Vi

<3>

Arms, discoveries of, 451
Army, the Chinese, disappear-

ance of, 501
Army of Avengers, nucleus of,

223
Arsenal, the siège, ZZZ
Arsenals at Tientsin, Provision-

al Government takes, 581,

586
Ashmore, William, on " Out-
rages," 55
Astronomical Observatory, dis-

mantling of, 545
Athletic sects not Boxers, 171
Attacks on Légations, 253-271 ;

renewed, 402-418
Atwater family, murder of, 616
Austrian Légation, troops fire

on, 266; abandoned, 394
Audience question, the, 27
Australia, suffering of Chinese

in, 21

Bagnall, Mr. and Mrs., and

daughter, murder of, 610
Bakery, starting a, 307
" Barbarians," Chinese view of,
10; their desires, 122; deal-
ing ^yithihe, 15 ^,

Barbarities of Boxers, 616
Barricades, the, 468
Battles, summary of, 393
Belgian engineers, flight of,
212; from Pao Ting Fu, ^575
Beresford, Lord Charles, on
" Break-up of China," 115,
724 ; on duties collected at
Tientsin, 573^ _
Besieged. condition of the, 485
Beynon. Mr., murder of, 614
Bible. Emperor asks for, 129
Bible and Tract Societies, work

of, 41
Big Knife Societies approved
by Throne, 188; their sup-
pression demanded by foreign
ministers, 190
Bird, Miss, murder of, 613
Bishop, Mrs. Isabella Bird, on

native Christians, 663
Bishop of Colon, the, 35

Bishop of Northern Cathedral,
the, 504, 507

Blagovestchensk, massacre at,
607

Blomberg family, murder of,
712

Board of Punishment, the, 540

Board of Rites, punishment of
officers of, 146

Bomb proof, strengthening the,
305

Bombs, refuges from, 293

Book dépôts, establishment of,
137

" Book of Changes," Chinese
faith in, 7^,^

Books, Western, bureau for
translation of, 141

"Boxer altar," explanation of,
661

Boxer banners, capture of, 334;
characters on, 566

Boxer chiefs, authorities seek,
539

Boxer Militia, the, 2)77' ex-
horted to patriotic service,
379

Boxer uprising and treaty of
Tientsin, events between, 22

Boxer movement, its purpose
150; patronized by Empress
Dowager, 150; its genesis,
152-174; basis, 197; arrives in
T'ung Chou, 563 ; in Tientsin,
574. 576; planned for the
eighth month, 606

Boxer Society, proclamation
against, 229

Boxer tiger, fierceness of, 240

Boxers, the. 154; defeated, 167;
superstitions of, 169, 172, 659;
invulnerability of, 170, 245,
576, 709 ; children among, 172,
661, 662; persécute Chris-
tians, 175, 177, 654-657; their
power, 187 ; approved by
Throne, 188, 224, 225 ; sup-
pression demanded, 190; their
incantations, 197 ; exercises,
198; charms, 199; posters,
200, 201 ; Buddhist Patriotic

•^:-

INDEX

751

League of, 200; relation to
Chinese troops, 214; to Chi-
nese government, 218-231 ;
auxiliary to army of aveng-
ers, 223 ; practice openly, 230 ;
arrive in Peking, 518; leader
in T'ung Chou, 565 ; ordered
to kill Christians, 657; résume
drill in Shantung, 722 ; su-
perintended by the Great
Fairy, 722
Boys, Christian, massacre of,

673, 699
Boys in Boxer Movement, 661
" Break-up of China," Lord

Charles Beresford on. 724
British and French allies, 19
British, attacks upon, 112
British engineers, Kansu troops

attack, 163
British claim, justice of, 18
British fleet, loss of, 19
British government, fluctuating
policy of , 68 ; its demands,
m; récognition of services,
481 ; loan to Chinese Viceroy,
603
British Légation : attack on stu-
dents of, 229; visited by Ya-
men ministers, 236; made
gênerai headquarters, 261 ;
Americans ordered to, 263;
its defence, 272; sanitation,
295 ; attacks on. 420, 422, 425,
427, 428; fortifications, 468,

477
British railroads. the, 118. 119
British students, bravery of, 309
British troops in allied forces,

272. 454

British White Book, siège dis-
patches in, 479

Brooks. Mr., murdered by Box-
ers, 182

Buddhist Patriotic League of
Boxers, 200

Buddhist priests, Chinese em-
ployment of . 7 ; attitude to-
ward Christianity. 39

Buildings, Impérial, foreign oc-
cupation of, 541

Bully, Chinese. 50, 86
Burlingame Mission, the, 22

Canadian Presbyterian Mis-
sion^ notable expériences of,
621-632

Canal, the Grand, 56; the Im-
périal, 260

Canton, causes of troubles in,
13 ; diplomatie représenta-
tives, 14; right of entering
granted, 17; riots at, 71; pa-
triotic defence, 112

Capital in transformation, the,

535-554
Caries, Mr., British Consul at

Tientsin, 205
Carleson, Mr., murder of, 712
Cassini Convention, the, 104,

107, 117
Casualties, table of siège, 488,

489
Cathedral at Canton, hatred of,

57 . .

Cathedral, Tientsin, destruction

of, 56, 69

Cathedral, Northern, siège of,

503-507

Catholic (see Roman Catholic)

Celestial Empire, the, 6

Cemetery, foreign, wreck of,
238

Cemetery, the Protestant, dese-
cration of, 498

Censor, mémorial of a, 130

Censor Wang, Impérial inter-
view with, 224

Censors, reforms advocated by,
144

Census of the siège, 298, 411

Central Asia, nomads of, 5

Central Empire, division of in-
habitants. 9

Chaffee, General, 455

Chamot, M., brave rescue by,
209

Chang. Mr., personal narrative
of. 691

Chang, Mr. and Mrs., personal
narrative of, 693

75^

INDEX

■'i

■ !îS ï

■f-: -^

-<■ i

'.X <

■-:"■ ?

i»*f!

Chang Chih Tung, issues proc-
lamation, 7^ ; receives loan
from British, 602; aids for-
eigners, 631

Chang Ch'ing Hsiang, personal
narrative of, 682

Ch'ang Hsin Tien, siège of for-
eigners at, 209

Chao Shu Ch'iao, 227

Chapin, Miss, Red Cross given,

494

Charms, the Boxer, 19g

Chefoo, growth of, 12; helpful-
ness of American consul at,
604

Chêkiang, Roman Catholics in,
56; murder of foreigners at,
605

Ch'en Pao Chên, reform efforts
of, 141 ^

Chêng Ting Fu, safety of for-
eigners at, 610

Chiang, Mr., personal narrative
of, 692

Chiang Pei, riot in, 86

Chien Ning Fu, riot at, 86

Chihli, mission affairs in, 51 ;
riots in, 165 ; foreigners es-
cape from, 609

Children in the Boxer bands, 172

Children, massacre of, 299, 605.
610, 614, 616, 66s, 670, 673,
697, 698, 700, 701

Children. siège play of, 486

China, complex population of,
3 ; isolation of. compared
with Egypt, 4; foreign com-
merce of, 12; causes of out-
breaks in, 13 ; Irishmen of,
13 ; Merchants Company, the,
139 ; Merchants' Steam Navi-
gation Company, 212 ; rela-
tion with foreign Powers,
268 ; Christianity in, 637 ; pe-
culiar relations with Russia.
723 ; attitude toward Western
nations, 8, 733 ; terms of set-
tlement with. 734; régénéra-
tion of, 735 ; educational
problem. 736 ; " China and
Christianity," Michie. 45

China Inland Mission, the, 65;
massacre of missionaries,
605, 610, 613, 616; notable
expériences of, 635-643

Chinese, the, moral code of, 6;
golden âge of, 7; relation to
the Three Religions, 7; rela-
tion to sages, 7; to trade, 9;
a century ago. 10 ; in treaty
ports, 12; use of opium, 15;
and exterritorial rights, 17;
in foreign lands, 21 ; relation
to other nations, 22 ; Amer-
icanised, persécution of, 24;
foreigners' view of, 218, 719

Chinese army, co-operates with
Boxers, 5, 77

Chinese bubble, the, 26
bully, the, 50

Church, faithfulness of, 657
courts, no justice in, 50
empire, size of, 10, 14
fans, pictures on, 10
history. puzzle of, 5
institutions an évolution, 5
junk, the, 10
law, punishments inflicted ac-

cording to, 727
laws and foreigners, 16
labor strike, 13
ministers abroad; policy of
government criticised by,
599, 600
point of view, 20
race, origin of, 3
résistance of foreign force,

18
sages, the, 6

scholar and foreign ideals, 77
servants, courage of, 307
ships destroyed by French, 25
soldiers, 8

Chinese, characteristics of:
pride of race, 5; ideals of, 6;
aversion to war, 7; timidity
on sea, 10; antipathy to for-
eigners. 12; saying vs. doing,
12; untruthfulness of, 12;
pridc. 15; treachery. 19; atti-
tude tov/ard treaties, 29; love

mlyp.'

INDEX

753

of revenge, 2il\ forbearance,
37; animosity, 30; adaptabil-
ity, 520; fatalism, 652; clan-
nishness, 657; timidity, 657

Chinese government and for-
eign trade, 9; its conceit, 15;
ignores treaty, 18; relation to
world, 20 ; indemnity demand-
ed from, 25 ; loans to, 121 ;
seclusion of, 127; encourages
Boxer rising, 205 ; its treach-
ery, 229 ; asks assistance from
Powers, 361 ; présent relation
of Empress Dowager to, 728;
of Emperor, 728

Chinese officiais and trading
class, 9; knowledge of geog-
raphy, 11; bitterness toward
domineering Occidentals, 24;
their duplicity, 179, 188; their
punishment, 550; flight from
Tientsin, 579 ; their exactions,
716; opposition of people to,

723
'' Chinese Progress," officiai or-

gan, 139

" Chinese Recorder," the, arti-
cle in, 54, 55

Ch'ing Tao, Germans in, 106,
160

Chinkiang, foreign settlement

in, 13
Ch'iu, Dr., Personal narrative

of, 687

Chou Han, placards of, 79

Christian Alliance Mission-
aries, murder of, 712

Christian Church and ancestral
worship, 35 ; and non-Chris-
tian Chinese, 43

Christian literature in Impérial
palace and Hunan, 43

Christian students, personal
narratives of. 695

Christianity and heathen priests,

39
Christianity proposed as State

religion, 145

Christianity in China, effect of,

Christians, nonconformity to
Chinese custom, ZZ

Christians, the Chinese; mis-
sionaries refuse to abandon,
232

Ch'un, Prince, influence of, 128

Church, the attitude of, to-
ward non-Christian Chinese,
43 (see also Christian)

Church members, unworthy, 38

Cipher telegrams, sending of,
412, 414

Clapp, Mr. and Mrs., murder
of, 613

Classics, study of, 136

Clothing. supply of, 511

Coal Hill, the, 532

Code, moral ; of Chinese, 6

Colquhoun, A. R., 52

Commerce and Chinese, 10

Commercial intrusion, the, 88-

lOI

Commercial diplomacy, tangle

of, 121
Commercial prosperity of Pe-

king, 521
Commémoration Day for the

Six Martyrs, 150
Commissariat, appointment of

a, 374 ,

Commission, American, appoint-
ment of, 75

Committee, General ; members
of, 274

Committees, organization of,

Comprador, functions of the. 89
Confiscated goods, method of

dealing with, 372; work of

committee on. 411
Confucian Analects, study of,

136
Confucian collèges, foreigners

asked to visit the, 137
Confucianism, tenets of, ac-

cepted by Chinese, 6. 7
Confucius, service of, to China,

33 ; on reciprocity, 62
Conger. Minister. 179, 188, 190;

thanks the American mission-

aries, 494; his services, 731

■■M

754

INDEX

Conservative Party, resist re-

forms, 139; joint mémorial

of, to Empress Dowager, 147
Consuls, helpfulness of, 67
Continental troops, vandalism

of, 546
Converts, decree on, 379
Coolie traffic, the, 21
Cooper, Mr., murder of, 610
Copyright and Patent Laws,

establishment of, 139
Cotton goods, trade of, 90
Courts, Chinese, no justice in,

50
Cousins, Edmund; Mission-

aries aided by, 445
Customs Stafï, quarters of,

abandoned, 230, 257
Customs mess, the siège, 463
Cyclopsedia, the greatest in the

world, 743

d^Addosio, Père^ saving of, 237
" Daily News," Shanghai, let-

ter of Griffith John to, 79
Dark Days. 318-339
Davis, F. W., murder of, 613
Davis, John W., first U. S. Min-

ister to China, 14
Days of waiting, 382-401
" Death to the devil's religion,"

circulation of, 79
Decrees, Impérial, on foreign-

ers, 375 ; praising Boxers, 377 ;

native Christians, 379 ; safe-

guarding Empire, 380; on

cause of disturbances, 381 ;

despatching troops, 407; de-

parture of ministers, 414 (see

also Edicts)
Defence, Americans organise

for, 233; materials for, 511
De Giers, Madame, 486
Démon possession, instance of,

661
Denby, Minister. despatch of,

75
Departments, proposed new, 135
Dering. Mr., assists in de-

fences, 479

Despatches from Tientsin, send-

ing, 437
Despatches, siège, 479
Dévastation, scènes of, 496
Diedrichs, Admirai ; commands

German fleet, 108
Diplomatie corps telegraph for

guards, 210
Director of China Inland Mis-
sion; list of Protestant mis-

sionary martyrs prepared by,

647, 648, 649
Directory of the Siège, 745
Disease, freedom from, durihg

siège, 514
Dixon, Mr. and Mrs., murder

of, 634
Dorward, Gen., leader of Brit-

ish forces, 449
Drought, effect of, 219
Duplicity of Chinese officiais,

178, 179, 188

Eastern Empress, death of,

125
East India Company, relation

of, to Chinese, 15
Eastern Arsenal in Tientsin,

taking of, 446
Edicts, Impérial, anti-foreign,

225 ; on Christianity in China,

226; character of, 435; on

protection of missionaries,

721 (see also Decrees)
Edicts, the Vermillon Pencil;

despatch of, 553
Education in China, problem of,

736
Egyptians, ancient ; contempo-

rary with Chinese, 4
" Eight Diagram " sects, 42
Eighth moon, disturbances ex-

pected in the, 219; Boxer ris-

ing planned for, 606
Eldred. Miss, murder of, 616
Elgin, Lord; rule of, 733
Emperor K'ang Hsi, see K'ang

Hsi
Emperor Kuang Hsii ; plans re-

forms, 43, his history, 124;

INDEX

755

begins reign, 126; learns Eng-
lish, 129; obtains Bible, 129;
issues reform decrees, 131 ;
threatens to abdicate, 146; im-
prisoned in palace, 148; forced
to abdicate, 149; opposes
Manchu policy, 246, 269;
anomalous relation to gov-
ernment, 728

Emperor Tao Kuang, 14

Empress Dowager; issues war
edicts, 28; receives légation
ladies, 28; sketch of. 125;
given New Testament, 128;
reviews troops, 142; opposes
Emperor, 147; repeals re-
forms, 149; heads Boxer
movement, 150; nominates
heir apparent, 186; favors
Boxers, 223 ; believes in di-
vine mission o£ Boxers, 226;
anti-foreign attitude, 230, 244 ;
issues edict to exterminate
foreigners, 270; intends to
escape, 393 ; her flight, 501 ;
confiscates palace, 535 ; second
enforced flight, 55 ; sanctions
anti-foreign decrees, 596, 597;
issues edicts to protect mis-
sionaries, 721 ; présent rela-
tion to government, 728

Encyclopaedia, the greatest, 743

English Baptist Mission, no-
table expériences of, 632-635 ;
massacre of missionaries. 613

English Methodist Christians,
Personal narrative of, 698

Engvall, Miss, murder of, 712

Envoys, received by Emperor,
28; treatment of, 343

Escapes. narrow, 297

Escort to Tientsin, Yamen of-
fers, 412, 413

Examination Grounds, destruc-
tion of, 546

Exercises, the Boxer, 198

Expatriated subjects: Chinese
attitude toward. 21

Explosions, effect of , 2)37 .

Extermination Edict issued.
270

Exterritorial rights and the

Japanese, 17
Eunuchs, baleful influence of,

221

Famine in Kiangsu, 157
Far East; Shanghai the com-
mercial capital of, 12
Farthing family; murder of,

614
Fashoda incident, the, iio
Fathers, the Catholic, Chinese

suspicions of, 60
Fayier, Mgr., appeals from Pe-

king to French Minister, 206;

his courage, 507
Fengshui, the, 57, 96, 324
Feng Tai, opposition to inno-
vations at, 99; attack on

railway, 207
Fenn, Mr., milling in charge

of, 275
Financial methods of Roman

Catholic Church, 58
Fire and Sword among Shansi

Christians, 702-712
Fire, danger from, 280, 281, 287
Fire Brigade, captains of, 480
First overt act of pillage, 166
First Week of the siège, the,

272-296
" Fists of United Harmony,"

the. see also " Boxers," 168
" Five Storms of Wrath," 57
Flag, légation, hauled down, 22
Flags, Chinese use of, after

siège, 520
Fleet, Allied ; Chinese fire upon,

437
Fleming, Mr., murder of, 87
Fleury. Father, capture of, 86
Fliche, M., heads rescue party,

Flight from Peking, prépara-
tions for, 249

Food supply, inventory of, 276;
horse-meat, 291 ; work of
Committee on, 402 ; scarcity
of. 420, 421, 424, 425; at
Northern Cathedral, 505 ;
amount of, 510

756

INDEX

l-r:

mu:

m-if

V>. fv-f '- .

Foreign buildings, destruction
of, 237

Foreign commerce and China,
12

" Foreign devils," ban upon the
term, 225

Foreigners in China, Chinese
opinion of, 11, 12, 218. 518,
573» 718; classification of, 88;
expulsion desired by Empress
Dowager, 187 ; extermination
planned by Boxers, 206; im-
prisonment in Peking, 231 ;
census of in Peking, 298; im-
munity from attack, 509; ex-
périences in the Interior, 594-
620. 659; Manchu hostility
toward, 599

Foreign journals, Empress
Dowager influenced by, 598
Légations, pressure of, 180
Ministers demand Impérial
decree suppressing Boxer
and Big Knife Societies, 190
Ministers. meeting of, 248
missionaries, edict on, 49
occupation, a twelve-month

of, 7^3-732
Powers, Empress Dowager

urges destruction of, 244
relations of Chinese empire,

settlements ; jurisdiction of
Chinese over, 17; location
in Tientsin, 444 ; attack on,
445, 448 ; military occupa-
tion of, 590
stores, looting of. 313
teachers, éducation by. 135
teachers and Chinese lan-

guage, 36
trade and Chinese govern-

ment, 9, 10
troops, arrivai of, 432
Formosa, blockade of, by
French, 25 ; Japanese posses-
sion of, 103
Fortifications, work of. 274
Fortifications, the, 462-484 ; in
charge of F. D. Gamewell,
468; military opinion of, 476

Fowler, John, U. S. Consul, 604

France, war with, cause of, 24;
demands indemnity, 25 ; pro-
tects Jesuits, 48; uses mis-
sionaries. 53

Frazer, E. H., Hankow, 603

French Minister, the, and Ro-
man Catholic outrages, 55 ;
appeal from Mgr. Favier to,
206

French. The : animosity against,
69; at Shanghai, opposition
to, 70; further encroach-
ments, 113, 121; massacre in
Tientsin, 572

" French beef." 291

French Légation, assistance
asked for, 301 ; attack on, 304,
319» 337, 429; British marines
sent to assistance of, 331 ;
condition of, 360

French missionaries, rescue of,

237

French railroads. the, 119

French troops in allied forces,
the, 455

Freedom of speech, Emperor
insists on, 146

Fu Chou, blockade of, by
French, 25; turbulence of
people in, 13

Fuel supply, the, 511

Fukushima, Gen., leads Japa-
nese forces, 449

Gamewell, F. D., plans fortifi-
cations, 274, 468
Garrigues. Père, murder of, 237
Gaselee. General. 454
Gates of Peking, the, 522
Gathering of the Storm. 175-195
Genahr, Immanuel, of Rhenish

Mission, 54
Genghis Khan. 4
General Committee, members of,

274 ; letler to chairman, 495
German expédition, a punitive,
160
aggression at Kiaochou, ef-

fect of, 161
barricade, attack on, 304

INDEX

757

expédition to Kalgan, 715;
to Ts'ang Chou, 716; to
Yung Ch'ing Hsien, 717

mines and railway, hostility
to, 182

railroads, the, 119

Légation, attack on, 338, 358,
424, 428

possessions in China, 106, 108
Girls in Boxer Movement, use

of, 662
" Glorified Tigers," the, 223
Golden âge of Chinese, 7
Gould, Miss, murder of, 610
Government bureaus, Chinese ;

military occupation of, 539
Granaries, Impérial ; Japan

seizes the, 540
Grand Council of Manchus and

Chinese, a. 244
Great Britain in China, 16 ;

prestige of, 23, 219; policy

of, 104. iio; in Yangtze Val-
ley, 121
* Great Fairy," Boxers super-

intended by the. 722
" Great Sword Society," the,

135 ; hatred of Catholics, 106

(see Boxers)
Green. Mr., murder of, 83
Greig, Dr., attack on, 84
Guinness, G. W., and party ;

notable expériences of, 635-

638
Gun, manufacturing a, 325
Gun-platforms, the Chinese, 502
Guns, location of, 308

Hall of Fasting, British army

occupy. 548
Hamer, Bishop. murder of, 619
Hand of God in the siège, the.

508-516
Hanlin University. burning of,

281 ; destruction of, 542 ; de-

fences in the, 471
Hanlins. reform advocated by

the, 144
Harahara, Mr., death of, 384
Hart. Sir Robert, 109. 286, 596.

597, 739

Hedlund, Miss, murder of, 712
Heir Apparent, nomination of,

186
Heng Chou Fu, foreign priests

in, 60
Hêng, Deacon; personal narra-
tive of, 673
History, Chinese; loss of ma-

terials for, 545
Hoddle, Mr., murder of, 614
Hodge, Dr. and Mrs., murder

of, 610
Honan, beginning of trouble in,

621
Hongkong coolie régiment, 19
Hospital, patients in, 299, 308,

313; work in kitchen, 467;

the International, 490; num-

ber of cases, 493
Hostilities, cessation of, 356
Hôtel de Pékin, retreat upon,

307; condition of, 359
" House and Opium Tax," the,

130
Hung Hsin Ch'ûan, founder of

Taiping rébellion, 31
House-keeping, siège, 646
Hsi An Fu, 14; purchase of

books in, 137; Impérial refu-

gees arrive in, 554
Hsi Ku, Arsenal, 582
Hsiao Chang, riot in, 165
Hu Yû Fên, Governor, 164
Huo, Mrs.; personal narrative

of, 685
Hunan, anti-foreign literature

issues from, 79; reform mea-

sures in, 141
Hunan pamphlets, the, 41

I Ch'ang Fu, riots at, 13, 83,
160, 162

Ideals. the Chinese, 6

l Ho Ch'iian. the Boxer Society,
154; second stage in develop-
ment, 209 ; appointment of
leaders. 225 (see Boxers)

Impérial buildings, foreign oc-
cupation of, 541
Chinese Armory. relief expé-
dition takes, 442

fl-

: -, ;.:Çvi

-■ '■, i' 1

.■•■>- *

4 "

*■■■; 'il

i-<1.-

:îl.;i \

.ht-.

■MB:

;^;;^ J^

758

INDEX

Impérial Court, culpable, 549;

favours Boxers, 574

edicts, insincerity of, 188,
243 ; favourable to Boxers,
189; against them, 191; or-
dering punishments, 550;
authorises destruction of
légations, 566; anti-foreign,

594
family, flight of, 551
Maritime Customs, 120, 264
Palace instigates riots, 76
Palaces, fate of the. 529, 534
Pavilion, burning of the, 545
resorts, destruction of, 20
troops instigating riots, 13;

relation to Boxers, 228;

attacked by allied forces,

441
tutors, appointment of, 186
University, decree on, 138
Improvements, allies introduce,

525

Incantations, the Boxer, 197

[ndemnity, demand for, 67 ; re-
fused, 68 ; German demand,
106; payment of, 161; claims
for, 276 ; question of . 567 ;
Protestant scheme for, 729

Institutions, Chinese ; an évo-
lution, 5

Intercalary eighth moon. Chi-
nese superstition about, 219

Interior, foreigners in. 594-620

" International," the new gun,
328, 373, 429, 470, 511

International club, an, 543
complications, 14-29 ; danger

of, 187
Hospital, the, 490; cases in,

493

law, effect of, on Chinese,
21 ; questions of, 436

prison, an, 541

trade, study of, 142
Inundation of country round

Tientsin, the effect of, 572
" Irishmen of China," 13
Italian Government, demands

of, 114

James, Prof., murder of, 267

Jameson, C. D., helpfulness of,
628

Japan, war with, 26, 129 ; usur-
pation of Chinese territory by,
76; military readiness of,
452

Japanese, the : and exterritorial
rights, 17; their courage, 301;
courtesy, 322; Dr. Sheffield
asked to make terms with, 558

Japanese Décoration Day, 417

Japanese indemnity, automatic
payment of, 540

Japanese Légation, murder of
chancellor of, 235 ; death of
secretary of. 384

Japanese Minister, letter re-
ceived by, 354

Japanese Soldier — Information-
Bureau, the 387

Japanese troops in allied forces,
the. 455 ; good work of, 457

Jesuits protected by France, 48

Johannsson, Miss, murder of,
712

John, Griffith, 79

Julien, Roman Catholic priest,
attacks Rhenish mission-
aries, 54

Jung Lu, 148

Junk, the Chinese, 10; discon-
tinuance of, 95

Junk masters, influence of,
against railways, 98

Kalgan, péril of missionaries
in, 231 ; escape of foreigners,
610 ; German expédition to,

715
Kalgan to Kiakhta, notable ex-
périences in flight from, 643-

647
K'ang Hsi, Emperor, 35 ; on an-

cestral worship, 47; précèdent

of. 13s
K'ang Yu Wei, " The Modem
Sage and Reformer," 133;
suggests reforms, 134; audi-
ence with Emperor, 135;
escape of, 148

-i W-' -a' ■'^-

INDEX

759

Kao Hsin, personal narrative

of, 665
Karlburg, Mr., murder of, 712
Kempfï, Admirai, on taking

Taku forts, 436
Ketteler, Baron von, 191 ;

Boxer beaten by, 236 ; sketch

of, 254; murder of, 255;

mémorial service for, 499
Kiangsu, troubles in, 155
Kiaochou, German possession

of, 106, 108
Kotow, omitting the, 27
Ku Chëng, riot at, 85
K'ti Chou Fu, massacre, 605
Kuang Hsù, Emperor, 125 (see

Emoeror Kuang Hsû)
Kuang provinces, governor gên-
erai of, 15
Kueichou, murder of missionary

in, 87
Kung, Prince, position of, 127,

134

Labour strike in China, 13

Labour System, the coolie :
charges against, 21

Labour, work of Superintend-
ent of, 365: demand for, 366

" Laffan " News Telegraph
Agency, despatches from, 256

Lambert, Miss, Red Cross
given, 493

Lands, granting of, 17

Lang Tang, 439

Language, the Chinese, mis-
sionary use of, 36

Lansdowne, commendatory des-
patches from, 481, 483

Larsson, Mr., murder of, 712

Légation guards, arrivai of,
211, 508

Légation ladies, Empress Dow-
ager receives, 28 ; kindness of,
262

Légations in Peking, the, 187 ;
attack planned on, 206; their
protection, 210, 288 ; guarding
Légation Street, 241 ; Mar-
quis Tseng urges they be re-
spected, 245 ; attacks on, 253,

271, 420, 422, 424, 425, 428,
429; topography of district,
259; burning of Italian and
Dutch compounds, 279; for-
eigners asked to leave, 341,
362, 386; condition of Ger-
man, 358; of French, 360;
Tsung Li Yamen sends sup-
plies, 362; arrivai of allied
forces, 461 ; extent of fortifi-
cations, 468; attempted be-
trayal, 475; extent of area,
548

" Lest we forget," 527

Letters, commendatory, 494,
495

Li, Deacon ; personal narrative
of, 671

" Light of the Red Lamp," the,
202

Li Hung Chang, on relation of
America to Chinese, 21 ; as
peace maker, 23 ; cancels rail-
way plans. 98 ; dismissed from
Tsung Li Yamen, 146 ; ap-
pointed Viceroy of Chihli,
380 ; appointed Peace Commis-
sioner, 420 ; reinstates anti-
foreign officiai, 566; appoints
native officiais, 585 ; Chinese
appeal to, 588; his opinion of
foreigners, 718 ; approves
Protestant indemnity plans,
730

Li Lien Ying, Eunuch, influence
of, 221

Li Pen Yuan, Mrs. ; personal
narrative of, 676

Li Ping Hêng. 550

Likin taxes, proposed abolition
of, 135

Literary class, antipathy of, 32

Literary essay, edict abolishing
.the, 135

Literati, reforms advocated by,

144
Literature of Protestant mis-
sions ; inadéquate, 40 ; in Im-
périal palace and Hunan, 43
on Roman Catholics in China,
45 ; anti-foreign issue of,

M
mm

760

INDEX

'-. '{' -t

■"il

f'--i '' ■'.-
- ?.'■" •.-■-■■■ '

'.K i-

:t'<mr':^^

79; circulation of, 137;
practical Chinese schools
for, 139
Liu K'un Yi, 602
Loan, national, plan for, 130
Loans, Chinese j^overnment

needs, 121
London Mission refugees, ex-
périences of, 537; destruction
of station, 609
Loot, soldiers forbidden to, 321 ;

permission given to, 374
Looting in Tientsin, the, 583,

Lord Elgin, Diary of, 18; his

motto, 69
" Lord of Heaven " religion,

Chinese familiar with, 31
Lottery in Canton, the 139
Lovitt family, murder of. 614
Lu-Han railroad, Belgian man-
agement of, 99 ; work on,
117; decree on, 138; wreck of,
211
Lundell, Miss, murder of, 712
Lundgren, Mr. and Mrs., mur-
der of, 616

Macao^ centre of coolie traffic,

21
McCalla, Capt., 242, 439
McCarthy, Justin, déclaration

of, 18
MacDonald, Lady, 261
MacDonald, Sir Claude, 187,

195, 206; asked by Powers to

take charge of defences, 278;

officiai report of, 475
McKinley (see Président)
Machinery, introduction of, pro-

posed 142
Magistrates, hostility of, 38;

to Catholics, 52 ; inactivity of,

178; reproved, for repressing

Boxers, 205
Ma, Mrs. ; personal narrative

cf. 697
Manchu Clan, élection of em-
peror by, 125

iDynasty, and the Boxer
Movement, 187

policy, the 245, 600
rulers, purpose of, 30
soldiers, murder of mission-
ary by, 85

Manchuria, Roman Catholics in,
55; insurrection in, 84; Rus-
sian work in, 99; extent of,
102 ; railroads in, 104 ; af-
fected by Russo-Chinese
agreement, 105 ; anti-foreign
movement in, 606 ; friction
with Russians in, 607; num-
ber of Protestants in, 650;
Russian occupation of, 713,
724

Manchurian Convention, atti-
tude of Russia toward, 725

Manchus and Chinese, govern-
mental relation of, 220

Manchus, superstition of, 226;
complicity in Peking, 501 ;
hostile to foreigners, 599

March to Peking, the, 453-461

Margary, murder of, 22

Marines, courage of, 315; réc-
ognition of services, 494

Mark Twain, charges of, 731

Martin, W. A. P., 140

Martyrs, missionary, list of,
647-649; the unknown, 672;
mémorial service at Pao Ting
Fu, 682

Massacre, the Tientsin, 13, 22,
S72 ; ferocity, 69

Meadows, T. T., 64

Medal, designs for a siège, 422,

430
Medhurst, Consul, Shanghai, 66
Medicine, Chinese practice of,

41 ; handmaid of Christianity,

41
Memorials, présentation of, to

throne, 144; in the "Peking

Gazette." 193 ; character of,

396, 397 ; Governor of Shansi

issues, 406

Mémorial service for Baron
von Ketteler, 499; for mar-
tyrs, 682

Mencius, service of, to China,

■M .

INDEX

761

Mêng Chi Hsien, pastor; Per-
sonal narrative of, 680

Menus, planning the, 467

Messengers, 329, 331, 340, 347,
353; reports of, 383, 386, 388,
391, 395, 396, 398 400, 404
405, 406, 40g, 411, 420, 422,
423, 453

Methodist Mission, foreigners
take refuge in, 232; flight
from, 257; condition, after
siège, 496

Mikado, proposai that Emperor
and Empress Dowager visit
the, 745

Military Commanders, Tientsin
Provisional government or-
ganized by, 451
Commission, Chinese officiais

executed by, 611
examinations, changes pro-

posed in, 138
expéditions, a séries of 713
force in China, 16
life, attitude of Chinese to-
ward, 8

Militia, anti-foreign, voluntary
enrollment of, 81

Minister Wu ; influence at
Washington of, 721

Ministers, Chinese ; sélection
of, for foreign lands, 131

Ministers, foreign, appeals to
Yamen of, 203. 204, 207 ; letter
from Tsung Li Yamen, 267;
reply to, 268

Miner, Miss Luella, 551

Ming Dynasty, the preceding,
cause of fall of, 221

Mings, attitude of, to Roman
Catholic Church, 47

Mining, antipathy to, loi ; pos-
sible concessions for, 121

Mining, danger from, in Léga-
tions. 338; threat of, 512

Mission affairs in Chihli and
Shantung, 51
property, amount destroyed,

498
records. Boxers, seek, 658
work, effect of, 161

Alissionaries, preaching of, 33;
Foreign Ministers endeavour
to protect, 204; their péril,
231 ; American, letter from
Minister Conger to, 494 ; fear-
f ul expériences, 616, 727 ; their
character, 618; their work,
660 ; edicts on protection of,
721; in the présent crisis; a
statement, 730; justified by
Minister Conger, 732

Missionaries, Massacre of :
American Board, 610, 613,
616; American Presbyterian,
610, China Inland, 605, 610,
613, 616; English Baptist,
613; Roman Catholic, 614,
619

Missionary conférence at
Shanghai, 78

Missionary Societies in China,
statement of, 730

Alissions, annual meetings of,
230

Missions, located in Chinese
dwellings, 537

Mitchie, Alex., on " China and
Christianity," 45
Mixed courts '' undesirability
of, 17

Mongol dynasty, the, 4

Mongol Market, attack at, 337

Mongolia, spread of foreign ris-
ing in, 611

Monroe Doctrine, a Chinese,
necessary, 121

Moral Code of Chinese, 6

Morrill, Miss, murder of, 610

Morrison. Dr., 480

Mother Superior of Northern
Cathedral, the, 504

Moule, Bishop, brings charges
against Roman Catholics in
China, 56

Mountain of Ten Thousand
Ages, the, 532

Mukden, 606

Nanking, riot at, 82
Narratives, personal, 665-701

((

■fii

r\A

.■ ■ I
Vf.-'

i '!■■'"

^■"^ ,'

762

INDEX

r,*i:..;-

ts -.

Native Christians : attitude to-
ward idolâtrons cérémonies,
36; persécution of, 37, 175;
rescue of, 238; protection of,
250; exemplary conduct of,
259 ; a refuge for, 265 ; cloth-
ing of the, 2^1 ; identification
of, 312, 321 ; helpfulness of,
371 ; Prince Ch'ing suggests
sending out, 390 ; decree on,
399; in Tientsin, 445; their
safety, 509; murder of. 615;
character, 651 ; asked to re-
cant, 653 ; Boxers persécute,
654-657 ; faithfulness of , 657,
658; funds entrusted to, 658;
courage of, 659 ; testimony of
Mrs. Isabella Bird Bishop on,
663 ; wild rumours of, 668

Native Church ; catastrophe to
the, 650-664; its faithfulness,
657; possible power of. 739

Native preachers ; missionaries
intrust money to. 658

Naval Brigade, the. 454

Naval démonstration, need of,

193
Naval officers, consultation of,

438

Newchwang, treaty port of ; dis-
pute over, III

New Testament, gift of, to Em-
press Dowager. 128

Nev/ Year, Chinese forbidden to
celebrate, 580

Newspapers, native ; influence
of, 22

Newspapers, on Boxer Move-
ments, 183, 185, 193

Ningpo men in Shanghai, 13

Non-Christian families, removal

of, 233^
Non-Christians, what to do

with. 324
Nordenfelt gun, 308
Norman, Mr., murder of, 717
Norris, Chaplain ; services of.

479
North China Collège, flight
from, 214; destruction of

buildings, 236, 564; location
of, 557

"North China Daily News,"
183, 222; on Empress Dow-
ager, 598

Northern Roman Catholic
Cathedral, foreigners take
refuge in. 232; siège of, 503-
507

Notable expériences, 621-649;
Canadian Presbyterian Mis-
sion, 621-632; English Baptist
Mission, 632-635; China In-
land Mission, 635-643; Kal-
gan to Kiakhta, 643-647

Noyés, Mr., on " Five Storms
of Wrath," 57

Occidental, Chinese incompré-
hensible to, 5
Occidental civilization, grave

problem of, 734
Occidentals. domineering; bit-

terness of Chinese officiais to-

ward, 24; extermination of,

discussed, 508
Offices, abrogation of, 143
Officiais, Chinese, and trading

class, 9
Officiais, libéral ; exécution of.

408 ; punishment demanded by

Powers, 726
Ogren, Mr. and Mrs.; story of,

638-643
" Open Door," the 724-725
Open Ports, prospenty of, 573
Opium, British trade in, 15 ;

sale of, 91 ; Chinese opinion

of, 92, 93
Opium war, purpose of, 16
Opium Commission, report of,

92
Orphanages, Roman Catholic,

Tsung Li Yamen on, 58
Outbreaks in China, causes of,

13
Outlook, the, 733-739
" Overland to China," 52

Palace. Impérial; foreigners
visit the, 529

lii'

INDEX

763

Palace examinations, abolition

of, 142
Palace where Emperor was im-

prisoned, 530
Palaces, sale of abandoned,

501
Pamphlets, the Hunan, 41
P'ang Chuang missionaries,

protest of, 180
P'ang Chuang, riot at, 609;

Boxers, checked at, 610
Pao Ting Fu, disturbance at,

206, 207 ; Belgian engineers

escape from, 212; massacre

at, 610 ; mémorial service held

at, 682; military expédition

to, 713; punishment of native

officiais at, 714
Parkes, Mr., seized by Chinese,

20
Parliament, English, on war

with China, 15
Partition of China, 115, 184
Partridge, Miss, murder of, 613
Fatriotic Harmony Society of

Boxers, the, 227
Pavilion, British Légation, 263
Peace conditions, defence of

Légations included in, 548
Pearl River, capture of forts,

18
Peiho, the, railway connection

with, 26
Pei T'ang Cathedral, 264, 304.

456, 503

Peking, Manchu government m,
21 ; city gâtes, 2.^ ; Roman
Catholic mission in, 206; ar-
rivai of allied forces, 261 ;
anarchy in, 270; condition
during siège, 329; anti-for-
eign. 517; its punishment,
517-534; first occupied by
European troops. 517; dévas-
tation, 519; Street lighting,
526 ; military expéditions
from, 713

'* Peking and Tientsin Times,"

185
" Peking Gazette," mimsters re-

quest publication of Edict in,
191

Persécution of native Chris-
tians, 2)7

Personal narratives, 665-701 ;
Kao Hsin, 665 ; Deacon Li,
671 ; Deacon Hêng, 673 ; Mrs.
Li Pên Yuan, 676; the T'sai
family, 679; pastor Mêng Chi
Hsien, 680; Chang Ch'ing
Hsiang, 682; Mrs. Huo, 685;
Dr. Ch'iu, 687; Wên Li, 689;
Messrs. Chang and Wên, 691 ;
Mr. Chiang, 602; Mr. and
Mrs. Chang, 693 ; Christian
students, 695; Mrs. Ma, 697;
Roman Catholic Christians,
698 ; English Methodist Chris-
tians, 698

Persson, Mr. and Mrs., murder
of, 712

Pethick, W. N., heads res-
cue party, 238

Philological studies, opportuni-
ties for, 527

Physicians, the siège, 515

Pigott family, murder of, 615

Pitkin, Mr., murder of, 610

Placards, anti-foreign, circula-
tion of, 80

Placard, Boxer; range of com-
plaint in, 201

Polk, Président, letter of, 14

Population of China, complex
problem of, 3

Port Arthur, Russian occupa-
tion of, IIO

Ports, opening of new, 16

Posters, Boxer, 200

Powers, The ; relation to Japan,
452; appropriation of Tien-
tsin lands by 587, 589; fric-
tion among the. 714, 720;
" sphères of influence," 716,
720

"Practice of Virtue," Chinese
respect for, 152

Prepching of Occidentals, préj-
udice aroused bv. 40

Preparatofy Schools, establish-
ment of, ordered, 140

.. 1

764

INDEX

K.J!

■»i-:

^^:-

f-.^-

Presbyterian Missionaries, mas-
sacre of, 610

Prescription, a Divine, 200

Président McKinley, appeal to,
216; congratulations tele-
graphed by, 495

Press, the foreign, on break up
of China, 116

Price family, murder of, 616

Priests, Buddhist and Taoist,
7; leaders in disturbances, 40

Prince Ch'ing, interview of
British Minister with, 228

Prince Ch'ing and Others, cor-
respondence with, 340, 343,
348, 362, 364, 386, 389, 390,

399, 403
Proclamation, anti-foreign, 73
Progress, Chinese idea of, 89
Promoter, the typical. 100
Property, claim of Roman

Catholics to, 56, 58; purchase

by foreigners. 57; foreigners

hand to Chinese Government,

230 ; wholesale destruction,

238, 498
Prophecy of Boxer troubles, re-

markable, 222
Protestant missions, literature
of, 40

organizations, diversity of, 42

societies, agreement of, in in-
demnity scheme, 730

martyrs, number of, 613, 647,
648

Christians in China, number
of, 650
Protestants in China, 30-44;

Chinese view of, 31
Providential care, évidences of,

512, 513
Provincial guilds, the, 152
Provisional Government, Tien-

tsin, 451
Public buildings, losses in, 264
Pu Chùn, Heir Apparent, 185
Public Harmony Volunteers,

the, 174
Punishment of Peking, the, 517-

534

Punishments demanded by

Powers, small list of, 726
Puzzle of Chinese history, 5

QuEEN Victoria, congratula-
tions telegraphed by, 496

Queue, proposed abolition of,
145

Railways, Impérial sanction of,
25; development, 26, 524;
arouse opposition. 96, 120, 182,
559.- 560; the Peking road, 97;
the trans-Siberian, 104, 117;
list of concessions, 117; de-
fence of 228, 609; trains
stopped, 235 ; a new terminus,

Rank, officiai; repeal of pur-
chase and sale of, 140

Ransome, Miss, Red Cross
given to, 493

Rations, issuing, 276

Reaction against reform, 124-
151

Reactionary Impérial Decrees,
effect of, 162

Recant, native Christians given
opportunity to, 653

Reciprocity, Confucius on, 62;
Chinese thought of, loi

Records, Chinese Yamens; fate
of, 544

Red Cross, siège ladies receive
order of, 493

" Red Lantern Light " Society ;
the, 662

Reform Translating Bureau, 141

Reforms, désire for, 11, 130;
planned by Emperor, 43 : edict
on, 131; plan for, 134; books
on, presented to Emperor,
135; effect of, 136; conserva-
tives resist, 139; governors
censured for slowness in, 143 ;
repealed by Empress Dow-
ager, 149

Refuge pits, digging of, 293

Refugees, expériences of, 537;
condition of T'ung Chou de-
scribed by, 565

i.l.

INDEX

765

Régénération of China, problem

of, 735
Régiment, the Hongkong coo-

Registrar, work of, 365

Régulations, eight, of Tsung
Li Yamen, 58

" Régulations for the Mainte-
nance of Order in Peking,"
228

Reid, Gilbert, 45, 88, 505

Relief, the, 'tig, 434

Relief expédition, the Seymour-
IMcCalla, expected in Peking,
235 ; Word from 236, 299 ; ef-
fort to send word to 242;
futile effort to stop, 246; its
trials, 440 ; takes Impérial
armory, 442: its character,
443 ; plan of, 599

Relief expédition, The final ;
word from, 354, 385. 392, 409>
422; anxiety about, 320;
efforts to communicate with,
415, 418; approaches Peking,
430; enters city, 432

Remoter sources of antipathy,

3-13
Renewal of the attack, the, 402-

418
Restitution to Christians, Box-
ers offer to make, 538
Revenue, raising of, 135
Revolt of conservatives, 147
Rice, the tribute ; method of

carrying to Peking. 99
Rice junks; boatmen on, 13
Richard, Timothy, 78, 150;
scheme for Protestant in-
demnities, 729
Riots in Yangtze Valley, 26
Riots, cause of, 59; anti-for-
eign, 65-76 ; season of, 86 ; at
Yang Chou, 65 ; Chên Chiâng,
65 ; Shanghai, 70 ; Canton, 71 ;
Szechuan, 75 ; instigated by
Impérial palace, ^d; at Wu
Hu. Nanking. An Ching Fu,
Tan Yang, 82; Wu Hsûeh,

I Ch'ang Fu, 83 ; Sungpu, Ku
Chêng, 85; Chien Ning Fu,
Chiang Pei, Szechuan, 86;
spread of, 155, 156, 158; in-
vestigation ordered, 203

Rising, the popular; prédiction
of, 62 ; primary sources of , 63

Ritualists, the, 172

Roberts, James H. ; flight from
Kalgan, 643-647

Robinson and Norman,

Messrs. ; murder of, 227

Rock Springs, treatment of
Chinese in, 21

Roman Catholic Church, Unity
of contrasted with Protes-
tants, 31

Roman Catholic Church, be-
lieved a political agent, 47;
believed a shelter of bad men,
52 ; its property. 56 ; its finan-
cial methods, 58 ; its secrecy,
60 ; its good work, 61 ; hostil-
ity to rites of, 61 ; its semi-
political administration, 61

Roman Catholics in China, the,
45-64 ; bishops, rank adopted
by, 48 ; missionaries, power of,
49; outrages of, 55; rising
against, 157; successful de-
fence of, 179; fortifications
of, 207; rescue of, 251;
massacre of missionaries, 614,
619; list of martyrs, 649;
number in China, 650 ; Per-
sonal narrative of converts,
698

Ruin of T'ung Chou, the, 555^
570

Russia. a menace to China, ']2Z ;
dominâtes Manchuria, 724

Russian Cemetery, desecration
of, 499
railroads, the, 118
soldiers, barbarities of, 670
troops in allied forces, the,

455 ...

Russians in Manchuria, friction

with, 607

leniency of, 726

766

INDEX

? *

a ]

relation of, Chincse, 357
Russo-Chinese agreement, the,

104
Russo-French alliance, the, 103

Sages^ the Chinese, 6

Salisbury, Lord, unwilling to
resort to naval action, 193
telegram to, 195

Sand bags, demand for, 279;
manufacture of, 289; mater-
ials for, 511

Sanitary care of British Léga-
tion during siège, 295 ; im-
provements, 820

Scholars, classification of, 9

Schools and collèges, establish-
ment of, 139

Searchlight, sight of, 304, 312

Secret societies, number of, 153;
forbidden by government, 173

Segers, Father. murder of, 620

Semi-siege, in Peking, the, 232-
252

Servants, Chinese, faithfulness
of Christian, 657, 658

Settlement with China, terms of,

734
Seville, Miss, Red Cross given.

4Q4

Seymour-McCalla expédition,
the, 235, 236, 299, 242, 246,
438, 440, 442, 443, 599 (see
Relief Expéditions)

Seymour, Mr., U. S. Consul at
Canton, 55

Shanghai, commercial capital of
the Far East, 12 ; Ningpo men
in, 13 ; foreign settlement in,
17; agreement of Powers
over, 24; conférence at, 55,
78; riot at, 70

Shanghai journals, Ningpo cor-
respondents of, 71

Shanghai Agricultural Asso-
ciation, the, 138

Shanghai Cathedral, supposed
foundation of on infants, 97

Shansi, foreigners escape from,
616; Boxers authorized to
kill ail Christians in, 657

Shansi Christians, fire and
sword among, 702-712

Shantung, mission affairs in,
50 ; German work in, 99 ; mur-
der of priests in, 106; policy
of governor of, 603; foreign-
ers protected, 604; drill re-
sumed by Boxers, 722

Sheffield, D. Z., asked to médi-
ate with Japanese, 558

Shen Taotai of T'ung Chou,
help of, 215

Shensi, travelling in, 14; policy
of governor of, 603; spread
of anti-foreign rising in, 611

Shimonoseki, treaty of, 29

Shots fired at Légations, num-
ber of, 514

Siège, the; first week of, 272-
296

Siège life, 365-382

Siège, raising the, 433

Siège, after the, 485-507

Siège child, a, 298

Simcox, Mr. and Mrs., murder
of, 610

Slimmon, James A., notable ex-
périence of, 621-632

Simpson, Mr., murder of. 614

Smith, Miss Georgiana, distin-
guished services of, 537

Smyth, G. B., on French treach-
ery,_25

So P'ing Fu, massacre of mis-
sionaries at, 613. 707, 712

" Society for the Diffusion of
Christian and General Knowl-
edge," 43, 150

Society to Protect the Heavenly
Dynasty. tenet of, 224

Soldiers, Chinese. 8

Soldiers, Continental, conduct
of, 500

*' Sources of Anti-Foreign Dis-
turbances in China," 88

South African War, effect of,
on China, 220

" Sphères of influence," expedi-
tionary, 716, 720

" Spirits." Boxers aided by, 172

Spread of the Rising, 196-217

INDEX

767

Squiers, Herbert G., 346

Squiers, Mrs., 262

Stampede, an international, qtj'j

State Department code, tele-
gram received in, 346

Steam navigation, opposition to,
96

Stevenson, J, W., list of Prot-
estant missionary martyrs
prepared by, 647, 648, 649

Stewart family, murder of, 85

Strategy, Chinese, illustrated,

397
Streets in Peking, care of, 526;

renaming of, 527
Strike, labour, in China, 13
Strouts, Capt., death of, 345
Struggle for the wall, The,

207-317
Student interpreters, praise of,

480
Students, Christian, Personal

narrative of, 695
Su, Prince, 265
Su Wang Fu, 265, 273; Japa-

nese ordered to abandon the,

277
Sugiyama, Japanese chancelier,

murdered, 235
Summer Palace, the, 532
Sun Chia Nai, approval of régu-
lations of, 140
Sung and Ming Dynasties,

methods of government of,

132
Sungpu, riot in, 85
Supplies, dififîculties in purchas-

ing. 241
Supplies, the siège, 509
Swedish Union missionaries,

murder of, 712
Syndicates, agents of. 88; min-

ing lands sought by, 121
Szechuan, riots in. y^i^ 86

Ta Tac Hui, the, 106
Tablets, ancestral. of the Man-
chu dynasty. British seize the,

548
Tablets of pre-Imperial Ances-
tors, removal of, 549

T'ai Ku Hsien, massacre of
missionaries at, 613

Taiping rébellion, the, 22, 30

T'ai Yuan Fu, massacre of mis-
sionaries at, 613

Taku forts, capture of, 18, 19,
336; surrender demanded,
247; effect of capture, 436

Taku Forts to relief of Peking,
From, 435-461

Tan Yang, riot at, 82

T'ang dynasty, emperor of,
quoted, on Confucianism, 7

T'ang, motto of, 738

" T'ang-tzu," the, 335

Taoist priests, employment of,
by Chinese, 7

Taoist priests and Christianity,

39
Taotai of Shanghai, riot planned

by, 6,7
Taotai of T'ung Chou, appeal
to, 212; Boxers intimidate
the, 566
Tartar dynasty, présage of fall

of, 239
Taxation, protest against, 120
Taxes, remission of, 51:3
Taylor, Dr. Geo. Yardley, mur-
der of, 610
Taylor, J. Hudson, beginning
of China Inland Mission by,

Telegram in State Department
Code, Mr. Conger receives, 346

Telegram from Paris, 361

Telegrams to governments,
question of, 386, 389

Telegrams, receipt of, 404, 405,
412. 414, 423

Telegraph, opposition to, 96;
sending of edicts by, 143 ;
sending appeals by, 216 ; com-
munication, stopped, 235

Télescope, Chinese fear of, 214

Temple of Agriculture. Amer-
ican troops occupy the, 546

Temple of Heaven, foreigners
enter the. 547

Temples in T'ung Chou, de-
struction of, 546

768

INDEX

î î

! f«.
le, -m

Temples, proposed use of, for

schools, 139
Territorial Aggression, 101-123
Tewksbury, Mr., 274, 495
Thunder shower, effect on Chi-

nese of, 303
Tientsin, metropolis of four
provinces, 12; supplies fur-
nished by, 19 ; cathedral at,
56; riots in, 58; efïect of cap-
ture of, 342 ; serious situation
at, 437; relief of, 438; loca-
tion of foreign settlement,
444 ; attack, 445 ; Eastern Ar-
senal taken, 446; foreigners
leaving, 447; taking city, 451 ;
story of siège, 444; after the
siège, 571-593; location of,
571 ; character of men of, 571 ;
massacre, the, 572 ; popula-
tion of, 572; prosperity of,
573 ; antipathy to foreigners
in, 573; dévastation of, 577,
582 ; provisional government
of, 578; taken by foreign
troops, 579; British munici-
pal council of, 586; wall re-
moved, 588; new roads in,
588, 589; business conditions
in, 591 ; military expéditions
from, 713
Tientsin Road, the, destruction

of, 591
Tientsin, treaty of, 18, 20, 21
Tientsin Massacre, the, 13, 22.

46, 69

Tiger, the Chinese, 122

Tombs, Impérial ; raid in direc-
tion of, 715

Topography of Légation dis-
trict. 259

Tower of city gâte, burning of,

239

Territory, cession of, to for-
eigners, 16

Tract and Bible Societies, work
of, 41

Trade, foreign, efïect on China
of, 90

Trade in Tientsin, 591

Traders and Chinese, 9

Tragédies, a chapter of, 617,

618
Trans-Asian railway, terminus

of, IIO
Trans-Siberian railway, the,

104, 117
Transformation of Tientsin,

588-593

Translators in Great Britain
and France, Chinese Minis-
ters ordered to engage, 142

Transportation, Wçstern modes
of, 525

Treaties, présent, a growth, 14
attitude of China toward, 29
of Nanking, causes of, 16
of 1842 ignored by Emperor,

of Shimonoski, 29

of Tientsin, 18, 20, 21, 22

ratification of, at Peking, 19

Treaty ports in China, 12

" Triad " Society, 153

Tribute grain, arrivai of, at
T'ung Chou, 556; effect of
railway on, 561

Tribute Rice transport by
Grand Canal, abolition of, 144

Truce, a flag of, 292, 346

T'sai family; personal narrative
of, 679

Tsai Li, or the Ritualists, 172

Ts'ang Chou, German raid of,
716

Tseng, Marquis, 245

Tsung Li Yamen, the, 46;
mémorandum of, 52, 56, 59,
61 ; French influence over,
55 ; American Minister sends
protests to, 192; protection
promised by, 210; Prince
Tuan appointed président of,
230; request withdrawal of
foreign troops, 242 ; request
foreign ministers to leave,
247 ; ministers reply. 248, 268 ;
letter to Légation ministers,
267 ; messenger from, 346 :
provisions sent from, 362,
390 : despatch from. 420, 426,
427; fate of, 544; alleged

INDEX

769

cause for exécution of its
ministers, 595

Tuan Fang, Gov. of Shensi,
helpfulness of, 603

Tuan, Prince, bribed by Em-
press Dowager, 147; ap-
pointée! Président of Tsung
Li Yamen, 230, 269

T'ung Chou; capitulâtes, 19,
558; arrivai of Boxers, 204,
563; troubles, 212; foreigners
flee, 214, 564; wreck of Post
Office and mission, 235 ;
meaning of name, 555; ruin
of> 555-570 î composite struc-
ture of city, 556; population,
556, 568; people friendly to
foreigners, 558; affected by
railway, 561 ; magistrate hos-
tile to foreigners, 564 ; Boxer
leader in, 565 ; destruction of ,
564, 567-570

T'ung Chou Christians in Pe-
king, location of, 535

Tung Fu Hsiang, 163

Tung Kun, resentment of Chi-
nese at 11^

" Turbid-Stars," at Tientsin, 12

United States, educational
mission to, 23 ; first minister
to China, 14 ; sufïering of Chi-
nese in, 21

United Village Associations,

174

Unity during siège, the remark-
able, 515

University in Peking, impor-
tance of, 133; condition of
after the siège, 497

Vegetarian Society, murder of

missionaries by, 85
Vermilion Pencil Edicts, de-
spatch of, 553
Viceroys, uprising checked by,

603. 605
Victory, an important, 316
Victoria, see Queen, 496
Vileness of Hunan pamphlets,
81

Village, Christian, Boxer attack

on, 177, 207, 214
Volunteers, the, 174

Wade, Sir Thomas, expéri-
ences of, in China, 23

Waldersee, Count von, 611

Wall of Tientsin, removal of,
588

Wall, the struggle for, 297-317;
defences on, 403

Wang Lan P'u, story of, 702

War of 1840-41, 15

War with Japan, China at close
of, 102

War edicts of Empress Dow-
ager, 28

Warren, P. L., British Consul,
Shanghai, 602

Washington, Chinese situation
viewed from, 721

Water, supply of, 280, Su _^

Watson, Joseph, on " China
and the Présent Crtsis," 117

Watt, James, despatches taken

by, 437
Watts Jones, Capt., murder of,
612

Weather, the siège, 332

Wei Ilei Wei, British demand

for, m; occupied by Japan,

103
Wên Hsiang, character of, 46
Wên, Mr., personal narrative

of. 691
Wên Li, Personal narrative of,

689
Wêng T'ung Ho, Emperor's

tutor, 134
Western Empress, death of, 125
Western innovations, introdu-
cers of, 26; their effect, 94
Learning Schools, graduâtes

of, 138
nations and China, 8
powers, opportunity of, 87
science in China, power of,

736
troops in China, lawlessness
of, 718

770

INDEX

Whitehouse, Mr., murder of,

614
♦' White Lily " Society, 153
Williams, Dr., on Treaty of

Nanking, 16
Williams, Fred'k, " History of

China," 40, 70
Williams, G. L., murder of, 613
Wilson, Dr., murder of, 614
Women, bravery of, 485

given Red Cross, 493
Women, massacre of, 338, 605,

610, 614, 615, 616, 617, 670,

680, 696, 697, 698, 700
Workmen, classification of, 9
Wu Ting Fang, telegram from,

350; influence at Washington

of, 721
Wu Hu, riot at, 82
Wu Hsieh, riot at, 83
Wu Hsiieh, riot at, 83
Wylie, J. A., murder of, 85

Yamen, Ministers, British Lé-
gation visited by, 236

Yamaguchi, Gen., leads Jap-

anese forces, 455
Yang Chou, riot in, 65
Yang Ts'un, 440, 456
Yangtze Valley, riots in, 26, 58;

Great Britain in, 121
Yeh, Gov.-Gen., British capture

of, 57
Yellow River, rising of, 162
Yuan Shih K'ai, 148, 155, 180,

602 ; proclamations of, 723
Yû Hsien, career of, 168; re-
moval of, 180; collusion with
Boxers, 192; condemned, 550;
influence in Shansi, 611
Yû Lu, Gov. of Chihli, 574
Yung Ch'ing Hsien, 228; Ger-
man raid on, 717; British re-
mit taxes on, 717
Yung Wing, influence of. 23
Yunnan, struggle of French
for, 121

Zahn, Franz,
Catholics, 54

attacked by

miVfll?l'!!fY!FSS'^Y LIBRARY

3 9002 02964 7964

I:
I

AUTHOR

A II

Chiïja ir..

ccnv al s ion.

TITL^

\A-?,X7.

"^vr> C^ \'^

VU.2

DATE DUE

FEB23'45

BORROWER'S NAME

-«<^iiirnV4

Yale Divinity Library

New Haven, Connecticut

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