t of both countries of rendering such
service to the subjects of either belligerent within the territorial
limits of the other as our neutral position permitted, developed
a domestic condition in the Chinese Empire which has caused much
anxiety and called for prompt and careful attention. Either as a
result of a weak control by the central Government over the provincial
administrations, following a diminution of traditional governmental
authority under the stress of an overwhelming national disaster, or as
a manifestation upon good opportunity of the aversion of the Chinese
population to all foreign ways and undertakings, there have occurred
in widely separated provinces of China serious outbreaks of the old
fanatical spirit against foreigners, which, unchecked by the local
authorities, if not actually connived at by them, have culminated in
mob attacks on foreign missionary stations, causing much destruction of
property and attended with personal injuries as well as loss of life.

Although but one American citizen was reported to have been actually
wounded, and although the destruction of property may have fallen more
heavily upon the missionaries of other nationalities than our own, it
plainly behooved this Government to take the most prompt and decided
action to guard against similar or perhaps more dreadful calamities
befalling the hundreds of American mission stations which have grown up
throughout the interior of China under the temperate rule of toleration,
custom, and imperial edict. The demands of the United States and other
powers for the degradation and punishment of the responsible officials
of the respective cities and provinces who by neglect or otherwise had
permitted uprisings, and for the adoption of stern measures by the
Emperor's Government for the protection of the life and property of
foreigners, were followed by the disgrace and dismissal of certain
provincial officials found derelict in duty and the punishment by death
of a number of those adjudged guilty of actual participation in the
outrages.

This Government also insisted that a special American commission should
visit the province where the first disturbances occurred for the purpose
of investigation. The latter commission, formed after much opposition,
has gone overland from Tientsin, accompanied by a suitable Chinese
escort, and by its demonstration of the readiness and ability of our
Government to protect its citizens will act, it is beli