[277]. Ibid., No. 175. A writer of diplomatic history of Russia, himself a Russian, considers that the anti-foreign uprising was owing to the conduct of other Powers [presumably in sending Christian missionaries], in which Russia had never participated; and that, therefore, it was purely accidental that she took part in the Boxer campaign. See the Tō-A Dōbun-kwai Hōkoku, No. 48, pp. 35–36.
[278]. Tokushu Jōyaku, p. 258. It is said that M. Witte was at the time opposed to sending so large forces into Manchuria.
[279]. The Kokumin, March 8, 1901.
[280]. But how soon before the order of mobilization is unknown. Writing on June 29 from St. Petersburg, Sir Charles Scott said that the Russian Government was alarmed by some news received on that day of the serious disturbances which had occurred near the Manchurian Railway, and it was rumored that the Boxers were attacking and destroying the line north of Mukden, and had cut off telegraphic communications with Vladivostok. “The Chinese Legation [at St. Petersburg] is much alarmed by this report,” continued the British Ambassador, “as they had been seriously warned that the slightest movement against the safety of the Russian line would be followed by an instant and forcible action by Russia.”—China, No. 3 (1900), No. 240.
[281]. The Kokumin, March 8, 1901, etc.
[282]. China, No. 1 (1901), No. 47.
[283]. There were other cases reported of the slaughter of noncombatants. The aggregate of those people killed was said to have reached 25,000. See Tokushu Jōyaku, p. 261, which gives a list of these cases in detail.
[284]. The Kokumin, March 8, 1901, etc.
[285]. See the reports of the British Consuls Hosie and Fulford and the American Consul Miller, in China, No. 5 (1900), p. 47; No. 2 (1904), pp. 29–33, etc.; and the 57th Congress, 2d Session, House Documents, vol. i. pp. 147–158. At one time the relations between the American sailors and citizens and the Russian authorities were wrought up to a high tension, and Mr. Miller used so strong language in his correspondence with the latter that he had to be warned by Minister Conger of Peking and Assistant Secretary Pierce at Washington.
[286]. See Tokushu Jōyaku, pp. 258–262.