CHINESE  HISTORY:  THIRD  PERIOD

43
ception  of  the  American  commander,  joined  in  summoning
the  Taku  Forts  to  surrender.  Upon  the  refusal  of  the
Chinese,  fire  was  opened  on  the  forts,  and  after  a  severe
bombardment  they  were  taken.  This  led  the  Chinese
Government  to  declare  war  on  foreign  nations,  and  the
Imperial  troops  began  to  make  common  cause  with  the
Boxers.  The  foreign  settlement  at  Tientsin  was  besieged
by  the  Chinese,  and  was  only  saved  from  destruction  by
an  expedition  sent  to  its  relief  from  Taku.
During  the  summer  of  1900  massacres  of  Christian
missionaries  and  their  converts  took  place  throughout
North  China.  A  secret  edict  to  exterminate  all  foreigners
was  issued  by  the  Empress  Dowager,  and  was  obeyed  in
Paotingfu,  and  in  Taiyuanfu.  As  soon  as  the  gravity  of
the  situation  was  realised  troops  of  the  foreign  powers  were
dispatched  to  China.  Upon  the  arrival  of  these  the  native
city  of  lientsin  was  attacked  and,  after  severe  fighting,  was
taken  by  the  allied  forces.  Then  a  relief  expedition  set  out
for  Peking.
The  foreigners  in  Peking  had,  in  the  meantime,  taken
refuge  in  the  British,  American,  and  adjoining  Legations,
where  they  were  subjected  to  a  long  and  trying  siege.  With
splendid  determination  they  held  out  against  overwhelming
odds,  and  managed  to  maintain  their  position.  The  Chinese
were  afraid  of  proceeding  to  extremities,  and  never  put
forth  all  the  force  at  their  disposal  against  the  beleaguered.
It  is  probable  they  suffered  from  divided  counsels  in  their
own  midst,  one  party  wishing  to  destroy  the  foreigners,  and
one  holding  back  from  fear  of  the  consequences.  If  Tientsin
had  been  able  to  hold  out  against  the  foreigners,  the  fate  of
the  Legations  would  have  been  sealed.  When,  however,
it  was  learnt  that  Tientsin  had  been  taken,  the  attack  on
the  Legations  was  no  longer  carried  on  with  much  real
spirit.  The  allied  army  arrived  at  Peking  on  August  14,
and  the  city  was  taken  on  the  following  day.  The  Emperor
and  Empress  Dowager  fled  as  the  foreign  troops  entered
the  city,  and  established  the  Court  at  Sianfu  in  Shensi.
During  the  outbreak  in  the  north,  the  Viceroys,  Liu  Kun-i,