PEKING
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Boxers began to appear in the streets of Peking in force on June 13th, and openly assumed a hostile attitude to foreigners from that date. Until the 20th of the same month they confined their attention to acts of incendiarism and to the persecution of native Christians and people known to be associated with foreigners. The Imperial troops joined forces with the Boxers, and opened fire on the Legations on the 20th. The Siege continued with various vicissitudes until August 14th, when it was raised by the entrance of a column of Allied forces, 20,000 strong, which had left Tientsin about the beginning of the month and had fought two pitched battles at Pei-tsang and Yang- tsung on August 4th and 6th, besides numerous small engagements and the capture of Tung-chow en passant. The flight of the Imperial family and the Court began on August 13th. The Court entered Shan-si by the northern passes, and then vid Tai-yuen-fu its progress continued to the ancient capital Si-an, where it remained för the greater part of 1901. It left in October.
An important event in 1901 was the death of Li Hung-chang, who died in October at Tientsin, at the age of 79 years, whilst engaged in settling matters between his Government and the Powers.
During July, August and September, 1900, troops were poured into North China by all the the European Powers, America and Japan, and, with an eye to contingencies, large forces were deviated to the Yangtsze, and landed in Shanghai. The Governors and Viceroys of the Central and Southern Provinces had unceasingly protested against the Manchu and Reactionary policy in Peking, and, it is suspected, refused to carry out the secret edicts directing attacks on foreigners. In any case they succeeded in hold- ing the turbulent elements in their satrapies well in check, and in keeping the peace,
At the date of going to press (Dec. 1902), the situation in China is still somewhat complex but is rapidly returning to the normal. In the North the Allies, though they have withdrawn most of their forces, still have some 10,000 men in occupation of Shan- haikwan and Tientsin, to say nothing of 2,000 men who act as a permanent guard to the Legations in the Capital.
PEKING
天順 Shun-tien
The present capital of China was formerly the Northern capital only, as its name denotes, but it has long been really the metropolis of the Central Kingdom. Peking is situated on a sandy plain 13 miles S. W. of the Pei-ho river, and about 110 miles from its mouth, in latitude 39 deg. 54 min. N. and longitude 116 deg. 27 min. E. or nearly on the parallel of Naples. A canal connects the city with the Pei-ho. Peking is ill adapted by situation to be the capital of a vast Empire, nor is it in a position to become a great manufacturing or industrial centre. The products of all parts of China naturally find their way to the seat of Government, but it gives little save bullion in
return.
From Dr. Dennys's description of Peking we quote the following brief historical sketch: "The city formerly existing on the site of the southern portion of Peking was the capital of the Kingdom of Yan. About 222 B.C., this kingdom was over- thrown by the Chin dynasty and the seat of Government was removed elsewhere. Taken from the Chins by the Khaituns about 936 A.D., it was some two years after- wards made the southern capital of that people. The Kin dynasty subduing the Khaitans, in their turn took possession of the capital, calling it the 'Western Residence.' About A.D. 1151, the fourth sovereign of the Kins transferred the court thither, and named it the Central Residence. In 1215, it was captured by Genghis Khan. In 1264 Kublai Khan fixed his residence there, giving it the title of Chung-tu or Central Residence, the people at large generally calling it Shun t'ien-fu. In 1267 A.D., the city was transferred 3 /i (one mile) to the North of its then site, and it was then called. Ta-tu- 'the Great Residence.' The old portion became what is now known as the 'Chinese city' and the terms Northern' and 'Southern' city, or more commonly nei-cheng (within the wall) and wai-cheng (without the wall), came into use. The native Emperors who succeeded the Mongol dynasty did not, however, continue to make Peking the seat of Government. The court was shortly afterwards removed to Nanking, which was
Digi Jy
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