BOXERS (and Boxer Rebellion), the name given to the members of a powerful secret society in China. Its avowed object is the driving out from China of all Europeans or other foreigners. The Chinese name for the association is I-ho-ch'uanwhich is variously rendered in English. Tice active efforts of American and European missionaries and the constant encroachments upon Chinese territory by European countries appear to be responsible in great measure for the establishment of the society. The events which precipitated the first demonstrations of the Boxers were the occupa tion of Kiao-Chau by Germany, the acquisition of Port Arthur by Russia, the taking of Wei Hai-Wei by England and the French seizure of Kwang-Chau. Thus the Boxer movement presents itself largely under the aspect of a patriotic uprising against foreign aggression, a fact which goes far to account for the rapidity and thoroughness of its operations in 1900. Early in that year the native population in Shantung were found to be rallying around the standard of the Boxers and adopting its motto, ((Uphold the dynasty, drive out the foreigners?) The diplomatic corps at Peking called upon the imperial government to suppress the movement.
This the court professed its readiness to do, although there was a suspicion, voiced by the British Minister, that the Empress Dowager had fallen under the influence of a native party led by Tung Fuhsiang and Yu-hsien, and was tem porizing with the Boxers. In May 1900 the Boxers began a concerted movement upon the Chinese capital, which, notwithstanding the pro tests of the diplomatic corps, remained un checked by the military forces of the empire. These forces being Manchu troops, their loyalty was open to question and their sympathies were alleged to be with the Boxer movement. This, at any rate, was the only explanation offered by the Chinese government for its failure to cope with the uprising. The situation had been ren dered additionally threatening by the action of the allies in opening fire upon the forts at Taku. On 17 June the warships of the powers were in force at that port; when fired upon by the Chinese they opened a bombardment. The demonstration before Taku had been depre cated by the United States commander, Ad miral Kempff, who did not participate in the bombardment. His warnings that hostilities would unite Chinese against the foreigners were justified by events.
In June 1900, Peking was reduced to a state of siege by the Boxers. The position of the foreigners in the capital became precarious. The entire diplomatic corps was cut off from communication with the outside world. In the emergency the powers hurried military and naval forces to the scene, and an. international relief column, under the command of Admiral Seymour of the British navy, moved upon Peking. This force was, however, compelled to retreat, when a short distance beyond Tien Tsin, with a loss of 300 men. The position of the capital now became desperate. Cut off from communication with the rest of the world, Peking was a scene of turbulence and the cen tre of wild rumor. It was reported that on 7 July the entire diplomatic corps had fallen a prey to Boxer fury. This rumor was later discredited, the aspect of affairs having been rendered incomprehensible by the receipt of a despatch purporting to emanate from United States Minister Conger, and bearing date 18 July. According to this despatch the diplo matic corps had taken refuge in the British embassy, where they remained in a state of siege by the Boxers, anticipating massacre un less speedily relieved. Meanwhile the allies had concentrated their forces upon Tien-Tsin, cap turing the place in the middle of July, but suf fering severe loss. The 9th Regiment, United States army, had many casualties, including the loss of its colonel and other officers. The movement had spread in all directions among the Chinese, who on 16 July invaded Siberia. Russia at once proclaimed a state of siege in its Asiatic dominions. The powers did not, as yet, give formal recognition to a state of war, chiefly in consequence of the attitude of the United States, which took the ground that the Chinese government had been overpowered by an insurrectionary movement. On 20 July the powers made a categorical demand to be placed in communication with their diplomatic repre sentatives. The authorities at Peking professed their readiness to comply at the earliest possihle moment. The international situation was more clearly defined on 23 July by the appeal of China to the United States for the good offices of the latter in dealing with the powers. See CHINA.