The United States, while not participating in the joint demonstration, promptly sent from the Philippines all ships that could be spared for service on the Chinese coast.  A small force of marines was landed at Taku and sent to Peking for the protection of the American legation.  Other powers took similar action, until some four hundred men were assembled in the capital as legation guards.

Still the peril increased.  The legations reported the development of the seditious movement in Peking and the need of increased provision for defense against it.  While preparations were in progress for a larger expedition, to strengthen the legation guards and keep the railway open, an attempt of the foreign ships to make a landing at Taku was met by a fire from the Chinese forts.  The forts were thereupon shelled by the foreign vessels, the American admiral taking no part in the attack, on the ground that we were not at war with China and that a hostile demonstration might consolidate the antiforeign elements and strengthen the Boxers to oppose the relieving column.

Two days later the Taku forts were captured after a sanguinary conflict.  Severance of communication with Peking followed, and a combined force of additional guards, which was advancing to Peking by the Pei-Ho, was checked at Langfang.  The isolation of the legations was complete.

The siege and the relief of the legations has passed into undying history.  In all the stirring chapter which records the heroism of the devoted band, clinging to hope in the face of despair, and the undaunted spirit that led their relievers through battle and suffering to the goal, it is a memory of which my countrymen may be justly proud that the honor of our flag was maintained alike in the siege and the rescue, and that stout American hearts have again set high, in fervent emulation with true men of other race and language, the indomitable courage that ever strives for the cause of right and justice.

By June 19 the legations were cut off.  An identical note from the, Yamen ordered each minister to leave Peking, under a promised escort, within twenty-four hours.  To gain time they replied, asking prolongation of the time, which was afterwards granted, and requesting an interview with the Tsung-li Yamen on the following day.  No reply being received, on the morning of the 20th the German minister, Baron von Ketteler, set out for the Yamen to obtain a response, and oil the way was murdered.

An attempt by the legation guard to recover his body was foiled by the Chinese.  Armed forces turned out against the legations.  Their quarters were surrounded and attacked.  The mission compounds were abandoned, their inmates taking refuge in the British legation, where all the other legations and guards gathered for more effective defense.  Four hundred persons were crowded in its narrow compass.  Two thousand native converts were assembled in a nearby palace under protection of the foreigners.  Lines of defense were strengthened, trenches dug, barricades raised, and preparations made to stand a siege, which at once began.