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 had written a book urging radical reforms, and by an edict of the emperor this book was printed and scattered broadcast over the land. The emperor and his advisers were, however, moving too fast. The conservative members of the government appealed to the empress dowager, who had a few years before nominally withdrawn from participation in public affairs, and she resolutely seized again the reins of government, practically dethroned the emperor, and proceeded to behead, banish, or imprison his supporters, his chief adviser, Kang Yu Wei, however, having escaped and fled the country.

The reform movement of the emperor, which, if carried out, might have restrained foreign aggression, thus came to an end, and the government continued to endure the demands of the foreigners, and its conduct furnished additional incentive for the growth of the Boxers. Their attitude became so threatening that in November, 1898, the American and other ministers asked for guards to protect the legations. They were sent from the naval vessels at Tientsin, and remained through the winter, when they were withdrawn. The year 1899 was not marked by any serious outbreaks, though the Boxers continued to extend their organization and influence. But early in 1900 their movement assumed a more aggressive character. In May the foreign ministers addressed the Tsung-li Yamen asking