Footnote 272: _Ibid._, No. 159. It is true that some of these events had not been known to Muravieff, but enough news had reached him to show the extreme gravity of the situation. Footnote 273: _Ibid._, No. 149 (June 16). Footnote 274: _Ibid._, No. 159. Also see Nos. 43, 45, 48, 65, 58, 114, 120, all indicating the optimistic view of the Count. Footnote 275: Cf. _ibid._, No. 120 (June 13). Footnote 276: _China, No. 3 (1900)_, No. 149 (June 16). In the Czar’s reply to the Chinese Emperor’s appeal for a friendly intervention, it was stated that “the efforts of Russia had but one object in view, namely, to assist in the reëstablishment of order and tranquillity in the Chinese Empire, and, inspired by their traditional friendship for China, the Imperial Government have decided to render to the Chinese Government every assistance with a view to repressing the present troubles.” From the Russian Official Gazette, as reported by Sir Charles Scott on August 2, 1900; _China, No. 1 (1901)_, No. 105. It is noteworthy that Russia had raised objections to sending large forces from Japan to the relief of Peking, one reason being that she supposed they would be commissioned, not only to rescue the Legations, but also to suppress rebellion and restore peace in Peking and Tientsin.—_Ibid._, No. 29. Footnote 277: _Ibid._, No. 175. A writer of diplomatic history of Russia, himself a Russian, considers that the anti-foreign uprising was owing to the conduct of other Powers [presumably in sending Christian missionaries], in which Russia had never participated; and that, therefore, it was purely accidental that she took part in the Boxer campaign. See the _Tō-A Dōbun-kwai Hōkoku_, No. 48, pp. 35–36. Footnote 278: _Tokushu Jōyaku_, p. 258. It is said that M. Witte was at the time opposed to sending so large forces into Manchuria. Footnote 279: The _Kokumin_, March 8, 1901. Footnote 280: But how soon before the order of mobilization is unknown. Writing on June 29 from St. Petersburg, Sir Charles Scott said that the Russian Government was alarmed by some news received on that day of the serious disturbances which had occurred near the Manchurian Railway, and it was rumored that the Boxers were attacking and destroying the line north of Mukden, and had cut off telegraphic communications with Vladivostok. “The Chinese Legation [at St. Petersburg] is much alarmed by this report,” continued the British Ambassador, “as they had been seriously warned that the slightest movement against the safety of the Russian line would be followed by an instant and forcible action by Russia.”—_China, No. 3 (1900)_, No. 240. Footnote 281: The _Kokumin_, March 8, 1901, etc. Footnote 282: _China, No. 1 (1901)_, No. 47. Footnote 283: