=Ashanti, 1900.=--After the rebellion of certain native tribes had been quelled, and the siege of Kumassi raised, King Edward VII approved of a medal--the first bearing his effigy--being issued to those who had taken part in the operations, and a bar inscribed KUMASSI also to those who had defended or relieved the city. On the obverse is the bemedalled bust of King Edward in Field-Marshal's uniform, which was used later on the South Africa medal 1901-2; on the reverse is modelled a lion looking toward the left of the medal, where the rising sun is depicted behind a hill. The lion is statant gardent in front of an African shield, whereon are two assegais, one being significantly broken; below is a plain panel with the word ASHANTI. The ribbon is alternately black and green--three black and two green stripes. The suspender is straight, and the names, etc., of recipients--mostly native soldiery--indented in small block letters on the edge of the medal, a few were issued engraved. The Flying Column was composed of 100 of the West African Regiment, 250 of the 2nd Central African Regiment, 350 West African Frontier Force, and 40 Sierra Leone Police with 2 guns. Some men of the 3rd W.I.R. also received the medal with bar for Kumassi. [Illustration: KING EDWARD'S MILITIA LONG SERVICE MEDAL.] [Illustration: KING EDWARD'S MILITIA LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL. (Reverse.)] [Illustration: KING GEORGE'S TERRITORIAL EFFICIENCY MEDAL.] CHINA, 1900 The Chinese society known as Boxers had been for some time engaged in agitating against foreigners, but did not become generally known to the English-speaking race until the murder of an Anglican missionary, the Rev. Sidney Brooks, on December 31st, 1899. They first, about a century ago, selected the title of I Ho Ch'uan, or Fist of Righteous Harmony; the society was, however, suppressed by Imperial edict, but, like most associations which have a strong religious or political basis, it was not exterminated, and as the political interference of certain missionary enthusiasts became more daring their activities again burst forth. They determined to destroy the foreigner and all his works, so that their countrymen might pursue their own ways, and work out their own salvation. All very laudable, in a way, but the patriots degenerated into bloodthirsty fanatics, and as the Chinese authorities were unable to deal with the rebels against Imperial authority--or indeed, as some say, appeared to make covert cause with them--it became necessary for the principal Powers to send troops to suppress the disturbances and protect the lives and property of their subjects. Great Britain, France, Germany, America, Japan, and Russia sent troops, which took part in the military and naval operations in the North of China and the Yangtse Valley from June 10th to December 31st, 1900. The most stirring events in the campaign were the defence of the Legations in Pekin from June 10th to August 14th, and the relief of Pekin