The "open door" was in as immediate peril as were the diplomats in Pekin.
Secretary Hay did not, however, yield to these altered circumstances.
Instead, he built upon the leadership which he had assumed.

He promptly accepted the international responsibility which the emergency called for.

The United States at once agreed to take its share, in cooperation with the Great Powers, in whatever measures should be judged necessary.
The first obvious measure was to relieve the foreign ministers who were besieged in Pekin.

American assistance was active and immediate.

By the efforts of the American Government, communication with the legations was opened; the American naval forces were soon at Tientsin, the port of Pekin; and five or six thousand troops were hastily sent from the Philippines.