Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-03
CHINESE INSURGENTS
Total Number in the Field
Only 1900.
The Pekin Authorities Minimize
the Trouble.
They Pretend the Uprising Is Only
Marauding Expedition.
Reports of the Massacres and Rebellion
Evidently Exaggerated-No steps
Taken to Punish the Hu-
nanese Rioters,
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches.
PEKIN, Dec. 2.-Advices received by
the government as to the strength OF the
insurgents in the field place the total
number of men at only 1900. To judge
from the activity in military circles,
however, the imperial authorities do not
place implicit confidence in the reports
reaching them, and they are making
preparations to deal with much larger
force than that which is said to be head
ing toward the capital. There are now
5000 imperial troops guarding the places
along the great wall where it is ex-
pected the rebels will attempt to force
passage.
Advices received by the government
further state that the movement, in
stead of being concrete rising against
the emperor, is nothing more than
scheme of private vengeance. The wife
of the leader of an armed band Of
marauders was forcibly abducted,
whereupon he started through the
country on a mission of vengeance, in
structing his followers to make reprisale
upon the inhabitants.
LOCAL UPRIsINGs.
LONDON, Dec. "a cable dispatch
from the British consul at Chwang, a
treaty port of China, in the province of
Manchooria, states that rumors were
recently current in New Chwang that
the people in the country, $50 miles to
the west, had risen in revolt against the
authorities. The dispatch adds, how
ever, that the rising is now reported to
have been suppressed. The consul fur-
ther says the Presbyterian missionary
reports that a band of bandits recently
looted village in the province of Shing
King. The missionary says such an
occurrence is nothing unusual in the
winter season. The people as a whole
throughout the province are friendly to
the native Christians and to Europeans.
THE TAKow MASSACRE DIscREDrTED.
PARIS, Dec. PA priest who has long
been engaged in foreign missions, re-
Gently returned here from a missioiI sli
Manchooria, in an interview regarding
the startling events which occurred of
late in that land, expressed doubts as to
the truth of the reports telling of the
massacre at the Belgian mission. He
is unable to believe the story that the
insurgents are occupying towns and
meeting with no resistance. The gov
ernment, continued the clergyman, had
10000 troops at Lead Long, all armed
with the latest and most improved style
of European weapons. They were also
supplied with Krupp guns, and thor
oughly drilled in military tactics. He
estimated the number of Christians in
Manchooria at $4,000.
DISORDERS GROSSLY EXAGGERATED.
BERLIN, Dec. 2.-Dispatches received
here today from Pekin state that it is
officially announced that the reports Of
the disturbances in Mongolia are gross
" exaggerated. The movement, the dis
patches add, is a purely local one, and
entirely devoid of danger to the impe-
rial government. Notwithstanding the
receipts of these dispatches, it is be-
lieyed the revolutionary movement is
of much greater import than the Chinese
government would have the outside
world believe.
ANOTHER LIE NAILED.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2.-It is stated at
the Chinese legation that there has
been no dispatch received there stating
a preliminary skirmish had recently
taken, place at the port of Shanghai
between two Italian gunboats and the
Chinese navy, and that two of the for
mer were sunk in deep water. The
minister said he believed the story to be
without foundation.
THE POPE INTERESTED.
LONDON, Dec. 2.-The Chronicle says
the Vatican is making semi-official
overtures to the powers to protect the
Christians in China.
ONLY A MARAUDING EXPEDITION.
LONDON, Dec. 2.-The Chronicles cor
respondent at Tien.Tsin telegraphs as
follows: Ii Hung has informed me
through the British consul that he has
no doubt that the rising in Mongolia is
marauding expedition, promoted only
by greed Of plunder, and there is no
reason to regard it as revolutionary. All
is quiet here and in Pekin. The Amer
lean gunboat Palos arrived today. The
port is about to close for the winter.