New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-03
MINISTER DENBYS APPEAL.
COLOSSAL LAUNDERING ON THE PART OF
GRESHAM AND HERBERT.

PEKING DEvOLvE UPON OTHER
GOVERNMENTS IN THE ABSENCE OF
UNITED STATES FORCES.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBuxx.v
Washington. Dec. 2.-Further information re-
lating to the appeal Of Minister DENLY that
protection be given the American Legation at
Peking has to light. The facts clearly
show the imbecility of the Administration, and
reflect much discredit upon its Washington
representatives. Mr.. Denby's telegram from
Peking on Monday was not the first ntimation
received by the State Department as to the
seriousness of the situation in China and the
necessity of vigorous measures to meet the
conditions. In Mondays telegram Mr.. DENLY
said that the situation had become graver, and
that he was warranted in urging that a force
of marines from the vessels Of the Asiatic
Squadron be dispatched to his assistance with
out delay. The marines were needed to guard
the Legation and its archives. and to protect
Americans and others who might seek asylum
under its jurisdiction. The feeling among for
eigners in Peking had become a conviction
that the Chinese capital would soon be the
scene of lawessness and crime horrible to con-
template. The situation alarming, and
the need for protection for the Legation urgent.
If the japanese. flushed with victory at Port Ar
thur, directed their columns toward Pekng, as
seemed inevitable, there nothing but force
that would stay the atrocities Of the Chinese
whose hatred of foreign devils" was excessive
and liable to be manifest at any Time Ad-
mlra Carpenter has blundered. There Is no
doubt of this. But it Is equally certain that
Secretaries Gresham and Herbert have also been
lacking in zeal and judgment. 1t is we'll known
that Minister DENLY warned the State Depart.
ment as early the middle OF October that II
the success of the japanese arms continued and
the Mikado carried out his determination to
march on Pekng the safety OF foreigners in
China would be endangered. Mr. DENLY then re-
ported the conditions fully He referred to past
events in China, made use OF his knowledge OF the
people Of the country. and tried to impress upon
the State Department the seriousness OF the
duty before II. Secretary Gresham himself has
been heard to say on several occasions tnat one
of the gravest complications Of the present war
between China and Japan was the disorder tnat
would ensue In the interior cities or CHINA in
case the Japanese forces were successful Yet
he took special action 10 meet the situation
until Monday
Secretary Herbert, who is responsible for and
could readily have controlled the movements Of
the vessels OF the Asiatic Squadron, was we'll
aware Of the seriousness Of the case. Until Mon
day last he did nothing. however. to meet the
emergency. Japan, In the mean time, had taken
Port Arthur. and thus overcome the most ior-
miiable obstacle 10 her army's capturing Peking.
Port Arthur fell more than ten days ago DOUBT
less Minister DENLY sent his last appeal to the
Pekng that the fortress was in the hands OF the
japanese. The situation had become graver ana
there were immediate reasons FOR an appeal lor
the protection OF the marines. The requirements
were clear but they could not be met because the
vessels now the Asiatic station were ulViued
and distributed at five different ports, the near
est OF which, except Tien-Tsin, where the OLD
Monocacy at anchor. was more than -Vo
miles from the scene Of the present hostintes.
The Baltimore, with Admiral Carpenter ana ms
sta n on board at Nagasaki, Is nearly l.OOO miles
fr, pakipv The Pptrel iS at NeW-CnNdES
and the Concord at Chin kiang. The charleston
is at Chemulpo Corea. The Detroit ana Machlas
are In or lesurely approaching European waters
Admiral Carpenter will. Of course. be made
the scapegoat in the case. He undoubtedly coni-
rnitted a grave error in leaving Chlnese waters
at this time and going 10 Japan NO Ameri-
can interests are endangered In the Mlkauo
country The threatening conditions were on
the road TO Peking. Admiral tatpe'i&sei W. he ms-
take Will be laid at the door or the Navy De-
rartnent by all well-informed persons. Tor
there the real responsibility for the Baltimore
being out Of reach at critical moment rests
II will not do to say that the snip saieu pe-
fore a telegram could catch her. Before leaN-
ing for Nagasaki the ship was at her port OF
departure for several days. Ii was then INA,
she should have been communicated WIN, anu
ordered To keep n watchful eye on American
interests in China. where hostilities were going
As stated in these dispatches last night Ad-
mIral Carpenter was directed yesterday aiter-
noon To proceed with dispatch In the baltiinoie
% the port nearest 10 llell-i slii' anu -,
board the Monocacy 100 marines for duty III
connection with the protection or the Legation
at Pcling The Admiral carried out these III
structions Immediately. and started LOT Iaku,
but the distance from Nagasaki 10 iieii- ISM SIN
s about 900 miles. and even at hish rate
OF speed the Baltimore canrot make the 'oyase
I'm less than three days. Tien-Tsin is aDout
seventy-nve miles down the river from fekinS.
This distance must be covered parity py
marches and partly by small sailing -pod's, Re
o,irinp about three more days. Even under the
most favorable circumstances the marines
could not reach Pekng In less than SIX or seven
days What may occur in the mean titie Il d
,ootter of conjecture w. as feared. the pent-
up barbarity OF the Chinese mas oioh'" ''
the results will be terrible ,, 4, T.,
Fortunately. the Legation at feklns - III
walled inclosure. 1t Is hoped that the onnes
Government out OF gratitude for faVors receNeu
AZ the hands Of Secretary Gresham. may nave as
s,yned some OF its faithful troops to guard the
Legation until the arrival OF tle ia, a,
marines Commander lmper. OF the Mono0aSs
,vi1 not he able TO send any men 10 fehins, an,
mis- fact compcates the situation. me ".',
fnrca Of the Monocacy is only ia sailors 'tu n
n,,,os TIen-Tsin is treaty port ana the
Nonocacys complement may pe Heeucu ~ ~ .,,,,
any time The hope Is indulged IN case @ 'ie ST. s
i ' g. az serious as Is reported. that other for-
eIgn countries represented at fekihs nav oVS'
,nrrmad of the conditions. and that thelr govern
,,onts have taken prompt measures 10 dlo'u Pr. ~
,,,tnr In this event ii is taken FOR granted tnd'
tha American Legation will receive all possipie
~ ~, T., orIro, for its officials and those VINO may
a.' a ~ ~ +, fnr asylum Further news from Minister
"s,rby 10 anxously awaited at the state anu
Nv departments. 1t Is assumed una. 'eir-
IVA ~. ht, connections with the Chinese Capital are
hi,r"i,er There Is some doubt In the ma''er'
and the fact adds to present apprehension