The record-union., 1895-08-20
KU CHENG MAssACREs.
The Chinese Government VIII Not AL
low an Investigation.

Ihe Chinese Government VIII Not AL
low an Investigation.
SHANGHAI, Aug. 19.-The Mercury of
this city states that the Chinese Govern
mont has refused to allow the British
and American Consuls at Foo Chow to
make any inquiry into the massacre of
Christians at Ku Cheng, where they and
the other members of the Commission of
Inquiry arrived a few days ago.
LONDON, Aug. 19.-The Times tO-mor-
row will publish dispatch from Hong
kong confirming the report OF the refusal
of the Chinese Government TO allow the
british and American Consuls to inquire
into the Ku Cheng massacre. The dis
patch adds that the Chinese soldiers are
plundering the people, who feel that the
foreigners are the cause OF their suffer-
lngs, and believe that it is necessary TO
destroy them.
LONDON, Aug. ia flutter was caused
in official and diplomatic circles to-day
by the receipt of a press dispatch from
China, saying that the Chinese Govern
ment had declined TO allow the repre-
sentatives OF Great Britain and the
United States to investigate the causes of
the late massacres at ku Cheng.
SO far as can be learned, there is no of1i-
claI confirmation OF the report, but 1t IS
fully credited, as the press dispatches
have generally been received in advance
of reports from official sources. 1t has
been maintained that the ouIrages at ku
Cheng were inspired by Chinese officials
Of high rank, aud this latest occurrence
will go far to confirm this view. No
other explanation has been suggested.
The most i'm portant feature of the news,
however, is that it implies virtual deti-
ance of Great Britain and the United
States by China. Should this prove to
be the case, it is the talk tonight Great
Britain at least will lose no time IN max
ing "a demonstration that Will bring the
Chinese promptly to their senses. The
war talk which has followed the massa-
cres was in a measure checked by the
seeming purpose of the Chinese to take
proper steps TO punish the guilty and pro-
tect foreigners. No objection was offered
when it was proposed that the British
and American Consuls accompany the
expedition TO ku Cheng, SO that the news
that they will not be allowed to investi-
gate comes In the nature of q surprise.
There is no doubt that the feeling here is
such that the Government will be i'm
PEELED to employ vigorous measures.
Many are of the opinion that it means
war.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-The officials
of the Chinese Legation have no infor-
nation throwing any light on the re-
ported refusal of the home Government
to permit members Of the British and
American Consulates to Investigate the
ku Cheng massacre. The only rea-
son given for the reported refusal is that
the action reported to have been taken
was by the Chinese local officials, who
possibly have not been informed by the
Central Government. Of the appointment
of the investigating commission.
The officials of the State Department
here attribute any refusal of the local au-
thOrlties to permit the commission to in
vestigate the troubles to the well-known
desires Of the Chinese to conduct any
such inquiries by their own people, dis
like OF having any interference by out
siders and to the general suspicion with
which they look upon foreigners. A
somewhat similar case to Shis is found in
that OF Raymond Margery, a British Off
Ger in the consular service, who was
killed in the province Of Yunan about
fifteen or sixteen years ago. In this in
stance the British Government demanded
reparation. and the appointment of a
commission to make an investigation re-
suited. At first there was decided OBJ
lection to having foreigners take part in
the inquiry. but the matter was finally
adjusted satisfactorily.