The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-25
DlPLOMATISTS IN THE DARK.
ANXIOUS COMMENT ON THE LONG ST.
LENCE OF MIR. DENNY.

State Department stiII BewaiIs the
Lack OF Information From the
Chinese Ministcr-The Important
Events i'm China Recently Chroni-
eIed by the Press Are Yet 20 he
COndrmed by Denby-China a COun-
try of Immense Distances and In
cOnceivabIy DiIatOry Methods.
Washington, Aug. 2L-The silence Of
Minister DENLY with reference to the
Kueheng inquiry still continues. despite
the actually anxious feeling at the state
department that has been caused by the
press dispatches. the departments only
source of quick information. Mail from
China more than a month old was deliv-
cred at the state department to-day, and
this contained letters from Mr.. DENLY re-
garding events up to that time.
The press dispatches have told OF the
refusal Of the Chinese authorities to per-
NIT the American commissioners to at
tend the investigation at Kucheng; Of the
departure Of Capt. Newell, Of the cruiser
Detroit, from Foo Chow to Kucheng,
and of the appointment Of the Viceroy
Liu, the enemy Of missionaries, and the
alleged instigator of the Chengtu riots,
an imperial commissioner to investigate
the Kucheng affair, but not a line has
come from Mr.. DENLY on any Of these
subjects.
Acting Secretary Adee said to-day that
he had authorized no expression OF the
departments opinion as to the cause Of
Mr.. Denby's silence for the simple reason
that no opinion had been formed or could
nationally be formed in the absence of
knowledge Of the facts. The propmtness,
good judgement and energy with which
Col. DENLY had acted upon the instruc-
ton heretofore sent him negatived any
hasty conjecture that he was not now
endeavoring with alacrity to fulfil the du-
ties imposed upon him by the department $
kilograms Of the past week.
1t was to be remembered, Mr.. Adee said,
that China is a country of slow commu-
nications, has practically no speedy mail
service and few telegraph lines; that the
problem of the fitting protection Of the
lives and property interests of our citi-
zens scattered over a territory covering
100000 square miles or more, required con-
stant conference and cooperation between
the minister and the admiral commanding,
as well as trustworthy information from
the consul; that the Tsung Ii Yamen,
which Is the practival government OF
China as far as foreign interests are con-
cerned, is a cumbrous body to deal with,
its deliberations being often protracted
and the execution of its decisions depend
ing on the doubtful zeal Of the local vice.
roys and provincial governors; and that
-s4if
factors in to concurrent working might
well battle Mr. Denby's natural desire to
report to the department successful action
upon its instructions.
To take the case Of the Kucheng, or as
more properly written, Kutien investiga-
tion, communication with the consul at
Fuchau was obviously necessary to any
intelligent action, and Mr. Hixson ap-
peared to have put himself beyond tele-
graphic reach. The need OF communicate
ing with him by personal message per-
haps explains the press reports that Com
mander Newell of the Detroit had gone
to kdtien TO see him. of which, however,
the state department has no confirmation
The kilograms from Shanghai and Hong
Kong, said Mr.. Adee are to be taken with
some allowance, by reason Of the appar-
ent disposition In those quarters to work
up prejudice against the diplomatic and
naval representation of the United States
in China. and dependence upon such re-
ports might be more likely to complicate
anu defeat than helpfully aid the govern
ment in carrying out its practical pur-
poses.
In the absence Of information from Mr.
DENLY, the statements published in Lon
don papers that the British and American
commissioners are practically prisoners
at Kuuen cannot be confirmed. The state
ment is not believed here.
Washington. Aug. 2f.-In the mail re-
ceiyed this morning at the state depart
ment was a dispatch from Minister Dem
by containing a report Of another assault
upon an American missionary in China,
which has not heretofore been made pub
lie.
Mr.. DENLY says on July 7. at Tung Chou,
a town about thirteen miles from Pekin,
Rev. d. u. Sheffield, an old an highly re-
spected American missionary, was attack
ed by a crazy native carpenter and his
brother and severely cut with a knife.
The two assaflants were arrested and at
the date Mr. DENLY wrote were in jail,
awaiting trial. Mr.. DENLY added: ''The
matter viii create a great stir in China.
but is absolutely without foreign political
significance"