The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-23
HIxSoNS UNUSUAL HASTE.
HE LEFT WITH THE COMMISSION
BEFORE HIS INSTRUCTIONS
REACHED HIM.

snry Formalities Were Complied
with and Before IL Was Fully
Authorized.
Washington. Aug. 22.-The investigation
which the government of the United States
will make into the Kucheng massacre has
been somewhat Complicated and the prob
abilities seem to be that the complication
has been caused by excess OF zeal on the
part OF ]. Courtney Hixson of Alabama,
United States consul at Foo Chow or
Flu Chau, who has gone to Kucheng as the
principal representative Of the United
States on the joint British-American COM
mission Of inquiry. II is learned to-day
that Hixson and the commission started
for Kucheng before the formalities pre-
liminary to the inquiry had been arranged
with the Chinese government, and before
the state department had sent him fun
Instructions. The interesting information
has Just came to light that the depart
ment was somewhat surprised to learn,
after the commission had left Foo Chow,
that the American representative was
Ensign Waldo Evans Of the United States
cruiser Detroit. It was tho determination
of the state department after consulta-
tlon with naval officials to send Capt.
Newell OF the Detroit to Kucheng with
Mr.. Hixson.
Capt. Newell's wide experience and his
reputation for discretion and good judg-
ment caused his selection. But before
Minister DENLY had arranged all matters
concerning the commission with the Chi
EngtRn
Evans started from Kucheng and the sup
position here is that the refusal OF the
Chinese officials, who are also making In
quiry into the massacre, to permit them to
attend the hearings, Is caused by the fact
that proper authority from the Pekih
government was not obtained by Mr. Hix-
son before he made his somewhat hasty
departure.
The cablegram from Hong Kong via
London stating that Capt Newell has gone
from Flu Chau Goo Chow TO Kucheng
causes much qualification and Justifies the
belief that he has obtained full authority
to pursue the Investigation, which Mr.
Denby was Instructed to secure, and VIII
break the deadlock caused by the refusal
OF the Chinese officials at Kucheng TO per-
init the foreign commissioners TO be pres
ent at their inquiry. Kuchens Is some
distance inland and for that reason the
state department has been unable TO COM
municate with Mr. Hixson 20 ascertain
why he started too soon.
The selection OF Capt Newell as one Of
the American representatives. to attend
the inquiry was determined on some time
ago. A request TO permit q commanding
officer Of one OF the United States vessels
on the Asiatic naval station to Join the
commission to go TO Kucheng was made by
the state department 10 the navy depart
ment and ii was agreed that Capt. Newell
I H. h.
DENLY would consent. A message TO this
effect was sent Admiral Carpenter, but the
commission of which Messrs. Hixson and
Evans are members had started before the
cablegram reached him.
No information has been received at the
state department from Minister DENLY or
| other representatives Of the United States
in China regarding the press report that
| the American mission near Flu Chau had
been attacked. Flu Chau is the British
spelling OF Foo Chow. Mr.. Hixson, who
has gone to Kucheng with the commission
of inquiry, is the United States consul sta
toned at that post Harry w. Churchill Of
Massachusetts, is vice consul there and
presumably in charge during Mr.. Hixson's 3
absence.
Foo Chow is situated on the Chinese
| coast about $50 miles northwest Of the
northernmost point Of the Island OF For
mosa. The cruiser Detroit is now at Foo
| CnOW, ana mas AOtiS " PAOtSNt
| American interests there.
Kondor. Aug. 22-The Pail Mall Ga
zette, in an article treating Of the Chi
nese outrages, says Secretary Olney may
be relied upon to take vigorous action IN
behalf Of Americans maltreated.
A dispatch to the Globe from Shanghai
| saws. the deadlock In the Kucheng inqui-
ry continues. 1t Is believed the prisoners
| in custody there will implicate some Of
-. 10 kI.a ffrsuey "a
imperial tutors, Weng-Tung-Ho and Lee
| Hung-Tsao, who have been appointed
members Of the Tsung-Li-Yamen, are, in
| tengely opposed to foreigners. Le-Hung-
| Tsao has informed the foreign ministers
at Pekin that the government is power
less in Kucheng. which information he
supplemented with the assurance that the
population there were perfectly peaceful.
A dispatch to the Globe from Shanghai
saws the Chinese soldiers at Tien-Tsin re-
voIted yesterday and assembled outside
| the gates Of Ii Hung Changs palace,
where they raised q clamor for their ar
rears Of pay Later they made an attack
upon the shops In the city, wrecking many
Of them and killing over hundred per-
sons.
A despatch to the Times from Hong
Kong confirms the report Of an attack
upon the American mission chapel and
| school near Flu Chau and adds that Capt.
Newell Of the United States cruiser De-
troit has gone from Flu Chau to Fucheng.
The dispatch also says thousands Of addi-
tional anti-foreign pamphlets and pla-
cards have been distributed throughout
Canton.
The Standard will tomorrow say: II Is
becoming more certain than ever that the
unchecked, II not stimulated, fury of the
populace Of China against foreigners will,
unless means are found for meeting the
danger. spread throughout the empire un-
III the lives OF the whites viii be nowhere
worth an hours purchase. The situation
is critical and is one Of extreme necessity.
Resolute action Of some kind Is impera-
tive. whether in cooperation with other
powers or not. England clearly must
ind q way Of compelling respect for the
lives and properties OF foreigners.
The paper deprecates the assumption
that the same evaslOns and deceits Will
be practiced as before until the British
consul reports. II discusses the possible
ity Of making the nation, especially the
mandarins feel Il worth while not 70
moiest foreigners.
China Il says, must be asked 20 make
concessions 20 the country wronged. She
must open another sort Of inland town
a.