Evening star., 1895-08-20
THE INQUIRY A FARCE.
China Excludes American and British
COnsula.

China Excludes American and British
COnsuls.
A dispatch to the Shanghai Mercury
| from Foo Chow says 1t is reported on good
authority there that the Chinese govern
ment has refused to allow the American
| and British consuls, Mr.. ]. C. Hixson and
Mr.. r. w. Mansfield. who accompanied
| the commission appointed to investigate
the snt massacres of missionaries and
their families at Ku Cheng. to make any
investigation into the circumstances of tie
massacre.
The London Times has dispatch from
Hong Kong confirming the Shanghai dis
patch. The Times dispatch adds that
soldiers are engaged In plunderng the peo-
pie, who feel that the foreigners are the
cause of their suffering. and that therefore
the latter should be destroyed. Further.
| ircendiary placards have been posted at
Canton.
The prefect sent with the commission to
Ku Cheng. together with the Chinese off,
cials at fu Cheng. have refused to allow
animation of the prisoners. The matter
has been referred to the viceroy. Serious
trouble is feared.
Gable advices to the New York World
sociated Press. The World dispatch fol-
olws: Foo Chow, China, August 19.-The
Chinese officials at Ku Cheng have POSI-
| lively refused to allow the American con-
r. W. Mansfield. opportunity to investigate
| the massacre of missionaries there. They
will not be permitted to attend the trial of
| the criminals before the local authorities.
Many people here who deprecate the mas
sacre and are desirous of full investiga tfon
| talk in threatening manner. The situa-
| tfon Is serious.
No Surprise Felt Here.
Advices have been received by officials
| at the State and Navy Departments from
Minister Denby and Admiral Carpenter,
which Indicate that neither the diplomatic
| or naval representative Of the United
States in China regard the situation re-
sulting from the ku Cheng riots as seri-
Gus alarming, so far as American in
terests are concerned. 1t appears that the
Chinese government and officials are
friendly toward the United States and
| American citizens. and regret disturbances
which have tended to cause SO much con-
sternation.
Officials in Washington are convinced
that both Minister Denly and Admiral
Carpenter feel assured that the Chinese
government will prevent further outrages
and also that the alarm felt by Americans
in Shanghai, Foo Chow and Tien Tsin is
greater than the situation warrants. In
fact, the advices from the minister and
admiral are reassuring and not in accord
with the cables of Consul General Jernigan
| at Shanghai, and Of the statements made
by other American citizens indicating that
IuEtHer OutFdSeS we're contemplated ana
that lives of American citizens and their
property were in great danger.
Up to II o'clock the State Department
had not been advised that Consul Hixson
and the British consul lad not been al
lowed to be present at the investigation of
the Ku Cheng riots, though no surprise
was manifested that such was the case,
as in times past such action had been
taken in similar interests. 1t Is scarcely
probable that peremptory demand will
be made that these officers be allowed to
be part of the investigating commission,
and it is doubtful if such a demand could
be enforced.