The herald., 1898-10-04
CONDITIONS IN CHINA
SEEM TO THREATEN AMERICAN
INTERESTS
DEWEY'S FLEET CALLED ON
Two Vessels Sent, to the Delight OF
Britons, Who Hope for American
Cooperation
Associated Press Special Wire.

AkSOCldttQ ETcSS OpCSidA "tA~'
WASHINGTON. Oct. S.-secretary 8. Long
upon advices received at the State Depart
ment showing the existence OF threatening
conditions in China, has ordered Admlra
Dewey to send two warships Immediately
from Manila to point as near the Chmese
capital as possible for warship to ap-
proach The vessels selected for this un-
dertaking are the Baltimore and the Pe'
trel. 1t is expected that the Baltimore
will not be able to get beyond the Taku
forts at the entrance of Pang He River
upon which Peking is situated. but the Pe-
trel, being of smaller proportions, may be
able to reach Tien Tsin. eighteen miles
above the mouth and about the same dis
tance below Peking. The officials regret
that there is not now on the Asiatic squad
ron light-draught gunboat of the Helena
class, which could ascend the river as far
as the Chinese capital.
Secretary Long said that the sole pur-
pose of ordering the Baltimore and Petrel
to Tien Tsin was to safeguard American
interests and protect life and property OF
American citizens in the event of an out
break in the interior, Ten Tsin being, the
nearest point to Peking accessible to war
ships.
The Charleston arrived at Hong Kong
yesterday from Manila. Like the Boston
and Raleigh she will take her place in dock
and be put in the best of order, as will all
of the remaining ships of Dewey's squad
ron.
Conger Is Anxious
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-The State De-
partment has received the following cable
gram from Minister Conger at Peking:
'"There is no serious danger yet, but
considerable anxiety for the future. The
foreign fleet is assembling at Tien Tsin.
Some of the Ministers are ordering marines
to Peking for legation guard
British Advices
LONDON Oct 4-The Peking corre-
spondent of the Daily Chronicle, telegraph
Ing Saturday by way of Shanghai, says:
A mob is menacing foreigners. The wife
of the Italian minister was attacked yes
terday while on her way to church. and
several Americans coming from the rail-
way were wounded by stones
The foreign ministers have sent a col
lective note to the government asking for
the suppression of these outrages and the
punishment of the culprits.
that kilograms from Peking have been de-
tained two days. The last telegram re-
ceived, according to this dispatch, an
nounces that the foreign ministers had
held an emergency meeting. The German
warship at Kioa Chou, it is also stated. had
started hurriedly for Taku the day before.
Marquis Ito, who, it is understood is
visiting China for the purpose of arrang
Ing an offensive and defensive alliance be-
tween China and Japan, has left Tien Tsin
for Shanghai, owing to the impossibility of
prosecuting negotiations during the crisis
The foreign ministers, it is stated, for
bade any foreign residents going to Pc
king. 1t is expected that Sir Claude Mac
Donald, the British minister, shall surren-
der Kang Yuwei.
Yamantsu, leader of the rebellion in the
SEE Chuen province, has issued a procla-
nation ordering the determination of all
foreigners.
The Times, the Morning Post and the
Daily Mail this morning editorially praise
Americas characteristic promptitude in
dispatching warships to Peking and well
coming the prospect of joining Anglo
American cooperation in China.
The Picking correspondent of the Daily
Mail, telegraphing on September 49, says
that the emperor vainly tried to escape
from the palace. but was arrsted by the
dowager's people.
The correspondent also says the Chau So
Pao, vice president of the board of punish
ment, has been appointed to succeed
Chang vi Huan as director of the board of
mines and railways.
The British foreign Office has no news of
the death of the emperor Of China. 1t dis
credits the report.