The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-23
He II Positive the Chinese Govern
ment IL Doing All Possible to
Control LawIessness.
vICER0Y Ii AT SHANGHAI
CoLDLY RECEIVED BY EVERYBODY
EXCEPT NATIVE OFFICIALS.
Rumor that Prince Tuan Has Been
Abducted and that the Empress
Ia Again Supreme.

LONDON. July 3, a. m.-sir Chi Chen
Lob Feng. the Chinese minister in London.
took the unusual step, yesterday, of pay
ing Sunday call at the Foreign Office.
AS Lord Salisbury was absent. the visit
was without special result. but its i'm
portance may be gathered from an inter-
view with the secretary of the Chinese le-
cation. Sir Halliday MacArtney. in which
the legation officials seem to have assumed.
at least, something like personal RESPONSE
bility. Sir Halliday admitted that COM
munication had been practically reopened
with Peking and that messages from Sir
Claude Macdonald, the British minister,
and other foreign ENJOYS might be ex-
pected almost Immediately. He said he
hoped the trouble would soon be over, since
the Chinese government was doing its ut
most to overcome the difficulties and to
control the lawless element. In his opinion.
the Americans had taken the most COM
nonsense view of the situation, and he
insisted that China ought not to be mis-
judged. Against the suspicion that Ii Hung
Chang had any but a sincere pacific object
in view he protested warmly, declaring
that all stories about the perfidy and
treachery of Earl Ii were absolutely
baseless.'' With regard to the prospects in
the southern provinces, the secretary ad-
mitted that there might be small out
breaks. but he said there would be nothing
serious, and that Europeans would be quite
safe in treaty ports. The long silence. he
explained as ''due. probably. to the rebels.
who have cut the wires and blocked the
roads"
Thus. according to the secretary of the
Chinese legation. few days more should
bring solution of the great mystery. New
ertheless. no one in England believes that
the alleged dispatches and edicts are any,
thing but subterfuges to hide the real situ-
alton as long as possible. and to avert
retribution by sowing discord among the
powers.
USUAL BATCH OF RUMORS.
From. Shanghai comes a report that the
Empress dowager and the court are NOV
ing to Hsian-Fu. in the province of Shan
81. to which large stores OF rice are being
sent, and that when these arrangements
are completed the remaining viceroys will
declare against foreigners.
According to the Che-Foo correspondent
OF the Daily Mail the fall OF Tien-Tsin has
so disheartened the Chinese that they are
seeking terms of peace. He says that sew
eral attempts have been made to send mes
sages to Peking. but so far without any
known results, and adds that rumors are
again current that the Russians are reach
ing Peking from the north. 1t is impossible
10 confirm or deny these statements. but
either one might explain China's efforts to
gain time.
Ii Hung Chang's visit to Shanghai seems
to be complete failure. Except the Chi
nese customs officials, no one has visited
him. Sheng. the taotai (chief magistrate).
gave the consuls cordial invitation TO
meet him at luncheon, but all declined.
The Shanghai correspondent of the Daily
Express pretends to nave authority for
the assertion that Great Britain will re-
pootdtc any CfcuentldiS Ii Hung Chang
may bring from the Empress dowager. and
he adds: Russia. however, is willing 10
make terms with Ii Hung Chang. whose
real mission is TO SOW dissension among
the powers. The British, German and
American representatives were resoiute
against receiving him"
CHINESE OFFICIALS ALARMED.
The Shanghai correspondent of the Daily
Mall declares that the Chinese officials are
thoroughly frightened BY the fan OF Tien-
Tsin and desire 10 open negotiations.
Therefore" he continues. although all
are aware OF the horrible Peking massacre.
every official down TO the humblest re-
tainsr has been sworn 20 secrecy upon the
penalty Of wholesale executions should the
details leak out. They hope II the powers
only begin negotiations 70 stop the military
operations. and that matters might cool
DOWN
There II the usual crop OF Shanghai
rumors az hand this morning One is that
Prince Tusn has been abducted. and that
tae Empress dowager. is again supreme.