, 1900-07-26

ton correspondent Of the Telegraph,
wiring Tuesday, sends the following
important news:
"Viceroy TAX Su today published the
following mandate:
IAN important imperial decree was
issued On the 23d day Of the sixth
moon 1t says: We have lost Tien
Tsin and great precautions are taken
in Picking. No peace can be obtained
without going through a war. In the
time of Chung an agreement was made
hat no murder can be inflicted on
ministers from abroad. 1t is a month
since the minister Of Germany was
assassinated by Boxers and strict Or
ders have been given for the arrest Of
the murderers. We are trying our ut
most to preserve the lives of the other
ministers and they are still in Picking.
1--WE fear that the viceroys and gov
errors may misunderstood the inten-
ton of the decree, relying on the safe
ty of peace and taking no heed what
ever to prepare for attack and defense.
The neglect to fortify the districts I'M
der their jurisdiction will bring endless
calamity. Viceroys and governors are
to pay all attention to and to urge on
preparations for coast attack and de-
tense, and they are to take the conse-
quences in cases of any territory be-
ing lost entirely through their delay
and mismanagement.'"
Europeans here understand thor
oughly the last part of the edict, which
meaus that the viceroys and governors
are commanded by the empress dow
ager to prepare for a Chinese war
against the allied powers.
"Viceroy TAX Su is bitterly anti-for-
eign and he is increasing his army and
ornaments, military and marine. He
has lodged an objection through the
project of Kwan Chou to four small
gunboats, two French, one American
and ore British, that are here to safe
guard the lives of foreigners, and he
ask thai they be moved beyond the
Bogue forts.
His plans will be unmasked short
ly after the allied powers ascertain def
nitely the facts concerning the massa-
ere at Picking. Chinese gunboats in
fest the channel at the back Of the
Shameen and IS Chinese gunboats lie
awaiting orders below the imperial
government wharf. The Cantonese
are daily becoming mere hostile, and
the situation is critical. Business is
almost at a %standstill and leprosy and
plague claim fresh victims daily.
Native Christians assert that the no.
torious black flag, Chief Lao, who in
flicted reverses on the French in the
Tonquin war, now refuses to obey Ii
Hung Chang's command to go north
and fight the Boxers. His soldiers are
here and compose the crews Of the
%gunboats in the Shameen.
According to the Shanghai CORES
pondent of the Times, Ii Hung Chang
is residing at the residence Of Liu, who
was the envoy Of the empress dowager
in the secret mission to Japan. He has
received secret instructions to remain
at Shanghai, and to endeavor to open
negotiations with a view Of preventing
the European advance.
With this accumulation of evidence
of an impending big struggle comes al
SO the news of disagreements between
the powers and the foreign command
ers, which threaten to hamper united
action and to encourage Chinese re-
%sistance. A conference of the admirals
at Taku, called to settle the question
regarding the management of the re-
stored railway, decided in favor Of the
Russian control, only the British and
American admirals dissenting.
When you want a modern, up-to-date
physic try Chamberlain's Stomach and