The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-01
ANXIOUS FOR ACTION
ENGLAND BELIEVES THE MINIS
TIERS ARE ALIVE.
DANGEROUS PROBLEM AHEAD.
CHINESE MAY KILL FOREIGNERS
IF ADVANCE is MADE.

No Doubt That They Are Held by the
Chinese as Hostages to ward on
Further Punishment on That
Country-Von Lesset of Germany
May Command Allied Forces-De-
mand From All Quarters for an
Immediate Advance.
London, Aug. l, 4:S0 a. ma sensational
correspondent still hints that the Chinese
are juggling with dates, but in the face
of constantly accumulating evidence that
the ministers were safe on July %, and
despite the omission from all the dis
patches of anxiously desired information
regarding the real situation. political and
otherwise at Pekin, there are very few in
London who do not believe the dispatches
genuine and reliable.
The allies now confront a most difficult
and dangerous problem. Without doubt
the ministers are held by the Chinese as
hostages and the outcome of the advance
on Pekin, which, in all proba bility, has
already begun, will be awaited with in
tense anxiety.
To-days dispatches show that the al
lies. notably the japanese have been
rushing, their preparations with feverish
haste organizing a service of pack car S.
trains and junks.
1t is reported in Berlin that Lieut. Gen.
Won Lesset, commanding the German
forces in China. whom Emperor William
has just promoted to the rank of general
commanding an army corps, has been
selected as commauder-in-chief of the al
lied forces.
The Grave Danger.
The Chinese are strongly entrenched at
Wang Tsung, from which position, how
ever, it is believed, they can be elected
without great difficulty. The danger is
that if defeated there, the Chinese will
retire to Pekin and put the remainder of
the Europeans to death.
1t is also possible that the advance of
the allies will be the signal for the Chi
nese authorities to compel all foreigners
to quit the capital, in which event they
might become the prey of the fanatical
Boxers
The feeling of the newspapers here is
that nothing whatever should now delay
the advance, and that no negotiations of
any kind should be countenanced until the
allied troops reach Pekin and assure
eigners.
The latest advices from Tien Tsin an
nounce that the Russians and japanese
are scouting in the direction of Pie Tang
The Japanese commander, Jamachuchi,
expects Yang Tsun to be taken within
three days.
The Governor of Shan Tung says the
British consurs message was sent to Sir
Claude Macdonald, whose reply was
handed to the Tsung-h-Yamen on July %.
A special dispatch from Tien Tsin says
the missionaries report that all the Amer
leans in Pekin and Tung Chau are safe.
but their property has been destroyed.
COnciIiating Russia.
The Toxic correspondent of the Daily
Telegraph wiring yesterday says:
"Kwang su is reported to have sent
second dispatch to Emperor Nicholas, ad-
m tting that state of war exists at
Tien Tsin, but that the Russians are fully
protected at opsn ports. The Chinese
Emperor adds that the disturbances in
Manchuria were caused by a rebellious
general in Amur, that he has instructed
the Chinese generals to refrain from hos
tiities and that he desires the Czar TO
J leciprocate his action"
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Times says.
1.-The general aspect of the situation con-
firms the opinion that the Manchu party,
fearing the effect of further violent
measures, rely on Ii Hung Chang's nego-
tiations to prevail upon the Powers to
forego vengeance in return for the re-
lease of the survivors,
1t is reported from an unofficial but
usually reliable source that the Chinese
minister at ST. Petersburg wired to Ii
Hung Chang, intimating the possibility
of obtaining favorable terms of settle
ment from Russia if China would adopt
a concilia tory attitude and compel a ces-
sation of the attacks on the legation.
Thereupon, according 10 this informant,
Ii Hung Chang memorlalized the throne,
that he was i'll and unable
to come TO Pekin, but urging that every
endeavor be made to send the minis
ters to Tien Tsin and to insure the safety
of the foreigners and missionaries.
THEY ATTACKED THE CHINESE.