New-York tribune., 1900-07-14
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

authentic news received in the last twenty-four
hours, for nothing emanating from Chinese
sources is now regarded as in the remotest de-
gree Yeracious, but rather to the long continued
absence Of definite messages from the legations,
the last having been Sir Robert Hart's brief
appeal of June %. carried to Tien-Tsn by a
trusted native servant. AS for Chinese assur-
ances from Governors, VtcerOys or Telegraph Di-
rectors, they are all consigned to the category
of temporizing fctions to postpone as long as
possible the wrathful action of Christendom
when the horrible truth becomes known. At the
Palace and throughout Peking it was we'll
known nearly a month ago, when the Taku
forts were seized June II, that the Powers
were acting solely for the rescue of their dipIo-
matte representatives and other foreigners in
Northern China, yet the Chinese Government
waited until the end of June to address its ex-
PLANTATION to Minister WI, if. in fact, the docu-
ment which the Minister presented in apparent
good faith on Wednesday to the State Depart
ment was not concocted by the actual murder
of the Ministers high officials in sym
pathy with the Boxers much nearer Shanghai.
1t is this view of the Imperial decree to which
officials reluctantly driven.
No value is attached the dispatch quoting
the Governor of Shan-Tung which came from
onsul-General Goodnow to-day for Mr. Good
now within ten days has told the State Depart
ment that this Governors information was not
worthy of credence. and it is remembered now
that none of the Governors reports have ever
been confirmed. At any rate. in this instance
the Governors dispatch is not regarded as
trustworthy confirmation Of the reports of the
destruction of the legations and the massacre of
their inmates. although little hope now exists
that they have survived long.
To-day's depression in the highest official cir
cles is the more profound account of the
asperatng situation at Tien-Tsin. If it were
known that Minister COnger still lived, but could
hold out only a day or two longer il is recoG-
nlZed that ne could not be saved through any of
the relief force that was landed to go to PeBing.
Admiral kempff reported twelve thousand men
ashore on June "a, the day after Admiral Sey-
mOur's column returned. For three weeks this
force barely held it's own ground, though in
creased TO fully twenty thousand men. 1t is
evident that twice as large a force could
not take the fortified city Of Peking. and that
the legations, if they still existed, could not be
relieved in July.
CONSUL-GENERAL GOODNOW'S MESSAGE.
The State Department to-day received dis
patch from Consul General Goodnow at Shang-
hal, saying that the Governor of Shan-Tung
had telegraphed that the Boxers and soldiers
were bombarding the legations for a final attack
July I. He is extremely anxious for the
safety of the ministers and friendly Chinese in
Peking. The Consul-General adds that fears OF
the worst generally entertained
The State Department has also received a dis
patch from Consul McWade, at Canton, saying
that Ii Hung Chang has engaged quarters
the Chinese steamer Anping, but that the date
of his departure for the North Is yet unde-
cided.
The officials find it hard to estimate the
value of this statement. owing TO the lack of
date the cable message, and 1t is suspected
that the press dispatch saying that he has
abandoned the trip to Peking is OF later date
than Mr.. McWade'S message. Should the Vice
roy go northward. his arrival at Taku and
Tien-Tsin would at raise question 10
the conditions under which he undertakes To go
to Peking. and incidentally the decision TO
whether not he should be permitted to pass
the lines would involve the decision OF the
other question to whether not a state of
war exists.
Mr. de Wollant the Russian Charge DAT
faires called at the State Department to-day to
discuss the Chinese situation with Secretary
Hay He said that he had advices from his
own Government REGARDING the latest develop
ments in Picking 1t il understood that the
State Department is basing its repeated al
frmations OF the willingness of Russia to permit
large military operations by Japan in China
representations made by Mr.. de Wollant.
GRATIFIED BY GERMANY'S ATTITUDE.
The Department is much gratfed by the
statements attributed TO Count Bulow in
the outline of his note to the German States,
published this morning In the absence of the
full text OF the note, the officials here read In