New-York tribune., 1900-07-17

defeat or the allied forces at Tien-Tsin seems
to place that town in desperate straits, and II
retreat to Taku is made necessary. observers
consider that IT viii be likely decide the policy
of waverlng Vioeroys.
POSSIBLE MOVEMENT ON PEK1NG.
The departure OF Admiral Seymour from Tien-
Tsin and the movement OF warships toward
Shan Hal Kuan, on the Gulf OF LiaoTong. are
taken to indicate that this route may be adopted
for advance on Peling, which is distant 10
miles from Shan-Hai- Kuan
The members of the Chinese Legation this
morning still assert that they have no nforna-
tion concerning the fate Of the foreigners In
Peking.
The Foreign Office has received no advices to-
day from China. Although Lord Salisbury does
not doubt that Sir Claude Macdonald. the British
Minister at Picking, has been murdered. he has
not yet taken any steps regarding International
relations as regards China. There Is at present
no inclination to give to the Chinese Minister his
passports Lord Salisbury has seen heard
nothing of the Minister for several days-not
since His Lordship made the request that the
Minister transmit message to Sir Claude Mac
donald. The Chinese Minister agreed to the pro-
posal, but nothing further has been heard from
him.
An official at the Foreign Office said to-day:
We are still wondering whether we are at war
with China. Till we ascertain, we cannot take
any action against it's diplomatic representative.
The whole thing Is so CHASTITY so utterly un-
precedented, that we are at loss what course
to follow. except to send TO China as many
troops as we can spare.
Since the definite news OF the massacre at
Peking has been received no communications
have passed between the Powers regarding the
necessity for further action the advsability
of declaring upon the Chinese Government.
RELATIONS MAY BE CONTINUED.
Tomorrow the secretary of the Chinese Lega-
ton will have an Interview with Lord Salisbury
Nothing is likely to come of It. as the Chinese
representatives in Europe continue to lnsist that
the outrages due to rebels and diseounte
nanced by the Government. Judging by all
signs, It seems probable the Powers will continue
their present relations with China, suspendng
action or declaration Of intention until the
forces of the allies reach Pel1ing and able to
report to their respective governments the true
facts that preceded and attended the massacre
The Tien-Tsin dispatch announcing the repulse
Of the allies the first news the Foreign once
had received of the occurrence and produced
feeling akin to dismay. William st. John Brod-
rick, the Parliamentary Secretary Of the Foreign
Office, had left the office prepared to give the
House of Commons a rather satisfactory ac-
count of the operations at Tien- -Tsin. The seri-
Gus import of the dispatch was Immediately sent
after him.
Regarding the outcome Of the crisis and the
length of time the troops will take to reach
Peking British officials are unable to form an
opinion. One of the most responsible officials
saidt
All that we do Ia to hope for the best and
pray that Jaran's troops may move quickly
Nothing has passed regarding the general situa-
tion of the Powers since we agreed to ask
Japan to do the major part OF the work, and
nothing is likely to be done unless repetition
of to-day's bad news compels every Power to
send proportionate reinforcements.
with reference to the Tien-Tsin dispatch quot
ing the complaints of British refugees, the For
eign ONCE said to-day that no instructions had
been issued to Admiral Seymour not to take on
board British subjects; in fact, all his instruc-
tions imply otherwise and they were unable 70
understand the conditions reported.
The Government discredts the report that in
the retreat of the Peking column Admiral Sey-
mour's wounded were killed by their comrades
in order that they might not he tortured by the
Chinese. There has been nothing to verify the
report, and the Government believes It most inn
probable. The report receives no credence else
Ix1er