The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1900-07-05
SITUATION GROWING
MORE COMPLICATED
Rebellion In China Shows Greater
Strength Each Day.
GOVERNMENT POWERLESs
Butchery Of Won Ketteler Indi'
Gates Ferocity Of Boxers.

A Washington special says: Com
plications in China, the possibility OF
an extra session of congress and the
probable recall o. President Mckinley
to Washington from Canton, over
shadows the Kansas City convention
and dwarfs the Republican campaign.
A member of the cabinet, who is fa-
miliar with sll the details of the Chi
nese question, so far as official devel-
opments are concerned, in comment
ing upon Admiral Kempff's latest
official dispatch from Che Foo, says
The point had not been reached to
justify the United States In making a
formal declaration of war against the
Chinese government.
1T is evident from the information
we have received" he went on to say,
''that China is in q state OF revolt,
and the government of the empire ls
unable to put down the uprising pre-
vailing in Pekin and vicinity. We
have received many conflicting reports
and thus far we have no direct evi.
dence that the Chinese government is
responsible for the depredations OIL
ready committed on foreigners"
"To what extent must the Chinese
20 before our government wilfbe war
ranted in formally declaring WARP" I
asked.
THAT depends entirely upon cir
cumstances, replied the cabinet off,
Ger.
"There are many questions to be
considered before taking such o step.
First, we must be assured that the
Chinese government has violated the
laws of Intercourse supposed to exist
between friendly powers. Then, we
must be certain that tho government
is a participant in the depredations
against representatives and citizens OF
the United States, or indirectly SYM
pathiziug and encouraging the viola
tors of international agreements.
"In addition, we must consider
whether it will be to our advantage to
90 to war with China or whether we
can protect the rights of our citizens
without going to chat extreme.
KETTELER HACKED TO PIECES.
Official dispatches received by the
consular body at Shanghai confirm in
the fullest manner the report of the
butchery of Baron Van Ketteler, the
German minister, on June 18th. The
ambassador was riding on Legation
street when he was attacked by Chin
ese troops and boxers, dragged from
his horse and killed. His body was
hacked to pieces with swords. The
German legation and six other build
ings were burned and a number OF
servants of the legation were killed
and their bodies thrown into the
flames.
Official confirmation of this ghastly
business has created the utmost con-
sternation among the consuls general
of the powers who express fears that
war l'outrance will be declared against
the Pekin government. The consuls
entertain little hope that any foreigners
are left alive in the capital.
There were 100 foreigners connected
with the legations, fifty in the custom
house. English and American tour
lists and others to the number of 100,
and nearly 500 legation guards.
WORST STORIES CONFIRMED.
Bad news was received in Washing
ton Monday morning from Admiral
Kempff, concerning the worst stories
which have emanated from China rel
ative to the conditions at Pekin and
feeling of disquiet was noticeable
among administration officials and
diplomats. The German embassy
showed particular anxiety for infor-
nation respecting the sad end of Ba-
ron Won Ketteler, and in the course of
the afternoon Secretary Hermann, of
the embassy, paid a special visit to
the state department to inquire. NJ.
Thiebaut, the charge of the French
embassy, also called in quest of in
formation, it was said. These visits
revived rumors that an effort is afoot
to reach an international agreement
respecting the conduct of the forces
II ~ a ~o-aro IN Thioo