New-York tribune., 1900-07-13

tion and comparing its terms and time Of exc
cution in Peking with the better show Of
official temper which began to be manifested
at Shanghai ten days ago, just when officials
here were most alarmed the probable
spread Of the Boxer massacres, under Govern
mental auspices, 10 the southern provinces
The honesty of Minister wu's rendering into
English Of the involved Chinese expressions Is
not successfully impeached by the harsher in
terpretatiOns Of a few passages telegraphed from
certain European translators, who may have an
object in making their versions sensational
The edict is more than ever regarded a good
omen. Enthusiastically indicating the realiZa-
tion OF the Imperial officials that their resistance
TO the Western Powers much be short lived and
that the day Of reckoning is rapidly approach
ing Its whole tenor is declared TO be charac-
teristic Of the overtures for peace China made
Japan five years ago after she had been thor
oughIy whipped.
While the conditions at Tien-Tsin give much
concern, no apprehension is manifested IN the
ability Of the allies to hold their own and per
haps make substantial progress in crippung
their besiegers The hard fighting there is re-
garded tending to attract Chinese antago-
nism from all the organized anti-forelgn forces
in the north, and thus operate advan;ageously
for the ultimate safety or the legations st Pc
king
In the Navy to-day orders were given for
the dispatch Of three important auxiliary
vessels the East. The first Of these is the
Arethusa, the water tank ship. which Will start
from Philadelphia on July % Three weeks ago
Admiral Bradford, who has had long expert
ence in China, and who knew that fresh water
could never be relied upon there. recommended
the dispatch Of this vessel 10 form part OF the
base OF operations at Tien-Tsin. II is known
from the reports OF suffering from thirst which
FrOr bA baT Sba is
needed. The other two vessels are the colIiers
Saturn and Alexander al Norfolk. which
to go on the 18th and 25th respectively. With
the existing dearth of officers and men, the
Navy may not be able TO man these vessels. and
in that event resort will he had 70 contract
crews
NINTH INFANTRY PROBABLY AT TEN
TSIN
It is Inferred at the War Department that
Colonel Liscum and the two battalions of the
9th Infantry which arrived Taku Friday
have reached Tien-Tsin. Colonel Liscum has a
free hand in the matter of an advance, and it is
thought that he already has reached the be-
Ieaguered city. where. according to to-day's ad-
vices TO the British Admiralty. reiuforcements
were urgently needed.
The Bureau of Military Information has
ceived an interesting communication from Major
Zalinsk, retired giving some details of climate
end topography Of the country between Taku
and Peking. Major Zalinski went over this road
in 1898 and 1895. and says that the trip from
TaIu to Peking occupied a two days forced
march. He was travelling with a native pony
and light equipment. but the road practically
killed the horse. The country between Taku and
Pekins is billy, and the climate probably VIII be
more favorable for white troops than the Philip
pines. The mean temperature OF Pekins is
about the that of San Francisco. but II
is much hotter in summer, and Major Zallnski
says il Is bitterly cold IN winter. He also
says that the Pei-Ho River and a large part OF
the Gulf Of Pe-Chi-Li are closed to navigation
by ice early in December, and stores for win
ter campaign should be in the country by OC-
tober at least. Fuel is exceedingly scarce, there
being wood 10 speak OF, while small amount
Of coal is imported on camels from The north,
ground and mixed with clay 10 make IL burn
slowly. All timber for tent flooring and other
construction viii have 70 be imported he favOrs
oil and wheeled cooking outfits as the most prac-
tical and economical fuel supply
The QuarteTmaster's Department has char
tered the steamer Aztec al San Francisco, and
has directed that she be fitted up for use IN the
transportation Of horses and mules for the Phil
ippnAs or China, the case may be
In view of the prospective military operations
IN China the QuaTtermasters : Department is
favorably considering the advisahility Of estab-
fishing n regular service between Taku, China,
and Nagasaki. Japan and using the transport
Logan and the freight ships Flintshire and Wye
field for that purpose The Logan carried the
9th Infantry from Manila 10 Taku. and il Is
at the latter port. The Flntshire and the Wye
field are scheduled leave Manila o-morroW
with two battalions Of the 18th Infantry and a
battery OF the 18th Artillery for Taku- The Sc
lection OF Nagasaki as one Of the terminals Is