The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-26
BRITISH DOUBT INCREASES.
Further Evidence That Foreigners
In Pekin Have Fallen Victims
to BIoositbfrsty Chinese

to BlOOdthirsty Chinese.
London, July 26 a m.-Mr Conger'
letter, the substance OF which has been
transmitted to the United States Secre-
tary of the Navy through Capt. Thomas,
has increased the belief in London that
there is no hope for the foreign legations
in Pekin, and that the elaborate fabric
Of dispa atches which the Chinese are build
ing to persuade the civilized world that
ed to enable them to gain time to complete
preparations for warfare.
The Shanghai correspondent OF the Daily
Mail asserts that Chinaman who was
employed at the British legation as a
writer and interpreter has escaped from
Pekin to Niu Chwan, and that he de-
clares that at the time he left Pekin most
of the members of the legations were dead
and the condition of the others was hope
less. He says that Sfr Robert Hart. di-
rector of the Chinese imperial maritime
customs, died on July 2.
The correspondent goes on to say:
mo other dates are given in the mes
sage from Niu Chwang. The leading Chi
nese newspaper here published yesterday
a dispatch declaring that it was all over
with the members of the legations. The
president of a minor board at Pel1in wrote
July 9, saying:
The foreign legations are stiN uncap-
tured, but. owing TO the daily fighting. 1t
is reported that only about 800 persons
are left alive in the legations and If there
is any delay in the arrival of the relief
ceive it
This letter is regarded in Shanghai as
authentic. Strange enough 1t says moth
ing of any assistance to the legations by
Prince Ching or Gen. Lung Lu.''
While these brief side lights rs 10 the
fate Of the Europeans leave little ground
for hope, Shanghai sends a batch of re-
ports indicative of preparations for hos
tilfties on the part of the Chinese. 1t is
alleged that the Yang-tse viceroys have
sent deputies to Shanghai to inquire as
to the prospect of raising a foreign loan,
ostensibly to pursue military operations
against the Boxers, whose movement is
extending rapidly southwark with con-
stantly growing strength and has reach
eG point where the provinces of Shan
TUng, Ho Nan and Shan 81 meet. leaving
behind IL a trail of burned missions and
murdered Christians.
China Preparing for War.
simultaneously there is a movement
northward of Southern Chinese troops to
join the main army gathered to oppose
40 ION, oAta eli he
strength of this principal force is now es-
timated at 300 600 men.
II is believed that another two or three
weeks must elapse before the Chinese pre-.
parations are completed.
The signs of unrest in the Southern pro-
vinces are coincident with Ii Hung
Chang's presence in Shanghai They are
supposed 10 be the beginning of a general
declaration against foreigners. In this
connection the Canton correspondent OF
the Daily Telegraph. wiring Tuesday,
sends the following important news:
'Viceroy Taksu to-day published the
following mandate:
An important imperial decree was is
sued on the 23d of the sixth moon. 1t
says:
We have lost Tien Tsin and great
precautions are taken in Pekin. No peace
can be obtained without going through a
war. In the time of Chung an agreement
was made that no murder can be infict-
ed upon ministers from abroad. 1t is a
month since the minister of Germany was
assassinated by Boxers and strict orders
have been given for the arrest of the MUIR
derers. We are trying our utmost to
the lives of the other ministers,
end they are still in Pekin. We fear that
the viceroys and governors may tnisunder-
stand the intention of the decree, relying
upon the safety of the ministers as a
ground for making peace, and taking no
heed whatever to prepare for attack and
defense. The neglect 10 fortify the dis
tricts under their jurisdiction will bring
endless calamity. Eiceroys and governors
are to pay all attention to and urge on
preparations for coast attack and defense,
and they are to take the consequences in
case of any territory being lost entirely
through their delay or mismana cement
Europeans here understand thorough
ly the last part of the edict, which means
that the viceroys and governors are COM
manded by the Empress Dowager to pre-
pare for a Chinese war against the allied
Powers. Viceroy TAX Su is bitterly anti
foreign, and he Is increasing his army
and armaments, military and marine. He
has lodged an objection through the pre-
feet of Kwang Chou to four small gun
British, hat are here TO safeguard the
lives of foreigners, and he asks that they
be moved beyond the bogue forts.
His plan will be unmasked shortly after
the allied powers ascertain definitely the
facts concerning the massacre at Pekin.
Chinese gunboats infest the channel at
the back of the Shamen, and eighteen
Chinese gunboats lie waiting orders be-
low the imperial government wharf. The
Cantonese are daily becoming more hos
tile and the situation Is critical. Bust
ness is almost al a standstill and leprosy
and plague claim fresh victims daily"
With this accumulation of evidence cf
an impending big struggle comes also the
news OF dsagreements between the Pow
ers and the foreign commanders which
threaten to hamper united action and to
encourage Chinese resistance. A confer
ence of the admirals at Taku, called TO
settle the question regarding the manage
ment of the restored railway, decided IN
favor of Russian control. only the Brit
ish and American admirals dissenting.
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