Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-02

b. borne in mind that having been brought
to Taku by runner, this dispatch repre-
sented the minister's condition at least five
Says ago. and there is reason to fear that
The worst has happened in the interim.
The message follows:
CHEFOO CNo date. Received July q.
Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
Runner from Pekin reports legations are
besieged: provisions nearly exhausted; situ-
alton desperate. German minister going to
Tsung-H-yamen murdered by Chinese SOL
diers- American, Italian, duty (Dutch?)
legations burned Twenty thousand Chi
nese soldiers inside, 3o.uJ0 outside Pekin;
1900 reported bound Tien Tsin; still fight
ing at Tfen Tsin. Communications Tien
TSln by rail and river insecure.
KEaIPFF.
VIII Not Ratify Agreement.
After forty-eight hours consideration, and
after consulting the President at Canton by
wire. the cabinet officers here have decided
not to ratify the agreement of nine articles
providing for the naturalization of Shanghai
and the other Chinese treaty por,s submit
ted by Minister WI. There were some
thiEgs IN the agreement which the govern
ment felt that Ii could not accept. Such
for instance, was the absolutiOn proposed
10 be extended to the Chinese government
in advance for any outrages that might
TIE government has. however. no objec-
ton TO the principle emhodied in the
arrangement. and has the2 efore told Con-
sui General Goodlow by cable G!at he may
pledge the United States government TO
commit no act of hostility so lo,g as the
viceroy Of the proy.ace il able to keep the
peace, and will protect foreigners Tf4is
determination has been made known 10 the
other powers.
There Is every disposition On the part Of
the government here to encourage such
agreements, for they Ciil not only relieve
Tic government Of t'-e necessity of MAIN
t;Iiring a large naval force 1t the southern
treaty ports, but Will tend to strengthen
decidedly whatever opposition there may be
in China to the anti-forc.gn element head
ed by Prince Tuan-
Not Yet Mt War With China.
Our government is convinced that this
leader does not represent the Chinese gov
eminent, but that ne is merely a sclf-coa-
stilr;ed head Of a lawless and riOtous com
binatiOn. 1t is also satisfied that the Off
ciaI class OF China generally. the men of
Influence and leIrn.ug. arc decidedly op-
posed TO TJan'S policies.
Holding this view, our government is still
convinced that Il state Of war with China
GCes not exist. tnat We are merely oppos-
ing an !nsurrectionGry mob. even though
that mob has been sweiled by rebelliou,
Chinese soldiers. 1t IS pointed oct thar NOT
a single one of the European Powers inter
cs,ec in China has taken different view
from this Not cne E.s yet fouAd it neces-
sary to declare that d state Of war exists
ard the United States Is not likely 10 lead
the way in 4 contrary pollCy. unleEs there
Is a great change in the situ1tion
Minister WI Cancels an Engagement.
Minister WI of China will today write To
the persons in charge of the 4th of July
celebration in Philadelphia and cancel his
engagement to speak there on that occa-
His fpr
the uncertainty of conditions in his coun-
try, and the fact that he cannot anticipate
what alarming news, whether well founded
or not. may be sent to this country from
now until the time he had arranged to ad-
dress an American audience on July T.
TO a Star reporter today Mr.. WI said he
had not received any protest against speak
ing in Philadelphia from any one. He had
accepted the invitation conditionalIy II
being understood that his engagement