Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-26

LONDON, July 25.-The British
premier aud minister of foreign
affairs, Lord Salisbury, to-day
notified the United States am
bassndor here, Mr.. Joseph III.
ChOate, that 1T was impossible
to accept the evidence so far
submitted by the Chinese
that transmitted by the United
States regarding the safety of
the foreign ministers at Pekin
and that until their safety was
thoroughly established the Brit
ish government would be I'M
able to discuss any question of
mediation or kindred matters.
Mr.. Conger's letter, the substance of
which was transmitted to the U. S.
Secretary Of the Navy through Captain
Thomas Of the U. S. cruiser Brooklyn,
has increased the belief in London, that
there is no hope for the foreign lega-
tons in Pekin and that the elaborate
fabric of dispatches which the Chinese
world that the ministers are still alive,
is only intended to enable them to gain
time to complete preparations for war
fare.
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Daily Mail asserts that Chinaman who
was employed at the British legation
as a writer and interpreter, has escap-
ed from Pekin to Niu Chwang and that
he declares that at the time he left Pc
kin, most Of the members of the lega-
tons were dead and the conditions of
the others was hopeless. He says that
Sir Robert Hart, director of Chinese
imperial maritime customs,
Died on July End.
The correspondent goes on to say:
mo other details are given in the
message from Niu Chwang. The lead
ing Chinese newspapers here published
yesterday dispatch declaring that it
was all over with the members of the
legations. The president Of a minor
board at Pekin wrote a relative in
Shanghai, under date of July 9Th, say
ing:
"The foreign legations are still I'M
captured, but owing to the daily fight
ing it is reported that only about three
hundred persons are left alive in the
legations, and if there is any delay in
the arrival sef the relief force, l fear
that none will be left to receive it,
This letter is regarded in Shanghai
as authentic. Strange enough it says
nothing of any assistance to the lega-
tons by Prince Ching or Gen. Lung
Lu."
While these side lights as to the fate
of the Europeans leave little ground for
hope, Shanghai sends batch Of re-
ports indicative of
Preparations for Hostilities
on the part of the Chinese. 1t is al
legged that the Yang Use viceroys have
sent deputies to Shanghai to inquire
as to the Arospect of raising a foreign
loan oshsibly to pursue military OPP
eratiorS against the Boxers, whose
movement is extending rapidly south
ward with constantly growing strength
and has reached a point where the
provinces of Shan Tung, Ho Nan and
Shan ST meet, leaving behind it a trail
of burned missions and murdered Chris
tians.
The Shanghai correspondent Of the
Daily Express telegraphing yesterday
says:
"A general rising throughout China
is now regarded as SO absolutely GER
tain that all the missionaries through
out the empire have been ordered to
take refuge without delay in Shanghai
or Hong Kong. Refugees are begin
ming to arrive from all points in the
most pitiable condition.
'.As the result of constant CORES
pondence with the Governor of Shang
Tung, Ii Hung Chang this Afternoon
announced that the imperial govern
ment was prepared at any moment to
give safe convoy to the members OF
the foreign legations from Pekin to
Tien Tsin provided a guarantee were
given that
No Advance Would be Made
upon the capitol and that all matters
in dispute between China and the
powers would be made the subject of
friendly negotiations
The consuls replied that no basis
for friendly negotiations was possible
until proof was at hand that the min
listers were still living. Consul Warren
declined to discuss the matter at all
but in his reply to the French consul
Ii Hung Chang undertook to obtain a
satisfactory message from the French
minister. n. Pichon, within I'VE days.