New-York tribune., 1900-08-16
LONDON MORE HOPEFUL.
STOCK EXCHANGE REFLECTS THE FEEL
ING OVER CHINA.
Copyright: 1900: ~ The New-York tribune
IBy CABLE TO The -RIBUYEI

London, aug IS, l q r--The general public
Is now looking forward hopefully TO the relief
q the Pekng legations in the course Of the
next few days. and the Stock Exchange, which
for some tine past has been in the lowest
depth OF depression. became almost buoyant for
short tine yesterday. The few Foreign Office Of
fciaIs left il town are by no means inclined as
yet 70 lay aside the pessinism whish has pos
sessed Them ever since the Asiatic crisis began
No doubt IS entertained in Downing Street as 10
The ability Of the allied forces 10 make their
way into the Tartar City Of Peking in the
course q the next few days. but there is still
much misgiving as 70 what they may find
when they get there. a cipher message from
Sir Claude Macdonald which Sir Chih Chen Lo
Fsug Luh handed 70 the Foreign Of1ce yester-
day is reassuring in so far that il shows that
The Ministers were alive a few days ago-that
IS. Il dates n the message can be trusted. But
rs purport IS much the same as that received
by the Consul AZ Hong Kong, and Il represents
the position OF the legations as so desperate
that il is tolerabIy certain they could not resist
a sudden concerted attack by large numbers Of
Boxers and Chinese troops. For these reasons
Official experts here do not yet permit themselves
70 indulge IN too confident hopes. notwithstand-
ing Sir Chih Cheng's declaration that the lega-
tions We're certainly safe on Sunday last On re
cefDr Of the Chinese Minister'S communication,
bury by telegraph the Premier sent instructions
70 the Foreign Office 10 send reply in cipher
10 Sir Claude Macdonald. The message was Of
considerable length. and placed Sir Claude Mac
donald in fun possession of the latest facts Of
the situation. including the progress Of the relief
force II was handed 70 the Chinese Minister,
who guaranteed its safe transmission TO the
hands for which II was intended.
one Of the points Of the greatest importance
Al the present moment is the attitude Of Ger
many on the Yangtse question. The protest Of
the French and Russian consuls against the
proposed landing OF British troops al Shanghai
Is z serious matter and causes much anxiety
here all the more as il is seen that II is now
scarcely possible. or at any rate. very difficult
for Great Britain 10 retreat from the position
she has taken up Much depends on the view
which VIII be taken by Germany. II the Kaiser
should support France and Russia in opposing
British action grave situation might easily
arise
Several Of yesterdays evening newspapers
comment rather unfavorably on the German
Emperor's latest speech, with its uncompliment-
sry reference 10 Admiral Seymour's action in
advancing with MS small force from Taku. THE
Westminster Gazette" observes pertlnently that
II The British War Of5ce and Admiralty were
misinformed about the Chinese preparations,
those Of France. Germany. Russia, Austria and
Italy were no wiser. However. this journal Is
comforted by being able 20 infer that on the Chi
nese question generally the policy OF the Ger
man Emperor is Identical with that enunciated
by Mr. Brodrick in the House Of Commons; that
Is 70 say he is in favor of the establishment Of
strong native government.
Count Won WaIdersee leaves Berlin for Genoa
whence he sails for the Far East al the end OF
this week. His title, commandments or
the Army in East Asia" is carefully chosen 10
spare French and other susceptibnities II
leaves an open question whether the supreme
command is that Of the whole allied forces or
merely Of the German contingent J. n r