Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-14
SITUATION IN CHINA.
Continued From Page &.

town would be within days sail of the
Admirals flagship at Taku. She should
arrive at Che Foo on Saturday of this
week
Hong Kong, June 13.--Orders have
oeen issued to the contingent of Brit
1sh troops assembled here for service in
the north to sail for Tien Tsln June IA.
Major Morris, of the artillery, will be
In command
A CHANGE OF FRONT.
Washington, June 13.-Defnite infor-
nation was received here this after
noon from the Foreign Office of one Of
the most important continental pow ers.
Stating that the Tsung Ii Ysmen had
notified the Minister of that power at
Pekin that the Dowagcr Empress would
not object to the presence of foreign
troops in Chna's territory. This change
OF front came as n distinct surprise to
officials and diplomats. as all the re-
ports up to this time had pictured the
empress Dowager as intensely hostile
TO the foreigners. and as the real spirt
behind the Boxers anti-foreign upris-
"ang.
|. The supposed attitude of the EN-
| press gave much concern TO the au-
thorities here and at other capitals,
as 1t was feared 1t would eventuate in
F, an open declaration by the Government
! OF China against the presence of the
foreign troops. This would have raised
q new complication, placing the foreign
forces now advancing on Pel<in in the
attitude of resisting the sovereign au-
thority of China over her own terri
tory, instead of assisting China in Il
suppression of disorder
The Empress Dowagers acquiescence
IN the plans OF the powers is felt to
remove a threatened complications and
a the same time Ito give evidence that
the Empress Dowager is no longer
al H.
In official Russian quarters the ru-
mors that the Empress Dowager has
sought refuge at the Russian Lega-
ton in Pekin are discredited, and are
resented as a bit of inspired intrigue
designed to create the impression that
Russian sympathies are with the anti
foreign element.
BELGIAN DIPLOMAT ATTACKED.
Washington. June 13.-Onicial dis
patches received in diplomatic quarters
in Washington show that the Iioting
at Pekin has reached an acute stage.
with the rioters directing q number of
assaults against members OF the diff
ftrent foreign legations. One of these
dispatches states that the secretary OF
the Belgian legation was attacked two
successive times on Monday, and es-
capped after being mal-trcated by the
mob. On the same day two officials of
the British legation, serving as student
interpreters, were attacked by a large
crowd of roughs. The young English
I men held the attacking party back for
a time. but when he mob threatened
to close in on them they drew revol-
vers, and by n show of force made
their retreat without bodily injury
BRITISH PROPERTY BURNED.
j About the same time the British sum
I, mer quarters, fourteen miles from Pc
kin. were burned down. The quarters
Swere quite extensive and had just been
I'M, nj lNaIA
Ssh Government, and not to Sir Claude
!, Macdonald, the British Minister at
fPekin. which gives added significance
to the depreciation. The killing of the
chancellor OF the Japanese Legation at
Pekin, Sugima Al1lrs. is not referred to
3n the official dispatches received here
but full credit Is given to this report
by the Japanese officials who are per-
sonally acquainted with Mr. Aklra, and
with many of the circumstances de-
tailed
The killing of memer of the diplo-
matte body, and the foregoing assaults
upon the officials OF foreign countries.
ara regarded as presenting the most
serious phase of the situation that has
thus far occurred.
JAPAN TO ACT IN CONCERT.
London, June 1S.-ln regard TO the re-
ports THAT Japan is about to declare
war on China it was learned by repre-
sentative of the Associated Press at
the Japanese embassy today that the
attitude CT Japan in the Chinese crisis
Is to cooperate loyalty with the Euro
pean poyers. In the existing situation
Japan would not be willsg to see any
single power take the lead.
The murder of the Chancellor of the
Japanese legation at Pckin is regarded
as likely to lead to serious compiled
lions. but no decision has been reached
ny Japan as to what political measures
would be necessary to meet the sittt4-
zion.