The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-13

is on the verge of a terrible famine, and
the retention OF troops in Peking. prevent
ing. as they do. the return of the Chinese
government and the supply Of provisions
to the capital, places the responsibility for
what threatens to be frightful calamity
upon the powers who sanctioned the occu-
patton.
On the other hand strong representa-
tions have been made to the President in
opposition To withdrawal in advance of the
procurement of absolutely sufficient guar
antees for the protection of American IN
terests i'm China and for the safety OF the
native Christians This last addition is one
most difficult ~ meet, but, being insisted
upon by the missionary element, is being
given most careful consideration. In an
ticipation of some such state OF AFFAIRS, the
effort has been made to hasten the dis
patch of preliminaries TO negotiations. 1t Is
highly desirable that some responsible
representative of the Chinese government
be recognized in order that We may secure
sufficient guarantee upon which to base
the withdrawal of our troops. Ii Huns
Chang and Prince Ching are the only lights
In the East so far as our government can
see, and il is possible that the present prob
lem may be solved by decision to deal
with them Immediately and to accept their
pledge as sufficient for our purposes
Therefore, the decision announced to-day
TO facilitate Ii Hung Chang's passage from
Shanghai TO Peking may be regarded as
significant. Later it was announced that
Consul General Goodnow had reported that
Ii would leave Shanghai next Friday for
Tien-Tsin. His means of transportation are
not known, but he may have United
States vessel If such thing is absolutely
necessary to his reaching Tien-Tsin. Pos
siby the negotiations may be conducted
there, but the opinion in official circles
seems to be the last act in the negotia-
tions, namely. the signatures of the treat
les, which must bind China for the future,
must take place at the Chinese capital. 1t
is not known that any of the powers is
prepared to object to LII Hung Chang s
visit.
Meanwhile, the State Department is doing
its best to force the Chinese government,
through Lii Hung Chang to restore peace
in the provinces and cease outrages upon
American citizens, which have been con-
tinued up to the present day. Reports by
mail are just reaching the State Depart
ment as to some of these occurrences. I'm
der date of July 81, 1900, the consul of the
United States at Foo-Chou reports to the
Department of State that advices received
from three native pastors at Shao-Wu, a
prefecturaI city about $50 miles from Fu-
Chou. and a mission station of the Ameri-
can board, indicate that during riot which
occurred at Shao-Wu, on july "a, the large
church belonging to the mission, one chap
el, large hospital building, two residences
occupied by the missionaries ana several
native houses were destroyed by the mob,
every article of furniture being carried
away. The consul also states that no loss
of life is reported as having occurred dur
ing the riot. Rev. Mr.. Walker and Rev. Mr..
Hinman. of the Shao-Wu mission. were at
Foo-Chou on july 81. 1900. where they had
been for several months previously.