Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-07-26
LONDON PESSINIS7IC.
The Impression Prevails That Min.
listers at Pekin We're Massacred.
MILITARY EXPEDITIONS TO CHINA.
The Purpose Ii to Relieve the Legations
and Not TO Partition China American
and British Forces Working
HarmoniOusiy.

Z long interview with Lord Salisbur
I yesterday afternoon. The general sit
| uation was discussed and the Chimes
minister admitted his belief that tn
British minister to China, Sir Claud
Macdonald, and the other foreigner
I at Pekin were safe. Lord Salisbur,
reiterated his demand for direct com
municatiOn with the minister at Pc
kin. To this request the minister
could only renew his protestations
that it would be speedily accomplished
If feasible. He adduced no new facts
to prove his assertions. The interview
closed without result. Despite the
Chinese minister's statements and
despite Sir Claude MacDonald's let.
ter Of July 4, a strong impression con.
tinues to prevail at the foreign office
that the ministers at Pekin were
massacred July 8. The Associated
press correspondent is informed that
not one scintilla Of evidence is yet in
the possession of the foreign office
leading them to disbelieve the reports
Of the murders.
Consultations are in progress be-
tween cabinet ministers and officials
as to the course to be pursued should
the ministers prove to be alive. The
contingency of China holding them as
hostages Is uppermost in the minds
of all, although the Associated press
correspondent is officially informed
that the Chinese diplomats have not
yet limited at such action.
Negotiations between the powers
have brought out mutual assurances
that the military expeditions to China
are for the sole purpose of relieving
the legations, and that there is no
intention to partition China. Hence
should China agree to deliver the min
listers alive no power will have reason
for continuing aggressive military OPP
erations except Germany, whose min
lister Is undoubtedly Dead and even
Germany, to quote high British off
cial, will have to forego the emperor's
assertion that he would not stop till
the German flag foated over Pekin.'
As for the other powers, it is en-
phatically stated that they have unan-
imously agreed that with the safe de-
livery of the ministers the aggressive
campaign will end. All rumors of an
international agreement regarding
the future Of China subsequent to the
return of the ministers are false. The
agreement is purely negative and
based upon the lines stated by Sec
rotary Hay, of which the independ- |
ence and integrity of the Chinese en-
plre are essential features. If the i'm
perial edict proves true, the powers,
while holding their forces in readiness
to enforce demands. will accept pecu-
mary indemnity. No territorial prop
osition will be considered. In com
mon with the other powers, Germany
must, through arbitration or other
wise, gauge the damage by the loss
of the life of her minister by a pe-
cnniary standard. The same rule will
apply as to the loss of other lives and |
destruction of property.
Americans and British In HARMONY.
London, July 25.-Sir Claude Mac
Donald's message dated July 4, appeal |
ing for relief, is regarded in London
as only preclude to the absolute
confirmation of the massacre. This is
the opinion also of the japanese min
lister here. The newspapers suggest
that the British minister's dispatch
was held back and released about the
same time as Mr.. Conger's undated |
message,
Although the American and British
forces are working tremendously the
question of means of communica-
tion between Taku and Pekin gives
evidence of jealousies between the
powers and other dispatches from
Tien Tsin show the language Difficult.
ty has been hampering the military
operations.
A dispatch to the Daily News from
lien Tsin, dated July IA and describ-
ing the fighting, says: "Col. Liscum
mistook the road and was nearly iso.
lated Gen. Dorward, on premature
report from the japanese commander
that the city had been entered, or.
dered general advance, which proved
a costly error. Much valuable time
was lost and trouble occasioned YES.
terdoy afternoon because the messen-
gers between Gen. Fushima and Gen,
Dorward did not understand each
others language"
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