New-York tribune., 1900-07-17

peared to remove every shadow Of doubt, and ne
asked as 10 the various officers and their fam
lies. The scene Of the fighting came nome
vtvidly to the Minister. he had lived IoI
long time az Tien-Tsin the close friend ana as
sociate of Ii Hung Chang when the latter was
Viceroy there, and every detail of the engage
nlent around the walls could be followed by MIN
with personal knowledge Of the SURROUNDINGS
In his minds eye he pictured before him the
scene Of action. Here. he pointed out was the
great walled city. within which the native Chi
nese population lived. Around the city swept
the Pei-Ho River, very sinucus, from Taku
toward Pelfng Below the walled city, a full
hours ride by chair lay the foreign settle
ulents, or concessions. At this point, well away
from the walls OF the main city, the foreign
citizens with the allied troops, have until now
been located. The news Of the fight at the
walls meant. therefore. that the allied forces
had advanced from their position well down the
Pei-Ho and had attacked the city itself. Ihe
outcome Of this move he viewed with the Ut
most concern. He spoke with a good deal OF
freedom but asked to be excused from any
public declaration. In the most sympathetic
terms. however. he expressed his horror at the
latest developments. declaring that TO no AnleT-
can home could the news bring deeper regret
than TO him
At the other legations and embassies the same
feeling of disray prevailed.
Although Minister WI win make no public ut
terance The Associated Press is able TO give
what is believed TO be the aspect OF the sttua-
ton from the Chinese point of view. According
70 this view the move Of the allied forces from
the foreign settlement down the river on the
native walled city was not only unfortunate
but was fraught with the greatest danger. With
the fate of the foreign legations and Ministers
at Peking still in doubt, The allied forces might
we'll have turned their attention 10 cutting a
way through 10 the rescue of their officials ana
citizens at the capital In that event, 1t is SAID
the normal conditions around Tlen-Isin would
have continued and the status quo have been
maintained. But by assault Of the walled
Cftv the natives within the city might naturally
be expected to defend themselves, believing that
their homes were about TO be attacked They
have been penned Up within the city, knowing
nothing Of what has occurred without, and,
from the Chinese point of view, It probably will
be found that II was in a defence against an IN
explained attack that the slaughter occurred
Minister WI declares unworthy Of belief the
report that Sheng. Director Of Teegraphs and
Posts at Shanghai, knew OF the killing Of the
foreign Ministers at the time he suggested that
foreigners be escorted out Of Pe6ing II the al
led forces would not advance. AS matter OF
fact. Mr.. Wu says the Chinese officials have no
better means Of learning the true state OF al
fairs in Peking than the foreigners, as all the
usual means Of communication are suspended.
But he asserts that Sheng could not have known
Of the death OF the foreigners, or he would not
have made a proposal that they be escorted out
Of the city. This latter proposal is considered
proof positive by Mr Wu that Sheng cOnsid-
cred the foreigners alive.