The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-07-25
ALMOST IN DESPAIR
ENGLAND LOOKS FOR CONFIRMA-
TIoN OF MASSACRE.
MESSAGE FROM MAC DONALD
1T WAS DATED JULY AND WAS AN
APPEAL FOR RELIEF.


Warned Against Trying TO Reach
Pekin With n Small Force-L1
Hung Chang Says China Cannot
Pay Money Indemnity and viii Not
Give Up Territory.
London, July %, 4 a. m.-Sir Claude
MacDonald's message, dated July 4, APP
pealing for relief, is regarded in London
as only a prelude to the absolute confir-
nation of the massacre. This is the opin-
ion also of the Japanese Minister 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 harmoniously, the
question of means of communication be-
tween Taku and Pekin gives evidence of
jealousies between the Powers, and other
dispatches from Tien Tsin, show that
the language difficulty has been hamper
ing the military operations.
A dispatch to the Daily News from Tien
fighting, says:
Col. Liscum mstook the road and was
nearly isolated. Gen. Dorward, on a pre-
mature report from the japanese com
mander that the city had been entered.
ordered a general advance, which proved
a costly error.
Much valuable time was lost and trou-
BILE occasioned yesterday afternoon be-
cause the messengers between Gen. Fuk
ishima and Gen. Dorward did not under
stand each others language"
The Tien Tsin correspondent of the
Daily Mail says that when the Chinese
regulars saw the Boxers, who led the at
tack, being killed they began to retire
! He asserts that the admirals have de
cided that it would be useless to move to-
ward Pekin without at least 5000 men.
Might Be n Costly Mistake.
In an editorial referring to this state
ment. the Daily Mail comments upon the
American proposal to advance with 1000
men. 1t says:
1--WE have learned in Africa. how dan
gerous it is to despse our enemies, and
| In the interest of civilization we do not
wish to see such a lesson read TO the
| United States by the heather Chinee.' I"
A whole batch of Tien Tsin dispatches
| is published to-day. All praise the gal
lantry of the Americans and japanese.
The Standards correspondent says that
| the Americans at first made mistake in
underestim the fighting capacity of
the Chinese, whose fire was really terrific
He expresses some doubt about the ability
of the allies to hold the positions captured
unless they are reinforced. 1t appears
that large hauls of silver were made by
the allies the metal being carried away
in buckets, and the Chinese calmly as
sisting.
REQUESTS for mediation addressed to for
eign Powers are interpreted here to be a
PREPARATION for the acceptance of foreign
aid 10 repress the rebellion, and Ii Hung
Chang's statement that he could restore
order with 10000 white troops-is looked
upon as a subtle argument in favor of
appointing him to the command of the
allied forces, to the exclusion of Japa-
nese.
Lii Hung Chnng's Attitude.
The Shanghai correspondent of the times.
| telegraphing Monday, says:
"In an interview to-day Ii Hung Chang
reiterated his statement that if the Man
chu party had been guilty of the horrible
| treachery involved in a massacre of the
members of the Legations, he would abso-
| lutely refuse to attempt to ne
gotiate He said the present in
teution of the Tsung-li- Yamen was
| to memorialize the Empress Dowager
to revictual the legations and then TO
arrange to send them to Tien Tsin
under the escort of Gen. Sun Wad Lin.
He declared that the fighting had ceased
and that the foreign troops were holding
a position south of the Yu Ho bridge,
while Gen. Tung Fuh siangs forces were
on the north.
Earl Ii expressed the intention to wait
for news of the movement of the foreign
legations before proceeding northward
| on receiving this he will be escorted by
10 GOO troops who are now mastering in
this province.
Regarding the negotiations he said he
believed China's finances would debar her
from paying indemnity and that the peo-
ple would never submit to further annex
ations OF territory, He thinks the Powers
ought to accept assurances OF a reformed
administration and OF the removal Of the
officials responsible for the crisis.
Earl Lii Is Getting Old.
obviously Ii Hung Chang has not
changed his views or his methods. while
the puerility of his arguments is increas-
,nq with age. The impression is gaining
ground here that the Manchus are tenn
norlzing while preparing to retreat TO
r4sian Flu. A confidential member of his
staff saws that Earl Ii will not go north
until he is convinced that the Empress
rowaser has seen the folly OF her present
policy"
The Hong Kong correspondent OF the
Times SAYS that before leaving, Ii Hung
chang countermanded his order for the
BLACK Flags to march on Pekin, and that
they are now eneamped outside of Can
ton.
The Shanghai correspondent Of the Daily
Mail records the gallant action OF Japa-
| - -.,at.. during the attack on the gates