The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-01
Sentiment I'm Great Britain In, How
ever, that the Forward Move
ment Should Not Be Delayed.
NO D1CKERING WITH CHINA
LEGATIONERs MUST BE sUCCoRED
BEFORE TALK BEGINS.
Little Doubt that the Foreigners Are
Held as Hostages Message
from Sir Robert Hart.

LONDON. Aug. I, 4 a. ma sensational
Shanghai correspondent still hints that the
Chinese are juggling with dates. but in face
of constantly accommodating evidence that
the ministers were safe on July 2. and
despite the omission from all the dispatches
of anxiously desired information regarding
the real situation, political and otherwise.
at Peking, there are very few in London
who do not believe the dispatches genuine
and reliable.
The allies now confront a most difficult
and dangerous problem. Without doubt
the ministers are held by the Chinese az
hostages; and the outcome of the advance
on Peking. which. in all probability. has al
ready begun, will be awaited with intense
anxiety.
To-day's dispatches show that the allies.
notably the japanese. have been pushing
their preparations with feverish haste or
junks. 1t is reported from Berlin that
Lieutenant General Won Lessel. command
ing the German forces in China. whom EN-
peror William has just promoted to the
rank of general commanding an army
corps, has been selected as commander-in-
chief of the allied forces.
The Chinese are strongly intrenched at
Wang-rsun. from which position. however.
II is believed they can be elected without
feated there. the Chinese will retire on
Peking and put the remainder OF the Euro
peans to death. 1t is also possible that the
advance of the allies will be the signal for
the Chinese authorities to compel all for
eigners TO quit the capital, in which event
they might become the prey of the fanati-
cal BOxers,Av
The feeling of the newspapers here is that
nothing whatever should now delay the adj
vance and that no negotiations of any kind
should be countenanced until the allied
troops reach Peking and assure themselves
regarding the fate of the foreigners
FROM HART AND BREDoN.
Important additional confirmation of the
safety OF the legations was received in
London last evening by Mr.. Duncan Camp
bell representative in Europe of the Chi
nese customs service, from the commits
sioner OF customs at Che-Foo. in the shape
of a Peking dispatch not dated, but be-
Iieved to have been written on July q,
signed by both Sir Robert Hart, inspector
general of customs. and Mr.. Robert Bredon.
| deputy inspector general to the following
effect: "Staff and family still safe" This
has been confirmed by the Commissioners
of customs in Shanghai. who telegraphod
| last evening: Authentic. Inspector gem
eral safe on the I'D"
kilograms from Shanghai reiterate that
| the Empress left Peking three weeks ago.
and that she will proclaim sinan-Fu the
| capital when Peking falls. The Chinese
| nevertheless profess confidence that the
| jealousies of the powers will prevent them
reaching the capital. scofr at the idea of a
punitive force and brag OF their ability TO
ultimately recover all leased territory and
compel revision Of the treaties TO their
| advantage.
| The United States ambassador, Joseph
Choate, saw Lord SALISBURY last evening
and ascertained his views with regard TO
| the changes In the Chinese situation
| brought about by the direct dispatches
| from Peking. Lord Salisbury assured Mr..
Choate that Great Britain had no lnten-
| ton OF delaying the advance on Peking.
| nor, so far as he knew, had any other
power. Lord Salisbury acqulesced fn Sec
| retary Hays desire that the advance be
undertaken as speedily as possible. He had
| no intention OF bargaining with China I'm
any way. shape or form until the ministers
| were safe under their own military escort
| The Associated Press correspondent here
| understands that China is making strenu-
| Gus efforts TO come TO some agreement
| with the powers previous 10 handing over
| the ministers. but this win not be consid-
| cred for a moment. Once Peking has been
| reached and the ministers have regained
| their liberty. the powers have agreed as-
| gression will cease and reparation VIII be-
| come a matter OF negotiation Lord Sails
| bury believes Il may still be proved that
the Chinese government is not responsible
for the attacks on the LEGATIONS except In