The National tribune., 1900-06-28
CHINESE SITUATION.
Gathering of International Forces
Fighting at Tien Tsin.

The acuteness of the situation In China
was augmented last week by the receipt
of the news of more serious conflicts be-
tween the hostile Chinese and the allied
forces, but the full truth is not yet to be
had as to various events reported to have
taken place. Conflicting reports from nj
mcrous correspondents, in which evidently
statements having their basis only In
opinions have been interlarded, have in
creased the uncertainty that has always
been existent from the beginning of the
trouble. So far, as we go to press, these
facts have become evident:
That up to June 10 the foreign resi-
dents of Pekin were safe; that sharp
lighting with but minor losses has oc-
Cured between the Chinese and the
American and Russian forces; that Tien
Tsin, after being heavily assailed by Chi
nese, was relieved, and that the allied
forces are now on the advance from Ten
Tsin to the relief of Admiral Seymour S
party of 1000, from whom nothing has
been heard for many days.
| There is great anxiety in Washington
as to the fate of Americans in Pekin, and
also as to Capt. McCaila and his force OF
| American marines.
| Our Government so far is grati6ed at
the attitude OF the powers, there apparent
| ly being no difference of opinion or inten-
| ton respecting necessities of the situa-
ton as at present understood. AS to the
| future, the Germans declare that there
must be adequate satisfaction for the Sc
we're injuries foreign interests have suf-
fered and the establishment of guaran-
| tees against the repetition of such out
RACES, and that beyond this the future at
| titude of the powers must depend upon
| what has really happened in Pekin I'M
known to Europe. The Russian Govern
| ment takes the view that the intervention
of the powers in the matter must not
mean i'll future settlement of old scores
with the Chinese Government and must
| not embrace governmental reOrganiZa-
| ton, including n change in the head of
| Government. The French Government
| maintains that the removal of the En-
press DOwagcr and her clique would be
| Necessary to the permanent results that
| the powers desire. Meanwhile, it is be-
| lieved that Russia and Japan especially
will work as energetically and yet as eau
| tiously as possible to put themselves in the
position of readiness to take advantage of
any situation of the future looking to the
control of affairs. Germany affects to be-
lieve that the Chinese Government is
| actually at war with the bowers. How
ever, there is not dissenting voice at
present to the proposition made by the
United States to limit the operations of
the foreign armies and navies to restore
peace and protect life and property and
leave further questions for future settle
ment.
After the close of our last report, which
detailed the advance of the international
forces from Tien-Tsin-Fu upon Pekn and
the capture of the Chinese forts Mt Taku,
on the coast east of Tien Tsin after bonn
bardment by the allied forces, the Ameri-
can Admiral, Kempff, sent a dispatch
June 90 to the Navy Department to the
effect that the Taku forts were taken by
the other forces, without American parti-
cipation, and that there We're then 300
Americans ashore, and 5000 Russians,
Germans and English had Just arrived at
Chefoo, considerably farther to the south
east, on the coast.
Considerable criticism was made in Ma
val circles here of the position that the
Americans took at the capture of the
forts. Naval officers say that it is un-
prccedented to allow United States ships
of war to be fired upon without respond
ing, and that the failure of the American
officers to return the reported fire of the
Chinese at the Monocacy indicates that
there must have been explicit orders
against participation in any active con-
fict. Otherwise, it is claimed by somc
the ofIicersin command of the American
warships at Taku would have subjected
themselves to serious censure. possibly to
courtmartial, in permitting the flag to be
fired upon without responding.
The naval commanders of the allied
forces at Taku agreed to a proclamation,
which they issued, making known TO all
viceroys and authorities along the coasts
and rivers and in the Provinces and cities
of China that they intended to use armed
force only against the Boxers and people
that opposed them on the march to Pekin
for the rescue of their fellow-countrymen
All the nations concerned were soon ac
lively engaged in the increase of their
representation on the field, the Germans
once more eIllarging their plans to accom-,
modate 10000 men if more alarming news
was received of a character to warrant
such force. japan and Russia were
particularly active, and much was said in
the Russian dispatches about the suspi
cions entertained of Japan's intentions.
1t was announced, though not believed
by our Government. that the Empress had
issued orders for the determination of all
foreigners in China. This was practically |
simultaneous with the statement that
Prince Tuan had killed the Emperor and
that the Empress had committed suicide, |
and other wild reports.
Foreigners and commercial men at all |
the treaty ports were reported as of the |
opinion that the Chinese Government had |
been wrecked beyond all repair and that |
the only solution for the existing anarchy |
would be the establishment of a new Gov |
ernment controlled by the civilized ma
tions. Little confidence was expressed by |
them in Ii Hung Chang's integrity, as he |
is expected to follow whatever policy is |
likely to result in personal aggrandiZe-
ment. Ii Hung Chang started for Pekin,
wis given Hill ny Tie
powers to proceed thence to help restore
order. He stopped at Canton, however,
owing to the activity of the secret socie-
ties. What he will do remains to be seen.
He insists that the firing by the Taku
forts was not the result of orders by the
Chinese Government. He says he desires
the allied forces to proceed to Pekin to
put an end to the disturbances. There is
a strong belief in Lii Hung Changs per-
sonal influence with court and people.
The anxiety over the situation at Pekin
was somewhat relieved by the receipt of
authentic cables, through Minister WI,
and from Berlin, to the effect that the To-
cations and ministers are safe. The Ger
man Ambassador, Ketteler, was men
toned by name in the Berlin dispatch. 1t
was understood that the Chinese had sur
rounded the legations, but did not dare at
tack.
The American ships in China at pres
ent consist of the Newark, 400 men; Mo-
275; Nashville, 275, all at Taku;
the Yorktown, 300, at Chefoo. The Ore
gon Is under way to Taku. The Iris,
supply ship, also is on the way. With
the Brooklyn, this will give Admiral
Kempff n fleet of seven ships, including
the Oregon, when they are assembled a
week hence.
Meanwhile various measures are being
taken in minor way to strengthen our
hands in China, including the sending of
A M 70 Naly