The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-01
German Probably Chief
in Command.
Chinese Strongly Intrenched at
Wang Tsun.

sLondon, August 1.-4 a. 10. "A sensa-
tlonal Shanghai correspondent still hints
that the Chinese are juggling with dates;
but in face of the constantly accumulat-
ing evidence that the ministers were safe
on July %, and despite the omission from
all the dispatches of anxiously desired in
formation regarding the real situation,
political and otherwise at Pekin, there
are very few who do not believe that the
dispatches are genuin and reliable
: The allies now confront a more difficult
and dangerous problem Without doubt
the ministers are held by the Chinese as
hostages, and the outcome of the advance
on Pekin which in all probability has be-
gan, viii be awaited with anxiety.
Today dispatches show that the allies,
notably the japanese, have been pushing
their preparations with feverish haste,
organizing a service of pack carts, trains
and junks. 1t is reported from Berlin
that Lieutenant General Won Lessel, COM
manding the German forces in China,
whom Emperor William has just pro
noted to the rank of general command
ing an army corps, has been ssIscted as
commander in chief Of the allied forces.
The Chinese are strongly entrenched at
Wang Tsun, from which position, how
ever, it is believed they can be elected
without great difficulty. The danger is 1
that.if defeated there the Chinese viii re-
tire on Pekin and put the remainder of
the Europeans to death. It is also pos
sibls tnat the advance of the allies win
be the signal for the Chinese authorities
to compel all foreigners to quit the capt.
tai in which event they might become
the prey of the fanabical Boxers.
The feeling of the newspapers here is
that nothing whatever should delay the
advance and that no negotiation of any
kind should be countenanced until the
allied troops reach Pekin and assure
themselves regarding the fate of the for
eigners.
The latest advices from Tien Tsin an
nounce that the Russians and japanese
are scouting in the direction of Pietang
The japanese commander, Ya1nachuchi, /
expects Yang Taun to be taken within
three days.
The governor of Shang Tung says thu
British consu1's message was sent to Sir i
Claude Macdonald, whose reply was
handed to the Tsung Ii Yamen on July
25.
A special despatch from Tien Tsin says
the missionaries report that all the
Americans in Pel1in and Tung Chau are
safe but their property has been de-
stroyed.
The Toxic correspondent of the Daily
wiring yesterday says:
"Kwang Su is reported to have sent
second despatch to Emperor Nicholas ad-
mitting that state of war exists at Tien
Isin but that the Russians are fully pro-
tected at open ports. The Chinese En-
peror adds that the disturbances in Man
churia were caused by a rebelIious gener-
al in Amur, tina t he has instructed the
Chinese generals to refrain from hostili-
ties and that he desires the Gar to recip-
rocate his action
The Shanghai correspondent Of the
"Ehe general aspect of the situation
confirms the opinion that the Mancnu
party fearing the effect of further violent
rely on Iii Hung Chang's nego-
tiations to prevail upon the powers to
forego vengeance in return for the relsase
of the survivors. =
Important ad ditionaI confirmation of
the safety Of the legations was received in
London last evening by Mr.. Duncan
Campbell, representative in Europe for
the Chinese customs service, from the
of customs in Che BOO in
the shape OF q Pekin despatch not dated
but believed to have been written on July
81, signed by both Sir Robert Hart, In
spector general of customs and Mr.. Rob
ert Boredom, deputy inspector general, to