The age-herald., 1900-07-25
The Minister Believes Foreigners
 at Pekin Safe.
ENGLAND DESIRES SOME PROOF
A Strong Impression Continues to Pre- vail That the Ministers Were All Massacred on July 6-No
 Positive Evidence

London, July 24-The Chinese minister, Sir Chin Gen u Feng Luh, had long in- terview with Lord Salisbury this after noon. The general situation was discussed, and the Chinese minister admitted his be- lief that the British minister to China, Sir Claud Macdonald, and the other foreigners at Pekin are safe. Lord Salisbury reiterat- ed his demand for direct communication with the minister at Pekin. To this request the minister could only renew his protesta- tions that it would be achieved if feasible. He adduced no new facts to prove his as- sertions. The interview closed without re- suit.
 Despite the Chinese minister's statement, and despite Sir Claude MacDonalds letter of July f. strong impression continues to prevail at the foreign office that the min- isters at Pekin were massacred on July 6. The Associated Press correspondent is in- formed that not one scintilla of evidence is yet in the possession of the foreign of- flee telegram to disbelieve the reports of the murder. Sir Claude MacDonald's let ter, with its account of severe fighting in progress, merely confirms the governments s forebodings.
 William Pritchard Morgan, member of Parliament from Merthyr Tydvil, whose knowledge of and interests in China are extensive, informed the Associated Press correspondent today that he was positive, from cable messages from his agents, that the members of the legations were alive on July 9. When the foreign office was told this the rejoinder was made:
 MT. Morgan has submitted no evidence to convince us of the truth O. his state ment, however anxious we may be to be- lieve it."
 Consulta 6ions in Progress
 Consultations are in progress between Cabinet ministers and officials as to the course to be pursued should the ministers prove to be alive The contingency of China holding them as hostages is upper most in the minds of all, although the As sociated Press correspondent is officially in- formed that the Chinese diplomats have not yet hinted at such action.
 Negotiations between the. powers have brought out mutual assurances that the military expeditions to China are for the sole purpose of relieving the legations, and that there is no intention to partition China. Hence, should China agree to de- liver the ministers alive, no power will have reason for continuing aggressive military operations except Germany whose minister is undoubtedly dead, and even Germany, to quote higher British official, will have to forego the Emperor's assertion that he would not stop until the German flag fioated over Pekin.
 the mowers if epnha tioa lI1, stated that they have unanimously agreed that with the safe delivery of the ministers the aggressive campaign will end.
 If the imperial edict proves true, the powers, while holding their forces in readi- ness to enforce demands will accept pecun- iary indemnity. No territorial propositions will be considered In common with the other powers Germany must, through ar bltratfon or otherwise, gauge the damages by the loss of life of her minister by a pecuniary standard. The same rule will apply as to the loss of other lives and de- struction of property.
 No Further News
 At the Chinese legation the Associated Press correspondent was informed that no further news from China had been received today and that it was expected that the Ministers would be sent to Tien Tsin. Sec retaTy Lew expressed unstinted praise of the United States Secretary of State, Col onel Hay, and declared his implicit belief that the Ministers were safe. He said the negotiations with the powers on behalf of China had all been entrusted to the Chi nese Minister at Washington, Wu Ting Fang.
 Secretary Lew professes utter ignorance of their progress. It may safely be stated that should the Ministers prove to be alive the Chinese government will, to some ex- tent, use them as a lever to compel Eu- ropean and American missionaries and commercial enterprises to moderate their activity, if not to withdraw from the En- pire entirely. On this point, William Pritchard Morgan, who is in close touch with the Chinese Minister, said to the As sociated Press correspondent that he had good reason to believe the Chinese gov ernment had entrusted, or would entrust Ii Hung Chang with the mission of saving to the powers:
 Li Hung Chang's Demands
 Look here: If you withdraw your mis-. sionaries and give up your concessions we will be willing to give ample pecuniary re- muneration for your losses. We will then deliver your ministers, except Germany's. alive. We'll, if you don't we cannot be an- swerable for the lives of your ministers We cannot reconcile the majority of our people to the foreign clement" and who said MT. Morgan, twill have hardihood to say to China: Go ahead: kill the minis ters and we will take revenge
 'I believe that Secretary Hay had adopt ed the only right course. His action is