The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-26

| lodged an objection through the prefect of
kwang-Chou to four small gunboats. two
| French. one American and one British that
| are here TO safeguard the lives of foreign
| ers, and he asks that they be moved be-
yound the Bogue forts. His plans will be
unmasked shortly after the allied powers
ascertain definitely the facts concerning
the massacre at Peking. Chinese gunboats
infest the channel at the back of the
Shameen and eighteen Chinese gunboats
| lie awaiting orders below the imperial gov
ernment wharf. The Cantonese are daily
becoming more hostile and the situation is
critical Business is almost at standstill
and leprosy and plague claim fresh vic
Tins daily. Native Christians assert that
the notorious Black Flag chief. Leo. who
fought the French i'm the Tonquin war. now
| refuses to obey Ii Hung Chang's command
10 go north and fight the Boxers. His SOL
diers are here and compose the crews Of
the gunboats i'm the Shameen."
According TO the Shanghai correspondent
of the Times, Ii Hung Chang is residing at
the residence of Liu, who was the envoy of
the Empress dowager in the secret mission
to Japan. He has received secret instruc-
tions to remain at Shanghai and 10 en-
deavor to open negotiations with view of
preventing the European advance.
With this accumulation of evidence of an
impending big struggle comes also the
news of disagreements between the powers
and the foreign commanders which threat
en- TO hamper united action and to encour-
age Chinese resistance. A conference of
the admirals at Taku, called to settle the
question regarding the management of the
restored railway, decided in favor of Rus
sian control, only the British and Ameri-
can admirals dissenting.
The Tien-Tsin correspondent OF the Daily
Mail insists upon the necessity of single
leader and of a general headquarters with
an intelligence Office He says: Much val
liable time is wasted by the present sys-
tenn. Little scouting is done and very few
guides are employed The allies have no
intelligence regarding the position or num-
bers of the enemy. The supplies of food
and medical stores, as well as the number
of surgeons, are insufficient"
BRITAIN OPPOSES MEDIATION.
The British premier and minister of for
eign affairs, Lord Salisbury, yesterday
notified the United States ambassador here
Mr. Joseph III. Choate, that it was i'm
possible to accept the evidence so far SUBJ
mitted by the Chinese or that transmitted
by the United States regarding the safety
of the foreign ministers at Peking, and that
Until their safety was thoroughly estab-
lished the British government would be un-
able to discuss any question of mediation
or kindred questions.
The morning papers do not comment on
the reported differences of policy between
the United States and Europe, probably
preferring, as the Daily Graphic says, to
wait for more authentic information on
the subject.
There appears to be difficulty. owing to
the Russian censorship. to get an accurate
idea of the situation in Manchuria. The
government dispatches block the available
wires, and little private news comes
through. Nevertheless there are rumors
that the situation is more serious than it
Is oficially represented to be, and that the
Russians have been driven back while try
ing to save the southern portion of the
Eastern Railway. The Chinese have burned
Lavoang to present Russian concentra-
tion there and are now trying to smash
communication between Port Arthur and
New-Chwang. The critical situation has
forced the Russians to withdraw number
of troops from Tien-Tsin. while three thou
sand troops have been sent from Port Ar
thur. 1t is reported that entire army
corps is being mobiliEed at Odessa for
transport to Taku by the volunteer fleet
1t is reported from New-Chwang that
the Russians are concentrating forces at
point fifteen miles east of that fort and
are awaiting reinforcements before advanc-
ing on Mukden, Manchuria. The Boxers
have wrecked the bridges of the Shan-Hai-
Kwan and Kin-Chau section of the railway.
Admiral Seymour and Gen. Sir Alfred
Gaselee are consulting at Wei-Hai-Wei
There is some fear in London that the
Russian claim to control the railway from
Taku to Peking will delay the proposed
advance of the allies to Peking. 1t is
thought that this claim is in pursuance of
Russia's alleged fixed principle to prevent
any power but herself from penetrating to
Peking in sufficient force to be effective
and to procure for herself sole occupation.
either as conqueror or peacemaker.
Col. Samuel S. Sumner, military attache
of the United States embassy here, will
start for China Monday, July 30, by way
of the Suez canal.