The Portland daily press., 1900-07-23

London, July 23.-4 a. m.-Sir Chih
London, took the unusual step yesterday
Of paying Sunday call at the foreign
office. AS Lord Salisbury was absent the
visit was without special result; but its
Importance may be gathered from an in
terview with the Secretary of the Chinese
legation Sir Halliday Mccartney, in which
the legation officials seem to have as
sulned at least something like personal
responsibility.
Sir Halliday admitted that communica-
tion had been practically re-opened with
Pelxin and that messages from Sir Claude
Macdonald the British minister and the
other foreign ENJOYS might be expected
almost immediately lie said he hoped
the trouble would soon be over, since the
Chinese government was doing its utmost
to overcome tas difficulties and to control
the 1avless element. In his opinion the
Americans had taken the most common
sense view of the situation and he in
sisted that China should not be mis-
judged. Against the suspicion that Ii
Hung Chang had any but sincere pa
cific object IN view he protested warmly,
declaring that all stories about the perfdy
and treachery of Earl Ii were absolutely
baseless.
With regard to the prospects in the
southern provinces, the secretary ad-
misted that there might be small out
breaks, but he said there would be moth
ing serious and that Europeans would be
quite safe in treaty ports. The long ST.
lence he explained as "due probably to
the rebels, who have cut the wires and
blocked the roads. -
Thus, according to the secretary of the
Chinese legation. few days more should
bring a solution of the great mystery.
Nevertheless no one in England believes
that the alleged dispatches and edicts are
anything but subterfuges to hide the real
situation as long as possible and to avert
retribution by sowing discord among the
powers.
From Shanghai comes a report that the
Empress Dowager and the court are NOV
ing to Hsian Flu in the province of Shan
ST, to which large Stores of rice are being
sent and that when these arrangements
are completed the remaining viceroys will
declare against foreigners. According to
the Che Foo correspondent of the Daily
Mail the fall of Tien Tsin has so dishear-
tened the Chinese that they are seeking
terms. He says that several attempts have
been made to send messages to Pekin, but
so far without any known results and
adds that rumors are again current that
the Russians are reaching Pekin from the
north, 1t is impossible to confirm or deny
these statements, but either one might
explain China's efforts to gain time.
Ii Hung Chang visit to Shanghai
seems to be a complete failure. Except
the Chinese customs officials no one has
visited him. Sheng, the Tao Tai (chief
magistrate) gave the consuls a cordial in
vitation to meet him at luncheon but all
declined.
The Shanghai correspondent OF the
Daily Mail pretends to have authority for
the assertion that Great Britain will
repudiate any credentials Lii Hung
Chang may bring from the Empress
Dowager, and he adds:
Russia, however is willing to make
terms with Ii Hung Chang whose real
mission is to sow dissension among the
powers. The British, German and Am
erican representatives were resolute
against receiving him.
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Daily Mail declares that the Chinese
officials are thoroughly frightened by the
fall of Tien Tsin and desire to open nego-
tiations.
Therefore, he continues, although
all are aware of the horrible Pekin mas
sacres, every official down to the hum
blest retainer has been sworn to secrecy
nnon the nenaltY of wholesale executions