The evening times., 1900-07-28

LONDON. July 2s-On the heels Of the
numerous Chinese assertions that there
has been no massacre in Pekin and that
the Imperial Government has protected the
foreigners from the brutality Of Celestial
barbarians comes a report that is regarded
here as worthy of confidence. If it is true,
and it is generally accepted as bona fide,
the tragedy at Pekin has been general
one and the civilized nations, despite Chi
nese assertions, viii never hear from their
unfortunate representatives.
A despatch to the Evening News" from
Shanghai. of today's date, says the news
papers there publish statement made by
an influential banker residing in Pekin
near the British Legation. who left that
city on July Z.
This banker says the legations had then
been destroyed and all tie foreigners had
disappeared. He was too frightened to en-
Quire if they had been murdered. The
banker has gone to Ningpo. He refused to
disclose his name as he feared that he
would be beheaded-
Details of the Horror.
The manager Of the Russian Bank at
Shanghai has received a letter from the
Niuchwang branch, stating that one of
their Chinese representatives from Pekin,
who has Just arrived there. confirms the
stories Of the massacre Of foreigners. Al
though the man has been tortured, he re-
fuses to change his statement.
He declares that all the ministers were
murdered.
As the Chinese swarmed in and the min
Isters saw that death was inevitable they
killed their families.
At the last moment Sir Robert Hart, the
Imperial Director Of Maritime Customs,
committed suicide.
These reports, in connection with the
letter Of Sir Claude Macdonald which de-
scribed the precarious state of the lega-
tions and expressed the conviction that, if
the Chinese attacked them, annihilation
was inevitable, are regarded as practically
settling all the hopes that some Of the
diplomats had escaped slaughter. 1t is the
opinion that soon after Sir Claude Mac
Donald's pitiful letter was written the mob
gathered enough courage to sweep in upon
the legation buildings. Macdonald stated
plainly that. in such an event, all of the
foreigners were doomed.
All Pekin Messages Secret
A despatch from Hongkong of yesterdays
date says the Italian Consul on Thursday
requested the acting Viceroy OF Canton to
communicate a message TO Marquis Raggi
the Italian Minister at Pekin, and obtain a
reply in a matter that was known only TO
the consul and the marquis.
The Viceroy on Friday replied that il
was impossible TO accede to the request
1t was beyond his power, since all meg
sages from Pel1in were received by secret
means through the Governor Of Shantung.
This declination to furnish Italy's Hong
kong representative with reliable informa-
ton is taken as corroborative OF the mas
sacre story and strengthens the belief that
the Chinese have been deliberately deceiv-
ing the nations in hope that policy OF de-
lay will produce international complica-
tions and rebound to the advantage Of the
Orientals
Further Chinese Assurance.
Nevertheless. the allegations regarding
the safety of the ministers are still being
made by Celestial diplomats The Secre-
tary of the Chinese Embassy in an inter
view this morning declared that Sir Chih
Chen Lo Fong Luh, the Chinese Minister
TO Great Britain. had direct information
from Pekin that the ministers were to be
escorted to Tientsin. The minister, the
secretary said. was still absolutely certain
OF the safety of the foreign representatives
at the Chinese Capital.
A despatch from Shanghai Of yesterday
Niagara Falls, August ..