The age-herald., 1900-07-09
FEELING 1 1 IN WASHINGTON Hopeful of the Safety of the
 LegatiOners' NO OFFICIAL NEWS RECEIVED 
 Minister Wu Continues Optimistic in Spite of the Alarming Statements
 Which Have Appeared-He
 Believes Legations Safe
NO OFFICIAL NEWS RECEIVED

Washington, July S-A slightly more hopeful feeling for the safety of the lega- tioners in Pekin is apparent in official cir cles tonight The hope is not founded on any official dispatches. which have reached the slate department, as nothing has been received during the day from the consular representatives of the United States in China
 The statements, however, which are daily printed from various portions of the em- pire, reporting the diplomatic corps with the exception of the German minister. as safe up to within certain time, together with the absence of any corroborative proof of their murder, Is partially responsible for the slight hope which prevails that the min isters are yet alive The statements pur- porting to come from Sir Robert Hart, the English Chinese inspector of customs, are regarded as the best information received. While showing that conaitions were des- perate the dispatches have not been en- tirely without hope.
 MT. Wu, the Chinese minister, continues optimistic in spite of the alarming state ments which have appeared. Such recent communications as he has had with the of ficials of the southern provinces lead him to believe that up to very recent date the legatoners were safe.
 Considerable importance is attached to the telegraphic announcement that Prince Ching is trading a counter revolution against the rebels in Pekin. The prince is the head of the Tsung- Yamen, the Chi nese foreign office, and the commander of a garrisoned force in the capitol. His inf1u- ence is said to be considerable, and the fact that if the report be confirmed that he has espous ed the cause of the government of the Empress and that the loyal troops are with him, it is said, may prevent further murder and pillage by the rebels
 May Help the Foreigners
 But in this indirect manner he may be the means of aiding the foreigners. The Prince is a member of the reform party. Now that the powers are satisfied for Ja- pan to supply the major portion of the troops which to be sent to Pekin for the relief of the foreigners the expecta- ton is that the onward march of Japanese soldiers to China will soon begin, if in deed, it already has not done so. MT. Nabeshima, the Japanese Charge d'Af- fairs here thinks that this is probably the case. as his dispatch from the imperial government, received here several days ago, announced that the movement would begin immediately. A full corps of men is to be dispatched which will bring Japan's army footing in China up to about 22, 900 men.
 The Fifth Army Corps is to be sent, and thirty-ive ships. each of more than $500 tons. are to be used in its transportation. MT. Nabeshima believes that within ten days the relief corps will be in Pekn. The march to Pekin, he thinks. can be made in three days without great difficulty. His opinion is that the allied forces will re- main at Taku and at Tien Tsin to guard the forts and to keep open the line of com munication, and that the Japanese army will be delegated the duty of forcing the relief of the foreigners in Pekin. Of this, however. he has no official information. If the allied forces were to make the attempt they would want to carry with them ra- tions in large quantities, peculiarly adapted to their mode of living. which might em- barrass them in their progress, while the Japanese, whose ration consists in part, at least, 6 rice, would not be so hampered and could subsist largely on the country through which they pass. For these req sons he thinks the Japanese will under take the relief work.
 Sheet Steel Scale Signed