New-York tribune., 1900-07-10
SHENG'S CHEERING REPORT
SHENG'S MESSAGE REGARDED AS M
PORTANT BY WASHINGTON
OFFICIALS.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUNE,I

GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington July 9-The Chinese Minister
handed the following note TO Secretary Hay this
morning:
translation Of cable dispatch from His
EXcellenCy Sheng. Director General of Imperial
Teiegraphs, dated at Shanghai July ;, l9p, and
received by Minister WI on the same dayo
On H "y i've safe in Rebs6u 6
troops and riOters make nttaclSs and snner 1
tectiRS, but meets difficulty in doing So II
h haGS9eG ds9sfd that food and ammunition sRESG aE
While this dispatch adds little news regarding
the safety Of the Ministers to that of Consul
General Goodnow Of Friday last. its evidently
authoritative confederation OF the recent favora-
bic reports from several trustworthy foreign
officials, including Admiral Bruce at Taku, is
distinctly cheering. It's chief Importance, in the
estimation of the Cabinet officers lies in the
language used by sheng The employment by
official of his high rank of the term re
beIlious troops and rioters 10 characterize
Prince Tuan's forces, which have been assault
ing the legations, indicates that he is satisfied
that the Boxer movement will not triumph,
in that event this message would be sure to cost
him his head. His declaration that the I'm
periaI Government is endeavoring to protect
the foreigners is also bound TO have a salutary
effect in all the provinces, and to stir up the
in the districts under their jurisdiction. Taken
in connection with the announcement that
Prince Ching. at the head Of a counter revolu-
ton. is defending the legations. the hope arises
that the besieged foreigners may be relieved
long before the eXasperating delay at Tten-Tsin
is surmounted by the allied relief force. Recol-
lecting the claims put forward by the Boxers
in their proclamations that foreign bullets we're
powerless against their charmed bodies, and
that foreigners could not stand an instant be
fore their righteous fists" the authorities here
are led to believe that the anti-foreign crusade
must have begun to lose strength the moment
the faIsity Of these fanaticaI pretensions was
demonstrated by the wholesale slaughter in
their forces under fire from the marines and by
the stubborn resistance of the foreign Minis
ters in the beleaguered legation compounds.
MINISTER wU's GOOD WORK.
Although Minister WI is modest in his claims,
there is reason TO believe that great deal Of
credit for the awakening of the Chinese Govern
ment 10 sense of its responsibility for the
safety Of the foreign Ministers is due to his
personal efforts. # the outcome of the situation
at Peking is the deliverance Of the Ministers
in safety, Minister WI will have earned the
gratitude not only Of the people Of the United
States but Of Europe. II is learned that at
least three weeks ago, and as soon it was
realized that the Ministers were in peril, Min
lister WI set about their protection so far
lay in his power. He could not reach the Gov
ernment at Peking himself directly, owing to the
interruption IN teIegraphic communications. but
he was IN constant communication by cable not
only with Sheng at Shanghai, but with the
great Viceroys Of the southern provinces, in
Cluding Ii Hung Chang. He sent 10 these off
cials the most earnest appeals for the exercise
of their good offices with the Pektng Govern
ment 10 secure the safety Of the foreigners. He
pointed out the inevitable disaster TO China
that would follow the destruction of the Min
Isters, and imploTed the NicerOys 10 avail them
selves or any means IN their power TO insure
the presentation at Peking Of his views He be-
heVes that these representations have reached
the Imperial Government and that they have
At least contributed 10 the decision Of that Gov
eminent TO protect the foreign Ministers TO
the extent Of its power.
Mr.. WI says that Prince Ching. who, accord
ing to Admiral Bruce, is attacking the Boxers,
is not only afraid of the Tsung- -Ii-Yamen, but
sons. There are several garrsons in Pekiug.
each composed Of a separate nationality, and
Ching commands the Marchu force. Mr.. WI
said that at his last advlces this force was COM
posed Of perhaps ten thousand soldiers. They
had been drilled in foreign tactics at the Mill
tary School OF the North by instructors who had
themselves bee taught the art OF war by Ger
man army officers and would undoubtedly prove
very effective against such an unOrganiZed mob
as the Boxers. The Minister noted that the
Boxer movement had degenerated into riOting
and looting, all principle having been lost, and
SO II was reasonable 70 expect that the strongest
ana pest and most influential OF the Chinese
mandartns would find II necessary TO combine
TO crush them from an instinct of self-preserva-
ton and regardless Of their foreign or anti
foreign sentiments.
Minister Wu has sent to Sheng, the Director
General Of Imperial Posts al Shanghai. and 10
the NiCerOy al Marking a request that they
take steps TO have 1t made known in Pekng
and vicinity that heavy rewards will be paid by
the American people for the rescue of the people
in the legations The Minister did not make
this representation on the authorization OF the
United States Government. but on many state
ments made TO him by prominent American citi-
zens- The Minister has TesOrted 10 the only
means in MS power TO bring these offers 10 the
attention Of the Chinese people.