New-York tribune., 1900-06-14
THE RIOTING IN PEKING
OUTRAGES ON FOREIGN DIPLOMATS THE
MOST SERIOUS FEATURE.

Washington, June 13.-Ofhcial dispatches
ceived in diplomatic quarters here show that the
rtoting In Peking has reached an acute stage.
with the rioters directing number Of their
saults against members of the foreign legations
there. One of these dispatches says that the
Secretary Of the Belgian Legation attacked
twice on Monday. and escaped after being NAL
treated by the mob 1t is said that the Belgian
secretary probably Philip May. formerly
with the Belgian Legation in Washington, and
well known in social and official circles here.
On the same day two officials of the British
Legation serving student interpreters. were
attacked. The young Englishrnen held the at
tacking party back for a time, but when the
mob threatened to close in on them they drew
revovers, and by show of force effected their
retreat without injury. About the time
the British summer quarters, fourteen miles
from Pekng burned. These quarters
extensive and had just been completed. They
belonged to the British Government and not to
Sir Claude Macdonald, the British Minister at
Peking which gives added significance the
depreciation.
The killing of the chancellor of the japanese
Legation at Pekng, Sugiyama Akira. is not
mentioned in the official dispatches received
here but full credit is given to the report by the
Japanese officials who acquainted with Mr..
Akira and with many of the circumstances
related. The killing of member of the diplo-
matte body and the assaults the offcials of
foreign countries regarded presenting the
most serious phase of the situation.
The Japanese Charge d'Affaires in Washing
ton, Keiziro Nabeshma. said to-day:if 80
We have no official confirmation of the killing
of chancellor at Peking but there appears
be no doubt of the fact, and 1t presents most
serious condition. The chief offence is against
Japan, but aside from that 1t is against the
tire diplomatic body at Peking for if any one
them subject assaults theV
share in the same danger. 1 was personally ac-
quainted with Mr. Akra, as he served with me
OF the division OF protocols he was a brlsht
young man, about thirty-eight years old, and
had wife and four children He one of the
most expert chlrographers in Japan. and this
gained him the post of chancellor at Peking
where he went about three years ago.
Mr. Nabeshima said that the Japanese Gov
ernment had pursued the utmost reserve up to
this time, not wishing to be open to any
picions, but he felt that if this ragedy had
CURED energetic action would De taken. One Of
the most significant features Of the affair In his
judgment. that the killing was reported to
have been done by the troops Of the Empress
Dowager. and not by any lawless mob. While
there might be excuse for mob depreda-
tions, Mr.. Nabeshima said, 1t would be difficult
to take any favorable view of an attack by
Chinese soldiers the officials of foreign Gov
ernments.
cable dispatch has been received at the
State Department from Minister Conger saying
that Tuan. the father of the heir apparent has
been appointed president of the Tsung- Yamen:
also that three other Ministers have been
appointed. all affiliated with the party opposed
to foreigners. On the whole Mr. Conger re-
ports the situation is not materially improved
Guards repairing the railway, and soon
as they have arrived at Peking 1t is Mr. Con-
gers belief that the safety of the foreigners
| there will be assured.
| The State Department has heard nothing off,
| cially about the reported killing of an American
| missionary. The report caused shock at the
Department, it is realized that this adds
| greatly to the gravity of the problem awaiting
| settlement.