New-York tribune., 1900-08-07
CHINA'.S WAKLIKE ATTITUDE.
ALL EFFORTS DIRECTED TO PREVENT
ADVANCE on PEKING.
Icopyrisht; 1900: BY The New-York Tr1bunel
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl

lLopyrisnts lSglt BY Ihe %eW'-A Ork lTbule
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNEl
London, Aug :. l a. m.-There is the usual
tumble Of mereces and surmises from China,
with no official bulletins about the battle of
Pei-Tsang Sunday. and no apparent change
n the situation. The Chinese camarilla, with
the Empress Dowager at its head, is doing
everything in its power to prevent an advance
Of the allied army on Peking. Heads are falling
IN order to convince the Powers that the lega-
tons have no friends and are at the mercy of
the Empress Dowager and Of Prince Tuan.
Troops are massed between Tien-Tsin and the
capital, and are strongly intrenched, in order TO
warn the foreign commanders that they will be
forced 10 fight their way into the city.
The communications Of the Ministers with
heir governments are closed because the En-
press Dowager prefers 10 leave the civilized
world utterly in the dark Such reports as are
allowed 10 pass out to the coast are menaces
Ike the rumor that Tung Flu Slang has stopped
Inc further entrance Of supplies into the British
legation, or confessions Of terrorism, like the
Story that Prince Tuan has put TO death Yuan
9hih Kai and other Viceroys, or glittering
promises, like the reiterated assurance that the
egations are under the escort Of a strong force
and are 5ourneying 10 the coast.
All these rumors are signs that the Empress
Peking. Her motive is plain. She is convinced
hat if they once enter the capital some of them
Til not 60 out until provinces have been ceded
o lhem in place Of indemnties.
HESITATION OF THE POWERS.
The situation is 50 perpIexing that It is not
strange that several Powers are hesitating to
sanction an advance of the relief column, but it
evident that the Empress Dowager is
strengthened by every day Of inaction and de-
aE' The legations narrowly escaped destruc-
dOh When Vice Admiral Seymour hesitated. and
Tdered the first relief column 10 retreat and
10 them was finally accorded a respite in con-
sequence Of the defeat of the Chinese army at
Iien-Tsin- The Powers are now exposing them
through Vaci-lation to a renewal of the attack
"hen their ammunition is well nigh exhausted
'ha they are dependent upon the Empress Dow
NeeI Tor supplies Of food.
1Ae camarilla Is growing bolder and more In
'eai while the generals and admirals are hold
conferences and delaying an advance. and
as hghting is likely TO be more desperate and
Ne situation Of the legations more critical in
sISeauence OF the long halt and the intrigues
.ch are apparently in progress.
1Ae only alternative for march to the capital
negotiation through Ii Hung Chang for the
eeAFery OF all the foreigners at T1en-Tsin and
M -. the payment Of indemnities. and 1t is doubt
"a whether the legations will consent aban-
l uneir position, whether any Chinese gen.
:, could conduct them in safety to the coast.
-O'eoVer, their delivery at Tien-Tsin could only
secured under a pledge that the Powers
. oio not subsequently send an army TO the
N@ptsi to effect their reinstatement.
PEOPLE FAVOR AN ADVANCE
1Dhe opinion here strongly favors an ad-
-ce Oh the allied army with all possible dis
80 after the Empress has been warned
80 she and her Ministers will be held RESPONSE
"a ior the safety Of the legations. The Foreign
- remains silent. but the measures adopted
strengthening the Indian contingent and
tr,eetihg British interests in the Yangtse
Ss indicate clearly the Governments recos-