Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-07

campaign is certain to involve heavy cost.
1t would be unjust to expect Japan to meet
this herself, She has no missionaries in
China, and consequently is perhaps less in
terested seltshly than any of the powers
in the terrible happenings in Shan Tung
and Pekin. 1t is conjectured that this
question of compensation is after all what
has caused the apparent delay in the re-
sumption of the campaign against Pektn,
but 1t is believed that this having now been
adjusted, military operations will progress
j rapidly.
The Payment to Japan.
If the powers have agreed upon the form
Japan's indemnity is to assume, the facts
cannot be elected here. The impression,
however is that there will be money in
demnity the belief being based on the fact
that such is the only form Of indemnity so
far suggested that would be the least likely
to arouse international jealousies. Either
China itself, the powers collectively,
would have to provide for the payment of
this indemnity, though even in the first
case. 1T is probable that the powers con-
tribution would be in the nature of loan,
and in the end China would be obliged to
make good the advance through some form
of taxation.
The State Department has not yet heard
directly from the Russian government as to
Japans proposition to supply the major
portion of force required for the Pekn
campaign, but it has not the least doubt
that Russia makes no objection. In fact,
the department has gathered that all OF
the European governments have taken a
similar view of the japanese proposition
and it is disposed to feel some pride in the
fact that it through The advances made
in the first place by the United States gov
ernment that this happy accord has been
brought about.
Minister WI CIings to Hope.
No one In Washington is more anxious TO
hear of the safety of the foreign legations
in Pekin than Mr.. WI. the Chinese minis
ter. He carefully reads every word of Chi
nese news that appears in the papers, ana
eagerly asks all the reporters who call upon
him for the latest Developments in the Chi
nese situation He also keeps in close touch
with the officials in Washington, and makes
periodical visits to the State Department to
ascertain if any intelligence has come to
hand. His interest in what Is transpirlng
is of the keenest character, as he realizes
the grave danger with which his country Is
threatened.
Mr.. WI. while apprehensve of what may
have happened a result of the existing
disturbances in Pekin and other parts of
| northern China. still clings to the hope
that the reports which have come of the
sacking of the legations and the murder OF
the ministers have been exaggerated, and
that when the truth becomes known affairs
will not be in the sorry plight in which
they are now represented to be. At the
on which to base his hopes, resting them
| mainly on the belief that whoever may
| now be at the head of the government will
| be able to keep the unruy elements in
hand and prevent any wholesale murder of
| foreigners. If the ministers are in the Brit
| ish legation he believes they can hold out
| for some time; that IS. unless they have
| exhausted their supplies of provisions and
ammunition. A limited number. safely in
| trenched under favorable circumstances for
| time. he says. might hold out against a
| force of Chinese ten times as large. Most
J of the Chinese imperial troops, he says, are
I loyal to the government, and he takes COM
| fort in the hope that they will uphold 1t in
| its efforts to put down the revolters.
| AS already stated. the minister does not
believe there will be any demonstrations
! against foreigners in the central and south
| ern provinces of the empire. Any indca-
| tions of that character he feels will be
| promptly put down by the vigilance of the
| viceroys of the various provinces
| Minister WI had received no news from
| China today and did not go to the State
| Department this morning, as is his custom
| when he has any advicea to communicate.