The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-10

Left Pekin Last Frfday-The RabId
Anti-Foreign Element In Power-A
Religions War to be Inaugurated.
Washington, August 6.-The an
nouncement, received through Admiral
Remey and Commander Taussig, of
reported heavy fighting on the road be-
yond Tien Tsin, was the news of inter-
est in the Chinese situation to-day.
Little doubt was expressed at the navy
department that the news was sub
Stantially correct. 1t is probable that
a later report may reduce the list of
casualties among the international
forces. but it is evident that the 10
on Pekin is at last fairly under way,
and that strong opposition has been en-
cOuntered. The war department officials
who have been exceedingly reticent for
several days as to the news from the
seat of war, admitted to-day when the
naval dispatches were received that the
announcement of the battle was not
unexpected.
Opinion among the various officials
now in Washington is somewhat di-
sIIcu dS 10 just What is pTeSdSeu Dy
tO-day'S events. The more optimistic
are inclined TO think that such a Sc
we're blow as the Chinese must have re-
ceived at Peit Sang will result in the
speedy disintergration of the forces now
opposing the march of the in~ternation-
al column. In line with this predic-
ton, il was prophesied that the Chi
neSe government would find means to
sen the ministers from Pekin under
escort and thus Stave off the advance
upon the capital.
On the other hand, there were a num-
Der officers in position to judge equally
we'll who held that the fight at Peit
Sang was only the beginning of a
strenuous resistance that would be con-
tinued to the gates of Pekin or beyond.
1t was urged in support of this view
that the Chinese had 100 men to lose
against one of the allies; that they
are we'll armed with modern guns and
have apparently, an abundance of am
munitiOn-
a CHINESE HOLY WAR.
1t is stated that considerable appre-
henSiOn exists among those cOnverSant
with oriental affairs at the reappear-
ance in Pekin politics of that rabid an
ti-fOreign fanatic, Ii Ping Hung. 1t is
understood that his appearance in Pc
kin affairs may nave had something to
do with the Shanghai rumor of Lii Hung
ChanS's suicide. 1t is certain that with
Ii Ping Hung and Prince uan in con-
troll of the de facto government in
China a religious war of Dervish-like
fanaticism probably will be waged
against all foreigners, and friends of
the more liberal Chinese statesmen are
exceedingly anxious as to their fate
under the Tuan-Li regime.
NO CHANGE OF POSITION BY SEC
RETARY HAY.
The position of the United States
automatically remains unchanged.
This government will not consent TO
Y the removal of the ministers and for
eigners from Pekin until there is free
communication by the powers with
their ministers. Nor will his govern
ment consent to communication in
plain Language alone, but insists hat
cipher messages must pass freely be-
tween Minister COnger and our depart
ment of state. 1t is emDhatically
stated that unless such messages are
exchanged the United States cannot
know beyond question that the mes
sages are not garbled, anu both the
United States government and the min
listers miSled.
There seems to be no doubt about
the safety of the ministers at Pekin for
the present. and that they will remain
where they Will be able to protect them
selves and will not be induced to &C
cept any offers of the Chinese govern
ment to escort them to Tien TSin until
they have had communication with
their government. Confidence is eX-
pressed, however, that the Chinese gov
nme will soon see the necessity Of
accepting the terms aid down in Secre-
tary Hays note to Consul General
GOOdnOw.
MORE ARTILLERY FOR CHAFFEE.
The war department is in receipt
of a dispatch from General Macarthur
announcing that he has shipped addi-
tional artillery supplies to Taku for use
in the Chinese campaign. These sup
plies nclud several Gattling guns and
the remainder of the rifle and hoWitZer
siege train now in Manila, which, up
to date, has remained useless in that
country on account of the bad roads.
How much better General Chaffee may
be able to handle these monster guns
through the almost impossible rice
swamps of China, nc one with the war
department was willing to guess; but
his recent dispatch contained an ur-
gent appeal for more artillery and he
is getting it. The ordnance experts at
the war department say that if it comes
a Commandment of Pekin these 5-inch
rifles and finch howitzers. with their
enormous bursting charges of high eX-
plOSives. will be the most effective bat
JhnS weapon in the international COL
umn.
Minister WI left Washington on Sat
urday for Cape May and remained
away from Washington to-day, al
though he had been expected TO return
or Sunday night. The Chinese legation
wore an air of desolation and desertion
throughout the day and all interroga-
lions of the Chinese charge were met
with the response that there was no
news o expectation of any.