The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-25
BEING HELD As HOSTAGES.
FOREIGNERS IN PEKING PROBABLY
ALIVE, BUT UNDER RESTRAINT.
John Towers, of shanghai. Now In
Seattle, Discusses the Message of
the Emperor to Mckinley and
Gives Likely Reasons Therefor.

John Towers, of Shanghai, an inter-
view with whom on the situation In Chi
ma was published in the Post-Intelligen-
Ger hast Saturday, regards the message
purporting TO come from the emperor.
KwanE Hsu. at Picking. with suspicion.
N speaking Of the matter yesterday, Mr.,
overs said.
The telegram transmitted through the
stsernof OF Shanghai, the Tootai OF
governor Of Shanghai. the taotai OF
peror of China, and addressed TO the
president of the United States. looks
very much. like an exquisite example OF
Chinese diplomacy and trickery. This
telegram. II authentic. proves conelusively
that the Chinese government IL in con-
troll OF the wires between Peking or some
point near shanghai. This being the
case, why have they not allowed or found
means for tho foreign legations at Peking
TO communicate with their respective
governments. and thus aliayed much anx-
iety as to the safety or fate OF the for
eigners'
dense or stupid not to appreciate the fact
that communication between the ambas-
aadors at Pcking with their governments.
would enable the European and Ameri-
can nations 90 better understand the
situation In China, and II the Chinese
government were hiaineless for the pres
ent condition of affairs, an entirely DIFF
ferent course of action would be adopted
In China by the powers. The fact that
Picking for weeks past. forces me to the
belief that conditions there are worse
than Sheng of Shanghai, and Minister
WI would have us believe. would not
ers In Picking have been massaered. Even
Prince Tusn would hesitate at this, know
Ing his own life would sooner or later
pay the penalty fer such an act and that
sure punishment would he melted out
to all those connected with any massacre
VI h.es' .,....n. - ,.h,...a .o,,a-,,
ment has allowed the snti-foreign move
ment 90 40 too far and IL now afraid OF
the consequences l also think the mem
hers OF the legations are being held "a
prisoners pending the arrival Of IL Hung
Chanm. ard hts nnai settlement OF the
present difficulty with the foreign pow
era. That artful diplomat viii ind means
to hold the ministers at Picking until such
time as he can patch matters up with the
powers
china viii again carry out her past
policy OF procraatination. II she can de-
lay matters for another month or so, the
trump cards will be held by her, Tten-
tsin will he eioacd to navigation toward
the latter part OF October or early Novem-
Der aud remain so until March No
nation can be- prepared 20 have a winter
campaign and maintain long line OF
DmnSuniCatlons 20 the open sea IN the
short time between now and the closing
OF navigation Russia might under
pressing needs keep open a winter road
between the seat 81 trouble in ana
around peking ana VladtVoafok. but IL
would be an undertaking OF great DIN o.
Guilty III the trouble is not ended very
soon china will he in n position 90 almost
dictate terms. for the time being at any
rate
sit viii he interesting TO read the an
rwer by the emperor OF CHINA 10 Prssi-
dent Mekinleys telegram The question
therein ~ 10 the present condition OF
foreigners IN Picking being 40 straight and
10 the point. necrssitates an equally
siraisht an,wsr from me chinese en-
fui one OF not will not be Known till
a3ch time hs tho Europeans and Amer.
cans IN pekinE reach the sea coast or are
relieved by the army ~ tire allied pow.
yrs