Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-25

British minister to China, Sir Claude Mac
donald. and the other foreigners at Pekin
were safe. Lord Salisbury reiterated his
demand for direct communication with the
minister at Pekin. To this request the min
lister could only renew his protestations
that 1t would be speedily accomplished. II
feasible. He adduced no new facts to prove
his assertions. The interview closed with
out result.
Despite the Chinese minister's statements
and despite Sir Claude Macdonaid's letter
OF July !, a strong impression continues to
prevail at the foreign office that the minis
tiers at Pekin were massacred July q Tho
Associated Press correspondent is Informed
that not one scintilla of evidence Is vet I'm
the possession Of the foreign office Leading
them 10 disbelieve the reports Of the muir
der. Sir Claude Macdonald's letter with
IT'S account OF severe fighting I'm progress
merely confirms the governments forebod-
ings.
William Pritchard Morgan. mernber ~
parliament for Merthyr Tydvil whose
knowledge OF and interests I'm China are ex-
tenslVe. Informed the Associated Press cor
respondent today that he was positive.
from cable messages from his agents, that
the members Of the legations were alive
July y When the foreign office was told
TINS, the reJoinder was made: Mr. Morgan
has submitted no evidence to convince is
of the truth of his statement, however
anxious we may be TO believe it."
In Case the Ministers SIN Live
consultations are in progress between cab
met ministers and officials as to the course
TO be pursued should the ministers prove
TO be alive. The contingency of China hold
ing them as hostages is uppermost in the
minds of all. although the Associated Press
correspondent is officially informed that
the Chinese diplomats have not yet limited
at such action.
Negotiations between the powers have
brought out mutual assurances thai IN.
military expeditions to China are for the
sole purpose of relieving the legations. and
that there is no intention To partitian
1hlha. Hence, should China agree to de-
liver the ministers alive no power viii
have reason for continuing aReressiy.
military operations except Germany whose
minister is undoubtedly dead, and even
Germany, TO quote a high British official
VIII have to forego the emperor's asser-
tlon that he would not stop till the German
nag noated over Pekin."
Policy of the Powers.
As for the other powers, II is emphatical-
ly stated that they have unanimously
agreed that with the safe delivery of the
ministers the aggressive campaign will end.
All rumors of international agreement
regarding the future of China subsequent
to the return of the ministers are false
The agreement is purely negative and
based upon the lines stated by Secretary
Hay, of which the independence and integ-
rity of the Chinese empire are essentials
features. If the imperial edict proves trues
the powers. while holding their forces in
readiness to enforce demands, will accept
pecuniary indemnity. No territorial propo-
sitions will be considered. In common with
tho other powers, Germany must, through
arbitration or otherwise, gauge the dam
ages by the loss of the life of her minister
by pecuniary standard. The same rule
will apply as to the loss of other lives and
destruction of property.
Authority of Minister WI.
At the Chinese legation the Associated
Press correspondent was Informed that no
further news from China had been receiy-
ed today and that 1t was expected that the
ministers would soon be sent to Tien Tsin
Secretary Lew expressed unstinted praise
of the attitude of the United States Secre-
tary of State, Col. Hay. and declared his
implicit belief that the ministers were safe
He said the negotiations with the powers
on behalf Of China had all been entrusted
to the Chinese minister at Washington
WI Ting Fang. Secretary Lew professed
utter ignorance OF their progress.
1t may with safety be stated that should
the ministers prove to be alive the Chi
nese government will to some extent use
them as lever to compel European and
American missionaries and commercial en-
terprises to moderate their activity IL not
to withdraw from the empire entirely.