The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-30
TO PROTECT MISSIONARIES.
Ii Hung Chang Says They Will Be
Furnished Escort.

throughout China is now regarded as
- SO absolutely certain that all the
missionaries throughout the empire have
been ordered to take refuge without de-
lay either at Shanghai or Hong Kong.
Refugees are beginning to arrive from
all points In the most pitiable condition.
GAS the result of correspondence
with the governor of Shan Tung, Ii
Hung Chang today announced that
the imperial government was pre-
pared at any moment to give a safe
convoy to the members of the foreign
legations from Pekin to Tien Tsin,
providing a guarantee was given that
no advance would be made upon the
capital, and that all matters in dis
pute between China and the powers
would be made the subject of friend
ly negotiations.
In the same communication TO the con-
suls. Earl II stated that the imperial
government had submitted to the pow
ers a statement of It's position, declaring
that It had suffered greatly by recent
events. but desired not only 10 suppress
rebellion, but also to remove the causes
of the hostility of foreign powers There
fore he hoped that the offer to escort the
foreigners to Tien Tsin would be re-
garded as an earnest desire of the Chi
nese government for the renewal OF
friendly relations.
The consuls replied that no basis Tor
friendly negotiations was possible until
proof was at hand that the ministers
were still living. Consul Warren declin-
ed to discuss the matter at all, but In MS
reply to the French consul, III Hung
Chang undertook to obioln a satisfactory
message from tho tFcHch minister IN
Pinchon) within five days.
Fear of Southern Uprising.
Ii is believed that another two or three
weeks must elapse before the Chlhese
preparations are completed. 1t Is report
ed that 1900 Chinese troops and more guns
are being sent to re-enforce the garrison
of the Kiang Yin forts. commanding the
entrance of the Yang-tse-kiang. ninety
miles east OF Nankin.
Chang Chi Lung. viceroy Of WI Chang,
on the Yang -tse-kiang, telegraphs that ne
is apprehensive that he Will not De aple
to restrain his troops fro more than an
other ten days. He says that ne mas
thrown breech blocks of the guns COM
manding Han Kow into the river.
These signs of unrest in the southern
provinces are coincident with Ii Hung
Chang's presence in Shanghai They are
supposed to be the beginning of general
declaration against foreigners. In TINS
connection the Canton correspondent OF
The Daily Telegraph. wiring Tuesday
sends the following important news:
"Viceroy TAX Su today published the
following mandates.
AN important imperial decree was is
sued on the 2Sd day Of the sixth moon IL
says:
" we have lost Tien Tsin and great
precautions are taken In Pekln. NO
peace can be obtained without going
through war. In the time OF CHUNG
an agreement was made that no muir
der can be inflicted upon ministers
from abroad. II is a month since the
minister Of Germany was assassinated
by boxers and strict orders have been
given Tor the arrest OF the mufdererS.
We are trying our utmost to preserve
the lives of the other ministers and
they are still in Pekin. We fear that
the vicerOys and governors may mis-
understand the intention OF the de-
cree relying on the safety of these
ministers. as a ground for making
peace. and taking no heed whatever 10
prepare for attack and defense. Ihe
neglect 10 fCrtify the districts under
their jurisdiction VIII bring endless
calamity. Niceroys and governors are
to pay all attention to and TO urge on
preparations for coast attack and de-
fenSe. and they are to take the conSe-
qucnces in case of any territory being
lost entirely through their delay ana
msmanagement.'
Europeans here understand thorough
" the last part of the edict. which means
that the viccroys and governors are COM
manded by the empress dowaser 10 pIe,
pare for a Chinese war against the allied
powers. Niceroy TAX Su Is bitterly anti
foreign and he Is increasing his army and
lodged an objection through the prefect
of Kwang Chou TO four small gunboats
two French one American and one Brit
ish. that are here to safeguard the lives
of foreigners. and he asks that they be
moved beyond the Bogue forts"
England Will Not Mediate.
Iondon July 25-Lord Salisbury today