The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-29

representations TO Sheng. the Chinese
director Of posts and telegraphs at
Shanghai.
NEW YORK, Aug. sS.-A dispatch TO
the Tribune from London says;
The news OF an attack on the Chinese
force assembling at Nam hlen near
Pekin Is anxiously awaited according 20
A Japanese telegram from Taku.
combined detachment OF Russian ana
Japanese cavalry was to have encoun-
tered this hostile body on last Satur-
day. The Japanese are more success
ful than the rest OF the combined con-
tingent In getting through runners
probably because OF their superior
knowledge Of the Chinese character and
language. but even General famagu-
chfs message published at Toxic yes
terday was despatched from Pekin as
long ago as August IS. The Japanese
generals telegram gives no hope for the
capture OF the imperial family, and IN
deed II would seem that this cavalry
force abandoned the chase on reaching
the village Of Mansan, where its COM
mander learned that the empress and
the emperor under General Mas escort
had started for the west.
The approach OF nine thousand Of the
ShanE Tung troops with fifteen guns to
attack the line Of communication in the
rear Of Pekin emphasizes the necessity
OF further reinforcements. These
Shang Tung men are among the best
European drilled soldiers in the Chinese
service and have been carefully trained
and organized under foreign instructors
by the former Governor Yuan Shih Kai.
They are armed with German Mausers
and Krupp long range guns.
With Pekin and its rabble TO Iacify
ard with these enemies to deal with
outside, the allied commanders have
none too many troops at their disposal.
Pekin. moreover, Is not a self-support-
ing town. II has always TO be fed by
conveys Of rice from the south, and If
these are stopped il is urgently reces-
sary that no time should be lost in
clearing the line and getting up sup
plies from the coast.
The situation in the southern prov
inces Is much complicated by the cX-
istence Of undoubted revolutionary as
well as anti-foreign movements. The
nineteen men expected by the yiceroy
are alleged to have belonged to the re-
form party which cherished the inten-
ton Of rising against the provincial
authorities and ultimately Overthrowing
the Manchu government and restoring
Emperor Kwang Hsu to power. This
movement is said to be widespread
through the Yangtse river and to be en-
cOuraged by the agents Of Kang Yu
Wel's league, which is largely financed
by reforming" Chinese in Singapore.
America and Australia. 1t Is believed
TO be also working in close association
with the famous NJ. Kolahoaui and 9TH
er secret societies. In fact southern
China Is in disturbed and restless con-
ditiOn and further important develop
ments are expected.
NEW YORK, Aug. 2S.-Sharp differ
ences Of opinion among the foreign ad-
mirals at Taku as to Ii Hung
Chang's proper status were ap-
parently the moving cause Of the note
Of inquiry recently addressed by the
United States government to foreign
power as TO accepting the aged yiceroy
as a peace envoy Of the Chinese gOy-
ernment, says the Washington corre-
spOndsnt Of the Herald.
Officials viii say little about the dis
senslon among the naval representa-
tiVes Of the powers. 1t is learned, how
ever. that on Thursday, Admiral Re-
mey sent word that a conference Of
the admirals at Taku had been held at
which the arrangements for the remov-
al Of Ii Hung Chang and the privileges
he should be allowed were discussed.
proposition was made that Ii Hung
Chang should not be allowed on reach
Ing Taku to communicate with Chinese
officials in Pekin. The proposition was
acceptable to most Of the admirals, but
the American officer declined to sign the
agreement. Whether the Russian ad-
miral signed Is not known, but in any
event the Russian government prompt
ly protested to the other powers
Admiral Remey's message was con-
sidered by the cabinet, which entirely
approved the refusal Of Admiral Remey
to be part to any such an agreement.
Then the note Of inquiry as to the at
titude Of the powers with regard TO Ii
Hung Chang's acceptability as a peace
envoy was formulated and sent out.
The effect Of the protests Of the
United States and Russia has been to
secure practically the unanimous dis
approval Of the agreement Of the for
eign admirals. Why the admirals
should wish to prevent II Hung Chang
from communicating with Chinese Of
ficials in Pekin is not understood here.
Seemingly II would be in the interest Of
peace for the yiceroy to be put in