The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-26
Rumor by Way of New-Chwang that
Most of the Legationers and
Sir Robert Hart Are Dead
TROUBLE IN SOUTHERN CHINA
THOUSANDS OF NATIVES PREPARING
TO JOIN THE NORTHERN ARMY.
Evidence that the Chinese Are Play
ing n Double Game-Allies Divided
Plenty of Work for Russians.

H
LONDON, July 2e, 4 a. m.-Mr. Conger's
| letter, the substance of which has been
transmitted to the United States secretary
| of the navy. through Captain Thomas. Of
the United States cruiser Brooklyn, has
| increased the belief In London that there
is no hope for the foreign legations in
| Peking and that the elaborate fabric of
| the dispatches which the Chinese are build
| ing to persuade the civilized world that
| the ministers are still alive is only in
| tended to enable them to gain time to COM
| plete preparations for warfare.
The Shanghai correspondent of the Daily
Mail asserts that Chinaman who was
employed at the British legation writ
| er and interpreter has escaped from Pek-
| ing to New-Chwang and that he declares
| that at the time he left Peking most of
| the members of the legations were dead
and the condition of the others was hope
less He says that Sir Robert Hart, direc-
| tor of Chinese imperial maritime customs.
| died on July. 2. The correspondent goes on
| to say: mo other dates are given in the
| message from NewChwang. The leading
Chinese newspaper here published yester-
| day dispatch declaring that it was all
over with the members of the legations.
"The president of minor board at Pek-
| ing wrote relative in Shanghai, under
date of July 8, saying: The foreign lega-
| tions are still uncaptured. but owing to
| the daily lighting it is reported that only
about three hundred persons are left alive
| in the legations and if there is any delay
! In the arrival of the relief force l fear
none will be left to receive it This letter
| is regarded in Shanghai as authentic.
Strange enough, it says nothing of any as
sistance to the legations by Prince Ching
or General Lung Lu.'
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR.
While these brief sidelghts as TO the
fate of the Europeans leave little ground
for hope, Shanghai sends batch of reports
indicative of preparatins for hostilities on
the part of the Chinese. 1t is alleged that
the Yang-Tse viceroys have sent deputies
to Shanghai to inquire to the prospect
of raising a foreign loan, ostensibly to pur-
sue military operations against the Boxers
southwark with constantly growing
strength and had reached point where
the provinces of Shan-Tung, Holman and
Shan-Si meet, leaving behind it trail of
burned missions and murdered Christians.
simultaneously there is a movement north
ward of southern Chinese troops to join
the main army gathered to oppose the
foreign advance on Peking. The strength
of this principal force is now estimated at
5O0O 900 men.
1t is believed that another two or three
weeks must elapse before the Chinese
preparations are completed. 1t is reported
that three thousand Chinese troops and
more guns are being sent TO reinforce the
garrison of the Kiang-Yin forts command
ing the entrance TO the Yang-Tse Kiang.
ninety miles east of Nan-King
Chang Chi Lung, Viceroy of Wu-Chang,
on the Yang-Tse Kiang. telegraphs that he
is apprehensive that he will not be able
to restrain his troops for more than an
other ten days. He says that he has
thrown the 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 i'm Shanghai. They
supposed to be the beginning of general
declaration against foreigners. In this con-
nection the Canton correspondent of the
Daily Telegraph wiring Tuesday, sends the
following important news: ''viceroy TAX
Su to-day published the following mandate:
An important imperial decree was issued
on the 23d day of the sixth moon. Ii says:
1--WE have lost Tien-Tsin and great precau-
he,
obtained without going through war.
In the time of Chung an agree
ment was made that no
murder can be inflicted upon ministers
from abroad. 1t is a month since the min
lister of Germany was assassinated by Box
crs, and strict orders have been given for
the arrest of the murderers. We arc trying
our utmost to preserve the lives of the
other ministers and they are still in Pc
king. We fear that the viceroys and gov
ernors may misunderstood the intention OF
the decree. relying on the safety OF these
ministers. a ground for making peace
and taking no heed whatever TO prepare
tor attack and defense. The neglect TO
fortify the districts under their jurisdic-
ton will bring endless calmaity. Viceroys
and governors are to pay all attention 10
and to urge on preparations for coast at
tack and defense. and they to take
the consequences in case of any territory
being lost entirely through their delay and
mismanagement
BITTERLY ANTI-FOREIGN.
Europeans here understand thoroughly
the last part of the edict which means
that the viceroys and governors are COM
ht- h.
pare for Chinese war against the allied
powers. viceroy TAX su Is bitterly anti
foreign and he is increasing hts army and
armaments, military and marine. He has