New-York tribune., 1900-07-03
BAD NEWS CONFIRMED.
ADMIRAL KEN1PFF REPORTS The LkGA-
TIONS AT PEKING IN A DESPER-
ATE SITUATION.
ATE SITUATION.
IpT TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BuvE.I


intelligence that reached the State Depart
rent yesterday was fully confirmed in the fol-
lowing dispatch from Admiral Kempf which
arrived this morning,
Che-Foo. July .
Secretary Navy Washington
Runner from Peking reports legations are
besteged, provisions nearly exhausted: situa-
ton desperate. German Minister going to
TsUng-L Lily Yamen murdered by Chinese SOL
dlers. American, Italian. duty CDutchl lega-
tons burned. Twenty thousand Chinese SOL
diers inside, 10000 outside Peking, 5000 re-
ported bound Tien-Tsin: still lighting at Tien-
Tsin. Communication Tien-Tsin by rail and
river insecure. kEMPFF.
This was the first direct news uucontani-
mated by Chinese officials that had come out
Of Pektng since June H. which is four weeks
ago to-day. The 430 men in the International
Marine Guard, which went 10 Peking on June
g. were in all likelihood making their last
stand when the runner left Pekng. which
must have been at least a week ago, and more
probably two weeks. on Saturday Admiral
Kempf teIegraphed that 14,OG0 men we're
ashore, which is an insignificant force COM
pared with the 80 600 at Peking. especially
as the Chinese soldier seems 10 be a better
drilled and armed fighter than he was when
Japan captured Port Arthur and Wei-Hai-
Wei On Wednesday or Thursday Colonel
Liscums 9th Infantry will probably reach
Taku, and the foreign force by that time viii
exceed 10000 men. With this force there will
probably be further difficulty in maintain
ing secure line Of communication from Taku
far beyond Tien-Tsin. and the advance toward
Peking may be rapidly and certainly made
CHANGE OF AUTHORITY NECESSARY
Admiral Kempff's dispatch to-day and those
from Consul Goodnow printed in The Tribune
this morning carry conviction TO the authorities
here as TO the necessity for a complete clearing
out Of the totally vicious dynasty at Peking.
and, after the restoration Of order Of the i'm
perarve duty forced upon the civilized world
OF estao ollshlng proper authority in China
which Will prevent any recurrence of the evils.
Il is understood that the Powers regard the sit
uat0n as not yet developed sufficiently 20 call
for The consideration of definite plans for the
ultimate government OF the Empire and that
Japan has not made any suggestions N this di-
rection, as has been hinted in some quarters.
But all the Powers are 50 much alive to the need
Of great force 10 put speedy end to IawIessness
at Psktng and 10 the horrors committed under
Prince Tuan's usurpatiOn that the United States
has promptly and gladly given consent 10
Japan's expressed willingness 20 furnish more
than her quota of troops at once, and it is IN
dersrood that England and Germany have also
aCqJiesced.
There are signs that the United States long
before her quota Of five thousand men is landed
or marching on Pebing. win have ordered three
more regiments from the Philippines, where
General Macarthur IS already preparing TO meet
such emergency. This reinforcement would
enable the American naval force 20 coufne its
operations close 10 the sea and leave that arm
OF the service freer 10 respond to sudden calls
az the great southern ports II the viceroys
eventually find it impossible 10 carry OUT their
assurances
VICEROYs' PROPOSAL NOT RATIFIED.
The attitude OF the viceroys continues to be
the source Of qualification to the authorities,
who do not. however, wholly conceal their ap-
Prehensions about the pecularities Of the Mon
golian character To-day this Government def
uitely decided not TO ratify the treaty proposed
by the viceroys of Nanktng and Hankow on
June p 10 the COnsuls ar Shanghai, although
the United states did agree not 70 send troops
into those provinces so long as order is main
taineC. The vicerOys viii be informed by Con-
sul-General GOodnow Of this deteruinati ton
which IL is believed will be satisfactory TO them
had asked more than they expected 10 get in
order 10 quiet their own people. Secretary Hay
also sent a telegram 10 all the viCeroys to-day
informing them that the United States will COM
nit no hostile act so long the viceroys are
able 70 maintain peace and protect the foreign
ers. This recognition Of the vicerOys il is hoped
VIII accomplish mora than avertine breaks
az Canton, Annoy and Shanghai. where most Of
the authorities are opposed 10 the anti-foreign
element, and viii tend 10 strengthen these
friends OF modern civilization in the reorganiza-
ton that must now come TO the central Govern
nent-