The sun., 1900-08-05

"' '" H-"f' LIS J. w"r to Cajrle the
Powers-Germany Feared Nnst-Feeiins In
Eurupe That No Terms Shall lie Disc used
win China Until Ministers Are Rescued.
Special cable Dsad'eh to rms sun
| LONDON, Aug. 1.-TWO or three davs have
now passed without any ire-h horror to record
7 ana Europe is beginning To hope that il NAV
soon be able To take up it, morning parcr with
| out apprehension and dread. China still looms
| The largest In the public attention. despite the
uneasincss and Indignation caused by the
| evidence that n fresh campaign OF motyeless
| crimes have been planned by the common
| enemies OF society who struck down King
/ Humbert ana attempted to L Ill the shah.
| Europe Is still In doubt as 10 what the Chinese
| situation portends. but the optimism which
! followed the first authentic news, that most
of the residents Of the legations were still alive
I Is disappearing. China, instead Of being re-
| pentant, or even conciiatory, continues to
cherish the most hostile plans.
While the final escape Of the foreigners from
Pakin is by no means assured, IL Is felt es-
pecially in London, that only the greatest mis-
chief would result by even passive recogni-
| tion by any Power that the foreigners in Pekin
| are virtually in tn" position of hostages. As
| such in fact. the Chimes. Government evidently
| means to treat them and all It's efforts are de-
| voted to opening negotiations with >one or any
| OF tn Powers on that basis Both England
! and Franc, consider II the greatest mistake
| for any country 10 discuss tn. situation with
! China in any form until the danger threaten-
ing the Ministers il absolutely and uncondi-
tlonav removed. one or two communications
made in reply TO the Chinese Enparor's ap-
peals for med ation &C. have not sufficiently in
sisted upon this first principle Of Internal ional
Intercourse, wherefore II should not be- surpris-
ing that the Pekin Government resorts to
threats OF massacre to be executed before
relief can BE- effected. 1t is felt that at all
events the Powers should unanimously con-
vey TO the Chinese authorities An explicit and
stern declaration as to what penalties will be
inflicted II further harm befas the foreigners.
II is impossible to eXaRgerate the peril which
Is involved In any belief by China that the
Powers are not acting in absolute harmon
and determination on the point OF the rescue
of the legatoners and the refusal to nego-
tiate anything until this Is effected. There
is good reason 10 believe that Germany is the
only Power China really fears at the present
moment. Ii Hung Chang himself il confident
that he could keep all others OF by cajolery
and threats and by encouraging dissension
between them.
Every one breads the anxious moment when
the allies shall have overcome the resistance
outside OF Pekin pending the actual occupa-
ton OF the city. VIII the defenders Of the
legations be able TO hold out against the proba-
bic attack Of the retreatng Chinese troops
before the rescuers can arrve2 1t is the prepa-
rations for a very rapid advance over the
last portion OF the way which this danger
compes that Ia chiefly delaying the move
ment Of the relief column. Military experts
to-day express the opinion that the allied forces
will reach Pekin not earlier than twelve days
from the start.
As long as the main question Is the saving
OF the legations there Is not much reason for
doubling that there viii be more or less cordial
cooperation BY the Powers: but there Is un-
concealed anxiety as 10 what will happen when
the complicated questions OF compensation
and reparation come up for settlement. The
universal JOY over the safety Of the Ministers
ha- momentary obscured the fact that one
diplomat at any rate has been murdered and
that quito hundred other Europeans In Pekin
and scores OF missionaries all over the country
have been butchered already.
There are the best reasons for stating that
grave differences exist among the Powers
The United States 8nd France II Is said in
Downing Street, will be satisfied with money
indemnities and apologies. but Russia. Germany
and England, will insist on territorial COM
pensations also. Moreover, the United States,
II l. said, h- raised objections TO the projected
destruction Of PekLn, and Russia has sisniaed
her strong opposition to the favorite British
project Of making Canton the future Chinese
capital
The British Government, It Is known. has
received from Sir Claude Macdonald proof
that the Empress DowaRer ordered the ex-
termination OF the foreigners and evidence
In support Of that accusation has since accu-
mulated But Ii Hung Chang has declared
that If the person OF the Empress is not held
inviolable by the Powers he will throw in his
lot with the anti-foreign party and raise all
China against Europe. The latter contingency
Is what all the Powers dreHd and ii j. quite
aware Of the fact, II hs should manage TO
save the Empress from the just rag" OF the
Powers, his position in China would he nre-
dominant. a state of affairs which would suit
Russia very well. indeed
Al the Chinese legation IN London little doubt
II felt but that Ii will come out on top, that
he will placate the Powers by having few
mandarins beheaded and thai this with liberal
distribution OF money IN indemnt's, viii orng
the whole affair to a happy conclusion. It's
legation people reckon that sJ,GC0.t00 viii
fully satisfy all claims, and Russia If need bs.
can find the money for China on easy terms
The only uncertain factor in the situation,
they uneasy admit. is the German Emperor.
who. according to the Chinese estimate Of lis
character is mad enough 10 uI.et the best
laid plans.