New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-31
A DEADLOCK WITH CHINA.
NEITHER POWERS NOR PICKING GOVERN
MENT INCLINED TO YIELD.
IL HUNG CF4ANG's EFFORTS TO AVERT ADJ
VANCE ON THE CAPTTAI-DEMAND
FOR FREE COMMUNICATION
WITH MINISTER'S.
WITH MINISTER'S.

that the allies shall not advance on Picking,
guaranteeing IN return the immediate settlement
OF the Chinese complication. The Powers in
reply have emphasized their demand for free
communication with their Ministers as pre-
requisite 10 any negotiations. Up 10 the pres
ent time there is no intimation, on the one hand,
that the Ministers are held hostages, nor,
on the other that Picking will be RACED If the
Ministers are harmed. though both sides recog-
nize the increasing gravity arising from delay
in reaching an agreement Ii Hung Changs
proposal to deliver the Ministers and their suites
at Tien-Tsin does not seem likely to be accom-
pIished without some concessions from the
Powers which they have distinctly declined 10
make. and in turn their demand for communica-
ton with their legations is impracticable, ac-
cording to the Chinese authorities. who assume
TO encounter insurrnountable obstacles in carry
ing messages for foreigners. although claiming,
at the same time the greatest facility for trans
uniting their own memorials and edicts.
LEGATIONS SAFE TEMPORARILY.
Both sides to-day admit the existence Of
deadlock with no signs either hand OF CIV
ing way IN any particular. 1t is recognized as
g. most dangerous condition, likely to provoke
an incautious move at any of dozen points
where the situation is already extremely deli
cate which might lead to incalculable dangers
to the virtual armistice existing at present
the temporary safety of the legations and OF
the suppression OF the anarchy that grew out
OF the Boxer agitation, with its passive en-
courageEnent from the Throne. The seizure
OF the Taku forts, according to the Chinese. ap-
parently had the effect Of intensifying the ami
mostly OF the anti-foreign element at Picking
and throughout the North of China The capture
OF Tlen-Tsfn evidently brought the Manchu au-
thorities to a realization Of the power which
are
Of resistance and enforce measures of repara-
ton for every injury to q foreigner. The bonn
bardment Of the legations by Imperial troops
IN support OF the Boxers began with the fall Of
Taku and stopped promptly when news reached
Picking that Tien-Tsin had been captured by
storm and the best troops Of the Empire, who
were depended upon TO defend the capital, had
been completely routed by a small portion Of
the force the allies were mobizing for the rescue
Of the Ministers. Immediately the rulers at
Picking came to their senses, the guns which
had been aimed at the legations were turned
TO protect them, and Lii Hung Chang
dered to sue for peace. reinforced by the En-
peror's appeal to all the Powers to mediate.
EMPRESS DOwAGER OBDURATE.
The conditions imposed by the President Of
the United States were approved by the south
ern Vlceroys at great personal risk for their
own future, but the Empress Dowager. it is
thought has found them too hurniliating for
ruler Of alleged sacred attributes and has
randed Ii Hung Chang to conduct the nego-
Siations his account, insisting however,
that her own Imperial vicinity shall not be pro-
famed by foreign troops, which. under cir
cunstances, must advance beyond Tien-Tsin.
1t was Ii Hung Changs plan week ago 10
have the Ministers delivered at Tien-Tsin. He
-memor1anzed the throne to do this. and gave
his strong guarantee that it would relieve the
greatest tension and facilitate further negotia-
1ions. All the southern viceroys and the Chi
nese Ministers abroad agreed with him in this
opinion. The narrow minded advisers at Pc
king or else the stubborn Dowager herself. in
sisted that the Powers should promise not to
take Feking If the Ministers were delivered
Earl Ii before he received this reply to his
memorial had already set about securing some
definite promise from the Powers. but this was
snet last Friday, told in The Tribune on Sat
a1rday, with an anticipatory declaration by the
nations concerned that they would insist or
hearing fully from their Ministers before con-
senting to their delivery at Tien-Tsin. The OBJ
vious object of this declaration was to hold the
chinese rigidly responsible for anything that
might occur to the Ministers II they were at
hacked by Boxers others the march from
Picking to Tien-Tsn, and to refuse in advance
amy arrangement for the safe delivery Of the
legations which the Chinese however good
zcumstances might fail 10 carry out.
WORD FROM MINISTER'S WANTED.
It was also considered desirable to have the
rvords of the Ministers themselves to whether
4hey cared to give up their legation fortresses
and run the risks Of Chinese escort to the
.coast. Ii Hung Chang fully understood at that
time why the nations demurred to giving formal
assent 10 the projected deliverance, and why
they declined 10 bind themselves to pledges to
spare the enormous in life alone of the
armed occupation of Northern China with Pc
king as headquarters Of large army He was
fully aware Of the effect which would be pro-
.duced through the world by the arrival of the
legation community Tien-Tsin, and Of the
Joy that would make the Powers more forgiving
He also satisfied sufficient grounds that
a pTeponderance OF power among the allies
would, under the circumstances, prevent one or
Two of the most voracious of territorial grabbers
from Selling the opportunity TO go ahead with
diSmemberment-
The Empress Dowager and the princes who
rule with her, however could not be induced to
clear their skirts Of the horrible crimes of which
they have been believed guilty without most
definite assurances. There the matter stands
Today, no nearer a solution than il was four
days ago. In the mean time every day brings
proof of the safety of the legations and corrobo
ration of the truthfulness of LII Hung Chang
and the southern Niceroys. The Boxer agi-
<atiOn has spent itselfln the North, but onninous
signs Of unrest are growing in the south. In
Pe-Chi-Li Province the Wanted Imperial army
shows signs Of risking another thrashing
and the march Of the allies to Picking would
probably be unopposed until the walls Of that
CITY are assailed. In the south the new organi-
cations OF modern armed soldiers have never yet
had occasion to fight foreigners, and they
seem be anxious 10 try their hands the
undefended foreign merchants in the treaty
ports. They viii be held in check by the Vice
TOys long as possible, but some day, perhaps
not far away they will try their guns in
zrif Of n 2 n Ia