The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-03

washington, July 31.-Doubt has
given way to a feeling akin to a GER
tainty that n legations at Pekin and
the gallant marines who managed TO
reach the Chinese capital just in the
nick Of time, were not only alive on
July 22nd, but, in all probability, are
still alive and likely to remain so I'M
til they are released from their state
OF siege. The officials here feel certain
that the attack by the Chinese on the
legations will not be renewed. They
are convinced that the ~counsels of the
viceroys in the great southern and
central provinces and the advice of Ii
Hung Chang has had its effect, and
whoever is in power in Pekia, whether
emperor, empress, Ching, Tuan or
Tung, now has beer made to see the
necessity for the preservation of the
legations.
The officials here. while anxious that
the movement ON Pekin begin at once,
do not attach credence to the rumor
mentioned by General Chaffee that the
forward march was to begin to-day.
There are two reasons for their in
credulty. In the first place Chaffee's
force, his splendid cavalry and his bat
terry Of artillery, are exactly what are
needed to strengthen a weak spot in
the international column. In the sec
ond place, (and information on this
point comes through European chan
uels) some of the foreign commanders
ara still of the opinion thai they can
not begin the campaign before the last
week in August at the earliest.
The United States government never
has acceded to this view and is relax
ing no effort to bring abO a change
of plans on this point but our represen-
tativeS have been met by the almost
unanSwerable argument that the de-
cisiOn of this important question prop
erly should be left to the military COM
manderS on the spot, who must bear
the responsibility for the outcome of
the expedition.
a TEST OF CHINESE SINCERITY.
a rather startling proposition was
advanced to-day which. if adopted,
might put at once to the test the Chi
nese profession that the Boxers and
not the Chinese government are re-
sponsible for what has happened in
Pekin. This was to the effect that the
Chinese government should be inform
tu lHdJ the IIlIeI HdllOIdl lutte was
prepared to take that government at
it's word and to join forces with it in
crushing out the instruction The
kernel of just such a proposition is to
be found in the last condition laid
down by the president in his reply to
the appeal of the Emperor Kwang Su
and there may be a development in
= that direction shortly.
NO CHANGE IN OUR PLANS.
Secretary Root says that nothing
that has been received from China
either officially or unofficially, neces.
states any change in the instructions
given Major General Chaffee. If there
is an advance IN Pekin it is presumed
the such of the United States forces
as are now ready will participate II
the movement. If dispatches are re-
ceived at Tien Tsin from Minister
Conger or others in the legations a
Pekin. which change the existing con
ditiOns. Major General Chaffee viii
act in accordance with such informa.
ton. The secretary says Genera
Chaffee has full power and has beer
entrusted with the command OF tn
United States forces because OF th'
confidence the government has in hi
ability to meet any situation that ma.
arise.
1t is evident from the dispatches re
ceived from General Chaffee that onl.
a portion of his force can be utilize
If an immediate advance is made.
1t is not believed that all of tn
equipments of the last expedition sen
from Manila lave been landed. and
is of course apparent hat the horse
and most of the equipment of tn
Sixth cavalry are still at sea. TIL
Ninth infantry and the two battalion
OF the Fourteenth infantry. togethe
with the marines. are the only troop
of the United States actually availa
BILE on Chinese soil at this time.