The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-14

telegraph between Taku and Tien Tsin
has already been restored and that rail-
road communication will shortly be re-
established.
To the other trials of the besieged
persons at Tien Tsin has been added an
outbreak of scarlet fever.
Dispatches from Tien Tsin report that
a number of ladies there have become
white haired through the horrors. of the
siege.
A COUNCIL OF WAR.
st. Petersburg, July IA dispatch
from Khabarovsk, dated Thursday, July
u, says an international council of war,
held at Tien Tsin has decided, for the
present, to confine the efforts of the al
lied forces to fortifying Tien Tsin and
establishing safe communication with
Taku forts and arsenal.
Tien Tsin, it is added is being rein
forced with guns of the highest class
MILES MAY GO WITH BIG ARMY.
Washington, July 14.-Iieutenant
General Miles called at the Chinese le-
cation today and had a talk with the
Chinese minister, Mr.. Wu. This nat
urally aroused comment in connection
with the vague rumors af1oat that Cen
eral Miles might go to China. 1t was
position to be thoroughly informed of
General Miles plans that the call on
Minister WI was entirely devoid of Off
cial significance, and that General
Miles has no present purpose of going
to China. 1t is stated in this well, in
formed quarter that the relations be-
tween General Miles and Minister WI
are friendly and personal so that they
frequently meet ana exchange formal
views. 1t is especially stated that Cen
eral Miles has not asked for service
in China, and that such "a move would
not be considered for a moment under
the present circumstances. At most,
the army to We placed under foreign
commanders does not exceed 10, 900 men,
and it is pointed out that such a COM
mand would be quite inadequate for a
lieutenant general
1t is apprehended, however, that the
situation may develop at any moment
so that a large army will be required in
which case General Miles might de-
termine to take the field in person. For
the present he is exercising care in the
preparations for getting the American
plies, transportation. etc. The dipIO-
matte instructions of General Chaffee,
who is in immediate command of the
forces in China, are quite apart from
those of a military nature.
WI IS GROWING EXCITED.
Washington. D. c., July 14-Consul
General Goodnow's short dispatch rep
resents all that the state or navy de-
partments know of the developments in
China within the last twenty-four
hours. His news only goes to confirm
the general belief that the situation in
China is steadily growing worse in
stead of better. The Honan Shansi re-
ferred to by Mr. GOodnoW as the place
where the viceroy appears to favor the
boxers, is said at the state department
to be actually two separate provinces
or vast extent lying in. the western and
northern portion of China Shansi
meaning western island, is the province
lying directly west of Chilli, in which
Pelin is located. Honan adjoins Shan
81 on the south. The two might present
an almost impossible barrier if, as Mr..
COOdnow'S dispatch indicates they are
disaffected and undertake to oppose the
northward march of the armies of Ii
Hung Chang and the other great south
ern viceroys upon Pekin.
The consul generals message was IN
dated and as this lack of knowledge
as to the exact time of happenings re
corded in the cablegram of the naval
and state department officials is en-
barrasSing, and even serious in results,
the government today cabled instruc-,
tions to it's representative in China to
include the date in the body of every
dispatch sent by them
No confirmation has reached the state
department of the report from ST.
Petersburg of the torture and death
of the Russian minister at Pekin. DIR.
Won Holleben. the German ambassador
called upon Secretary Hay this morn
ing, but stated that he had no inforna-
ton touching the Chinese situation.
A rumor was afoat this morning to
the effect that certain interviews at
tributed to the Chinese minister here,
Mr.. WI, has attracted official atten-
ton and might be made the subject of
representations to him by the state de-
partment. 1t is understood that moth
however, and it is possible that the par
however, and it is possible that the par
ticular interviews may be ignored Of
ficially in view Of the realization on
the part of the officials that the min
lister is under high nervous tension.