Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-19
Discussing Reports of Discord Among
the Powers.
OFFICIAL RECORD DISPUTES THEM
Minister WI Believes Ching is
Protecting the Legations.
THE CRANKS STIRRED UP

emanating from European capitals indica-
tive of dscord among the powers. 1t is
realized that these little ebullitions of mu-
tual suspicion always characterize allied
movements, and SO are to be expected in
the present case. But it can be stated
that, far as official record discloses,
there is absolutely no ground for them.
Our government having fully defined its
intentions in Secretary Hays note of July
3 the other governments interested in the
Chinese situation have entered into the
spirit of that declaration of principle with
perfect accord. At least that is the record,
both written and oral, and Russia, power
more than any other under suspicion IN
these stories, has not been backward in as
suring the State Department of the coinci-
dence of Secretary Hays declaration with
Russia's purpose in China. 1t is of course
possible that some of the powers are sway
ed by motives that do not appear in their
formal declarations. The State Depart
ment, however, cannot go behind their for
NAL expressions and can now only await
results.
Confidence in the Chinese Minister.
There is not the slightest disposition on
the part of our government to follow the
example of certain European powers and
restrict IN any measure tit iibei ~ oi tiiS
Chinese minister here, Mr.. WI, in COM
municating with the Chinese viceroys and
whatever remains of the titular Chinese
government.
On the contrary, crediting the minister
with an earnest desire to do everything IN
his power to protect foreigners in the Chi
nese empire. and confident that he has no
sympathy whatever with the Instruction
ary Boxer element the State Department
regards it a good policy to facilitate rather
than obstruct his communications with the
Chinese yiceroys Acting itself on this
theory the department does not credit the
stories that any of the Chinese ministers in
Europe have been given their passports.
Believed to BE ExaggeratiOn.
If there should be a declaration of war by
Russia upon China, based on what is said
to have occurred on the Siberian border,
the technical relations of the allied powers
toward China might, it Is said here undergo
a radical change 1t is believed that the
story of Boxer activity is considerably ex-
aggerated so far it relates to the coun-
try north of the Siberian border. and it is
hoped that the troubles have been confined
to Manchuria But if war should actually
and formally open between Russia and
China that fact might oblige the other pow
ers to do one of two things-join in the dec
lara ton of war or withdraw their forces
from Chinese soil.
Minister WI Calls.
Minister WI and Mr. Wollant, the Rus
sian charge, again called upon Secretary
Hay this morning, but neither had news
from China.
Minister WI arrived at the State De-
partment about $50 O'Clock. He remained
only few minutes, however. and it turned
out that he had news from Pekin or
from any other quarter, and that he re-
garded the situation as unchanged. The
minister was encouraged by the confirma-
tory reports that Prince Ching had taken
the foreigners to his palace at Pekin,
where he is giving them his personal pro-
lection.
To the minister who is personally IA
miliar with the household of Prince Ching,
this idea seemed not only reasonable, but
1t agrees exactly with his own theory pub
l!cly expressed a few days ago. At that
time he stated that Prince Ching would
defend the foreigners even with his life,
and although he had no official informa-
ton that that course was being pursued,
yet the minister gathered from various re-
ports that 1t was the situation most likely
10 nave dTlStH- L ne CdDlC uiS patches IloIii
Belgium now appear to strengthen this
view.
Prince ChinS's Palace.
Mr. WI has been guest at the home of
Prince Ching, and is quite familiar with
Its capabilities for affording protection. 1t
is in the western part of the city, near the
west gate, and inside the walled town, on
the opposite side of the city from Legation
street, where the foreign institutions are
located Like all houses of important
Chinese personages, it is surrounded by
high wall, and within this wall are spacious
buildings and a considerable spread Of
ground. AS in the case Of other noble
men, Prince Ching has a large force Of re-
tainers and guards, even in times of quiet,
and under the present conditions he doubt
less has the assistance of large number
Of troops.
Some Omcials Suspicious.
notwithstanding Minister Wu's hopeful
ness. some administration officials are sus-
picious Of the statement contained in the
Brussels dispatch saying that the members
of the legations at Pekin were in Prince
Ching's palace. They hope 1t is accurate,
but they are disposed to accept 1t, like
much other information coming through
Chinese sources, with marked degree of
reservation. If it is correct that they are
safe in Prince Ching's palace, that Is a
cause for congratulation, for the prince is
well known to be pro-foreign in his ideas
and his influence in Chinese affairs up to
a recent period has been paramount. Re-
cent information from China has been to
the effect that he had organized counter
revolution to that conducted by Prince
Tuan, and had engaged the rebellious forces
in Pekin. At one time he was at the head
Of the foreign office. A short while after
the counter revolution broke out the report
came that Prince Ching had been killed.
Cranks Are Stirred I'd.
The government authorities arc finding
that the present Chinese agitation is hav-
ing the usual effect Of stimulating cranks
and agitators. and many Of the highest Of
fcials are receiving anonymous letters con-
tanning advice, and sometimes threats. The
Chinese officials are also the victims of
tho foolish effusions. They arc not consid-
cred seriously, however. and the officials,
both of the government and Chinese, dis
Il