New-York tribune., 1900-07-22
BRITAIN HANGING BACK.
Unwilling TO AGREE TO IMMEDIATE
ADVANCE ON PEKING.

ADVANCE ON PEKING.
London July 21-The request OF Secretary
uav to the Powers to make an Immediate ror
ward movement upon Pel1ing is not likely 70
meet with any success in England Lord Sails
bury is Just as eager the American Secretary
Of state 70 adopt such step, but he is prac-
.fcaTy convinced that II viii be impossible until
September. owing TO local conditions and the
sniss' lack OF equipment Beyond courteous
reply that England is willing to cooperate in
any movement that the commanders on the spot
may deem advisable. nothing is likely TO come
q the latest American effort to reach the Chi
nese capital for all Official advices receiver here
Indicate that q dash toward Peking at once
would be military suicide.
The Governments attitude may be described
as phiIosoPhic determination TO grin and bear
a. hoping for the best. fearing the worst until
troops and climatic conditions enable the Powers
70 enter Peking and ascertain without q shadow
a doubt the extent and cause OF China's present
dsintegration.. Until that is ACCOMPLISHED
every opinion worth repeating is suspended. not
only regarding the future Of China. but also as
10 the nature ot severity OF the retribution to
Be exacted.
OPPOSITION TO DELAY
Meanwhile English journals which are bound
10 express opinions Of some sort, and g majority
of the English people who are unable to re-
strain their feelings in the face Of this Far
Eastern horror, declare that in so great an emer-
gsncy no risk IS too great. and couple with this
q sentiment OF genuine appreciation OF Amer
fcan Efforts 10 alleviate the situation. especially
as regards sending W W Rockhin as a Special
Commissioner 70 China. and IN the attempts TO
communicate with Minister Conger and the
sensible methods employed in diplomatic en-
deavors 10 provide for allies a common basis Of
action Between what is generally termed the
Ietha-gy in Downing Street and the activity at
washington there are many comparisons drawn
that haze all the sting OF acute self-criticism.
Minister Conger's telegram has introduced into
TIE situation. already replete with uncertainties
and perpIexites. a still further element OF doubt
that has turned theorists and experts completely
ropsy tUrvy. The greatest sufferer IN this re-
spect is John CoIet, the venerable Dean Of St.
PauTs. 4 few hours after the dispatch CIV
,ng the news OF the receipt OF 2 message from
Minister Conger was published the Government
issued q notice that the Deans projected ne
moral service on Monday for the victims OF the
Pektng massacre was undertaken without its
sanction simultaneously letters appeared in
the papers rom relatives OF those at Peking
saying the Dean had exhibited indecent haste,
while The Morning Post" denounced the
cathedral dignirary IN terms almost as strong
as Il had applied 70 the Boxers themselves.
whereupon the Dean became angry. and de-
clzred that Il was too late 10 cancel the service,
but that owing 70 pressure from high quarters
today he had consented TO postpone Il indeh-
ritely.
WHERE THE COST WILL FALL
According 20 The statist" Russia is likely TO
bear the brunt Of the financial burden OF the
Chinese crisis. on account Of the probability
that that Government would be obliged TO incur
ska
Government should attempt TO hold Manchuria
the outlay would be still greater This. The
Srattst" says however would benefit other
European markets. as the probability IS that
much Russian gold VIII have TO be sent 10 Lon
don Paris and Berlin. partly TO meet the inter
est % the Russian debt held abroad and partly
70 pay all the obligations Russia has already
entered into IS about TO enter into. In that
way the money markets may be relieved 10 q
greater extent than is now calculated, for II
Russia let's go Of, say twenty or thirty millions
sterling. = VIII be an immense addition TO the
funds n the markets q Europe"
The Statisr" also says Il is likely the Bank
o1 France VIII raise the discount rate 70 31a per
cent. and declares that the position OF Germany
y greatly improved
VOLUNTEER CLAUSE WITHDRAWN
The week in Parliament was marked by still
another backdown by the Government in with
drawing the clause Of the Army bill making
volunteers liable for service abroad. Such a
sweep.ng change II the constitution OF the force
met with strenuous opposition on both sides, and
after pleading for the proposal the Under Secre-
tz-y- Of State for War, George Wyndhara. meekly
withdrew =. This another instance Of the
Governments amazing inability 70 feel the pulse
oE the House Of Commons and the nation. THE
star" voictng the opinion OF the Advanced Radi-
Gals. approved the withdrawal OF the clause, but
fails 70 see how Imperialists could oppose Il.
for you cannot assert your hegemony in China
your suzerainty in Africa, claim the golden stool
q Ashantee teach France her manners and
WELD z longer spoon than Russia without either
cou--ing disaster or facing conscription."