The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-07-26
LONDON HAS DOUBTS.
Assertions of Chinese Minister
Not Believed.
LITTLE HOPE FOR SAFETY OF ENJOYS
Sir Claude MncDonnId's Letter o,
July Only Strengthens Convic-
tion That Massacre Took Place
In PcIsing Soon After.

LONDON, July 25.-The Chinese min.
lister, Sir Chih-Chen Lo Fang Luh. had
long interview with Lord Salisbury yes.
tcrday afternoon. The general situation
was discussed. and the Chinese minister
reiterated his belief that the British min.
lister to China. Sir Claude Macdonald,
and the other foreigners at Peking were
safe. Lord Salisbury reiterated his de.
mand for direct communication with the
minister at Peking. To this request the
minister could only renew his protesta.
tions that it would be speedily accom-.
plished IL feasible. He ndduced no new
facts to prove his assertions. The inter.
view closed without result.
Despite the Chinese minister's state.
ments and despite Sir Claude MacDon.
aids letter of July !. IA strong impress.
sion continues to prevail ut the foreign
office that the ministers at Picking were
massacred July q. Not one scintilla of
evidence is yet in the possession OF the
foreign office leading them TO dsbelieve
the reports of the murders. Sir Claude
MacDOnald's letter, with its account of
severe fighting in progress, merely con.
firms the governments forebodings. Mr..
William Pritchard Morgan, member of
parliament for Merthyr Tydvil. whose
knowledge of and interests in China are
extensive. said that he was positive. from
cable messages from his agents, that the
members of the legations were alive July
y. When the foreign Office was told this,
the rejoinder was made: MIR. Morgan
has submitted no evidence to convince US
of the truth of his statement, however
anxious we may be to believe it,"
Consultations are in progress between
cabinet ministers and officials as to the
course to he pursued should the ministers
prove to be alive. The contingency Of
China holding them as hostages is upper.
most in the minds of all. The Chinese
diplomats have not yet limited at such nc.
ton.
Negotiations between the powers have
brought out mutual assurances that the
military expeditions to China are for the
sole purpose of relieving the legations
and that there is no intention to partition
China. Hence, should China agree to de-
liver the ministers alive no power will
have a reason for continuing aggressive
military operations except Germany,
whose minister is undoubtedly dead, and
even Germany, to quote high British
official. twill have TO forego the emper.
or's assertion that he would not stop till
the German flag foated over Peking."
As for the other powers, it is EN-
phatically stated that they have unani-
mously agreed that with the safe deliv-
cry of the ministers the aggressive cam
paign ends. All rumors of an interna-
tional agreement regarding the future of
China subsequent to the return of the
ministers are false. The agreement IL
purely negative and based upon the lines
stated by Secretary Hay, of which the
independence and integrity Of the Chi
nese empire are essential features. No
territorial propositions will be consider
ed. In common with the other powers
Germany must, through arbitration OF
otherwise, gauge the damages by the
loss of the life of her minister by pecu.
mary standard. The same rule will sp.
ply as TO the loss of other lives and de.
struction of property.