Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-19
FROM CHINESE STANDPOINT.
Natives in Walled City Might Naturally be
Expected to Defend Themselves.

Natives in Walled City Might Naturally be
Expected to Defend Themselves.
Washington, July 16.-News Of the
battle Of Tientsin, as brought by The
Associated Press cables direct from the
field, was conveyed to the Chinese min
lister sarly today. The minister followed
the recital with wrapt attention, inter
rupting with expressions of astonish-
meEt and profound regret at this start
ling development. He was particularly
impressed with the detailed names uf
the American killed and wounded,
which appear TO remove every shadow
of doubt, aud he asked as to the vari-
GUS officers and their families. The
scene of the fighting came home vividly
to the minister, as he has lived for o
long time ut Tientsin, the close friend
and associate of Ii Hung Chang during
the latter's vioeroyalty there, and every
detail of the engagement around the
walls oou'd be followed by him with
personal knowledge Of the surround
ings. In his minds eye, he pictured
before him the scene of action. Hero,
he pointed out, was the great walled
city within which the native Chinese
population lived, Around the city
swept the Pei River, very sinuous,
from Taku toward Pekin. Below the
walled city, full hours ride by chair,
lay the foreign settlements, or conces-
sions. or compounds. At this latter
point, we'll away from the walls of the
main city, the foreign citizens, with
the allied troops, have until now been
located. The news of the fight at the
walls meant, therefore, that the allied
forces had advanced from their position
well down the Pei Ho, and had attacked
the city itself. The outcome Of this
move he viewed with the utmost con
cern. He spoke with a good deal Of
freedom, but asked to be excused from
any public declaration on the subject.
In the most sympathetic terms, how
ever, he expressed his horror Mt the
! latest Developments, declaring rhat to
no American home could the news
bring deeper regret than to himself.
At'the other legations and embassies,
the same feeling of dismay prevailed.
Although Minister WI will make no
public utterancs The Associated Press
| is able to give what is believed to be
| the aspect Of the situation from the
Chinese standpoint. According to this
view. the move Of the allied forces from
the foreign settlement down the river
upon the native walled city was not
only unfortunate, but was fraught
with the greatest danger. With the
| fate of the foreign legations and min
lister at Pekin still in doubt. the allied
forces might we'll have turned their
attention to cutting way through to
the rescue Of their officials and citizens
at the capital. In that event, it is said,
the normal conditions around Tientsin
would have continued, and the starus
quo been maintained. But by an as
sault of the walled city, the natives
within the city might naturally be ex.
pected to defend themselves, believing
that their homes we're about to be at
tackled. They have been penned ut
within the city, knowing nothing oi
what has occurred without; and from
the Chinese standpoint, it probably
will be found that it was in defence
against an unexplained attack that the
present slaughter occurred.
One of the suggestions of the day,
made In an official quarter, is that q
commission he at once appointed tt
proceed to China and investigate thu
facts of The present situation, thus
giving a basis for intelligent action. a
any other time, the suggestion prob
ably would be welcomed az means o.
clearing up the doubt of unre liable
Shanghai reports, but now the situa
tion appears too desperate to await thu
slow processes CT commission. Th,
name Of former Minister DENLY wa
mentioned in connection with the ia u
of O commission.