The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-02
|LOOkS BETTER
SITUATION IN CHINA SEEMS A SHADE
LESS DESPERATE.
Ministers, with One Exception, BE-
lieved TO Have Been Safe n Day
Later Than Before Noted.
ATTITUDE OF THE vICERoYs
1T GIVES WASHINGTON AN ADDI-
TIoNAL SATISFACTION.
I'm Anti-Forcign Demonstra-
tions Il Very Favorable.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED
AMERICANS WHO FELL IN THE sEY-
MoUR EXPEDITION.
Admiral Kempff Cables That Fourteen
Thousand Men of All Arms Are
Ashore In China.
UNDER RUssIA's PROTECTION
CHINESE ARE SAID TO BE SEEKING
THE BEARS HELP.
Admiral Bruce Compliments Work of
American Plans Broadening.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-To-day's advices
90 the State Department, made up of two
cablegrams from Consul General Goodnow
at Shanghai, brought the foreign ministers
at Picking alone one day further in safety,
showing that they were all alive with the
probable exception of the German minister
who, IL seems, probably has been murdered.
Some encouragement is drawn by the Of
fcials from the fact that the other minis
ters were alive on the later date, for the
officials believe that the diplomatic corps
at Peking could not have been preserved
through the fury of the first stages of the
outbreak only to fall victims to sober Sec
ond thought. There is also at least the in
dication that the Chinese government itself
will be protecting them. On the other hand
the statement that the notoriously anti
foreign Prince Tuan was in complete con-
troll at Peking was regarded as an exceed
ing grave development and as tending to
fix the responsibility for the happenings of
the past three weeks directly upon the Pek-
ing government An ameliorating condi-
ton is the refusal of the great yiceroys
themselves of almost absolute power in
their provinces, to be controlled from Pek-
ing in their attitude toward foreigners.
A high official of the State Department
said to-day that there is nothing now to do
but to follow out the course the State De-
partment has already adopted. namely, to
have the United States consuls put them
selves in communication with the Viceroys
of the provinces; treating the central gov
ernment at Peking as incapacitated for
administrative work, and meanwhile doing
all in their power to protect the foreigners
In their respective districts. The signs of
an amicable disposition on the part of the
sViceroys is probably the basis for the hope
that they can be induced, at least, to stand
Neutral and keep their own provinces in
brder, II 1t shall be necessary to direct hos
tilities energetically against the Peking
government.
This course seems to be absolutely neces-
Bary now. unless developments in the i'm
kmediate future demonstrate the inaccu-
kacy OF Consul General Goodnow's advices
relative to the status Of affairs at Peking.
There is authority for the statement that
our government feels that what must be
hone at once Is to drive forward a relief
force to Peking, regardless of the strength
required.
So far IL has not been regarded as neces-
sary to do more in the way of military
preparations to this end than has been
done, and consequently no further REIN
forcements have been ordered to Taku.
There Is much doubt here as to the suf-
ficiency OF the force now there to under
take the work Admiral Kempff yesterday
reported that 1900 men OF all arms were
ashore, without stating definitely where
they were. 1t is not known whether or not
the second expedition directed against Pek-
ing has yet started from Taku or Tien-
Tsin. In this state of ignorance as to the
military situation ii is not possible to act
intelligentiy from Washington in the direc-
tion OF adding to our naval and military
strength beyond the sailors, marines and
regular soldiers already under orders for
China. 1t would seem that to accomplish
effective work some kind OF an understand
ing must be reached among the powers in
terested beyond the rather vague one under
which they are now proceeding.
A small foreign force, made up of diff
ferent nationalities working under a
tangible understanding and perhaps even
under one generalship, might accomplish
greater things than more numerous forces
working Independently, and II IL is pos
sible to reach an accord between the pow
crs as to the precise objects OF the next
military expedition. treating perhaps only
of the immediate objects OF relieving the
ministers and other foreigners who are
I'm danger. and leaving other great ques-
tions as to the future of China TO be dealt
with hereafter. IL is probable that the
United States will cheerfully adhere.
This government has not yet regarded
the developments as demanding the as
sembling OF Congress I'm extraordinary ses-
sion 10 declare war. and IL is possible that
the dispatch of more reinforcements to
China from Manila and the United States
may not require congressional action. as
long as the object Is strictly TO succor
Americans IN distress and danger
While there was no formal Cabinet coun-
Gil to-day. Secretary Hay had at various
times with him members OF the Cabinet
for the discussion OF the condition of af-
fairs In China IL is understood no change
Of policy was determined upon.
The indefinite character OF the news from
China regarding the condition of the for
elgn legations in Peking continues source