The Portland daily press., 1900-07-25
UNANSWERABLE QUESTION
If Chinese Government Can Communi-
cate with Powers, why Cannot MIN
isterss

If Chinese Government Can Communt-
cate with Powers, why Cannot MIN
isterss
London, July 24.-The Chinese minis
ter, Sir Chen Lo Feng Luh, had long
Interview with Lord Salisbury this after
noon. The general situation was dis
eussed and the Chinese minister rsiter-
ted his belief that the British minister
to China, Sir Claude Macdonald and the
other foreigners at Pekin, were safe
Lord Salisbury reiterated his demand
for direct communication with the min
lister at Pekin. TO this request the min
lister could only renew his protestations
that it would be speedily accomplished If
feasible. lie adduced no new facts to
prove his assertions. The interview closed
without result.
Despite the Chinese minister's s state
ments and despite Sir Claude MacDon-
aid letter Of July 4, a strong impression
continues to prevail at the foreign office
that the ministers at Pekin were massa-
cred July 8. The Associated Press cor
respondent is informed that not one
scintilla of evidence is yet IN the possess
sion Of the foreign Office leading them to
disbelieve the reports OF the murders.
Sir Claude Macdonald letter, with
merely confirms the government fore
boding. Mr.. William Pritchard Morgan,
member of parliament for Merthyr
Iydvil, whose knowledge Of and inter
ests in China are extensive informed the
Associated Press correspondent today
that he was positive from cable messages
from his agents, that the members of
the legations were alive July 8. When
the foreign Office was told this, the
rejo1nder was made.
''AIr. Morgan has submitted no evil
dence to convince US of the truth OF his
statement, however,, anxious we may be
0 believe it.
Consultations are in progress between
cabinet ministers and officials as to the
course to be pursued should the ministers
prove to be alive. The contingency of
China holding them as hostages, is up
pernlost in the minds Of all although the
Associated Press correspondent is OFF,
cially informed that the Chinese diplo-
mats have not yet limited at such action.
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 parti-
tI0n China.
Hence, should China agree to deliver
the ministers alive no p0We III have q
reason for continuing aggressive military
operations except Germany. whose min
many, to quote a high British official:
'sWill have to foregO the emperor S as
sertion that he would not stop till the
German flag iioated over Pekin. =
As for the other powers it was emphati-
cally stated that they have unanimously
agreed that with the safe delivery of the
ministers the aggressive campaign ends.
All rumOrs of an international agreement
regarding the future OF China subse-
quent to the return Of the ministers ars
false. The agreement is purely negative
and based upon the lines stated by Secro-
tary Hay of which the Independence and
integrity of the Chinese empire are essen
tiaI features.
II the imperial edict proves true, the
po Yers, while holding their forces in
readiness to enforce demands, will accept
pecuniary indemnity.
No territorial propositions VIII be con-
sidered In common with the other
powers Germany must, through arbitra
tion or otherwise gauge the damages by
the loss of the life Of her minister by
pecuniary standard.
The same rule will apply as to the loss
of other lives and destruction of property.
At the Chinese legation the Associated
Press correspondent was informed that no
further news fr ON China had been re-
ceived today and that it was expected
that the mlniste rs would soon be sent to
lien ISIn. Secretary Lew expressed
unstinted praise for the attitude of the
United States Secretary of State, Col
Hay, and declared his implicit belief that
the ministers were safe He said the ne
gotiatiOns with the powers on behalf of
China had all been entrusted to the Chi
nese minister at Washington, Mr. Wa
Ting Fang.
Secretary Lew professed utter ignor-
ance of their progress. 1t may with safe
ty be stated that should the ministers
prove to be alive the Chinese government
will to some extent use them as lever to
compel missionaries and commercial en-
terDrises to moderate their activity if
not to Withdraw from the empire entire
ly.
On this point Mr. William Pritchard
Morgan who is in close touch with the
Chinese minister said to the Associated
Press correspondent that he had good
reason to believe the Chinese government
had entrusted or would entrust Ii Hung
Chang with the mission of saying to
the powSRss
Look here; If you Withdraw your
missionaries and give up your conces-
sions, we will be willing to give ample
We Will then deliver your ministers
except Germany's S alive. Well ii you
don t agree, we can be answerable for
the lives of your ministers. We cannot
reconcile the majority of our people to
the foreign element.
"And who, " Mr.. Morgan said, twill
have hardihOod enough to say to China:
Go ahead kill the ministers and we win
said Mr.. Morgan, ''will have the hardi-
hood to say to China, Go ahead kill the
ministers and we viii take revenge.
IL believe that Secretary Hay has
adopted the only right course, His action
is splendid, whatever the result. l feel
confident that the foreign ENJOYS are
alive. In my opinion, the reports of
their death have been circulated with a
view to overshadowing In the minds Of
Americans and Europeans comparatively
minor outTages. which the world would
be glad to forgive the moment it was dis
covered that the ministers were alive"
While this explanation has been seri-
ously considered by the foreign office, it
is regarded as almost too Ingenious even
frys IL.