Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-07-04
The TURMOIL IN CHINA.
This Grave Situation Still In Progress of


The TURMOIL IN CHINA.
This Grave Situation Still In Progress of
Development.
Belated facts and rumors continue
to bring more light from Pekin; but
still the situation in the Chinese capi-
tai is involved. in uncertainty and
doubt.
The story of the murder of Baron
Won Ketteler in Pekin, first came as a
rumor. There is still nothing official
on the subject; but there is very
little reason to doubt that the news is
true. Stories from various Chinese
sources agree upon the date of the
occurrence-June 18-and that the
minister was backed to pieces by SOL
diers and Boxers.
There has been story to the effect
that all the foreigners in Pekin have
been murdered, and while there is q
possibility that the story is true, still
there is room to hope that it is an
e1aggeration of actual conditions.
That the foreigners in Pekin, however,
are in grave danger, there is no ques-
ton, and the International forces are
bending every effort to effect their
rescue. Nothing has been heard from
the small army that relieved Admiral
Seymour, since the admiral's relief,
and it is believed that this army is
now on its way to Pekin.
Admiral Kempff reported to Wash
|ington last Saturday that, up to that
date, there were 14,OOn foreign soldiers
on Chinese soil but did not give any
Information as to their disposition.
The central government. at Pekin, a
few days ago, ordered the viceroys of
the different provinces to attack all
foreigners. Under the Chinese system
each viceroy is supreme in his own
province. So far as has been reported,
not one of the viceroys has elected to
follow the Pekin Instruction.; but all
have protested friendship to the Inter-
national powers. The powers, howev-
er, are not Inclined to repose too much
confidence in these protestations, ex.
cept that diplomatic relations have
generally been transferred from Pekin
direct to the viceroys of the various
provinces.
In view of the hostile attitude of
the Pekin government, or at least its
utter incapacity to preserve the lives
and property of foreigners, as evi.
denced by the present situation, all OF
the foreign governments have under
serious consideration the question Of
declaring war. That. a state of war
actually exists is not to be questioned
but formal declaration by China or
any one of the powers, will bring
about complications which all seem
anxious to avoid as long as possible.
The only exception is in the case of
Japan. The japanese foreign minister
says that the attempt on the part of
the Chinese government to expel the
foreign ministers from Pekin consti-
tutes casus belli and that it is foolish
to attempt to negotiate with a govern
ment that does not exist.
A St. Petersburg dispatch says that
the Russian government has informa-
ton to the effect that the Chinese
population in several localities in
China has placed itself under Russian
protection and that the excitement is
quieting down. Russian officials pro-
fess to believe that with pacific action
on the part of the powers and the
good will of the Chinese government,
the Boxer rebellion will be disposed of
in q short time and all will again be.
come serene.
Cropping out of the news reports
are indications of traditional animosi.
ty between Russia and Great Britain.
Dispatches from Berlin say that the
Russian newspapers are filled with
stories of the superior courage and
efficiency of the Russian soldiers at the
capture of the Taku forts, along with
numerous disparaging statements
about the British. An English cores
pondent, writing from Tong Ku, sends
the London Daily Mail the following
"It is improper any longer to conceal
the harm done to the case of the al
lies by the barbarities and the pillages
of the Russians on the day of the
bombardment. They wantonly shot
natives and looted everything, includ-
ing the European houses in Taku.
The natives for miles around were
looted of supplies and labor is scarcer."
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
Dispatches published yesterday
morning include official information of
the murder of Baron Won Kettler, and
the fact that the ministers in Pekin
were in desperate danger on June 26,
since which date there is no definite in.
formation from them. Emperor Will
liam, of Germany, is reported to have
decided definitely upon sending a
large army to China, and also q con-
siderable portion of the German fleet
for the purpose of securing the fullest
satisfaction. 1t is reported also that
Prince Tuan, who has usurped the
Pekin government, is responsible for
all the outrages that have been COM
mitted. The viceroys of the provinces
south ofthe Yellow river have cut loose
from the Pekin government and in.
formally established a confederacy
that promises to remain friendly to the
International powers. Nankin has
been selected as the capital of this
confederacy. The war and naval au.
thorities at Washington deny that
they have taken any steps further