Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-29
tny relegraph to vlrglnian.pllot.l

(By Telegraph to Virgnian-Pilot.)
Washington, June 2S.-The days de-
velopments in Chinese affairs were
meagre, and the general opinion here
Is that the two messages received
one from Kempff and the other from
Lii Hung Chang-could not be accept
ed as settling the important question
as to the fate of the foreign ministers
at Pekin and their families and at
taches. The Secretary OF the Navy,
by special instruction OF the Presi-
dent. had been particular to cable Ad
miral Kempff several days ago To
Keep the Navy Department informed
of everything that happened within
the zone Of disturbance in China, and
1t is believed that his omission TO
make any reference in his cablegram
OF this morning to the whereabouts of
the ministers was based on the alb
sence of any information on that sub
ject ut Taku. where the Admiral is
with his flagship Newark. And If no
information could be had at Taku,
only thirty miles down the river from
Tien Tsn, OF the presence of the min
listers In Admiral Scymour's column.
but eight miles distant, then officials
here cannot understand how any gov
eminent could have superior facilities.
and so they felt justified in waiting
for further advices before accepting
the Chinese statements on that point
as accurate.
CABLEGRAN1S VARY.
Minister WI. who brought Lis mes
sage to the State Department, could
only explain away the points of vari-
ance between the vicer0y'S statement
and the cable messages received from
other sources. However, he pinned mis-
faith to the accuracy Of the message,
and pointed out that 1t agreed closely
with Admiral Kempffs message of
yesterday stating that the ministers
were reported to be with Admiral Scy-
mour.
The Navy Department has had fur
thcr communication with Kempn, in
the shape of two messages, one touch
Ing the strength of foreign forces
ashore in China, and another, which
the officials stated had no bearing up
on the military situation, but In neither
was there any mention OF the minis
tiers. One consideration which makes
against the unrescrved acceptance by
the officials of the assurance of minor
Chinese officials, including Ii Hung
Chang and Minister WI. that state
of war does not exist, Is the fact that
Mr.. Conger is not permitted to COM
municatc with his own government by
the same means employed by the
Tsung Ii Yamen in getting news 10
the outside world, leading to u sus
picon that he is net at that perfect
liberty which marks the existence of
state of peace. 1t IL possible that
the Chinese Government may be able
to offer satisfactory explanation on
this point, burt at present the officials
say that our future relations with
China depend altogether upon what
Minister Conger has to say when he is
finally brought again in touch with
the State Department.
significant piece OF information
furnished by the Navy Department is
the report of the sailing of the Scindia
to-day from Gibraltar for Cardiff for
cargo OF Welsh coal, which she Is
to carry back to Manila or China. The
ship was on her way home from Ma
Mia Via the Mediterranean route.
Administration officials are quite
concerned over Chinese adviccs to the
erect that the members OF the foreign
legations in Pekin are not a; Tien Tsin
with Admiral Seymours Column The
dispatches Of the last two DAYS in
dicatinS that they We're with the Ad-
miral a few miles from Ticn Tsin had
allayed in a measure the tension ey
listing here as to their safety, but rs
no word has come from Minister Con-
ser the confidence temporarily felt is
giving way again to fear that all may
not be we'll with them. 1t is believed
taken the very first opportunity to
communicate with his government
and the fact that he has not done so
up to late hour tonight the officials
say is strong ground for believing that
he is still in Pciin.
RUSSIANS TO SEYMOUR'S RELIEF
st. Petersburg, June 2S.-The Minister
of War has received the following from
Admiral AleXieff. dated Port Arthur,
June 81:
During the might of June 25 a de-
tachment of four companies of Rus
SLAMS, Colonel Schinsky commanding,
and the same number of foreigners,
went to the relief of Admiral Seymour
and brought 200 of his wounded to
Tien Tsin."
AN IMPERIAL RESCRIPT
London. June 2S q p. MA repre-
tentative OF the Associated Press was
Informed at the Foreign Office this
evening that the Vceroy OF Nankin has
tclegraphed to the British Consul Cen
eral at Shanghai that he had received,
June %. an imperial rescript as follows:
THE foreign Legations at Pekin con-
tinue as llSua! to receive every protec-
ton from the Imperial Government"
On the other hand. the officials of the
Chinese Embassy say they have reason
to believe the foreign ministers at Pc