New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-06
ALLIES NOT OF ONE MIND.
DETAILED ACCOUNTS OF AN ENGAGE
MENT DISCREDITED.
copyright; 1900: By The New-York Tribune.I
IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l

fCopyTizht; 1900: By The New-York Tribune
[BY CABLE TO THE TRIBUxE.I
London, Aug. 6. 1 a. m-News from China at
midnight was a mass of contradictions and sur
rnises. The most startling rumor in air the
story that Ii Hung Chang had committed sui
eide but It was discredited in Fleet Street and
in the clubs. It was considered more probable
that he was intriguing with the Russian Of
hcials and striving to break up the concert of
the Powers.
Four missionaries are reported to have been
murdered near Hankow, and on the other hand
the Southern Provinces were described as set
Ting down.
Rumors that the allied army had advanced
toward Peking were varied with the details
Of an eight hours engagement with Chinese, but
this theory simmered down into skirmish a
few miles west of Tien-Tsin, which had al
ready been reported
There We're persistent reports from Chinese
sources that the allied commanders had dis
agreed on various points and could not be in
duced to order an advance upon the capital
These differences Of opinion were probably ex-
aggerated but there was probably substra-
tun1 Of truth for these Chinese fctions. The
American, British and Japanese commanders
are described as eager for decisive action,
whereas the Russians and Germans do not con-
sider the united column strong enough for the
work and assume that it will be forced to re-
tire to Tien-Tsin if it starts prematurely and
inadeouately supplied with food and ammuni-
tion.
The responsibility for inaction is saddled upon
every contingent except the American column,
which. according 70 all press accounts, is pull
ratfng with energy and anxious to march TO
Peking with the least possible delay.
Two facts stand out among all these rumors
of dissensions One is the reluctance Of the Chi
nese Viceroys and Imperial officials TO have the
relief columns set in motion. and the other is
the impracticability Of having an army con-
Quoted by consulting board Of six generals, or
admirals TWO sections of the allied forces.
the Russian and the German, are believed to
be hanging back on the ground that Vice-Ad-
mirai seymour's mistake must not be repeated,
and that marching orders must be deferred
until the transport is in perfect order and the
troops are ready to go up to the capital with an
irresistible rush.
Chinese reports that Russia insists upon
acting Independently and is objecting to an
advance upon Peking not credited with
those who are watching the crisis most closely.
Some commanders are more cautious than
others, and the urgency Of a relief expedition is
an open question when the legations not
under attack and are probably receiving sup
plies with the sanction or connivance OF the
officials The Powers must stand together in
a last resort in rescuing the legations Some
Of the most astute students Of Chinese affairs
assert confidently that the legations will be es-
corted TO Tien-Tsin as soon as the Imperial
authorities are convinced that Russia cannot
be detached from the campaign, and that re-
lief column VIII be dispatched to the capital.
/. N F.