The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-08
DISPATCH FROM GooDNOw.


WASHINGTON, July 7.-An important
dispatch from Consul General Goodnow
this morning has revived hope. in a mea-
sure that the legationers, or at least some
of them, are still alive in Peking. Having
survived at least two weeks longer than
was supposed to be possible. having GER
tainly been alive five days ago. the unfor-
tunate ministers, their staffs and their
guards, may be still holding out. In fact,
If the only active enemy they have now to
face is starvation. as Consul General Good
now indicates. the officials believe there is
substantial ground for the hope that they
may hold out. and that the horrible stories
of the last few days from Shanghai, of
nameless crimes and massacres committed
upon the legationers are at least prema-
ture.
Consul General Goodnow's dispatch is
dated at Shanghai July Z. 1t says the lega-
tions were standing on the Sd inst, and
that the recent attack of the Boxers had
been light. They seemed disposed to adopt
starvation methods.
One certain effect of Consul General
Goodnow's dispatch will be to cause the Of
ficials here and, without doubt the Euro
pean governments to redouble their exer-
tions to push forward force to Peking.
The main hope for speedy action is seen
in Japan. According to the Japanese lega-
ton here, which has late adyices from To-
kio, 1900 Japanese soldiers are now on
Chinese soil. If this report be true, then
the Japanese government has accomplished
more than was expected and the officials
here see nc reason why the advance on
Pezing should not begin Immediately. 1t
is said that Japan is not expected to make
this campaign single-handed The inter-
national forces at Taku and Tien-Tsin will
cooperate to the utmost with the Japanese
army corps in the movement on Peking.
What form that cooperation shall take is
not known, but such details are left to the
commanders in the field.
1t is said that japan Is to be compen-
sated for the work she is about to under
take in the common cause. Her military
preparations are very extensive. and the
campaign is certain to involve heavy cost.
1t would be unjust to expect japan to meet
this herself She has no missionaries in
China, and consequently is. perhaps, less
interested selfshly than any of the powers
In the terrible happenings in Shan-Tung
question of compensation is. after all. what
has caused the apparent delay in the
sumption of the campaign against Peking,
but it is believed that, this having now
been adjusted, military operations will
progress rapidly.
If the powers have agreed on the form
Japan's indemnity Is TO assume the facts
cannot be elected here. The impression,
however, is that there will be money in
demnity, the belief being based on the fact
that such is the only form of indemnity so
far suggested that would be the least likely
to arouse international jealousies. Either
China itself, or the powers collectively,
would have to provide for the payment of
this indemnity, though even In the first
case IL is probable the powers contribution
would be in the nature of loan. and in
the end China would be obliged to make
good the advance through some form of
taxation. The State Department has not
yet heard directly from the Russian gov
ernment as to Japan's proposition to sup
ply the major portion of the force required
for the Peking campaign, but 1t has not
the least doubt that Russia makes no OBJ
lection. In fact, the department has gath
cred that all of the European governments
have taken a similar view of the Japanese
proposition. and 1t is disposed TO feel some
pride in the fact that II was through the
advance made at first by the United States
government that this happy accord has
been brought about.
No one in Washington is more anxious to
hear of the safety OF the foreign legations
in Peking than Mr.. WI, the Chinese minis
ter. He carefully reads every word of Chi
nese news that appears in the papers, and
eagerly asks all the reporters who call upon
him for the latest developments In the Chi
nese situation. He also keeps in close
touch with the officials In Washington. and
makes periodical visits to the State De-
partment TO ascertain If any intelligence
has come to hand. His interest in what is
transpiring is OF the keenest character. as
he realizes the grave danger with which
his country is threatened. Mr. WI. while
apprehensive OF what may have happened
as a result of the existing disturbances In
Peking and other parts of northern China.
still clings to the hope that the reports
which have come of the sacking of the le-
cations and the murder OF the ministers
have been exaggerated. and that when the
truth becomes known affairs will not he
in the sorry plight in which they are now
represented TO be- AT the same time he
has no positive information on which to
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