The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-07-26


has the following from st. Petersburg:
Admiral Skriedeloff, commanding the
Russian squadron in Chinese waters has
received precise instruction to lombard
the Chinese coast towns Immediately or
receipt Of confirmation of the report OF
the massacre at Pekin."
The Shanghai correspondent Of the
Daily Express, telegraphiDg yesterday
says:
"A general rising throughout China is
now regarded as so absolutely certain
that all the missionaries throughout the
empire have been ordered to take refuge
without delay either at Shanghai OF
Hong Kong. Refugees are beginning to
arrive from all points in the most pitiahle
condition.
HELD AS HOSTAGES.
LAS the result of an almost constant
correspondence with the governor of
Shanghai, Ii Hung Shang announced
this forenoon that the imperial govern
ment was prepared at any moment to
give a safe convoy to the members of the
foreign legations from Pekin to Tien Tsin,
provided a guarantee were given that no
advance would be made upon the capital,
and that all matters in dispute between
China and the powers would be made the
subject Of friendly negotiations
In the same communication to the
consul Earl Ii stated that the imperial
government had submitted to the powers
4 statement outlining it's position, stating
that 1t had suffered greatly by recent
svents, but desired not only to suppress
-
the hostility of foreign powers. There
IOre he hoped that the offer to escort the
foreigners TO Tien Tsin would be regarded
as an earnest of the desire of the Chinese
government for the renewal of friendly
relations.
''The consuls replied that no basis for
friendly negotiations was possible until
proof was at hand that the ministers
were still living. Consul Warren de-
clned to discuss the matter at all, but
In his reply to the French consul Ii
Hung Chang undertook to obtain a salts
factory message from the French minis
ter on. Pichon) within five days"
GOVERNMENT UNEASY.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-The receipt at
Tien Tsin of an undoubtedly genuine and
autographic message from Minister Con-
ger has done nothing to dissipate the
doubt as to the situation at Pekin. The
message, which was forwarded by the ma
val officers at Tien Tsin, Taku and Che
Foo, has, indeed served only to deepen
the darkest and saddest mystery Of the
century. Official conclusion remains un-
changed, of course, but it is admitted that
q careful scrutiny of the autograph mes
5 sage, in comparison with the famous ci-
pher message from Minister Conger, ad-
mits of the belief that the two messages
were indited by Mr.. Conger at about the
same time. The situation at the British
legation is represented to be the same In
zach case, and as Mr. Conger declares
that relief must come quickly if at all
there IS ground for the supposition that
conditions could not long have remained
unchanged in such a crisis.
The assumption that this reasoning is
correct involves the further conclusion
that Mr. Conger's cipher, If genuine, was
re-dated as of the 18th of July, two weeks
later than the date of actual writing
and, Of course, if re-dated at all, that was
done by Chinese officials.
On the other hand, and in support OF
the state departments position, came to-
day message from another Of the great
Chinese viceroys, TAX, at Canton-he who
took charge after Ii Hung Changes de.
paTture. This also affirmed solemnly The
safety of the legationers, and, comine
from SO many different sources and from
such important Chinese officials the dis
patches claim attention
A pessimistic view of them, however
attributes to all common origin, namely
some one high in. Chinese circles at Pekin
1t is noted that Talks assurance bring,
the ministers one day further towards ul
innate rescue than has any preceding mes
sage. The fact that it allows three DAYS
to cover the transmission Of the great dis
tance between Pel1in and Canton has at
tracted great attention here, and appear:
to demand explanation if the message /.
10 be accepted as genuinely of Pekin or
igin.
MANY MEDIATORS.
1t was not known to the state depart.
mept until the publication OF the fact ir
the news dispatches that tbs French
government had also been addressed hy
the Chinese government in the effort t,
secure mediation. 1t now appears thai
still other powers were interrogated in z
similar strain. 1t is known that Great
Britain and Germany and probably Rus
STA have received such messages The
language is not the same hut the a o;y,a+