The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-07-04
PEKIN F0REf6NERS ALL DEAD
(Continucd from ar,t page)

tiers and their guards who were !oused
in the British Legation. WI Ting-f3ng,
the Chinese Minister. appeared nue. Fer-
tuTbed and deeply grieved. He inmedi-
ately exclaimed:
III it be true, it is just as l have fear
ed for Il week. / have had grave appre-
tensions that If the relief column lid not
reach Pekin the besieged foreigners would
not be able to hold out against the mobs
which were being added to daily by the
disaffected soldiery.
My Government has its hands complete
ly tied. They are unable to handle the
mobs as many Of the soldiers they send TO
attack them become dissatisfied. or are
already so for some reason and desert to
the enemies Of the Government What
could one possibly do under the circum
stances? 1t would be just the same here
in Washington. Should a mob attack one
of the legations or your White House and
the soldiers sent TO suppress it should
join the mob what could be done to prevent
much damage being done? This is just
the situation In China today.
Why did not the relief party under Ad-
miral Seymour push on TO the assistance
Of the beseged foreigners? Why did they
turn back when so many lives were at
stake? l cannot to save me understand it.
They tell me that there are 16 600 for
eign troops on ChIEese soil, all of whOm
were available for the relief of Pekin.
Why were they not FASTENED there a week
ago? 1t would have taken barely ten
thousand men under good leader TO have
accomplished the relief. Why this was
not done when so much was at stake,
cannot understand.
Il am deeply grieyed. and most sincere
ly trust that the information contained
in the press dispatches is not true. II It
should prove 10 be so my worst fears are
realized ard l am unable to tell what the
outcome WI be"
Mr. WI automatically lodged the ques
ton as TO whether or not he thought the
killing of the American Minister would be
sufficient reason for this Government
handing him his passports, which would be
practically declaration Of war against
China
From the conversation with Mr.. WI il is
very apparent that he is anxious for the
public to understand that the Chinese Gov
eminent is not responsible for the horrible
crimes that are being committed that the
Government is in no way responsible for
the killing OF the ministers. and that il
does not think the killing a casus belli.
for the reason that at this time the Co..
eminent is powerless &c defend the foreign
residents on account of the city Of Pekin
being in the hands Of mob, composed
largely of the imperial soldiers, who have
Joined the forces Of Prince Tuan. the faith
er Of the heir apparent and an avowed
enemy Of the Dowager Empress. who is
said 10 have used her best efforts for the
protection of the foreigners.
Mr.. WI stated that he had had no com
municatiOn from his home Government for
weeks and the only news he is able to OBJ
tain is that CLEANED from the press des-
patches and furnished him by the report
ers Of the various papers who call on him
from day to day.
The Chinese Government, apparently has
no objection 70 the landing Of foreign troops
for the suppression Of the mobs and the
relief Of those Of the foreigners who are
in danger. Mr.. WI spoke OF the sending
Of American troops from Manila as though
it was matter CT course and he regretted
exceedingly thu delay that would be nee
essary in sending them 10 China.