The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-23

NEW YORK, Aug, ga dispatch to
the Tribune from London SAYS;
There Is agaln a revival of something
like nessimism In official and political
circles here, or IN the scanty remnants
left OF them In London hy the ravages
of the holiday season After the ex.
hilaratlon caused by the first news OF
the entry OF the allies into Pekln, there
has come a rebound.
The cessation OF direct communication
with the allied commanders at the front
is net liked at all. nor does Admiral
Rruce's telegram stating that the For
hidden City was entered ON the nth.
do much 10 console the douhters, In
the first place Il Is pointed out that the
admiral does not profess to have heard
his news officially from General Case
lee. but only gives Il on the authority
OF tho reports current az Taku. and We
know hy this time what reports In Chi.
nese towns are worth; secondly. even
II the authentic news Is four laws old
and much may have happened since
then-the silence OF the generals lends
color TO a Shanghai statement that the
wires to Tien Tsin are cut, and may
also helm TO explain the hurried march
OF the German and italian reinforce
ments to pekin.
Assuming that even the sacred city
and the palace are captured. the dltil-
eultios OF the allies are bv no means at
an end Their force Is. Of course. more
thar sufficient TO repel any attack
made on them. whether by Boxers or
by imperial troops but when It IL re-
membered that they have to police the
great straggllng city OF Pekin. with It's
million inhabitants and 70 keen open
the line Of communication to the coast.
their strength Is by no means excess
sive, even II II is sufficient for the
work in hand.
Besides. the allied generals. like Lord
Roberts in South Africa, may have ad-
vanced too fast effectively TO occupy
the country behind them. The speed Of
their march was rendered necessary by
the position OF the legations. for II the
relief column had taken three or four
DAYS longer on the Journey. Il might
have come too late. StIlif the Chinese
troops which We're defeated at Pei
Tsang and Yang Tsun should form up
again between the capital and Tien
Tsin. the allies will either have to
march back TO disperse them. or to wait
till that task Is performed by reinforce
ments from the coast. and meanwhile
may find themselves virtually besieged
at Pekin.
The pessImists too. are additionally
depressed by Minister Conger's testi-
mony as to the conduct Of the Chinese
government and his opinion that the
whole movement was got up by the Inn
perlal authorities and that the Boxers
were mere pretence. on the other
hand, II Is admitted that II the empress
and the Manchu princes, particularly
Tuan. have been captured. the outlook |
Is much more hopeful. since II will be
possible to find responsible Chinese au-
on whom new arrangements
can be imposed. The action Of the |
southern viceroys. too. shows that the
in the north has had an ex-
rellent effect in checking the further
spread OF foreign agitation.
The Chinese minister here has hand
ed to the foreign office for transmission
10 Lord Salisbury. Ii Hung Changs |
note suggesting that a plenIDotentlary
should be appointed to negotiate with |
him. His communication is couched in
A tone Of cool assumption, which ex-
cites a certain amount Of Indignation. |
The Times and other papers had arti-
lies angrily denouncing Ii and suggest
ing that no notice should be taken Of |
him. The aged vlceroy is profoundly |
trusted by what may be called the An
colony here. which is not
without influence upon the foreign Of
ice.
1t IS urged that there Is plenty Of |
proof that ii is not playing for his own
land rather than genuinely endeavor-
ng 70 extricate China from her difficult
les. His influence has for some time
1ast been overshadowed by the violent
'eactionary Manchu party. and he may
low be trying to get even with his en-
.mies. or. again. If he is volunteering
lis services the powers may negotiate
With him and as soon as peace Is patch
ID up and the allied contingents with
lrawn. Ii will be repudlated as has
happened before. on the ground that
ne has exceeded his authority. II is
ilsO said that Ii disllkes England more
har any other European nation. and
has more than a preference for Russia.
[ Is. therefore. thought that. II possi-
Die. negotiations should take place in
'ekin, and LIS Intervention can be dis
'ensed with. All this, Of course, again
depends on the possibility Of finding
inybody in Pekin to negotiate with.
TJIrNTTNCrONr,c WITH