Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-18
Consul Fowler Cables Another Report
Of Legatiouers' Safety.
ADVICES FROM SHANTUNG GOVERNOR
Says That His Courier Left Pekin
July 9.
ON THE COREAN BORDER

ernor of Shantung wires that his courier
left Pekin on the 9th instant, and that the
legations were still holding out.
The United States minister at Seoul, Co.
rea, has telegraphed the Department of
State that the Boxers and Chinese soiuiers
are in force few days journey from the
Corean frontier. He says that Pieng-yang
'is much alarmed; that many natives are
leaving the city; that foreigners remain
safely, and that the government of Corea
is anxious to preserve order.
The buoyant and hopeful feeling of yes
terday to the Chinese situation con-
tinued unabated and was even strength
ened today by the addition Of the con-
frmatory dispatch from Consul Fowler, at
Chefoo. touching the safety of the legation
a Pekin on the 9th of July. Because of
the very intimate relations that have ex-
listed up to very recent date between this
official and the imperial court at Pekin he
having been commander of the imperial
bodyguard, there is disposition here to at
tach more credence to his dispatches than
would be accorded to those of other Chi
nese officials. OF course, this is based on
the presumption that he has no induce
ment to falsify the facts.
Diplomatic Callers.
Secretary Hay had a number of diplo-
matte callers today, SO many, in fact. as to
make favorable comparison with the
number present on diplomatic day promi-
nent among them being Minister WI. Mr..
Wolant, the Russian charge, and Mr. THE
baut, the French charge.
NJ Thiebaut, the French charge d. af.
flares, and de Wollant, the Russian, were
among Secretary Hays callers, but they
added moi in he Of in IT.
the Chinese situation. 1t can be stated,
also, that at this time there are no negotia-
tions of special importance between the
powers outside of the general cooperation
to rescue the foreigners at Pekin and look
after foreign lives and property every
where in the empire.
The foreign officials were desirous of be-
ing advised as to the course of this govern
ment, as determined upon by the Presi-
dent and cabinet. this is felt to be a
part of a general movement. There has
been nothing official as to the movement of
Russian troops to China, outside of the
declaration communicated to this govern
ment some days ago, that 1000 Russian
troops would at once move.
Owing to the intense heat here the Rus
sian officials will remove their establish
ment to Cape May the latter part of the
week.
Consul General Goodnow, at Shanghai,
has cabled for a warshp. His suggestion
was merely precautionary. and after con-
sidering it the navy Department has with
held action. in view of the fact that the
Castine is already at that port and foreign
ships are on the way
There was NJ cabinet meeting this morn
ing expected. because the advices
which had reached the government over
night did not present such cnange in the
situation as would demand meeting at
this time.
Minister WI Sees Secretary Hay.
The Chinese minister called at the State
Department about 1890 o'clock this morn
ing. He expressed himself hopeful as the
result OF the developments yesterday, br.,
said he had nothing additional today from
Pekin, Tien Tsin or any other quarter
The early hour of the call, following the
long cabinet session last evening led to the
impression that his presence at the State
Department was desired as "a means of
fully communicating to him the urgent de-
sires of the administration to leave no stone
unturned in getting word from Pekin. His
talk with Secretary Hay was quite brief,
however, and brought no developments.
l ne StCtttdIy Ildut Known 10 MIN the us
patch from Consul Fowler, at Chefoo. quot
ing the governor of Shantung as stating
that the legations at Pekin were safe on
the 9th instant, and this accepted by
Mr.. Wa as confirmatory of his dispatch
yesterday. He said there was not the
slightest doubt as to the date being the
9TH although London cables suggested that
the 3th referred TO the Chinese calendar
ha - H.. Itch
On the contrary, the dispatch received by
him mentioned the 18th as the date, whi Ii
by the Chinese calendar would correspond
with the 9th of our calendar.
Mr.. ROckhiIHs visit.
One of the first callers at the State De-
partment today was Mr.. w. w. Rockhill.
director of the bureau of American re-
pubics, whose name has been mentioned
with those of ex-Ministers John Barret and
Chas. DENLY as among the possible success
sors of Minister Conger as the United
States representative in China. Mr.. Rock
hill won an international reputation by his
explorations in. China and Thibet. and is
regarded as one of the best-posted men on
Chinese affairs in this country.
After his interview with the Secretary Of
State, which lasted an hour, Mr. Rockhill
said he had not had the subject of ii Chi
nese mission of any sort suggested to him.
and that he had no expectation of return
ing to the orient. He said his visit to Sec
retary Hay was purely personal, but from
the fact that he made Il trip to the archives
division and returned with an armful of
documents, it was inferred that he was
giving the Secretary the benefit of his ex-
perience in formulating whatever plans the
government now has foot for the settle
ment of the eastern problem.
Mr.. ROckhiII Retains Hone
Mr. Rockh:ll is one of the few officials
who still retains a ray of hope that some
Of the members of the legations in Pekin
may have escaped. Personally he places
little faith in the recent cablegrams from
the southern viceroys regarding the safety
of the legations after July Z. although he
thinks the Chinese minister is acting in
perfectly good faith in transmitting these
cablegrams to the State Department. His
hope for some Of the legations is based
more on his knowledge of the relations
existing for the past twenty years between
Sir Robert Hart, the British customs Off
Ger, and some of the most powerful Off