Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-25
AS SEEN IN LONDON
THE SITUATION IN CHINA VIEWED
THROUGH ENGLISH sPECTACLES.
Ii Hung Chang Said to Show Mental
Signs of the Weakness
of Old Age.

A London dispatch to the Associated
Press states that Sir Claude Macdonald's
message dated July 4. appealing for relief
is regarded in London as only prelude to
the absolute confirmation Of the massacre
This Is the opinion also of the japanese
minister here. The newspapers suggest
that the British minister's dispatch was
held back and released about the same time
as Mr.. Conger's undated message.
Although the American and British forces
are working tremendously, the question OF
means of communication between Taku
and Pekin gives evidence of jealousies be-
tween the powers. and other dispatches
from Tien Tsin show that the language
difficulty has been hampering the military
operations.
Confusion Among the Allies.
A dispatch to the Daily News from Tien
Tsin dated July IA. and describing the
fighting. says:
Col Lscum mistook the road and was
nearly isolated. Gen. Dorward, on a prema
ture report from the Japanese commander
that the city had been entered, ordered
general advance, which proved costly
error
Much valuable time was lost and trouble
occasiOned yesterday afternoon because the
messengers between Gen. Fukishima and
Gen. Dorward did not understand each
others language
The Tien Tsn correspondent of the Daily
Mail says that when the Chinese regulars
saw the Boxers, who led the attack. being
killed they began TO retire. He asserts that
the admirals have decided that ii would be
useless TO move toward Pekin without at
least 10000 men.
Wisdom From the African Campaign.
In an editorial referring to this statement
the Daily Mail comments upon the Ameri-
can proposal to advance with 1000 men. 1t
says:
We have learned in Africa how danger
Gus 1t is to despise our enemies, and in the
interest of civilization, We do not wish to
see such lesson read to the United States
by the heather Chinese.
A whole batch of Tien Tsin dispatches are
published today. All praise the gallantry
of the Americans and japanese.
Earl Lii Interviewed.
The Shanghai correspondent of the Lon
don Times. telegraphing Monday. says:
I'm an interview today Ii Hung Chang
reiterated his statement that if the Manchu
party had been guilty Of the horrible treach-
cry involved in a massacre of the members
of the legations he would absolutely refuse
to attempt to negotiate He said the pres
ent intention of the tsung II yamen TO
memorabilia the empress dowager to revic-
tual the legations. and then to arrange to
send them to Tien Tsin, under the escort of
of Gen. Sun Wad Lin. He declared that
the fighting had ceased, and that the for
eign troops were holding position south
of the Yu Ho bridge, while Gen. Tung Fun
Siang's forces were on the north
Earl Ii expressed the intention to wait
for news of the movement of the foreign le
cations before proceeding northward. On
receiving this he will be escorted by 10000
troops, who are now mastering in this prov
ince.
Regarding the negotiations he said he
believed Chinas finances would debar her
from paying indemnity. and that the people
would never submit to further annexation
of territory. He thinks the powers ought
to accept assurances of reformed admin
istration and of the removal of the officials
responsible for the crisis.
Alleged Tempori.inE Policy.
obviously. Ii Hung Chang has not
changed his views or his methods, while
the puerility Of his arguments is increasing
with age. The impression is gaining ground
here that hte Manchus are temporizing
while preparing to retreat to Hsian Flu. A
confidential member of his staff says that
Earl Ii will not go north until he is con-
WINGED that the empress dowager has seen
the folly of her present policy
a Military Government.
A japanese military representative from
Tien Tsin says that at a conference of the
allied comma nders it was decided to organ
lie military government of the city. Three
administrators were appoin ted-Russian.
japanese and English-with equal power.
The city. divided into four PARTS. has been
occupied by the French English Japanese
and American forces, the last named hold
ing the portion from the south gate to the
east gate. The Russians occupy the towns
and villages on the left bank of the Pei Ho
and the Lutai canal.
Assurances to Lord SaIfsburv
he min 20
Chen Lo Feng Luh. had a long interview
with Lord Salisbury yesterday. The gen.
eral situation was discussed. and the Chi
speas minister yeitersted his belief that tina