New-York tribune., 1900-07-16

egneTs in Pezing arc all slaughtered 1t would
be strange If TSen-Tsin did not first receive the
news. Sir Robert Hart's last MESSAGES were
ali delivered there. The assassination of Baron
Won Ketteler was first known there with all the
details OF the tragedy. Tfen-Tsin news many
times IN the last three weeks has effectualIy
disposed OF Shanghai fictions. Secretary Long
has received three cable dispatches from Ad-
miral Remey in the last three days. That OF to-
day vas Of little Importance, except for its fail
ure 70 confirm the reports about the slaughter
Of the Ministers on July Z which Admiral Re
mey had been asked about To-day he simply
announced that he had ordered the Buffalo to
bring her men directly to Taku, instead Of drop
ping them at Manila, as had been contemplated
al first Yesterday he reported the arrival of
two japanese transports, that the Chinese had
been twice defeated, and that he landed 300
marines and two field pieces from the Brooklyn.
these field pieces being modern quick firing g.
inch rifles the first American artillery TO go
ashore. Secretary Long thinks that Admiral
Remey would have reported any credible rumors
that were current about the legations
That none Of the other foreign commanders at
Taku and Tien-Tsin have sent 10 their Govern
ments recently anything about the legations
encourages the belief that nothing whatever IS
known by the Chinese near Tien -Tsin of what
is happening in Pekng This in itself, though
news, which is proverbially quick in transmits
sion.
NAVAL OFFICERS OPTIMISTIC.
Outside Of the Cabinet Secretary Long is not
alone in his hOpefulness. Naval officers who
feared most Of all that the southern provinces
would rise and that the crusade against for
eigners would be most bitter in the great ports
where foreign interests are largest and foreign
-eTs most numerous, regard the continued friend
illness Of the Ficeroys as extremely significant
Of the true Imperial attitude. They believe that
these Nlceroys accurately reflect the attitude
lhe Empress wishes TO maintain toward the
legaLons, and that the army IN the north Of
G4lla IS therefore actually in revolt against the
Empress as well the foreigners. The north
@ eIh army has been equipped with modern arms
anu taught Dy europeans. This army, $4,000
sTong, Is regarded capable Of making a deter
mined and long fight against the allies at Tien-
Ism. ana fllly able 10 oVerrun and rule the
north OF China for a time, and the Chinese and
tartar cities Of Peking. But the Imperial city of
Feklng Will undoubtedly be respected by all
ChlNese, however fanatical, and its precincts,
~ ~"1l.CI are regarded as sacred, win not be in
Eaoec Under the circumstances with the
LLAp-ess So--cltous for the safety Of the lega-
uOA people, she could take no surer method Of
SAVING them from their assailants than by Civ
ing them an asylum in the sacred city She
may have done this Of her own accord or on the
AslsleAce OF Sir Robert Hart and the Minister'S
OF the marine guard Of five hundred men which
assem- D4ed IN the legations on June 3 may have
- e--S-L way III Win the ministers ana Tor
elgners under their protection. One Of Sir Rob
sIt EaTIs trusted messengers who reached
-lth-4sln two weeks ago declared that the
MARINES had seized gate the legations.
me nearest gate 70 the legations happens to
city.
Naval officers for the last week in talking
epouL the desperate situation, have expressed
C9hnCence that American ingenuity would prob
ably ma a way 10 prevent the wholesale murder
On which the Boxers We're bent. The fact that
ne British Legation had been selected as the