The evening times., 1900-07-31
Circulation Statement.
onr Chinese Dilemma.

N-e---r
Pekin. and there now seems 10 be 10 doubt
that many Of the legation people we're
living though bcleaguered in the British
compound on July p II is an especial
relief to learn through a note from Mr..
Conger TO Consul RagsdaIe dated July 21
that our minister ard his family were un-
harmed On that day. We are still left in
doubt and anxiety as to what may have
happened since.
II has been generally estimated that
there were a thousand Americans. Euro
peaIs and japanese belonging 20. guard
ing. or under the protection Of the lega-
tions az the beginning OF the siege The
Imperial edict Of July "a states that 1t
is wise to hold the survivors as hostages at
Pekn.' and our latest news from Chinese
sources toGay is 10 the effect that the Gov
eTament is holding six hundred foreigners.
including the ministers. as hostages who
viii be massdcred il any movement is at
tempted by the allies in the direction OF
the capital. What are we to deduce from
these statements. which seem to suggest
the possibility that the attack may have
been renewed ard the survivors" Of the
onslaught captured and held as prisoners?
Although it is apparently settled that
no general massacre occurred up TO July
-. at The best the situation then was one
Of horror The bombardment was liable
10 begin again at any moment and could
not be resisted much longer. The Chi
Gese troops were stiII massed around the
British Legation, evidently only waiting
for orders from the palace TO resume the
attack Whether it has been resumed or
not is something which We hope we may
be able to ascertain within a-day or :wo.
II the status Of July % has been main
tained, perhaps the course OF action which
the powers wiz pursue may be made plain
er to them. At present IL is angling but
plain What this Government VIII or can
DO in the premises is a difficult question
II the Chinese ar-serious in their threat
to finish the surviving forei gners in Pc
lin, in the event Of an advance from Tien-
tsin. it may be considered probable that a
hostile movement by troops Of any one o.;
the nations concerned would lead 10 the
same result II the ministers are in hold
ing as hostages against an attack from
Tieats it is a fair inference that they
are equally being held to avert or svenge
Russian movement from Manchuria
The international problem is thus seen TO
be a serious and an agitatiEg ore. L the
event that the United States ard Great
Britain should desire 10 SOP operations ana
treat for the salvation Of their representa-
tives, soldiers. and citizens in Peki1. taey
would Dc helpless &c DO so without the fuI
concurrence and co operation or R1ss a.
Germany, France, ard japan. Russ-a is le-
ing viciously attacked in the north at N.u-
ohwang and elsewhere. OUTSIDE OF Pekln
foreigners are butchered without mercy
wherever found. China is rot only aetu.Ilv
but officially at war with TIE whole outside
world, The conditions are suca as 10 n es-
state absolute unity Of action hy ,he row
ers- The question is: Cen they aer.e?
There is reason for. doubling that Russia,
Germany. and France viii be willing 10 halt
in their programme. even IL to carry il out
would cost the lives Of their representa-
tiyes; but that is a matter which vii be
definitely settled by the pourDa-lers which
are being exchanged between the civilized
capitals today. For the moment the pros
pect looks black for the legation people.
and, unless q concerted policy can be
quickly agreed upon. black also for tie
peace Of mankind outside of China.