The sun., 1900-07-14
WORST IS FEARED HERE.
MASSACRE IN PBKIN BELIEVED by
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS.


He Knows Of the Situation In China.
WASHINGTON. Juy l3.-The suspicion that
the Powers and the press are beng fed on
rumors and not on trustworthy information
concerning the situation In Pekin, has grown
into a conviction which was confirmed to-day
by a message from John Goodnow. United
States Consul General at Shanghai. whose
good judgment in detecting the genuine from
the mass Of spurious reports that filter through
Shanghai has been commended by his Official
superiors in Washington.
An Pekin messages since June 81 are doubtful"
said Mr.. Goodnow in a despatch which came to
the Secretary OF State this morning. and anxious
"a they are over the fate OF the foreigners
in Pekin, the State Department officials found
a degree OF satisfaction in this confirmation
of what they had practically believed. Most
of the reports sent by Mr.. Goodnow TO the State
Department have come from trustworthy
sources. such as Sir Robert Hart, the Imperial
Inspector General OF the Chinese customs
service an official of the Empire and
man of the highest standing. Sir Rob-
ert's advices have loft no doubt OF the death OF
Baron Won ketteler, His last message told OF
the brave stand being made by the foreigners
In the British Legation. and said that artillery
had been placed TO command the legation. but
had not been used. Since then startling stories.
most of them from Shanghai. have been told,
but in view Of Mr.. Goodnow's statement. the
Government can give no credence TO them.
The officials here who have studied the situa-
ton carefully, in tho light Of information which
they deem reliable. can find nothing on which
to base the hope that any foreigner who was
in Pekn when the anti-ioreign trouble began
is still alive They ara firmly convinced that
A general massacre Of foreigners has taken
place and do not hesitate to say 50. believing
that no good can come Of holding out vain
hopes to those who have relatives or friends
in pckin. A. the same time the officials admit
that the opinion of no man 20 far away from
the Chinese capital il of any great value.
Mr. Goodrows warning about recent de-
sratche- alleging 10 have come from Pekin ap-
plies to n despatch which he sent to-day. appar-
emily, because it came from high official Chi
nesa source. In this he says that the Chinese
Governor of Shantung has wired that the Box
erS and soldiers were bombardng the legations
on July 7, and that he was extremely anxious
for the safety Of the Ministers and -oT Chinese
friends" in Pekn. MIR. Goodnow added that
fears Of the worst are generally entertained,
but Is this merely in the line OF information about
the condition of feeling in Shanghai. There
is nothing In Mr. Goodnows message 10 indi-
cate that he puts any faith in the Governor Of
Shantung's report. which, II will be noticed. IA
a direct statement without qualification. The
officials are asking how the Governor Of that
district should have any advices from Pekin,
ana accept his news WIN c9pnsIdeera6s ,pn HeTsa
official, have been placed III Ieculiar position
through having no, accurate knowledge. and
perhaps no knowsedTe a. S Of the condition
OF Shantung IL regarded ~ one OF the most
adroit rimmers IN the thine,c service He
has never declared his views in regard TO the
anti-fOreicn outbreak. and II i suspected that
such declaration will be postponed until he
finds out whether Prince Tuan or the Empress
Dowager Is in control With this view of the
regard his advices as thoroughly trustworthy.
Another official despatch which came 70 the
State Department to-day related to Ii Hung
to Pekin. II came from Robert McWade, the
now American consul AZ Canton, who. accord
ing TO press dispatches. hns established ex-
nese statesman. Mr. McWade says that Ii
had engaged quarters on the steamer Amping.
but the date of his departure for the north was
the Powers that he be authorized to go TO Pekn
% sf 0tf the MS eyI.fns i"V0 chaos fhe "uff n,sd
to deal more intimately with this than with
other Powers, probably because United States
warships had not participated In the lombard
ment Of the Taku forts, the gunboat Princeton
was ordered from Manila 10 Canton TO take
him 10 the Taku, whence he was TO go
ashore and endeavor to make his way
to the capital Before this III had
expressed a desire TO go 10 Taku
on the flagship Brooklyn. but his request
came too late TO permit the Navy
Department TO send instructions TO Admiral
Rampy The Princeton returned to Hong
Kong to-day, having found at Canton that
the Viceroy was not ready TO 60 north on her.
Apparently Ii is between the devil and the
deep sea. lie believes that his great influence,
II exerted on the Empress Dowager and with
the Powers would afford the basis for an un-
Outstanding that might save China from dis
ruptiOn. but evidently fears that his enemies
may be In control In Pekn and would take
his life II he reached the capital or that he
might be assassnated In his journey thence
In these circumstances the officials fear that
the departure OF the Amping from Canton
W III be long delayed