The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-27

London July 81, f:S0 q. n.-The powers
appear to have received an identical Chi
nese appeal for mediation, but in the alb
sence of definite news regarding tho fate
OF the ministers and OF any reliable in
dicatons OF the real origin of the appeal,
1t seems that Lord Salisbury. the pre-
mier, considered It was not oven neces-
sary to publish the fact that tho appeal
had been received or to do anything for
mslly acknowledging it, with perhaps an
intimation that nothing could be done
until news from Pekin had arrived.
II It could be asoertaine1 beyond doubt
that the reports OF a massacre at Pekin
were unfounded-and there is a disposition
here TO believe that the minister's may
after all be held as hostages Sails
bury's policy would probably incline more
toward the Cancellation attributed TO
Washington than to the revenge attributed
to Berlin. But while there is no oessa-
ton of the deluge OF rumors. it is be-
ginning TO be believed at Shanghai, Can
ton and other points that the viceroys
are as completely in the dark as TO affairs
in Pekin as the powers themselves. Mean
while the doings OF Ii Hung Chang are
regarded with everincreasing suspicion,
while the situation in the southern pro-
vinces daily grows worse
With the report thai the allies Will
begin TO advance upon Pekin IN fortnight
and In view OF Admiral Seymours visit
Of inspection TO the Yang Use Kiang, the
feeling is that no great time will lapse
before matters assume more definite
shape.
The yiceroy of Nankin still processes 10
be able, with the aid of the other Yang
Use viceroys, TO keep order, but he de-
cIares that If Europe sends warships this
will assuredly lead to an anti-foreign out
break. II it be true that the Japanese
have started campaign from Shan Ha
Kwan that also will preclpltate matters
but the report 10 this effect lacks conAr-
nation.
1t is reported from Tlen Tsin that the
Chinese forces are concentrating at tho
village of Getsang, ten miles north of
Tien Tsin, where. 1t is said. large guam
,ites of rice are stored
The Russian and Japanese cavalry are
keeping in close touch with the enemy.
The river is still low and water trans
port would be difficult.
With reference to the control OF tho
railway, It is understood that Mr., Kinder,
The British engineer, has arranged with
the Chinese general for the protection of
the line beyond Pei Tang. Therefore Rus
sian control could only apply to the Tien
Tsin- Taku and Pei Tang Iectlons II this
arrangement is disturbed, it Is under
stood that the destruction of the line Is
inevitable.
There is an unconhrmed Chinese report
that sixty Protestant and Catholic mis-
sionaries have been massacred in ri Yum
Flu and the vicinity.
The Shanghai correspondent of the
Daily Mail. describing the massacre at
Mukden. says: The bishop armed 200
converts to defend the cathedral and u
body OF Chinese troops had been sent to
defend the converts. but the soldiers
leagued with the Boxers. While the
Christians were holding service, be-
lieving themselves safe under the pro-
lection OF the troops. the signal was
given and soldiers and Boxers surrounded
and set fire to the church, putting the
escaping worshipers to the sword. The
bishop was captured and taken 10 the
viceroy's yamen. where he was diabolically
tortured and decapltated. His head now
hangs in front of the yamen."
The Daily Mail explains that the Chi
nese employe of the British legation.
who. according to its advices yesterday
escaped from Pekln to Niu Chw<sse and
reported there that when he left fekin
most of tho members OF the legations
were dead and the condition of the others
was hopeless. did not actually leave Pekin
until July 5. and this goes to show, II
his statement is to be relied upon. that a
general massacre had not occurred on
July G. as has been reported,
There ia little fresh news regarding
the situation IN Manchuria. The Russians
inflicted another serious defeat upon the
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