New-York tribune., 1900-07-09
HOPE IN WASHINGTON.
SLIGHT FOUNDATION FOR BETTER
FEELING IN UNOFFICIAL
DISPATCHES

Washington. July S-A slightly more hopeful
1eellng for the safety OF the legations in
Peking is apparent in official circles tonight
The hope is not founded on any official dis
patches which have reached the State Depart
ment, as nothing has been received during the
DAY from the consular representatives Of the
United States in China. The cumulative state
ments, however. which are daily printed from
various portions OF the empire reporting the
diplomatic corps, with the exception Of the Ger
man Minister, as safe up 10 within a specified
tirne, together with the absence Of any cor
roooratlon Of their murder. are partially re-
sPonsloie for the slight hope which prevails
that the Ministers are yet alive The state
ments PUrporting to come from Sir Robert
Hart. the English inspector of customs In
CHINA, are regarded as the best information
which has been received While showing that
conditions were desperate the dispatches have
not been entirely without hope
Mr. WI, the Chinese Minister continues on
timistic in spite OF the alarming statements
which have appeared. Such communication "a
ne has had with the officials OF the southern
provinces leads him TO believe that up TO a re-
cent date the legationers were still safa
considerable Importance is attached here 70
the Geographic announcement that Prince
Ching is leading counter revolution against
the rebels in Peking. The Prince is the head
VI tiG 1SuLS-tl- amen, the Chinese FOREIGN
Office and the commander Of a garrisoned force
in the capital. His influence is said to be con-
siderable. and the fact if the report be con-
hrrned. that he has espoused the cause OF the
Government of the Empress and that the loyal
troops are with him it is said may prevent
further murder and pilIage by the rebels and In
this indirect manner be the means OF aiding the
foreigners The Prince is a member OF the re-
form party
Now that the Powers are satisfied for japan
to supply the major part OF the troops which
are to be sent 10 Peking for the relief OF the
foreigners, the expectation is that the onward
movement of Japanese soldiers TO China VIII
soon begin. if, indeed, it has not already done
So Mr.. Nabeshima, the Japanese Charge fAf-
faires here. thinks that this is probably the case
as his dispatch from the Imperial Government
received here several days ago announced that
the movement would begin Immediately. A full
corps of men is to be dispatched, which will
bring Japan's army footing in China up to about
$4,000 men The part OF the army TO be sent is
known as the Fifth Corps and thirty-fve ships.
each of more than $500 TONS are to be used in
the transportation.
Mr.. Nabeshima believes that within ten DAYS
the relief corps will be in Peking. The march
to Peking. he thinks. can be made in three days
without great difficulty His opinion Is that the
allied forces will remain at Taku and at Ten
Tsin TO guard the forts and keep open the line
| of communication. and that TO the japanese
army will be delegated the duty of forcing the
relief of the foreigners in Peking. OF this, how
ever, he has official information If the allied
| forces were to make the attempt they would
want to carry with them ratiOns in large guam
titles peculiarly adapted TO their mode Of living,
| which might enbarrass them in their progress.
while the Japanese. whose diet consists, in part
| at least of rice. would not be so hampered and
could subsist largely the country through
which they pass. For these reasons he inclines
I T7f. ~Eear~
/ the relief work.
| Nothing came to the Navy Department to-day
1 from China that was made public. Late to-
night dispatch was received from one OF the
| naval officers. but it in cipher and did
| not concern the legations Peking. the decision
/ morrow.