Evening journal., 1900-12-11
Imperial Buildings Give EVi-
dence Of Poverty
is AN AUTHORITY ON SUBJECT
Delaware Soldier Tells Administration
in Washington Of State OF
Affairs in Orient

Washington, Dec 11.-General James
II. Wilson, of Wilmington, Del, who
went to China as commander Of one Of
the military divisions of the United
States relief expedition, arrived in Wash
ingtOn yesterday afternoon and reported
to the secretary of war. As an authority
on China and its people General Wilson
is recognized as one of the best in the
United States His book, published some
years ago, describes with great accuracy
conditions which then existed in China,
and he already has completed a revision
bringing it down to the present time. The
recent troubles he attributes entirely toI
a bad influence in the Chinese courts.
"These influences" said General vii
son last night, made it appear that
China was strong enough to clear out all
foreigners. Bad advisers Of the empress
misled her as to the strength Of the em-
pire. China has never had an army able
TO defeat the foreign armies, and never
will have. There is no doubt about the
fact that the empress, Jung Lu and
Hung Flu Hsiang were implicated in the
project to exterminate the foreigners.
But the empress was misled, and the
emperor could do nothing.
'They have at last realized their weak
ness. China is now at the mercy Of the
foreign Powers; absolutely at their
mercy. The question OF settlement de-
pends upon the Powers and must be set
tied by the representatives of the differ
ent governments at their respective capi-
tails In my judgment China will accede
TO most any demand made upon her She
can do nothing else. No matter how Sc
we're the burden or enormous the indem-
nifty put on her she could not refuse TO
submit. or course it cannot be expected
that the empress or Jung Lu OF Tung Fu
Hsiang would agree to a proposition that
they be executed. BY leaving this out of
the demand the Powers can insist upon
the strongest claim"
General Wilson believes that Chinas
present difficulty will, however, prove
her own salvation. China has for years
been fighting foreign influence 1T has
fought its last battle against progress"
he said, "and progress has triumphed.
After a settlement is reached China will
be open irrevocably to modern progress"
General Wilson was asked about the
report that Ii Hung Changs secretary
had been taken into custody by direction
of Count Won Waldersee. The press dis
patches gave his name as Yiko. Cen
eral Wilson said he met all Of Ii Hung
Chang's secretaries and there was to his
knowledge none by that name. He said
that Ii Hung Chang's chief secretary is
an American named Pethick, upon whom
Earl Ii leans very dependently.
General Wilson expressed the belief
that Ii Hung Chang is acting in good
faith in his efforts to effect a settlement
with the Powers. "What else is there for
him to doY" asked General Wilson.
"What can China do but work for a set
tlement? As to his credentials l believe
he will get them at the proper time. He
has no desire to deceive the representa-
tives Of the Powers, as it couid do him no
good and would not benefit China"
Speaking of Count Won Waldersee.
General Wilson expressed the opinion
that he was not personally responsible
for the outrages committed by the Ger
mans. He said: "Coun Won Waldersee
Is man Of excellent principles and char
acter. l cannot believe there was any
difference Of opinion between him and
General Chaffee over the question Of
looting Military expeditions against the
Chinese should be discontinued. They
do no good by killing peaceable and
harmless natives.
1T should be remembered, on the other
hand, that the provocation Of the Ger
mans is great. Their minister was kill
ed, and it is only natural that they should
try to find his slayer and punish him. In
such situation it is no easy matter to
control the individual soldiers. As to
General Chaffee's barring the gate to the
imperial palace, l will explain that sit
uation.
After the capture of the imperial city
it was agreed that the gates captured
should be held by the troops capturing
them. The Americans captured the south
gate and the Japanese the north and
eastern gate. After the troops marched
in a body through the palace, none was
allowed inside without permission from
the general guarding the gate to be en-
tered When Count Won Waldersee want
ed to go through the palace he got per-
mission from General Chaffee TO pass
through the south gate, as it leads right
through the imperial buildings
1T now appears from cable reports
that for some reason General Chaffee re
fused any longer to give permission and
has barred the way through the south
gate to the imperial buildings. 1t is not
unnatural that Genegsl- Chaffee should
protest against the removal OF the old
observatory Instruments. These instru-
ments formed the first acceptance by