Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-04-19
! THE CHINESE ARE HOSTILE.
Troops Massing in the Province
Of Shansi.
GREAT TROUBLE IS FEARED.
Imperial Court May BE Playing Double
Game--NIuch Depends on the Result
Of the Franco German Expedition Sent
Against General Liu.

Pekin, April 19.-TrustWorthy Chi
nese report that troops in large NUM-
bers are massing in the province OF
Shansi, near the frontier Of the prov
ince of Chilli Well-informed natives
prophesy further trouble. 1t Is impos-
sible to ascertain whether the court
Is playing a double game, or It's au-
thority is insufficient to prevent the
Chinese generals acting in a manner
likely to provoke hostilites. The fact
that for many months there has been
nothing in the shape of de facto gov
eminent favors the latter hypothesis.
Probably a great deal will depend upon
tho Franco-German expedition inflict-
ing a severe defeat upon The Chinese
who have transgressed the amendment
by entering the sphere OF the allies.
If these offenders are thoroughly pun
ished it is likely to produce a good
effect. The palace Of the empress, in
habited by Count Won Waldersee and
his staff, was burned to the ground to-
day. Major General Swartzkopf,
Count Won Waldersee's chief of staff.
Is missing. With the exception Of the
military papers everything was de-
stroyed. A missionary Of the name
Of Killie (the Rev. Mr.. Kelly, Presby-
terrain missionary has returned from
San Ho, where Christians were burned
to death in December. Killie reports to
General Chaffee that some time ago
several Of his converts were killed. H.
had the guilty parties tried in the Chi
nese courts, where they were convict
ed and sentenced to death, subject to
Ii Hung Changs signature. Killi2
came to Pekin and saw Ii Hung
Chang, who said the men should be ex-
ccuted Immediately. On going to San
Ho three weeks later the missionary
found the men alive. He spoke to
Judge of the Chinese courts on the mat
ter who thereupon showed him let
ter from Ii Hung Chang, giving en-
plicit instructions that the men must
not be executed, as they had only
been convicted on the testimony Of
Christians, consequently the evidence
was untrustworthy. Killie has copE
of this letter. In the meantime the
French had proved the same mon
guilty of incendarism and other out
RACES, and demanded their execution
whereupon the judge again showed his
orders from Ii Hung Chang. The
French authorities replied that if the
men were not executed within eight
days they would take the law into
their own hands and punish the Chi
nese officials likewise. The ministers
Of the foreign powers view with alarm
the expedition against General Liu
kuan Ting, as they think he will re-
treat, probably laying waste the vii
lagos he traverses and killing native
Christians, and that such actions will
be used as an excuse by the military
for further aggression, which would
probably be the taking of Tai-Yuan-
Flu. the capital of Shansi province
Captain Reeves, attached to the Amer
lean legation here, accompanies the
expedition to observe happenings on
behalf of the United States. At to-
days meeting Of the foreign ministers
the question of indemnities was dis
clssed. 1t is now estimated that CO.
100000 will cover all claims.