Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-18
DOUBLE DEALING
Shown on the Part Of Crafty
Old Ii Hung Chang.
Ministers Fear for Result of Expedi-
ticn Against Gen. Liu.
Trouble Imminent in Shan 81. where Chinese
Arc Massing.

| AufIl t.-A H1tSSIOn1ty ndnleu
! killie. the Rev. Mr.. Kelly, Presbyter-
ian missionary has returned from San
iio where Christians were burned to
death in December. Mr.. Killic reports
to Gen. Chaffee that some time ago
several of his converts were killed. He
had two guilty parties tried in the
Chinese courts. where they were con-
viotcd and sentenced to death subject
TO Ii Hung Changes signature.
Mr.. Killie came to Pekin and saw
Lii Hung Chang. who said the men
should be executed Immediately. Upon
going to San Ito three weeks later the
missionary found the men alive. He
spoke to a judge of the Chinese courts
on the matter who thereupon showed
him a letter from Ii Hung Chang Civ
ing explicit instructions that the men
must not be executed, as they had only
been convicted on the testimony of
Christians, consequently the evidence
was untrustworthy. Mr.. Killie has a
copy of this letter.
In the meantime the French had
proved the same men guilty Of incen-
diariSm and other outrages and de-
manded their execution. whercupon the
Judge again showed his orders from Lii
Hung Chang. The French authorities
replied that if the men were not exc
cuted within eight Gays they would
take the law into their own hands and
punish the Chinese officials likewise.
The ministers of the foreign powers
view with alarm the expedition against
Gen. Liu Kuan Ting, as they think he
will retreat, probably laying waste the
villages he travcrses 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 Shan 81 province.
Capt. Reeves attached to the Ameri-
can legation here, accompanies the ex-
petition to observe happenings on be-
half of the United States.
At today's meeting of the foreign
ministers the question of indemnities
was considered. 1t is now estimated
that G70.000,000 will cover all claims.
Trustworthy Chinese report that
troops in large numbers are niassing
in the province of Shan ST. near the
frontier Of the province of Chilli. Well
Informed natives prOphesy further
troubles. 1t is impossible TO ascertain
whether the court is playing a double
game or it's authority is insufficient to
prevent the Chinese generals acting in
"A manner likely to provoke hostilities.
The fact that for many months there
has been nothing in the shape of a de
facto government favorS the latter
hypothesis.
| Probably n great deal will depend up
on the Franco German expedition in
fiicting a severe defeat upon the
Chinese who have transgressed the
agreement by entering into the sphere
of the allies. If these offenders are
thoroughly smashed, it is likely to pro-
ducc a good effect.
The palace of the Empress, inhabi-
ted by Count Won Waldcrsec and his
staff. was burned to the ground. today.
Maj. Gen. SchwartZkopf. Count Won
WaldcrScc's chief of staff. has disap-
peared. With the exception Of the
military papers everything was de-
strOyed.
London. April 1.-THE Times Berlin
correspondent represents the German
government as bein, in n state of con
siderable Indignation at the statement
in the American press of Mr.. Rock
hills figures of the indemnitics which
| may be demanded from China. The
Times says:
The statement is exceedingly incor-
' rect and calculated to give an entire
~ false impression. The excess of the
German over the English claims is
easily understood. The Germans sent n
much larger force from Europe while
the British sent one from India. COM
paratiVcly near at hand. In these cir
cunlstanCes it is regarded here as "a
matter of deep regret that the mis-
leading account published in America
should be commented on in the Eng
fish papers in "A spirit calculated to give
offence to Germany.
F. Great Indignation is expressed at
the suggestion that the indemnity
claimed by Germany includes a heavy
pecuniary mulct for the murder OF
: Baron Won Kettcler. The basclessness
Of the supposition is shown by the fact
, that the German claim is only $S0.ooo.-
0o0 as against the 100000 stated by
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