The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-12
TO THE EXCESSIVE DEMANDS ON CHINA
OF THE OTHER POWERS.
ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
Nearly Half or What China IL Able to
Pay, Likely to be Indemnity Demand
ed by one Nation-Other Powers De-
cline TO Reduce Number and Strength
OF Military Posts Between Pekfn and
the Sea-A Serious Rebellion Under
Tuan and Tung Tu SIAN.

patch from General Chanee given out
today conveyed news of a casualty, but
1t also contained the asterisks which
mark the excelsior Of matter regarded
as not roper for publication.
1t is believed that the withheld
portion OF the dispatch refers to the
declination OF the other foreign mill
tary commanders to reduce the num-
Der of fortified posts and the strength
OF the garrisons between Pekin and the
sea TO the modest proportions suggested
by General Chaffee.
In this matter General Chaffee has
acted by direction Of his
for there is a strong conviction here
that the emperor and his court will not
return to Peki SO long as the force OF
foreign soldiers in the town and on the
route is so numerous as to threaten his
sovereignty. The strength of the gar
risons fixed by the foreign military
commanders is regarded as far in ex-
cess OF the number that the Chinese
government is willing to tolerate.
Mr.. Rockhill's advices to the state
department regarding the negotiations
at Pekin are more hopeful in tone than
they were a week ago., but ii is still ap-
parent that the subject of indemnity
is bound to consume much more time.
This is owing to the original difficulty,
namely; The excessive demands of one
at least of the great European powers.
A claimed by n nation for
indemnity to the amoun of $40, 900. 600.
with conditions attached that might
swell it to $100, 900, 900 would, if allowed.
leave all the other powers in the aggre-
gate about an equal sum for division
between them; for the ministers have
been assured of the ability to pay a
money indemnity in the sum of about
5000, 900, 600 or $3.50, 900, 600.
Pekin, April S.-The rumors which
have been current during the past few
days of the outbreak of a rebellion
headed by General Tung Flu Sian (the
former commander of the Northern
army in the provinces of Mongolia
n Shen ST, have been absolutely au-
thenticated.
Ii Hung Chang and Prince Ching
have received information on the sub
ject, which though indefinite, still
proves that the court is seriously
alarmed.
General Tung Flu Sian was, according
to last accounts, about $50 miles from
the court with II, 900 regular troops, all
supposed to be devoted to himself. The
court has about the same number of
soldiers at Sian Flu, but it is probable
that the troops of Tung Flu Sian are
better drilled and better armed.
1t is believed hat the Monaghan re-
bellion was brought about through
agents of Prince Tuan and General
Tung Flu Sian. Lii Hung Chang thinks
there are about SO, 200 regular troops in
Mongolia and inclines to the belief
that they have not Joined in the rebel
lion. He does not think the court is in
any danger and kinks the object Of
Prince Tuan (who was las reported at
Ming Hsu with 10000 men, prepared to
resist arresD and General Tung Flu Sian
is to create a diversion of interest in
order to force unconditional prot.
of themselves.
Unofficial Chinauen of intelligence
regard the rising as most unfortunate,
at the present time, to the interests of
China n as possibly meaning the use
of foreign troops to protect wen the
court itself.
The ministers of the powers do not
think that. provided foreign interests
do not suffer, any present interference
is likely. If the dynasty should be over
thrown 1t would, to a certain extent.
delay the peace negotiations, but they
consider that a regime not III by
traditions like those of the present
court would probably be much easier
to deal with eventually, as the cere-
monial could be much curtailed.
Prince Ching, who, as a relative
may be considered to take the court
view of the situation, thinks the rebel
lion is a tempest in a tea cup. He says
the present court is " and esteem.
ed by nine-tenths of the population OF
China and hat the same proportion
Of able bodied men in China would rise
to protect the existing dynasty. The
empress dowager, as the advisor Of the
emperor, holds a place in the affections
of the people not dreamt Of and not
understood by foreigners. Her slight.
est wish is the emperor's law. though
he is by no means the figurehead the
foreign powers frequently suppose
The emperor recognizes her ability, in
valuable aid and advice.
The remaining bodies of Americans
were shipped homeward this morning
They now number f1fty-four n will
leave on board the transport Egber'
tomorrow. The Egbert Will also take
twenty-seven military prisoners, a
| number Of sick men, the discharged
soldiers, the teamsters and other civil.
| ian employees.