The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-04-18
OmciaIs at San-Ho Warned They Must
victed of killing Converts.
BOARD OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
1T WILL TAKE THE PLACE OF THE
TsUNG LII YAMEN AT PEkING.
Palace of the Empress Burned and
WaIdersee's Chief of STAFF Missing
Chinese Troops Massing.

PEKING, April 17.-The ministers of the
foreign powers view with alarm the expedi-
ton against General Liu Kuan Ting, as
they think he will retreat, probably laying
waste the villages he traverses and killing
native Christians, and that such actions
will be used as an excuse by the military
for further aggression, which would proba-
bly, be the taking Of Tai-Yuan-Fu. the capi-
tai of Shan-Si province. Captain Reeves
attached to the American legation here. ac-
companied the expedition TO observe hap
penings on behalf of the United States.
a missionary named Killie (probably the
Rev. Mr.. Kelly, Presbyterian missionary
has returned frcm San-Ho. where Chris
tians were burned TO death in December.
Mr.. Killie reports to General Chaffee that
some time ago several of his converts were
killed. He had the guilty parties tried in
the Chinese courts, where they were con-
victed and sentenced to death, subject TO
Ii Hung Changs signature. Mr. Killie
came to Peking and saw Ii Hung Chang.
who said the men should be executed i'm
mediately. Upon going to San-Ho three
weeks later the missionary found the men
alive. He spoke to judge of the Chinese
courts on the matter, who thereupon
showed him letter from Ii Hung Chang
giving explicit instructions that the men
must not be executed. as they had only
been convicted on the testimony of Chris
tians, Consequently the evidence was un-
trustworthy. Mr.. KilIie has a copy of this
letter. In The meantime the French had
proved the same men guilty of incendiarism
and other outrages and demanded their ex-
ecution. 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 Chinese officials likewise.
At to-days meeting of the foreign minis
ters the question of indemnities was dis
cussed. 1t is now estimated that f70. 1000 900
will cover all claims.
Trustworthy Chinese report that troops
in large numbers are massing in the prov
ince of Shan-Si, near the frontier of the
province of Chilli. Well-informed natives
prophesy further trouble II is impossible
to ascertain whether the court is playing
a double game or its authority is INSULT
cient to prevent the Chinese generals acting
in a manner likely 10 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 a great deal will depend on the
Franco-German expedition inficting Sc
we're defeat upon the Chinese VINO have
transgressed the agreement by entering
into the sphere of the allies. If these Of
tenders are thoroughly punished it is likely
to produce good effect.
The palace of the Empress, inhabited by
Count Won Waldersee and his staff. was
burned TO the ground to-day. Maj. Gen.
Schwartzkopf Count Won Waldersees chief
OF staff has disappeared. With the ex-
ception of the military papers, everything
MAS DESTROYED