Evening journal., 1901-03-18
TENSION STILL
IS VERY ACUTE
Rival Forces Face Each Other
at Railway
Ii Hung Chang Again is Critically
III and His Death is Expected
Hourly

London, March ia Tlen Tsin dis
patch says There is no change in the
situation developed by the Anglo-Rus-
sian railway dispute here. The Rus
sian and British forces are still repre-
sented By small detachments. with Of
ticers, encamped on opposite sides OF
the railway siding. The utmost friend
liness is exhibited toward each other
by the opposing parties, but as a
measure OF preeaution the guards have
been reduced to q on each side In
order to prevent any possible collision
during the negotiations. A Russian
general arrived from Pekin Saturday
evening.
Owing to the persisted rowdyism OF
French soldiers in the British conces-
sion the British authorities have been
reluctantly compelled to forbid the
French to enter the concession unless
on duty. Mai. Hockler, of the British
force, was assaulted yesterday after
noon in the French concession.
The Russians continue to purchase
land in their new concession.
German reconnoitering party re-
turned to Tien Tsin yesterday with 30
captured robbers.
Count Won Waldersee is expected to
arrive here tomorrow from Kiao-Chou.
The health of Ii Hung Chang, says a
Pekin dispatch, is again a matter Of
grave consideration to the ministers OF
the powers. Mr.. Rockhill. the Ameri-
can special commissioner. who visited
Earl Ii Saturday, says he is a physical
wreck and apparently in a state OF
utter collapse although mentally as
brilliant as ever. Mr.. Rockhil would
not be surprised to hear Of his death
at any moment.
The removal OF Ii Hung Chang by
death or any other cause al the present
moment would be very unfortunate
NJ De G.ers CRu23ian nlaister) said
today:
Iii Hung Chang IS a great diploTat
and his influence with the Chinese
court is absolutely unique. No other
man in China approaches him In this
respect This influence it not tenn
porary. but It is particularly effective
at important moments IN the history
OF ChiRa like the present"
Senor de Cologan Spanish minister
and doyen Of the diplomatic coTp3)
said:
"The Chinese court could not ap-
point a plenipotentiary of the same
caliber and having equal influence with
the Chinese and the foreigners. AL
though many of the ministers Of tn,
powers object to his political method!
and regard him as essentially a trim
mer, nevertheless they realize that h'
IS the best possible man TO represen
China in the present emergency.
Orders have been received by UnitoC
States troops to depart next month
leaving behind only $50 infantry The
German headquarters staff assert thai
these instructions are a great mis-
take" alleging that it Is necessary tC
retain a large body Of foreign troops
in the country for at least two ye 2rs
Most of the ministers, however, take {
different view Of the matter believing
that the best course is to retain few
of the troops Of each nation and L
withdraw the rest.
DR.. Morrison. wiring to The Time
from Pekin. says; Russia, by he
refusal to support the powers in theii
demands for the punishment of guilty
officials, has finally thrown off th'
mask. A plea for leniency is hardly
serious. coming from a power whos'
troops last summer were guilty o
reprisals upon the Chinese scarcell
less ferocious than the acts Oh I'll
Boxers themselves. Russia actor
is only explicable as the fulfllment o
a private compact with Ii Hung Chan,
TO throw the concert overheard in re
turn for concessions securing her sepa
rate interests"
DR.. Morrison proceeds to protest en-
erEetically against any further sacri
fees Of their interests on the part o
the powers to secure an outward uniol
OF action. He thinks that even Franc
can hardly follow her ally in this in
stance.