CHINESE FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES, PLANS FOR PEACE, HOOKS SEEK NEW QUARTERS, FUTURE OF CHINA, AND THEY CAME FROM ATHENS

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, August 15, 1900.

FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES.

Frightened Chinese Are Flying From Pekin.

ALLIES' VICTORIES COWED THEM.

Situation at Capital Takes an Alarming Turn, the Attack on the Legations Having Been Reopened—Allies Are Steadily Advancing on City.

   LONDON, Aug. 15.—A special dispatch from Shanghai dated Aug. 13 says numerous reports from Pekin dated Aug. 8 have arrived there describing the situation at the Chinese capital. It appears the Chinese are again desperately attacking the legations, which had very few defenders left.

   It is also alleged that Prince Tuan and a hundred high officials have left Pekin and that the news of the capture of Yang Tsun caused a heavy exodus of the residents.

   Finally, it is said that the execution of Cheng Yin Huan, the Cantonese, who was special ambassador of China to Queen Victoria's Jubilee, has created widespread terror and it is believed to be a fact that Yu Lu, the former viceroy of Chi Li, was killed in battle at Yang Tsun.

 

Prince Tuan.

ADVANCING STEADILY.

Conflicting Reports as to the Distance Now Between Allies and Pekin.

   LONDON, Aug. 15.—The only news which takes the advance upon Pekin further than Ho Si Wu comes from Paris. The London morning papers contain nothing to confirm the French report that the allies are within 16 miles of Pekin, although a Che Foo dispatch is printed saying that they were within 27 miles of the goal on Saturday.

   Confirming the report of the arrival of the international forces at Ho Si Wu, The Daily Mail's correspondent adds: "The Chinese offered little real opposition. The arrival of the allies frustrated a determined attempt to divert the course of the river. The heat is intense, but the health of the troops is good."

   A St. Petersburg special says: "The latest news from General Linevitch, commanding the Russian troops in the province of Pe Chi Li, is that the allies after the capture of Yang Tsun took one day's rest and then, on Aug. 7, a vanguard was formed consisting of one Siberian regiment, one regiment of Sotnia Cossacks, three battalions of Japanese infantry, one Japanese sapper company and an American mounted battery.

   "In spite of the condition of the road this column proceeded by forced marches about 11 1-2 versts toward Pekin, encountering at Nan Tsai Tung, about 49 miles from the capital, a Chinese detachment which fought for an hour and a half. Finally the Chinese threw down their arms and fled in panic.

   "When this news was sent back, all the allies started forward in three columns, with Cossacks in front and on the flanks."

   A Port Arthur special announces that the women and children have been officially notified to leave that place.

   "The allied troops," says the St. Petersburg correspondent of The Times, "having on Aug. 9 occupied Ho Si Wu, have now moved on toward Mu Chang, without meeting any great opposition. The artillery is being moved satisfactorily in spite of the bad roads, which the Japanese are engaged in repairing.

   "The Chinese are now concentrated at Hsing Hoh Sien, where fighting may be expected."

   The Chinese minister in London, Sir Chi Chen Lo Feng Luh, is quoted as saying that he hoped and believed that peace would be established between China and the powers within the next six weeks.

   Yesterday he transmitted to the British foreign office another message from the British minister in Pekin, Sir Claude MacDonald, the contents of which the officials have thus far declined to make public.

   The Berlin correspondent of The Daily Chronicle says the German government has ordered two cruisers to Shanghai, and that another is on the way, while a fourth is already there.

   "The German government," he remarks, "is evidently determined that England shall not have a free hand in that region."

   The Standard, after expressing the opinion that there is increasing ground to hope that the ministers will be rescued by the arrival of the allies at Pekin tomorrow, if the initial rate of progress is maintained, goes on to deal with what will follow the rescue, and says it may be taken for granted that the policy attributed to the Washington cabinet represents the absolute minimum of the demands of the combined powers.

 

Edwin Hurd Conger.

ANOTHER CONGER NOTE.

Contents Said to Be Strictly Confidential.

WILL NOT BE GIVEN TO PUBLIC.

Washington Experiences a Dull Day With Nothing But a Message of Uncertain Date From China.  Pekin Almost Impervious to Attack.

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 15.—At the close of the official day yesterday at the state department, the following announcement was bulletined:

   The department of state announces that a message from Minister Conger, has been received, but of uncertain date and not in reply to the telegram sent to him on Aug. 8. It will not be made public."

   This came at the conclusion of a period of intense expectancy, and yet one devoid of any actual developments, save in the foregoing meager announcement. Minister Conger's message was received in Washington shortly before noon, coming first to the Chinese legation by the usual route through Chinese officials. It was in the American cipher, without date and signed with the minister's name.

   It was at once transmitted to the state department and conferences began between Acting Secretary Adee and Secretary Root. Throughout the afternoon, however, the state department maintained an unaccountable reticence concerning to subject, declining to admit that the message was in hand. The suspense was cleared up at 4 o'clock by the above announcement.

   It was stated authoritatively that while the message was of a confidential character and for that reason could not and would not be given out, as a means of allaying possible misinterpretation, it could be said that the dispatch showed neither a better condition, nor a worse condition on the part of the legationers at Pekin. It did not indicate whether Minister Conger has or has not received any messages from this government. Nothing was contained in the message which will cause any change in the instructions to General Chaffee.

   In fact, it was stated in this same authoritative quarter that the only additional instructions sent to General Chaffee since he left Washington were those of a more specific and explicit nature which the developments in China and the information received by the war department necessitated.

   Throughout the day word was anxiously awaited from General Chaffee as to the development of the military situation near Pekin, but not a word came, nor did Admiral Remey send anything on the situation. The last heard from General Chaffee, he was at Ho Si Wu and according to all calculations he must now be very near Pekin, unless events have occurred to delay the advance. The officials are taking into account that an advance even up to Pekin leaves much to be accomplished in a military way.

   It was stated by an official who has lived at Pekin that nothing short of the heaviest artillery could make any impression upon the walls of the imperial city. He said light artillery would be of no avail and for this reason the advance of a flying column even up to the walls of the city could affect little if a stubborn defense were determined upon. The walls are some 50 feet high, and wide enough on top for two coaches to pass abreast. Prom an offensive standpoint the walls afford opportunity for planting guns, while from a defensive standpoint they could not be breached except by the use of very heavy projectiles.

   Although the situation admits of the prospect of an assault upon Pekin, yet government officials were decidedly more hopeful that a solution of the Chinese problem would be found without recourse to such heroic measures. The improved feeling is based largely on the belief that China, realizing that her sacred capital is about to be besieged by the armies of the world, will yield everything and that the legationers will be delivered on the terms of the allies.

   The attitude of the United States concerning the landing of British troops at Shanghai has been made known to the foreign governments through their representatives here. This has had the effect of practically eliminating the United States from the question, Neither the French nor the German government is disposed to accept calmly the landing of British troops and it is understood that strong representations, both from France and Germany, are now being made at London.

   As summed up by a well-informed diplomat these representations in effect are that for every British marine landed at Shanghai, France and Germany also would land a marine. It is felt, moreover, that the issue involved relates not only to Shanghai, but virtually to the control of the entire Yang Tse Kiang valley, known as the Paradise of China.

   Foreign governments have manifested a desire also to learn the views of the United States concerning the instructions of Russia to her minister at Pekin, M. De Giers. In response to inquiries here it has been made known that this government looks upon the course of Russia as substantially the same as that of the United States and that the powers are therefore acting in substantial unanimity.

 

GRANGERS HAD OUTING.

Two Thousand Members and Thousands of Others Listened to Speeches.

   THOUSAND ISLAND PARK, N. Y., Aug. 15.—Two thousand members of the New York State Granges were here yesterday. It was "Grange Day" on the river and thousands of other guests thronged to the park.

   Lieutenant Governor Woodruff and other state officials were present. Mr. Woodruff was the chief speaker. He spoke of the state fair, the excellence of the order known as the Grange and also the strength and growth of the National Grange. He talked at length of the United States as a commercial nation and its transportation facilities. He referred to the commercial possessions in the east and spoke of commercial expansion and commercial contraction. In touching on this topic he said:

   "If you want commercial expansion instead of commercial contraction, we must open the door to China. We have got to take an active part in the affairs of the east and cannot allow England and Germany and other powers to go into China and cut up and not take a part in it ourselves."

 

USS Monterey.

MONTEREY FOR CANTON.

May be Fired on by Forts—Bloodshed Feared There.

   LONDON, Aug. 15.—It is reported from Hong Kong under date of Aug. 13 that the United States sea going monitor Monterey will go to Canton in a few days to relieve the American cruiser Don Juan de Austria. The Chinese aver that the chances are ten to one that the Bogue forts will fire on the monitor as the authorities are suspicious of foreign designs.

   The activity of the Chinese military authorities at Canton is most pronounced. Foreigners there think they perceive preparations for action of some sort. They dislike the presence of Chinese troops in the vicinity of the foreign settlement and fear that the slightest indiscretion will lead to bloodshed. They will welcome the arrival of the Monterey.

   The absence of fresh news of what the Pekin expedition is doing leads to speculation. Military men at Shanghai who know the country in the vicinity of Pekin believe the allies ought to be within cannon shot of the Chinese capital to-day.

   A news agency dispatch from Shanghai says: "An authentic message from Pekin dated Aug. 7 says the attacks on the legations have been renewed and that the supplies of food have been stopped. The advance of the allies, it is feared, has excited the fanatics and the rebels are again uncontrollable.

 

PLANS FOR PEACE.

Disarmament—Shanghai, Capital—Ten Viceroys and a European Head.

   NEW YORK, Aug. 15.—Pritchard Morgan, M. P., whose close relations with Chinese commerce have enabled him to keep in close touch with events in the far East, sends the following cable from London to The World:

   Negotiations are proceeding in China between the imperial government and the commanders of the European forces to arrange conditions for handing over the foreigners now in Pekin to the allied army.

   The point where the transfer shall be made is still in dispute, the question being whether it shall take place inside or outside the walls of Pekin.

   Immediately the safety of the foreigners in Pekin is assured, Li Hung Chang will offer terms of settlement of the whole difficulty, giving full reparation to the powers, especially Germany, including indemnity and exemplary punishment of all the officials, both military and civil, who have been responsible for the outrages.

   As it is unlikely the present government of China can survive this crisis, a new form of government will probably be proposed under which China will be governed by ten native viceroys appointed for life. They will act under a supreme head, a European nominated by the powers. On a vacancy arising among the ten chosen rulers the Viceroys will have the right to nominate a man to fill the place subject to the veto of the supreme head.

   The responsibility for the government of the country under European surveillance will be thrown upon the shoulders of the patriotic Chinese viceroys with their assistants, and the administration will be reformed broadly on lines suggested by the reformed imperial customs under Sir Robert Hart.

   China can only be governed by the Chinese. This fact is now recognized by all the European powers.

   Disarmament will be a part of the new scheme simultaneously with the organization of an effective police system.

   The capital will be moved to Shanghai.

   These proposals are now forming the subject of interchanges of notes between the European chancelleries and Washington, and they will be found to supply the principles of a new Chinese administration.

 

Smallpox Among Devil's Lake Indians.

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.—The agent at the Devil's Lake Indian reservation in North Dakota has telegraphed the Interior department that smallpox has broken out among the Indians and there are now 24 cases on the reservation.

 

NEW QUARTERS ASKED FOR.

Petition of the Hooks Endorsed by Board of Engineers Last Night.

   At a meeting of the board of engineers of the Cortland fire department last night, the following recommendation of the Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co., which had been adopted at a meeting of the Hooks on Monday night, was unanimously endorsed and will be presented to the common council at its next meeting:

   To the Board of Engineers of the City of Cortland:

   GENTLEMEN—Believing that the best efficiency of the Hook & Ladder company of your department can only be obtained by the early attendance at all alarms of fire, and as our present quarters are very unsuitable for quick hitching and response to calls, we would, therefore, ask you to secure, if possible, more commodious quarters for both apparatus and team, where we think by the use of our drop-harness which we already have, sufficient time could be gained to more than pay for the additional expense. This would at the same time help to put our department second to none in the state for promptness and efficiency.

   We would, therefore, ask you to present this petition with your endorsement to the common council for action.

   N. F. MATHER. Sec. E. H. & L. Co.

   The above has the unanimous endorsement of the board of engineers, C. F. D.

   E. M. EASTMAN, Sec.

   Alderman C. F. Thompson, committeeman on fire supplies, met with the board and gave his opinion that the team would be kept for use in the fire department. What action will be taken by the council in regard to new quarters for the fire apparatus remains to be seen.

 

A NOON WEDDING.

Mr. Bert W. Rood and Miss Carrie M.  Beckwith Wedded To-day.

   A very quiet noon wedding was solemnized at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. V. Beckwith to-day when their daughter Miss Carrie M. was united in marriage with Mr. Bert W. Rood by Rev. Dr. J. L. Robertson. Only the immediate families of the contracting parties were present. A wedding dinner was served and the pair started for New York, where they will stay for about two weeks and then return to Cortland and be at home at 16 Madison-st.

   The event was a very quiet one throughout till the couple started for Homer to take the 1 o'clock train. Vigilant watchers, though, were on the outlook, and a party of about a half dozen pursued the pair over the back road to that town. Here they boarded the train with them, and it goes without saying that, by the time Cortland was reached, everybody in the car was cognizant of the fact that there was a newly married couple on board. When Cortland was reached a large crowd had collected to give the pair a good send off. The groom was carried bodily from the train to be showered with rice. The fun continued till the train started and both Mr. and Mrs. Rood accepted it with the most thorough good feelings. Their friends are now jubilant over the fact that they did not get away without a proper realization of the occurrence.

 

Death of Mrs. Turner.

   Mrs. Margaret Turner died at her home, 93 Tompkins-st., this morning, aged 77 years. Mrs. Turner was born in England and has lived in Cortland for the past thirty years. Her husband, Captain Chas. Turner, died seventeen years ago. Five children survive her, Mr. Jas. H. Turner of Cortland, Mr. H. F. Turner of Newark, N. J., Mr. Chas. F. Turner of New Britain, Conn., and the Misses Elizabeth and Edith Turner of Cortland. A sister, Mrs. M. A. Humes of New York, who is now here, also survives her.

 

William John McGee.

FUTURE OF CHINA.

Professor McGee Tells of the Empire's Brilliant Promise.

   "Fifty years from now China will be a great manufacturing country," said Professor W. J. McGee of the bureau of ethnology at Washington the other day, according to the St. Louis Republic. "Her present territory will be gridironed with railroads; her deposits of coal, which are said to be vast, will be contributing millions of tons per annum to the fuel supply of the world, and the products of her iron mines will govern market prices in such commodities. She will build machine shops and ships, and in certain lines of industrial activity, where handiwork is indispensable, she will be pre-eminent. It seems to me not at all unlikely that China may be the shoemaker and clothier of the world half a century hence.

   "There is not anything the Chinese cannot do if they are told how to do it. Left to themselves, they would have no industrial future. The Chinese brain is not up to an appreciation of industrial progress; it does not know how to take hold of industrial problems. Today the empire is an immense aggregation of stored energy waiting to be utilized. During past ages it has been developing a vast population, which is capable of doing one-fourth of the manual labor of the world. Add to this population one-tenth of 1 per cent of intelligent foreigners, and the Chinese will soon find themselves in the front rank of progressive nations. They have the physical ability and sufficient intelligence to do what they are told, besides which they are remarkably capable of industrial organization. They can imitate any process and reproduce any product. All they need is proper instruction, the requisite control and a little time."

 

They Came from Athens.

   Fred Johannis and Fred Brown, aged 14 and 11 years respectively, were arrested by Chief Parker this morning. They were taken to police court and there stated that they had come from Athens, Pa., yesterday on a freight train. Fred Brown said his mother came to Cortland a short time ago with three or four of his brothers and sisters and he was left to get here the best way he could. The boys were given something to eat and told to stay about the station while the officers looked up Mrs. Brown.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A business meeting of the Epworth league of the First M. E. church is called for 7:30 this evening.

   — The excavation for the cellar for the new building on Railroad-st., to be erected by Cobb & Co. is completed.

   —A general camp meeting is to be held at Assembly park, Tully lake, beginning Aug. 28. This will be conducted by the several denominations.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Hudson's, formerly Collins', Thursday great sale, page 4; Smith Realty Co.., Grand auction sale, page 8; Cudworth, Optical talks, page 6.

 

Excellent Map of China.

   The Chicago & Northwestern Railway Co. with its customary enterprise has prepared an indexed map of China and is distributing it through its passenger department. It is fully up-to-date and of large size though folded into convenient form and it notes all the places of which the papers now-a-days have so much to say. One who wishes to keep abreast of the situation in that country can hardly be without one. It will be mailed to any address upon receipt of four cents in stamps by application to W. B. Kniskern, general passenger and ticket agent of the C. & N. W. Railway Co., Chicago.