Though the two high Chinese " Boxer" officials, Chi-hsiu and
Hsu Cheng-yu, were publicly beheaded in Pekin on Tuesday, it does not seem that any real progress is being made in regard to a settlement. The majority of Ministers have, it is said, decided to ask for no more executions, and this is perhaps now the right course, but the way in which the " irrevocable " demands for punishment have been whittled down by the Chinese is said to be inspiring them with the belief that if they are only persistent enough they will wear down the patience of the European Powers. Meantime what is at the moment most interesting the Ministers at Pekin is the con- fiscation of Sir Robert Hart's house and office by certain of the Powers, and the delimitation of the Legation quarter. The Empress and the Court have of late given no sign. It is a striking proof of the secretiveness of the Chinese that no reports of their doings filter through to us by native channels. When the veil is at last drawn we may see strange things.
