On the other hand, part of the news is very
serious. It is evident that the Chinese Government is accumulating troops, and that many of these troops, as the attack on Admiral Seymour showed, can fight fairly well. He was beaten back, surrounded in an arsenal which he had seized, and but for relief would have been destroyed. Under the circumstances, the effort which will, it is reported, be made to reach Pekin with only ten thousand men, chiefly Russians and Japanese, can hardly be considered wise. The motive is to rescue the Legations, but it is probable that the Legations are in no immediate danger. The rumours about them are countless, but of authentic information there was up to Friday only this one trace,—that they are not allowed to send the smallest messages to their own Governments. Judging on the balance of evidence, and with all reserves, we incline to believe', from -Sir R.. Hart's- short and obscure telegram,
that on June 19th the Ambassadors received orders from the Empress to quit Pekin, that she next day cancelled these orders, resolving to keep them as hostages for her personal safety, and that she has decided if Pekin cannot be defended, or if her own dethronement is demanded, to fly with the Emperor to Segall in Shensi, carrying the Ambassadors with her. This move will, if carried oat, baffle the Powers, and give her a favourable position from which to negotiate. So much is still obscure, however, that we can only advance this opinion as one which fits in with the few certain facts, and Chinese general character.
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