Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1900 — KAISER'S BLOOD IS UP. [ARTICLE]

KAISER'S BLOOD IS UP.

Relations Between Germany and China Reach a Crisis. The murder of the German minister at Pekin, Baron von Ketteler, has brought the relations of Germany aud China to a crisis. The Emperor, in his speech at Kiel, voiced the indignation of Germany When he said that the German flag had been insulted and that the outrage demanded exemplary punishment. The Emperor has decided to send a division of 12,(KJ) men to China. The Berlin foreign office says that the first shot at Taku was fired by the Chinese. Chaos seems to prevail in Government circles in Pekin. Rumors represent the empress dowager as bereft of power and Prince Tuan attempting to wield the imperial scepter, while Gen. Yung Lu is alleged to have declared that his soldiers leftist* to obey him. Other reports assert that the empress dowager and the emperor, fearful lest they lose their heads, have fled westward. Little credence is placed, however, in any of these reports. The only reports from Pekin which are regarded as trustworthy are those from numerous sources affirming that the German minister, Baron von Ketteler, has

been murdered, and all the legations, except the British, German and French, destroyed. All the provinces south of the Yellow river, whose viceroys and governors maintain friendly relations with the powers through the consuls, have been informally constituted into a confederacy, with Nankin as the capital. According to a cable from Shanghai, the southern viceroys wholly disavow Prince Tuan's government. They have practically constituted an independent state, extending from the Hoang-110 to British and French frontiers. Admiral Kempff's dispatch confirming the report of the murder of the German minister and declaring the situation, at Pektn desperate, with provisions nearly exhausted, has aroused the officials at Washington to renewed efforts. Secretaries Hay, Long and Root discussed at length the situation and a decision whs reached to Increase promptly the American forces in China. A dispatch estimates the total of the Boxers' force at 00,00<). According to the statement of the Chinese general staff, the imperial army can be raised to a wartime strength of 1,752,000 men, but this is regarded m a considerable exaggeration. Little steamer Dick Brown sank near Bc<Lamsville, Ohio. Two negro roustabouts drowned. In Berlin an association of eminent physicians has been formed for the *i>ecial study of cancer.