A BRITISH BLUE BOOK.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 180, 31 July 1900, Page 5

A BRITISH BLUE BOOK.

LONDON, July 29. A Blue-book on China has been published.

It shows that Lord Salisbury throughout correctly gauged the gravity of Boxerism, and the inactivity of the Pekin authorities. M. Pichon, the French Minister, on May 20, was foremost in expressing his disbelief in the promise of the Tsung-li-Yamen to suppress the Boxers, and on the 21st a joint note from the Ministers was presented, threatening a concentration of foreign warships. Sir Claude Mac Donald, on May 28, reported having received an unsatisfactory reply. The late Count JVluravieff, the Eussian Minister for Foreign Affairs, was optimistic as late as June 20 (the day before his death), when he predicted the crisis would terminate in a fortnight, TemscVorff, his temporary successor, on July 3 opined it would be necessary to rescue the Legations, as they then could leave the conflagration to burn out.

On July 5 he offered to welcome from 20.000 to 30,000 Japanese Jro'ops to co-operate with the troops of other

Powers,

Japan asked to be protected from complications, and to be reasonably indemnified for the outlay of money

and men. ' Lord Salisbury, on July 6, undertook the financial responsibility of Japan's action, but sharply differentiated between immediate action, for the porpose of rescuing the Legations, and any ulterior operations. A Chinese edict on June 19 was forwarded to the Chinese Ambassadors, and declared that the murder, of native Christians was due to the increase of the Legations' guards, whose acts incensed the people. The Tsung-li-Yamen. discussed , the expediency of the Ambassadors quitting Pekin, and refused Baron yon Ketteler an audience, owing to threats of the populace. Subsequently on venturing out he was murdered. Thereafter Chinese troops attacked and murdered the Legations,