The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-28

the cipher dispatch. Secretary Hay ca
bled Mr.. Conger that he might have i'm
plicit faith in the person who brought
the dispatch to him. Mr.. Conger, there
fore, had a right to trust the man, and
possibly he told him in a general way
the contents Of the dispatch, in case the
messenger should be obliged to destroy
it to insure his own safety. However,
that may be, the British Government
has thought Mr.. Warren's report worthy
the attention Of our Government.
It is the earnest desire of this Gov
ernment that the forward movement on
Pekin be made at the earliest possible
moment Although neither General
Chaffees rank nor the number of troops
under his command would enttle this
Government to press him for command of
the international forces, the Government
feels that he personally is fit for such an
honor, and if chosen would acquit himself
with credit. If another commander is
selected it is the wish of the President
that the American force should not be
divided as to command, but that in car
rying out it's share of any movement, all
orders to the American force should go
through General Chaffee.
In case the commanders of the allies
cannot reach an agreement as to who
shall command, it may become necessary
for the Governments themselves to decide
the matter. While the Secretary of
State has sent out no circular on the sub
iect, to those Of the Foreign Ministers
who have seen him, and who have
broached the subject he has suggested
this solution in the event of hitch. 1t
is earnestly hoped, however, that no such
necessity will arise but that the COM
manders themselves will reach an agree
ment.
The beginning of the campaign on
Pekin depends entirely upon the gathering
at Tien Tsin of a sufficient number of
troops. Therefore, anxious as it is that
the campaign shall be started at once,
cur Government is watching the arrivals
of the foreign legions and is pressing
Admiral Remey for reports as to the mill
tary conditions. Not all of his responses
are given publicity for reasons of sound
policy.
1t is reported that $4,000 soldiers are al
ready at Tien Tsin, not half of the force
regarded as necessary to begin the move
merit. The State Department advices
this afternoon, however, were to the ef->
now been landed, in which case the inter
national force should be considerably aug
mented. The War Department, lacking
exact information owing to the slowness
of telegraphic communicationk believes
that it now has about $500 trained and
seasoned American troops in the vicinity
of Tien Tsin under the immediate COM
mand of General Chaifee, assuming that
the Grant has landed her passengers,
which she should have done if she sailed
from Nagasaki on the 25th, according to
the original intention.
COMMUNICATION WITH LONDON
London, July 28.-(Saturday, a. m.)-
Lyman ]. Cages statement that there is
still hope, but that it is constantly dimin-
ishing is held here to define accurately
the situation. The Chinese Minister in
London yesterday received a telegram
from Sheng, Director of Railways and
Telegraphs, to the effect that an imperial
decree, in the following terms, was issued
on July oath:
ut. is fortunate that all the foreign
representatives except Baron Won Kette-
Ter, are found in safety and unharmed.
Provisions in the shape of food stuffs,
vegetables and fruits will be supplied to
the legations in order to show our
courtesy"
The Morning Post goes so far as to as
sert that there is now direct communica-
tion between the Chinese authorities in
Pekin and London, and that the Ministers
are safe. However, this may be it is
quite certain that the attempts of the
French, Italian and other consuls to get
direct replies from Pekin have utterly
failed and it is pointed out that the
ability to supply the legations with fruit
and vegetables involves the conclusion
that communication is not impeded by the
Boxers.
SPECIAL CABINET MEETING.
Washington, July 27.-A special Cabinet
meeting was held in Secretary Hays office
at II o'clock this morning, the usual hour.
The Secretary of State, fresh from his
personal intercourse with the President,
was in position to advise his colleagues
of the Administration purpose and the
whole Chinese situation was discussed.
Beside Secretary Hay there were present
Secretary Gage, Postmaster General
| Smith and Secretary Root
When the Cabinet conference adjourned
| it was stated that no further definite plans
| concerning the action of this Government
| had been prepared. The meeting was
| general intercourse of opinions and views
PRINCE TUAN REPORTED KILLED.