Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-07-31
SAFE ON July ~.
CONTINUED from page IL

like the United States had had recourse
to the Underground" route. An OBJ
ject of special solicitude is to discover
whether Baroness Won Ketteler has es-
capped or whether she shared the fate
of her husband Up to the present
nothing has been received to throw
any light on the subject.
The German ambassador and the
French charge called at the state de-
part, today, to secure the latest infor-
nation which Secretary Hay had re-
ceived and both were immensely pleas
ed with the Fowler dispatch.
Gen. Chaffee reported. today. his ar
rival at Taku in advance of the ex-
pected time. Gen. Chaffee certainly
has has made remarkable time in 60
ing from Nagasaki to Taku in two
days, showing that the transport Grant
must have been pressed to her utmost.
The generals horses are expected to
arrive there in about a week when the
forward movement on Pekin probably
will begin.
Minister WI received the Fowler dis
patch with satisfaction, but refrained
from any decided demonstration He
has been under great strain for scv-
eral weeks past and aside from his
natural anxiety as to the trend of at
fairs in China, has taken as almost a
personal matter the incredulity of the
European chancelleries and the unfav-
orable comments of certain sections of
the press. He said, today:
Il am glad at last that the public
here and in Europe has some news
from Pekin and that there is no pos
sible reason to question. When the
first horrible reports of massacres
came from Shanghai. naturally | was
alarmed and distressed. / did my duty
as a loyal citizen of the empire and
tried to aid this government in getting
news of it's minister.
when the COnger dispatch came |
felt that it was genuine. 1t was ac-
cepted by this government and l was
satisfied. But ever since then there
have been contradictory reports. The
rest of the world was not willing to be-
lieve any truth could come out of Chi
ma. When imperial edicts We're issued
pledging the faith of my government
that the ministers were safe, there al
ways was bad news manufactured, and
excuses made to offset the edict.
Now comes the news from Europe
and transmitted through American
hands. There is no chance for the un-
believers to doubt it. l am glad of il
on my own account, but more so for
Secretary Hay. who has thus won a
great victory against the skepticism of
all Europe"
Regarding the report that the minis
ters were being held as hostages in
Pekin, Mr.. WI said it was very unlike
ly. They might possibly be under re-
straint for their own protection, but
that was all. he thought. In the pres
ent disturbed conditions the minister
believed this might be a wise precau-
ton.
The Geographic conditions in China
just now, are unsatisfactory and the
governments interested are endeavor-
ing to better affairs. The real cable
station from which China news is sent
is Shanghai. The only way this place
can be reached by wire from Che Foo
is overland. This land line is under
the control of the Chinese authorities
and Sheng of whom SO much has been
published can control everything which
goes over it.
The only communication the United
States has between Taku and Che Foo
is by naval vessels. 1t is presumed
that the international forces have tel
egraphic communication between Tien
Tsin and Taku. At Taku the conditions
are not satisfactory. The international
fleet, including the American warships
lie far off shore and messages must be
sent out to them by tugs.
nations are irving a arrange
for a cable from Shanghai to Che Foo.
Already arrangements have been made
to lay cable from Taku to Che Foo
and the United States will pay its
share, amounting to $l50,000. Some
difficulty is encountered as all the gov
ernments have to be consulted and
communication with the cable offices
and telegraph companies must be pro-
vided for.
1t is the intention of the United
States government to secure uninter-
rupted Geographic communication with
no fnrcoS at rriap rcSin