Evening journal., 1900-07-09
lardy Message Received From Minister
COnger-It Tells of the Threat
ening Outlook on May II
BELIEVED CHINESE OFFICIALS
COULD COPE WITH TROUBLE

the Chinese government to the strict
est responsibility for every treaty in
fraction in this regard. 1t will do this
not only for the benefit of its own citi-
zens, but in the interest Of China her
self, whose government is now sadly
threatened by these lawless organiza-
tions. At present, it is true, they
seem to have no capable leader, but
should one arise and the populace be-
come really inhamed the overthrow of
the present dynasty is most likely to
follow, and possibly the destruction OF
the empire, etc, ETC.
They replied that | did not under
stand the may difficulties under which
they labored, but they had succeeded
in suppressing the Boxers in the prov
ince of Shan Tung, and would do so
here.
Il told them 1 saw no effective
measures whatever being put forth
They replied that the movement had
not heretofore been looked upon as
serious, but that now the throne was
fully aware of the gravity of the sit
uation that a recent confidential
decree had been sent to the vicerOy, the
Pekin and neighboring officials. which
would surely prove effective, suppress
the Boxers and restore order.
4 told them that the most alarming
kilograms were being sent to the news
papers of Europe and America of the
existing state Of anarchy here. and
that the people Of the world would be
forced to believe that the government
Of China was either abetting these
murderous brigands or that 1t was too
weak to suppress or control them, and
its good name and credit must suffer
irretrievably in consequence. After
reading me the decree, which was
much like those heretofore published,
they asked if l would not wire my
government that they could and were
suppressing the Boxers.
Il replied that at present I would
not; that l had been for six months
telegraphing the issuance of ineffective
DEGREES, but if they would show me the
fact by actual and immediate repres-
sion, which they could if they would,
in three days l would gladly and quick
ly wire it to my government.
"They assured me that sufficient
troops had been sent to the disturbed
districts to restore order and afford
protection.
Il again told them that restored
order would be the only possible
proof. / also said that unless the sit
uation was relieved and the threaten
ing danger from mobs averted / should
be compelled to ask for a sufficient
guard of American marines to insure
the safety of the legation.
They said: oh, don't do that. 1t is
unnecessary, and again promising
energetic action the interview closed.
Unless some energetic action is
taken the situation will become
fraught with great danger to all for
eigners, not from any intelligent or
organized attacks, but from ignorant
and infiamed mob violence. /. how
ever believe, as / said in my tele-
gram, that the government is aroused,
itself alarmed at the situation, and
will take more energetic action, but
no one can be certain Of this until it
Is done.
Since the United States steamship
Wheeling had already left Tal1u, 1
deemed it prudent to ask the admiral
for the presence of another war YES
sci, and, responding to the request,