New-York tribune., 1900-08-21
CHLNA'S RULERS ESCAPE.
EMPEROR AND EMPRESS IN SHEN-sE-
MESSAGE FROM CONGER AWAITED.
IBx TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

IBx TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington, Aug. 20.-Except for the fact
that the Ministers and other foreigners are
known to be under the protection of the inter
national forces, and therefore safe, the situa-
ton in Peking. so far as it can be gathered
from official dispatches received here to-day,
appears to be critical as at any previous
time since June 20. and feeling Of keen anxiety
pervades Washington tonight Officials realize
that events which may have already occurred, or
may occur at any time, may render the soIu-
ton of the Chinese problem more difficult even
than the least hopeful Of them had anticipated.
Everybody IS anxiously and eagerly awaiting
the next news from Peking, and hoping that 1t
may be definite enough to furnish clear view
of the situation. Keen disappointment was felt
at both the State Department and the War
apartment to-day account of the failure to
loceive any report from Minister Conger. and
| that feeling shared at the White House.
| why do We not hear something from Minister
| Conger?'' was a question the lips OF all the
| officials this morning when they learned that
another official report from Peking had been re-
| ceived through Admiral Remey. 1t was felt
! that the Minister could accurately describe in
| detail the conditions that had prevailed in the
Imperial capital since June 90 and probably IN
dfcate the extent to which the Chinese au-
thortties were responsible for them.
In commenting on this matter to-day an Army
| officer Of high rank said In substance
The true story of the last two months should
| be told as soon as practicable the sooner fbe
| better. Out of the mystery and dense obscuritv
| in which the situation has been enshrouded
| nave come great many reports which were
| doubtless incorrect and exaggerated This has
| probably-alnost certainly-been the case in re-
spect 10 the military phase of the situation If
there mad been cen, an army even of Chinese troops
within the walls that really desired to capture
! the legations and kill the Ministers or to hold
! them as hostages it could easily have done So
! unless restrained by superior force or by Of
fetal authority The little garrison which never
numbered more than four hundred and fifty
men, destitute of artillery, including machine
| guns, could not have wtthstood for an hour an
assault by even five thousand troops. What was
the restraining authority or influence. and by
which II is all important to have answered as
soon as possible.
INFLUENCE OF AUTHORITIES
The conditions in Picking have undoubtedly
been serious and dangerous enough so far as
the Ministers and other foreigners were con-
| cetned, but they would have been more danger
GUS and probably fatal If official authority
backed by force had not been exerted to pre-
vent them from becoming So The repeated at
tacks on the legations, IL seems could be eX-
| planned by the fact that chronic condition of
| r;oting or semi-anarchy had prevailed. and that
| the rioters had some sort of military organiza-
ton. That would not have been incompatible
with the armtstice and cessation OF the attacks
on July 16 and II, which appear to have con-
tinued for two weeks or more. and it is not be-
yond the bounds Of possibility that the Imperial
authorities were anxious to take advantage of
! that period to escort the Ministers and other for
eigners out of Peking and deliver them to the
| commanders of the expeditionary force It is i'm
! portant to have these matters cleared up and
| Minister Conger ought to be able to do IT,
Admiral Remeys dispatch was as follows:
| Taku, Aug. 10.
Authentic report from Peking, 15, from
| Lieutenant Lattmer. Troops moving on i'm
pertal city. Clearing out Tartar City. All
| Americans who remained in PeLfnc are
| well, except one child. Captain Myers re-
| covered from wound, has typhoid, crisis
| passed and now convaIescing. Assistant
| Surgeon Lippett was wounded upper Ieft
| leg, bone fractured. Leg saved, now re-
covering. The following killed during Siege
In Pekingi Sergeant j. r. Tanning, Privates
O. u King, j. W. Tucher, j. Kennedy, r. H.
Thomas, A. Turner and II. Fisher. Wounded
Private j. Schroeder, elbow, severe now
! dnnBerously III from fever; Seaman l.
Mitchell. upper arm, severe, reeoversnR o.
All other wounded and sick returned to-day
Casualties, Major Biddfc's command attach
Tan PafinEt
First Lieutenant Butler. chest Prixa 10
Greene, wrist, Private wsrreI, right fempIe
| uII slight. Reported from Chinese sources
that the royal family have escaped and are
route TO Hsiun-Fu. REuEy
SLIGHT RESISTANCE PROBABLE
This dispatch did not bring Picking advices Of
J a later date than the one received from Major
General chaffee yesterday. but It contains add