The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
AWAITING THE DETAILS
OF THE RESCUE OF THE LEGATIONS
BY THE ALLIED FORCES
ATTITUDE OF OUR GOVERNMENT
Unchanged by Capture of Pekfn-The
Work for the Troops, Vet TO Do In
Pek1n = Interest Now Centerd In
Shanehai-Efforts to Have Mr.. Con-
ger to Return and Canvass for Me-
Kinley-The Most Trying Crisis Yet
to Come.

Kfnley-The Most Trying Crisis Yet
to Come.
Warrington, August 1S.-The govern
ment, now fully satisfied by the advices
in hand that the international troops
have entered Pekin and that the le-
cations are saved, is calmly awaiting
| detailed statements from its own Off
GERS on the ground.
Dispatches were received today from
General Barry at Che Foo and Consul
General GOodnow, at Shanghai, repeat
ing the main fact of the capture and
relief. Neither General Chaffee, nor
Admiral Remey was heard from, how
ever, and it is to them, particularly to
| the American commander at Pekin,
| that the government looks for adyices
not only on what has occurred, but on
| the local developments from which an
| intelligent determination can be made
of what still remains to be done.
The president, Secretary Root, Acting
| Secretary of state Adee, Secretary
/ Hackett and other officials were in con-
| ference during the afternoon. 1t was
| stated afterward that no additional de-
| tails had come concerning Pekin, and
it was understood that the conference
| had TO do particularly with the situa-
| ton at Shanghai. Word reached the
| navy department during the afternoon
| that the United States cruiser New
| Orleans had reached Shanghai, at
| which point British warships and
| transports are already in force, while
| the French, Russians and Germans are
hurrying their men to the same desti-
| n q hn ino
| far has kept quite out of this entangle-
ment, and in view of the reported land
| ing of troops by some of the powers,
it was stated authoritatively that the
| landing tof American troops never had
| been contemplated.
POLICY OF OUR GOVERNMENT
| UNCHANGED.
The general policy towards China
heretofore has been made known both
TO General Chaffee and to Minister
'! Conger, and 1t was stated authorita-
! lively tonight that there was no neces-
sity for sending these officials addition
| al instructions on the subject.
| The fact is emphasized by an admin
istration official that the policy of the
| government is succinctly stated in Sec
/ retary Hays note of July 3rd, and that
| nothing can be added to that document
| except an elaboration of the points
| therein stated.
Four distinct purposes were laid
down in this declaration, viz:
The purpose of the president is, as
it has been heretofore, to act concur
| rently with the other powers.
| L. In opening up communication
with Pekin and rescuing the American
| officials, missionaries and other Amer
| leans who are in danger.
''2. In affording all possible zIrotec-
ton everywhere in China to American
| life and property.
''3. In guarding and protecting all
legitimate American interests.
4. In aiding to prevent a spread of
the disorders to the other provinces of
the empire and a recurrence of such
| disasters
1t can be stated authoritative that
the foregoing declarations stand to-
day as they did on the day they were
enunciated. The government considers
| that the first purpose enumerated is
now achieved.
There may be details of this rescue
| still to be carried out, but no doubt Is
| entertained that the rescue will be ac-
complished. That leaves the three re-
manning purposes set forth, still to be
carried out, and these are chiefly in
the line of restoring order, quiet, and
| security to the disturbed country.
WORK FOR THE TROOPS YET TO
| DO IN PEKIN.
Even with the Chinese capital occu-
pied by the allied forces, it is realized
| that there is still serious business for
the forces inside the city.
| White they have preached the outer
walls, which encircle the entire city,
| yet there are walls within walls, and
| it remains to be seen whether an at
| tempt will be made to enter the i'm
| perial city forming a distinct section
| of Pekin proper.
The inner walls are comparatively
light, however, not being above twen-
ty feet high, and the military authori-
ties say they cannot withstand even
| light artillery, if there was any dis
position to breach them. Moreover, as
the allied troops have preached the
great outer wall fifty feet high and far
more formidable than the inner walls,
| they have comparatively little diff
Guilty in moving where the command
| ers desire, inside the city.
| Aside from the question of the with
Sfrawal of troops from China, there is
the further question of the with
tirawal of troops from Pekin. Both of
these questions are for the present in
allowance, pending definite news from
| General Chaffee and Minister Conger.
| Certainly there can be no immediate
withdrawal from Pekin, and the gov
ernment is yet to learn what plans
will be devised for escorting the lega-
tions and the several thousand native
Christians to the coast.