The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-09
And Notified That the UniteS States
would Hold the Government
Responsible for outragess
JOINT NOTE FROM DIPLOMATS
DEMANDING THE PROMPT SUPPRES.
SION OF THE BOXERS.
Letters from Catholics and = Protess
tant Missionary-AIIeged Inter-
view with LII Hung Chang.

WASHINGTON. July s--The last China
mail to reach the State Department brought
the report of Minister Conger, perhaps the
last that will ever come TO hand. This
bears date of Peking. May 2i. 1t Is OF the
utmost Importance, disclosing as II does
full comprehension on the part of the for
eign ministers in Peking OF the character
and extent of the Boxer uprising, even
though Mr.. Conger himself, by disposition
optimistic, found some reason to hope that
the worst was over at that date What
Mr.. Conger has to say as TO the attitude
OF the Chinese government toward the
Boxer movement as revealed in the formal
interchange that took place between him.
self and the Tsung Ii Yamen, is not only
of peculiar interest now, but probably will
have a strong bearing on the final reckon
ing that must be had between the civilized
nations and the Chinese. Mr.. Conger makes
1t very clear. through the publication OF the
French priests letter, that at least one,
and probably all of the European nations
having interests in northern China were
acquainted with the dangers of the situa-
ton at least two or three weeks before
the actual outbreak in Peking. The COR
respondence referred to is dated Legation
of the United States of America, Peking.
China. May 21," and is addressed Ito the
Honorable John Hay, secretary OF state,
Washington, ID. c." The letter follows:
'Sir-I have the honor TO confirm, on the
overleaf. my cipher telegram OF to-day.
In response to the request OF the French
minister the dean called meeting OF the
diplomatic corps yesterday and on informa-
ton furnished I'm a letter from the Catholic
bishop in Peking and verbal reports by the
other ministers, the situation was c0nsid-
cred so grave that the corps unanimously
instructed the dean to present IL 10 the
Tsung Ii Yamen, and demand immediate
and effective measures. which he did to-
day by the note, a copy of which is in
Closed. / also inclose copies OF the bishop s
letter and one from Rev. Mr.. Killie, an
American missionary who lives in Picking.
but travels a circuit TO the north and east.
THE TSUNG Ii YAMEN WARNED.
"On the 18th inst, during an extended
personal interview with the Tsung Ii va
men, / called their attention to the fact
that notwithstanding constant warnings
from this and other legations. the Boxers
had continually increased and spread until
now they are boldly organizing inside the
walls of Pexing. the existence of thou
Peking. Christian converts are being per-
forced to recant their religious professions.
and some have been compelled 10 abandon
their chapels and come 10 Peking for
safety. said
"'At London mission near chou-Chow.
forty miles west Of Peking. two native
Christians have been killed and their
chapel destroyed. Near Pao-Ting-Fu a
Catholic mission has been destroyed and
| them being burned alive. The foreign
governments cannot sit idly by
and witness this persecution and
my own government, but It Is Becoming
| very impatient over China's continued
| treaty violation. IL always has been and
| still is the good friend of China and only
| wishes IL prosperity, but Is now moro than
| ever determined 10 sustain the treaty
rights of all American citizens and of the
Christian converts, and ~ Will hold the
Chinese government TO the strictest re-
| sponsibility for every treaty infractiou
| I'm this regard. IL Will do this. not only
| for the benefit of fits own citizens, but I'm
| the interest OF China herself whose gov
ernment Is now sadly threatened by these
| lawless organizations. At present II II
| true. they seem 10 have no capable leader
| but should one arise and the popuace be-
come really infamed. the overthrow OF
the present dynasty is most likely 10 fol-
| low and possibly the destruction OF the
empire. etc
They replied that I did not understand
the many difficulties under which they
1 labored. but they had succeeded I'm sup
pressing the Boxers I'm the province Of
| Shan-Tung and would do so here. told
them / saw no effective measures what
1 ever being put forth. They replied that
| the movement had not heretofore been
| looked on serious. but that now the
| throne was fully aware of the gravity Of
| the situation and that a recent confidential
| decree had been sent TO the viceroy Of
\ Peking and neighboring officials. which
/ would surely prove effective. suppress the
| Boxers and restore order.
| II told them that the most alarming tele-
| grams were being sent 10 the newspapers
| OF Europe and America of the existing
/ state OF anarchy here. and that the people
| OF the world would be forced 10 beieve
| that the government OF China was either
| abetting these murderous brigaDds, or
1 that IL was too weak 10 suppress or con-
| troll them. and It's good name and credit
must suffer irretrievably In consequence
| ACTION WANTED. NOT PROMISES.
After reading me the decree. which was
much like those heretofore published. they
| asked IL l would not wire my govsrn-
ment that they were suppressing the Box.
| ers. l replied that at present would not,
that had been for six months telegraph
| ing the issuance OF Ineffective DEGREES. but
| II they would show me the fact by actual