The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1900-07-28
The CHINESE WERE ROUTED
BY AMERICANS AND BRITISH
Our Boys Acquired a Fort and Eight
Man-AnOther Decree Issued.

Modern Guns without the Loss Of
a Man-Another Decree Issued.
New York, July PA dispatch from
Chefoo says:
A brilliant dash against a large force
Of Chinese at Tientsin was made this
morning by a detachment of the Ameri-
can troops assisted by some English fu-
sileers. The object was to capture bat
terry of large calibre cannon which had
been doing great damage.
The Anglo-American troops charged
large fort across an open space and when
exposed to hot but poorly directed fire
from the enemy. They dashed into the
fort, and after engaging the Chinese in
a sharp hand-to-hand fight, put them to
flight and remained masters of the fort.
Eight large modern guns were captured,
together with carts and all the accessories.
The battery was Immediately turned upon
the fleeing enemy, who, under the well
directed fire, suffered heavily.
The victory was won in an incredibly
short time against an overwhelmingly
superior force, and, despite the charge un-
der fire and fight in the fort, neither the
Americans nor the British lost single
man.
Washington, July 24.-The state de-
partment was the center of interest in
the Chinese situation Monday. Secretary
Hay was at his desk by 8 o'clock and for
an hour was busily engaged with a matter
of such Importance that he declined to be
interrupted by anyone. About 1918 the
Chinese minister arrived, and was with the
secretary for some time. On the de-
parture of the minister the department
gave out the imperial edict of the Chi
nese emperor, the substance of which had
been previously made known.
The state department has received del
uge of dispatches form all quarters of the
globe relative to the Conger message. These
show the attitude Of foreign governments.
Without exception the official view taken
by all foreign officers is that the dis
patch is not genuine, and does not afford
\ basis for action. This incredulity is also
shared by United States Consul Goodnow
1t Shanghai, who has communicated to the
state department his disbelief in the au-
.henticity Of the message.
The text of these several messages is
not made public, as they were incon-
.lusive, and not adding anything in the
way Of definite news to the situation at
Pekin, the entire tenor being one of doubt
md suspicion. The official doubts are
,ased ON various theories One of them is
hat the deception was practiced by the
sung Ii yamen itself. Still another is
hat it emanated from Chinese official
"a man holding high position like that
# Sheng or Prince 1uan, the latter be-
ng at the head of the anti-foreign ele-
nent and at last accounts connected with
he tsung Ii yamen.
Notwithstanding this flood of doubt
rom foreign official quarters, the state de-
'artment has not varied its position as to
he authenticity of the message, Secre-
airy Hays position being now, as it always
las been, that there is little probability
hat fraud may have been perpetrated.
sut as against this remote possibility, Mr..
lay feels that there is absolutely no mo-
i've for the preparation Of such mon
trous deception. The Washington gov
rnment is mistaken, therefore, in its
'osition on the message, while the rest
+ the world has made it known to this
government that this message is not ac-
epted as coming from Conger on the 18th
lstant
Concerning the proposition of mediation
iade to the United States by China, the
tate department was not prepared today |
. make any statement. 1t was surmised /
hat MIR. Hay was engaged in considering
he governments answer, which probably
'ould be delivered to Minister WI later,
ut no statement as to the course of pro-
edure could be obtained in any official
narters.
Both the state department and Chinese
liicials took occasion to deny report
nat plans were on foot toward the de-
very of Minister Conger by the Chinese
lthorities to Admiral Remey at Tientsin.
Another Edict Issued.
Washington, July 24.-The state de-
artment makes public the following text
an edict delivered today by Minister
~ 10 secretary nay. inns Is the edlct
ferred to by United States Consul Fow-
r at Chefoo in his message yesterday:
An imperial edict issued on the first
" Of the sixth moon (July III, transmit
d by the viceroy Liu Kun Yih, on the
st day Of July and received by Minister
u on the 2lst day Of July at o'clock:
''The present conflict between China and
e foreign powers had its origin in the
ng standing antagonism between the peo-
e and Christian missions. The subsequent
II of the Taku forts precipitated the meet
g of force with force. The imperial gov
nment, having due regard to the i'm.
rtance of international intercourse, still
fused to go SO far as to interrupt the
listing relations.
"We have already repeatedly issued de-
ees providing for the protection of the
reign legations, and also commanded the
ovincial authorities to protect mission
les. Inasmuch as there is still no cessa-
IN in the employment of force, foreign (
erchants and subjects residing in China,
40 form numerous body in the coun-
y, should be protected without distinc-