Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-28
BOXERS ARE VERY ACTIVE.
They are Operating OH the Limo of Com
munioations of tho Peisin Campaign
Forces-Tho German Contingent Sig
niiicant Statement In Dispatch From
Minister Conger-Alarming Condition of
Anairs at Amoy-Gencral ChaGco Re
ports victory-To RetaIsc Pekin.
tBy telegraph to vlrginlan-pilot.,

several days intermission in Chinese
advices. the government to-day re-
ceived two dispatches which presuma-
bly, bring it's advices up to the most
recent date. There are indications that
the principal delays in the lines of
communication are encountered be-
tween Tien Tsin and Pekn, a fact ex-
plainable by the newspaper advices
that small bands of Boxers are operat-
Ing on the line of communication of the
Pekin campaign force. Just such in
reference with the work of the signal
corps men was experienced by the
United States forces in the Philippines
ana by Lord Roberts troops in the
Transvaal campaign. Usually these in
terruptions are very short the marau-
GERS being driven off and the lines re-
stored within n day or two. The fact
mat more than a week was covered by
the last interruption gives rise to the
Deiief here that these attacks upon the
lines OF communication by Boxers are
more formidable than was supposed to
be possible after the heavy losses in
llicted upon them by the international
forces In it's advance
me important dispatch of the day
was one from Minister Conger relative
TO the military situation in Pekin.
MIR. CONGER'S DISPATCH.
The Department of State makes pub
lie the following dispatch from Minis
ter Conger received this morning:
From Taku. Aug. 81, 1900.
TO Secretary of State. Washington:
No important movements since last
dispatch. Military is trying to restore
e, order, No .representutiye OF the Chi
. nese Government encountered vet.
several ministers of the Tsung Ii va
men reported in the city and are ex-
oected to appear soon. Generals decide
not to enter into imperial palace, leav-
ang 1t practically vacant. Two thous-
and Germans arrived to-day.
"CONGER."
This dispatch is undated, but from
the fact that 1T mentions the arrival
or German force at Pekin, which
has not been reported from any other
quarter, it is presumed to be of O. very
recent origin.
THE GERMAN CONTINGENT.
Unfortunately these dispatches lack
ed date. the minister presumably
not having yet received the Depart
ment's instructions to include the date
In the body OF his dispatches. From
internal evidence the State Department
concluded that Mr.. Conger's message
was certainly later than any official
emanation from the Chinese capital
MIR. Congers reference to the arrival
of 1000 fresh German troops caused
some surprise, no one apparently hav-
Ing closely watched the movements of
the German contingent which is now
arriving with fairly regular frequency
in China, and which consequently may
be expected soon to equal in numerical
strength the military contingents of
any Of the European nations there
represented.
A SIGNIFICANT STATEMENT.
Insignificant statement in Minister
Congers dispatch Is that respecting
the unexpected appearance in PelSin OF
some of the members of the Tsung
Ii Yamen. A natural construction to
be given to this statement is that
these ministers wish to undertake to
represent the Chinese Government
formally in negotiations with the
Powers. 1t having been found to be
impossible up to this moment accord
ing to Mr.. Conger's statement, to
meet any representative of the Chi
nese government in Pekin who was
competent to open negotiations, it may
be inferred that If these ministers ac-
tually appear with proper credentials.
one of the problems connected with the
present difficult situation in China
will be solved. With some responsible
person or persons to deal with, it may
be possible for the United States TO
come to some agreement as to the
settlement OF the Chinese trouble.
THE NEXT MOVE.
Ever since the fall of Pekin the
principal difficulty confronting the
government here has been to arrange
for the next movement in its program
1t could not withdraw it's troops, even
II so disposed, without arranging for
tndemnfication for the heavy cost it
has been put to in the Pekin campaign.
Also 1t must make arrangements with
some responsible authority for the flu
ture protection of American interests
in China. as our business cannot be
Withdrawn along with the army of oc-
cupation. Therefore, as conveying n
faint hope that in the persons of these
members of the Tsung Ii Yamen.
there may be found some authorized
representative of the Chinese govern
ment competent to make engagements
on these points. the message of Mfr.
Conger was very welcome to the au-
thorities here
THE IMPERIAL PALACE.
Another statement in Conger's dis
Patcn relative to the decision of the
generals not to enter the imperial pa
luce, appears to explain the movements
vi tne American troops, which the
press dispatches We're unable to clear
up, IN relaxing the attack upon the pa
lace gates. after capturing all but one
of them.
Another event of the day of some in
Castine from Shanghai to Amnv dis
tant about 400 miles. The little gun
boat should make the trip in aborit
two days under favorable conditions.
Her force is small, but sufficient TO