The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-31
INTENTION OF AMERICA
AS TO CHINA THE SUBJECT OF THE
INQUIRY BY EUROPEAN POWERS.
IMPORTANT NEWS FROM CONGER
Return to Pekin of Some Members of
the Tsung Ii Yumen-The Castine
Ordered to Amoy-No International
conference Called No Truth In Ru-
mored Hostile Action of Russfa-Al-
lies Become Aggressive West of
Pekin-Rumored Repulse of Allies

@AANOA -
eral days intermission in Chinese ad-
vices. the government today received
two dispatches which, presumably,
bring it's advices up to the most recent
date.
There are indications that the prin-
cipal delay in the lines of communica-
lions are between Tien
Tsin and Pekin, a fact explanable BY
the newspaper advices that small
bands of Boxers are operating on the
line of communication of the Pekin
campaign force. Just such interfer-
nee with the work of the signal CORPS
men was experienced by the United
States forces in the Philippines and by
Lord Roberts troops in the Transvaal
campaign. Usually these Interrupt
tions are very short, the arauder
being driven off and the lines restored
within a day or two. The fact that
more than a week was covered by the
last interruption, gives rise to the be-
lief here hat these attacks upon the
lines of communication by Boxers are
more formidable than was supposed to
be possible, after the heavy losses in
flicted upon them by the international
forces in its advance.
The important dispatch of the day
was one from Minister Conger relative
to the military situation in Pekin.
Unfortunately, this dispatch lacked
a date, the minister presumably not
havinS yet received the departments
Instructions 10 include the date in the
body OF his dispatches. From internal
evidence the state department con-
Guided that Mr.. COnger's message was
certainly later h any official emana-
ton from the Chinese capital. Mr..
COngerS reference to the arrival of 81
600 fresh German troop caused some
surprise, no one apparently having
closely watched the movements of the
German contingent which is now ar
irving with fairly regular frequency in
China, and which, consequently, may
be expected soon to equal in numeri-
cal strength the military c%ontingents
of any o fthe European nations there
represented.
a significant statement in Minister
COngeT's dispatch is that of the unex-
pected appearance in Peki of some of
the members of the Tsung Ii Yamen.
A natural construction to be given to
his Statment is that these ministers
wish to undertake to represent the Chi
nese government formally in negotia-
tions with the powers. 1t having been
found impossible up to this moment,
according to Mr.. COnger's statement,
10 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 per
son or persons to deal with, it may be
possible for the United States to come
TO some arrangement as to the settle
ment of the Chinese trouble. Ever since
the fall of Pekin, the principal Difficult
ty confronting the government here
has been to range for the next move
ment in its programme. 1t could not
hdr it strOOps, even if SO dis
posed, without arranging for indemni-
ty, for the heavy cost it has been put
TO in the Pekin campaign. Also, it
must make arrangements with some
responsible authority for the future
protection of American interests in
China, as our business interests cannot
be withdrawn along with the army of
occupation.
Therefore,, as conveying a faint hope
that in the persons of these members
of the TSung Ii Yamen there may BE-
found some of authorized representa-
tive of the Chinese government COM
petent TO make engagements on these
points. the message of Mr.. Conger was
very welcome to the authorities here.
Another statement in Mr.. Conger's
dispatch relative to the decision of the
generals not to enter the imperial
palace, appears to explain the move
ment CT the American troops, which
the press dispatches were unable TO
clear up. in relaxing the attack upon
the palace gates, after capturing all
hut one of them.
THE CASTINE ORDERED TO Annoy
Another ven of the day of some in
terest was an order dispatching the
Castine from Shanghai 20 Annoy, dis
tant about 400 miles. The little gun
b1nr Ghnrrll 1nlA tho trim Z nhOur two
days. under favorable co editions. Her
tulIC Is small. but sufficient to serv' 4
moral purpose, if there need be need
for such
The condition of affairs at Annoy is
for the attracting much at
tentiOn at the department. The United
Safes consul and business interests
there alike have become very much
alarmed at the rioting, at the incen-
diary fires and, lastly, at the landing
of a considerable force OF Japanes
soldiers and sailors. The officials do
not care to say whether or not he has
Joined in any protest against the jap
aneSe action. The CaStine, ii can be
stated, however. was ordered to Annoy,
because of rioting but not on account
OF any approximations of Japanese as
pirationS. Government officials take
the ground that in the absence of any
advice showing a selfish purpose on the
part of the Japanese it must be as
stunned that their landing was made in
the common cause of all Europeans
and Americans.
1t is not doubted that any American
commander would have anded troops
at Annoy, if rioting appeared to endan-
ger foreign properties and lives and no
other foreign warships We're available.
Steps viii be taken at once to learn
the facts in the case.
NO INTERNATIONAL CONFER
ENCE.
The United States government has no
invited any government to participate
in a conference with the purpose o.
arranging the future of China. No
has it received any such invitation
from any other government. Negotla
tions that have been in progress 10
some time involved, last week, the dis
patch of a note, or rather of practical
ly identical instructions to the Unite'
States diplomatic representatives II