The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-09
AMERICANS NOT IN BATTLE
ARRIVED TOO LATE TO TAKE PART
IN THE PEI-TsANG FIGHT.
CabIsgrams from Admiral Remey and
General Chanee-Text of the
Latest Chinese Edict.
sr.cIal % the 1ndianapoIis journal.


WASHINGTON. Aug. S.-The Chinese
situation has reached a crisis. The dis
patch from Minister Conger informing the
State Department that the Chinese officials
we're insisting that the ministers leave
Peking. which MIR. Conger pointed out
would mean certain death for them,
brought from the State Department this
afternoon an ultimatum which, if ignored,
will place the situation in the Orient be-
war certainty.
Mr.. Conger's cablegram filled the officials
in Washington with apprehension. This
feeling was in evidence throughout the
war; state and navy building when the
departments opened this morning. Presi-
dent Mckinley was called up over the long
distance telephone and apprised of the
developments, kilograms were sent Secre-
tary Hay. at his summer home in New
Hampshire, and members of the Cabinet
I'm the city discussed the cablegram in all
its phases. The result of these deiibera-
tions was that shortly after noon it was
decided to send the Chinese minister, Mr..
WI, formal note containing a demand
that the Chinese government shall not in
sist that the foreign ministers leave Pek-
ing. and calling on the imperial troops to
tecting the ministers and other foreigners.
1t was further stated that refusal to COM
as an act OF war. The note was not made
public. 1t was decided to place 1t In the
hands of Minister Wu at once and TO
notify the powers of the step taken by the
United States.
AWAITING DEVELOPMENTS.
Assistant Secretary Adee was asked this
evening. IN the event that the uItimatum
was ignored by the Chinese officials Min
ister WI would at once be given his pass
Ports. Mr.. Adee replied. evasively. that the
developments of the next twenty-four
hours might effect an entire change in the
situation. Ia the meanwhile he should re-
frain from any public statement bearing
on the Chinese troubles. OF course if war
results it will be necessary TO call Congress
IL extra session. not simply to recognize
state Of war is existing, but to provide
the men and means required to prosecute
10.
An Associated Press dispatch says: "All
day the Cabinet officers who are in town
nave been consulting with each other and
the President has been communicated with
by telegraph and over the long-distance
telephone. Secretary Root held two con-
fereuces with Attorney General Griggs and
several with acting Secretary of State Adee.
and their views were communicated to the
President. AS a result of these consulta-
tioEs il was announced officially at the
close OF the day that message TO the i'm
pcrial government at Peking had been de-
hvered to Minister Wa for transmission 10
M rpAtiituleut. Inc text OF the ulSSSttSe
vs. prepared by acting Secretary of State
Adee and Secretary Root. and in its final
form was made known 20 the President
IN a talk conducted by Mr.. Root over the
White House long-distance telephone. 1t
vas then stated definitely that the authori-
ties Of this government would make public
the text OF this latest communication TO
China when Minister wu has had oppor-
tunity TO forward IL TO his government.
The chief officials of the government were
not willing TO outline in any definite man
ner the contents of the message. although
II was generally accepted that the COM
municstion was emphatic and to the point.
MESSAGE SENT TO CoNGER.
The State Department sent a cipher cable
message to Minister Conger. responsive tn
his message made public last night. and
Intend to test the assertion of the Chinese
ediet that gree cipher communication would
be allowed.
The message sent to the Chinese govern