The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-24
HOW THE MESSAGE CAME
Minister WI Hastens to the State De-
pertinent With the Cipher Dispatch

Inc SUlHeSc HllIlSlcI, WI ling
Fang, is today a center of official and
PERSONAL congratulation over the great
service he has performed for the
American government and the Ameri-
can people in opening up communica-
ton between United States Minister
Conger and Washington and in sweep
ing aside a mass of horrible reports as
to Wholesale massacre of our officials
n others. The Chinese legation, was
in a state of jubliation today. Minis.
ter WI breakfasts early in the day,
after the Chinese CUSTOM, and this
morning he breakfasted even earlier
than usual. Just before he sat down,
to breakfast, a telegraph messenger
boy bicycled UP to the legation office,
and passed in a dispatch. This is not
unusual, so the message was taken in
hand by a secretary while the minis
ter proceeded with his breakfast. The
message proved to be quite long and a
considerable part of it was in al unin-
tellible cipher code; bu. it was not
until the eye fell on the name Con
GER" written in English, the full of
he message became evident Then
there was a stir throughout the estab-
lishment. The minister was entirely in
the dark as to the meaning of the
strange group OF Arabic figures, but it
was vident to him that this was a re-
ply direct from Minister Conger to
Secretary Hays cipher cablegram of
July 18th. Mr.. WI went up stairs to
his private office, where he was Joined
by his secretary, Mr.. Chung. Word
was sent for the minister's au-
tomobile to take him to the state de-
partment. A few minutes later he ap-
peared with Mr.. Chung on the stone
balcony of the legation. In his hand
he carried a document, carefully
wrapped up in a piece of white linen.
His face was wreathed in smiles. He
stepped into the vehicle, and his
American attendant, Charles Lee, who
accompanies him on these trips, turned
the lever n they sped dow Connec-
ticut avenue toward the state depart
ment.
1t was 9.45 o'clock when Mr.. WI
handed the document to Secretary
Hay, and then, after brief congratula-
lions over what the message was be-
ieved to contain, he retired in order
that the translation of thes cipher
might begin.
WU'S INTENSE RELIEF.
Minister Wu's personal feelings over
the receipt of the message are those of
intense relief, following a long period
of extreme depression. He had little to
say over the message, as it speaks for
itself, and his views could add nothing
= " II. <1DON6 Al lie Is IeJOlcSQ mat the
reports as to the massacre of Minister
Conger and all other foreigners is dis
Sipated and this he regards as the su-
preime fact, Notwithstanding the grave
statement in the message that bomb
ardment is going on and a massacre is
imminent. The frankness with which
! this statement was made is taken as
conclusive evidence of the genuine
ness of the dispatch. Moreover Mr..
WI is personally acquainted with the
| taotai of Shanghai who forwarded the
message for him and got back the an
swer and the minister regards him as
n Of the most irreproachable and
high-mindeG men in all China.
| Aside from having been able to get
through the message itself, Minister
WI is chiefly gratified at the oppor-
tunity he has had to serve the Ameri-
| can government, and in this way TO eS-
tablish the good faith which the Chi
nese authorities, as represented by
him, are seeking to deal with the stu
| alton.
! The various other foreign embassies
| and legations learning of the Conger
dispatch early in the day, o prompt
steps to notify their foreign offices.
Some of the officials at the state de-
| partment Inc got the exac terms of
the messages, learning also from Mr..
Hay the faith he placed in the reply.
orSll1Sd AfSGOMENI AIAlNS
THE CONGER MESSAGE.
London, July 81, 4 a. m.-The Congel
dispatch fails to carry conviction tc
either the British press or h public
Genuineness is o disputed, for as II
Is pointed out here. the Chinese must
possess quite a sheaf Of such messages
which the ministers fruitlessly endea.
vored to get transmitted from which
they could easily select a non-com.
initial dispatch to serve the required
purpose. 1t is supposed that Mr.. Con.
ger omitted to destroy the cipher code
and that this is now in tn. possession
of the Chinese in which event the Sc
lection or connection Of the dispatch
wouiC not be difficult. It is argued
that the dispatch, If it were a genuine
reply to the enquiries Of the American
government would go more into de.
tails. A slight ray of hope is admitted
in the fact hat both Mr.. and Mrs
Conger were known to have been O:
very friendly terms with the empires.
: dowager. but III universal opinion