Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-06
WAsRiNGION'S BUDGET.
Word From conser Dated July 2I-Preparing
10 Block Chna's Game.

Washington. Aug. "a belated mes
sage from Minister Conger was receiV-
ed, today, at the state department 1t
came through Consul General Goodnow
at Shanghai, who transmitted messages
received by Mr. Ragsdale, United States
consul at Tien Tsin. from Mr. Conger
and Mr.. SQuiers. secretary of the
United States legation at Pekin In
effect the advices are the same as those
received day or two ago by the state
department from Consul Fowler at che
Foo. Mr.. Goodnow's message was
transmitted to President Mckinley at
Canton and Mr.. Adee, acting secretary
of state. later in the day. issued the
following statement concerning ii:
Consul General Goodnow in cable
gram. dated Shanghai, Aug. >. which
was received at the department of
state at 4 O'Clock this Sunday morn
ing, reports the receipt by Consul Rags
dale at Tien Tsin of messages from
Minister Conger and the secretary Of
the legation, Mr.. Squiers, dated July
y. to the following effect:
''All well. No fighting since the 18th
by agreement. Enough provisions.
| Hope for speedy relief
Mr.. Gocdnow adds that the director
of posts, Sheng, had. on the 9Th. COM
municated to him an imperial edict
dated July 80. ordering Jung Lu to pro-
vide an escort for the ministers to
Tien Tsin. The edict says the ministers
can receive messages not in cipher;
but notwithstanding this. plain mes
sages were returned to some consuls
on Aug. A.
While the messages from Minister
Conger and Secretary Squlers bear date
of July u, the belief. founded not only
upon them, but also upon collateral and
later information is that the legation
ers are yet safe from at least immediate
harm. At present there Is no means OF
knowing whether the ministers VIII &C
cent the offer of the Chinese imperial
government to provide an escort for
them to Tien Tsn; but it is surmised
they will prefer to remain within the
British legation at Pekin until the ar
rival of the allied forces.
Should they leave for Tien Tsin in all
probability it would be because they
regarded il the safer course to pursue
1t is thought to be not unlikely that the
Chinese government may be very in
sistent upon the departure Of the min
listers. in the hope. if they can be got
ten to Tien Tsin in safety the storming
Of Pekin may be averted.
The inhibition of cipher dispatches to
the ministers, while a serious breach or
diplomatic usage is not regarded here
with apprehension. The Chinese gov
eminent. it is pointed out. is suspicious
of the actions and intent of the powers
and probably has adopted this precau-
ton to prevent communication to the
ministers Of details of military move
ments 1t is evident from the adoption
of this measure that the imperial gov
eminent regards itself an antagonistic
to. if not actually at war with the pow
ers. Thus far. no inhibition has been
placed upon cipher dispatches passing
between the various governments and
their consular representatives in China,
outside Of Pekin.
The state department has taken the
ground that the dispatch from the
Tsung Ii Yamen. Delivered at this de-
partment. yesterday. by Minister WI.
| is not an answer to the dispatch of
| Secretary Hay sent. Aug. l. In that
dispatch Secretary Hay finally and de-
| csively insisted that free communca-
| ton with the ministers must be estab-
| iished before any steps would be taken
| by this government toward peaceful
| solution of the present trouble
That dispatch was sent to Consul
| General Goodnow to be by him trans