The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1900-08-15

The transports followed. The advance
on Pekin by road and river has begun"
WASHINGTON, Aug. S.-A reply to
minister Conger's dispatch is being
prepared in the state department. Now
that the Chinese government has back
ed down and by imperial edict agrees
to open free communication between
the ministers at Pekin and their gov
ernments, the United States proposes
to test the matter and begin commune
eating. Secretaries Adee and Root had
long conference this morning when
the message to Conger was drafted.
This is being submitted to the Pres
ident by wire and will be sent to Pc
kin this afternoon. Said message holds
out to Conger the hope of speedy relief.
1t tells him the world is watching with
admiration the gallant defence OF the
legations. 1t also inquiries particularly
as to the attitude of the Chinese gov
eminent itself and whether the troops
attacking the legation are imperial or
revolutionary soldiers.
WASHINGTON, Aug. S.-The follow
ing from Admiral Remey was made
public this afternoon: "Che Foo, Aug.
s., via Taku Aug. g. Chafee reports
the Japanese took Peitsang the morn
ing of Aug. 8. The engagement was
over before the Americans could ar
rive. The movement is probably con-
tinued to Yangstun. Inform the Sec
rotary of war;"
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-The State
department this morning received the
following note addressed to Minister
WI yesterday by the department: 1--WE
are availing ourselves OF the opportu-
nifty offered by the imperial edict Of
Aug. 8, allowing foreign ministers free
communication with their governments
in cipher and have sent commu MICA
ton 10 Minister Conger to which we
await an answer. We are already adj
vised by him in brief despatch re-
ceived August Z, that imperial troops
are firing daily upon the ministers in
Pekin. We demand an immediate ces-
sation of hostile attacks BY imperial
troops and urge the exercise of every
power and energy of the imperial gov
eminent for the protection of the lega.
tions and all foreigners there. We are
also advised that IN Minister Conger's
opinion, for the foreign ministers to
leave Pekin as proposed, would be GER
tain death.
In view of the fact that imperial
troops are now firing upon the lega-
tions and that doubt is expressed as to
the imperial edict of Aug. 2 as to its
power TO restore order and secure alb
solute safety in Pekin, it is evident this
apprehension is well founded, for if
your government cannot protect minis
tiers in Pekin it Is presumed you would
be unable to protect our minister upon
Journey to the East. We therefore
urge that the imperial government
shall adopt the course suggested in the
letter of President Mckinley to his
majesty July %, and enter into COM
munication with the relief expedition
80 that co cooperation can be secured for
the liberation of the legations, the pro-
lection of foreigners and the restora-
ton of order. Such action will be
satisfactory demonstration of friendli-
ness and a desire to attain this end.
VICTORIA, b. c., Aug. 9,-Among
the passengers on the Empress of Jap
an from the Orient today were twenty
nine missionaries who were fugitives
from North China. Many of them had
narrow escapes. One of the number
"a Miss Halves, was in the compound
at Vein Shan when it was rushed by
the Boxers. In company with several
others she escaped over rear wall by
means of ladder.
Rev. Jonathan Lee and Mrs. Lee and
Corporal j. Kennedy and Private Scott,
who are among the Empress passen-
gers, were present at the siege of Tien
Tsin. Mr.. Lee sustained wound dur
ing the firing. Stories of atrocities of
shocking horror are related by Ken
nedy and Scott. Among them is a tale
of the slaughter of 200 helpless coolies
who were going up the Pei Ho on q
lighter under an engagement to do
transporting for British parties.
These passengers bring report OF
the suicide of Mrs. Westwater, wom-
an missionary and wife OF DR.. A. Mac
Donald Westwater of Lao Yang, Man.
churia, who took her own life at Ari-
ma while suffering from mental de-
preston caused by the excitieg exper-
fences through which she passed while
at New Chwang.
LONDON, Aug. 9,-Thanks to the de-
spatches of Sir Claude Macdonald and