The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-21
Minister wu Uuppy.

The Chinese minister Mr. WI Ting
Fang. is today center OF official and pub
lie congratulaton over the great service
he had performed for the American gov
eminent and the American people In op-
ening TN Communication between Minister
Conger and Washington and sweeping
aside a mass Of horrible reports as 10
the wholesale massacre Of our officials ana
others. The Chinese legation was in a
state Of iubilatjon today Minister WI
breakfasts early in the day in the Chi
nese custom and this morning he did so
earlier than usual. Just a. he sat down
messenger boy bcycleG up to the lega'
ton and presented him dispatch. The
message was taken IN hand by secretary
while the minister proceeded with MS
breakfast The message proved to De
quite long and considerable part o. II
was in an unlntelligible cipher code But
il was no. until the signature "Cong'r'
written in English. was reached that tho
ful import was known Then the nm
ister was entirely In The dark dS 10 no
meaning Of the strange groups of Arabic
figures. hut 1t was evident to him that TINS
was reply direct from Minister Conger
to Secretary Hays cipher telegram ot
July H.
MIR. WI went upstairs to his private
office. where he was joined by Secretary
Chang Word was sent for the minis
ter's automobile TO take him to the state
tdepartment few minutes la,er ne
appeared with Mr.. Chang on the balcony
of the legation. In his hand he carried
a document carefully wrapped up in
piece OF white linen. HIS face was
wreathed in smiles. He stepped into me
vehicle and his American attendant
turned the lever and they sped down Con-
necticut avenue toward the state depart
ment. 1t was Gas o'clock when Mr. WI
handed the document to Secre airy Hay,
ard then. after BRIEF concentrations over
what the message was believed to con-
tain. he retired in order that the transia-
fon OF the cipher might begin.
Mr. Wu's present, feelings over the
contents Of the message are those OF IN
tense relief following long period OF
excited depression He had llttle 10 say
over the message as IL spoke for ITSELF
ana his views could add noh.ng to II.
Above all. he rs reioiced that the reports
as to the massacre OF Minister Conger
and ali other foreigners is dissipated,
and this he regards as the supreme fact
Notwithstanding the grave statements In
the message that the bombardment Is
going on and massacre Is imminent The
frankness with which this statement is
made Is taken as conclusive evidence Of
the genuineness of the dispatch. More
over. Mr. WI is personally acquainted
with the taotai OF Shanghai who forward
ed the message from him and got hack
the answer and tho minister regards MIN
as one of the most rreproachable and
high minded men In all China.
The President Pleased.
Canton. Ohio, July 20.-The presidents
first news of Minister conger's dispatch
was handed him as he left the train by
the Associated Press correspondent. Sean
ming the bulletin, he gave evidence oil
pleasure. Later. when the state depart
ments statement first reached him by
the Associated Press. adding strength "a
the genuineness Of the news. he was mors
vis,by gratified.
Those near the president have known
for several days that he has never glver
up hope that Minister Conger was alive