Evening journal., 1900-08-28
CONGER SENDS A MESSAGE
st. Petersburg Dispatch Declares
Allies We're Defeated in Pekin,
Losing 1900 Men
ALLIES IN WESTERN DISTRICT
Prince Tuan'S Ambition, French Con.
sui Says, FOmented The Troubles
Which Distress China

Which Distress China
Washington. Aug 2S.-After several
days intermission in Chinese advices
the government yesterday received two
dispatches which presumably bring its
advices up to the most recent date.
There are indications that the principal
delays in the lines of communication
are encountered between Tien Tsin and
PelSin, a fact explainable by the news
paper advices that small bands OF Box
ers are operating on the line of COM
munication Of the Pekin campaign
force. Just such interference with the
work Of the signal corps men was eX-
perienced by the United States forces
in the Philippines and by Lord Rob
erts' troops in the Transvaal cam
paign. Usually these interruptions are
very short, the marauders being driven
Oft and the lines restored within day
or two. The fact that more than n
weeb was covered by the last interrupt
tion gives rise to the belief here that
these attacks upon lines of eommuni-
cation by Boxers are more formidable
than was supposed to be possible. after
the heavy losses inflicted upon them
by the international forces in its ad-
vance.
The important dispatch OF the day
was one from Minister Conger relative
to the military situation in Pellin. IN
fortunately il lacked a date, the minis
ter presumably not having yet received
the departments instructions TO in
clude the date in the body Of his dis
patches. The state department. con-
cluding from internal evidences that
Minister Conger's message was GER
tainly later than any official emanation
from the Chinese capital, the message
was allowed publicity for what it was
worth. The dispatch follows:
"No important movements since last
dispatch. Military is trying to restore
order. No representative Of the Chi
nese government encountered yet. Sew
eral ministers of the tsung Ii yamen re-
ported in the city and are expected to
appear soon. Generals decide not to
enter imperial palace, leaving It prac-
tically vacant Two thousand Germans
arrived today"
Our minister's reference to the arri-
val of 1000 fresh German troops caused
some surprise. no one apparently hav-
ing closely watched the movements OF
the German contingent. which Is now
arriving with fairly regular frequency
in China, and which consequently may
be expected soon to equal in numerical
strength the military contingents of
any Of the European nations there rep
resented.
A significant statement I'm Minister
Conger's dispatch Is that respecting the
expected appearance in Pekin Of some
of the members Of the tsung Ii yamen
A natural construction TO be given to
this statement is that these ministers
wish to undertake to represent the Chi
nese government formally in negotia-
tions with the powers. It having been
found impossible up to this moment,
according TO Mr.. Conger's statement,
to meet any representative Of the Chi
nese government in Pekin who was
competent to open negotiations. it may
be inferred that if these ministers ac-
tually appear with proper credentials
one Of the problems connected with the
present difficult situation In China will
be solved.
Ever since the fall of Pekin the prin-
cipal difficulty confronting the govern
ment here has been TO arrange for the
next movement in its program. It
could not withdraw its troops, even II
go disposed. without arranging for in
Identification for the heavy cost It has
been put in the Pekin campaign. Also
It must make arrangements with some
responsible authority for the future
protection Of American interests I'm
China, as our business interests cannot
be withdrawn along with the army Of
occupation.
Another statement in Mr.. Conger's
dispatch, relative to the decision of
the generals not to enter the imperial
palace. appears TO explain the move
ment of the American troops which the
press dispatches we're unable to clear
up. in relaxing the attack upon the
palace gates, after capturing all but
one Of them.
Another event Of the day Of some
interest was the order dispatching the
Castine from Shanghai TO Annoy, dis
tant about 100 miles. The little gun
boat should make the run in about two
days. under favorable conditions. Her
force is small. but sufficient to serve
the moral nurnoS0 II there he need for
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