The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-06-17
LEGATIONS At PEKIN DESTROYED
And the German Minister Killed, Declares a
Dispatch From Hong Kong.
THE REPORT IS DOUBTED IN WASHINGTON

Gals did not believe that the United
States Legation had been burned and
they were only sorry that they could
not make a denial upon authority. 1t is
said at the State Department that ac-
cording to the last reports there were
at the United states Legation besides Nj.
Conger, his wife, his daughter, at least
one lady visitor; Secretary of Legation
Herbert G. Squires, of New York; Will
liam K. cambridge of Iowa, the Second
Secretary; Lieutenant Albert Key, Naval
Secretary, and F. V. Cheshire, inter-
prefer.
Not a word of news came to the State
Department over night from Minister
Conger who has now been cut off from
communication since last Tuesday. Even
the United States Consuls in North
China ports are silent Admiral Kempff
has not been heard from since yester-
day. This absence of official reports has
given rise to grave apprehension here.
1t was expected that there might be
delay in hearing from Mr. Conger, but in
the case Of Admiral Kempff an early re-
port was looked for, and it is feared
that the officers of the Foreign fleet at
Taku have been prevented from reaching
the cable station there either by the open
hostility of the Boxers or by the sinister
orders from the Chinese Government.
Yesterday Admiral Kempff was called
upon by direction of the President for
an explicit statement of the situation
and his needs. 1t was for him to say
whether he required reinforcements and
troops. If he is cut off from reply, then
the Government must act without wait
ing much longer. OF course in that case
it would have to proceed upon the theory
that additional ships and troops, perhaps
is needed.
1t is said that the operations of the
Boxers are rolling up heavy bill of
damages against the Chinese Govern
ment, and that this will be made the
subject of a strong demand for indemnity
by the United States as soon as order is
restored in China, 1t is held that under
the terms Of our treaty with China not
only are American missionaries entitled
TO the protection of the Chinese Govern
ment but even their native converts. Ac-
cording to the doctrine that We have laid
down in the case of the Turkish mis-
sonary claims, the Chinese Government
can be held responsible for outrages COM
mitted against American citizens, even
in times of rioting, if the Government
troops, its agents, fail to respond to call,
or participate themselves in the riotipg.
This is said to be the case with the Boxer
disturbances. The particular treaty pro-
vision covering the cases of the Ameri-
can missionaries and the native converts,
is unique. 1t Is contained in article 70 of
the treaty Of 1853 as follows;
as protested by the Protestant and Ro
man Catholic churches, is recognized as
teaching them to do good ana to do to
others as they would they should do
unto them. Hereafter, those who quietly
profess and teach these doctrines shall
not be harrassed or prosecuted on account
of their faith. Any person, whether Il
citizen of the United States or Chinese
convert, who, according to these tenets,
poaceably teaches and practices the prin-
ciples of Christianity, shall in no case
be interfered with or mOlested.'
1t is learned in authoritative quarters
that the negotiations relative to the
Chinese crisis have led to a discussion
Of the larger subject of so adjusting and
harmCnizing the action of the several
powers interested as to maintain COM
plete equilibrium and assure the con-
tinued peace Of the world. The French
authorities have been particularly ac-
tive in urging that one of the first consid
erations of any action was to see that
it tended towards maintaining the ball
ance between the countries interested
in the East, and there is reason to be-
lieve that these representations have had
considerable influence in keeping any one
of the several nations from putting a
preponderating military force in China,
thus leading to counteraction by some
other power, and ultimately to general
interest in the disturbance. From the
French standpoint, as stated by those
fully conversant with French policy, the
chief desire is to maintain peace and
union between the great powers, and if
that can be accomplished France will
consider that her best interests as we'll
as those of the world at large will have
been served.