The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-29

Minister Wu Is Honestly Trying to
Get Something Tangible, But He
Hos as Much Difficulty as Anyone
FIse-Chaffee Has Probably Reach
ed TaI<u-More Troops Would Be
sent From Manila if 1t should Be
Necessary.
Washington, July 2e.-The day brought
forth the usual crop of edcts and reports
from various quarters, and the usual vls-
It from Minister Wu to the state depart
ment, all bearing directly upon the well
fare of the foreign ministers in Pekin
This constantly growing mass of asser-
ton is beginning to have a cumulative
effect upon the skeptics, and there was a
uoticeabee more hopeful view taken of
the state of affairs to-day.
Beyond the fact that it is scarcely con-
ceivable that the Chinese authorities
should persist in repeating and strength
enng these stories up to the rapidly ap
preaching moment when the whole truth
must be disclosed by other agencies, it ap-
peared upon careful consideration of the
reports that there was really little more
ground for hope as to the safety of Mr.
Conger and his colleagues at Pekin to-day
then there was yesterday.
The depressing fact is always in mind
that the Chinese authorities, by their own
statements, able to communicate with
the legationers, for some mysterious rea-
son, do not permit these unfortunates to
communicate with their own governments.
Mr.. Wu's explanation of this, namely,
that the Chinese methods are different
from our own, is scarcely sufficient for
the officials here.
The minister, however, is honestly try
ing to get a further communication
through from Mr.. Conger, and it may be
that success in this undertaking will al
ford him brilliant vindication. At
least he maintains a wonderful show of
confidence in the safety of the legation
ers, and manages to impress this in some
degree upon the officials and others with
whom he comes in contact.
Chaffee Probably There.
There was nothing of interest from
China respecting the military or naval
hcills now calculate that Gen. Chaffee
with his troops on the Grant will arrive
at Taku this evening, though it may be
several Gays before his report of the fact
can reach the department. The irregular
and unsatisfactory character of the pres
ent system of communication between
Taku and the cable end at Shanghai has
teen taken into account by the war de-
partment, and it is said that one of Chat
fees first acts upon taking command of
the United States troops ashore at Taku.
and Tien Tsin will be to establish, per-
haps in cooperate with the other mill
tary commanders, line of rapid dispatch
boats running from Tlen Tsin to either
Shanghai or Nagasaki.
While the positive statement is made
that it is not the present intention to send
any more troops from Manila to China,
at he same time it is known that all con-
tingencies have been anvassed and that
II an emergency should arise in China
which made it imperative to have addi-
uonal troops they would be drawn from
the Philippines, for temporary duty at
least
Some time ago Gen. Macarthur was
adv sed by Secretary Root 10 maintain
sufficient transports to carry supplies be-
tween Manila and Taku, and these trans
ports would be available for emergency
troops, The Pennsylvania, Indiana and
sumner when the latter arrives at Ma
mla' will be held for service between
Manila and Taku and will be available for
the contingency which may occur. but
which the department does not expect to
arise.
stubborn resistance to the advance of
the International armies might make ad-
uItonal troops necessary. In that event a
Spe dy relief column no doubt would be
sent from Manila.