The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-06-20
REPORTS NOT BELIEVED.
Officials at Washington Inclined to
Doubt the News from China.

Washington, d. c., June 16.-Nothing
has been heard here from any official
source to confirm the alarming reports Of
the destruction of the embassies and lega
tons in Pekin and in view of the fact
that the government itself is not able to
open communication with the scene of the
troubles, the officials are inclined TO doubt
whether private enterprise could do more.
In other words, they do not believe the
report Minister WI of the Chinese le-
CATION here called at the state depart
ment this forenoon, but he declared that
he was without any advice from his own
government and said that his visit to
Secretary Hay had reference to a person
al matter
Detroit, Mich, June 16.-Baron Won
Ketteler, the German minister to China,
who is reported to have been killed Ill the
Boxer riots iii Pekin. was a son-in-law
of Henry b. Ledyard, president of the
Michigan Central railroad. The baron
was married to Miss Ledyard III 1897.
When the news was conveyed to the
Ledyard home it was their first intlma-
ton of what is said to have occurred.
Members of the family stated that the
baron's wife was with him in Pekin and
that cablegram had been received from
her week ago saying all was well.
Conference at the White House.
Unless telegraphic communication with
Admiral kempff is restored speedily a
fast vessel will be ordered to proceed
taries Hay and Root are now in confer
ence with the President regarding the
sending of troops to China.
The conclusion reached at the confer
ence was that if communication with
Kempff is not re-established within
reasonable time forces will be dispatched
from Manila to reinforce the American
r. Inn in n II.Tn 0rn
being made to see what can be done in
the way of preparing an expedition.
An inquiry as to what constituted a
reasonable time failed to secure a def
mite arrangement, but the impression
was conveyed that unless Kenpff is
heard from by Monday troops or a naval
contingent will be dispatched from Ma
Mia.
Secretaries Hay and Root left the
white house at 100 p. IN. They said
they had received no official confirmation
of the burning of the legations in Pekin.
They were getting together all the data
possible. they stated, and would do what
ever the situation seemed to require.
Both gentlemen refused to make fur
Their statement.
Incendiary Fires.
Shanghai, June 16.-Last nights adj
vices from Tien Tsin report that large in
cendlary fires have occurred in the east
ern part of the city, where three Eng
lish and American churches were burned.
besides the residences Of many foreign
ers. Telegraphic communication is inter
rupted the poles having been burned, and
there is no hope of immediate repairs be-
ing made.
The train conveying the relieving party
with food and ammunition was obliged
to return being unable to reach Lang
Fang, where detachments of foreign
troops, dispatched on Sunday last, are
now endeavoring to repair the line.
Relief Column in Need of Relief.
London, June 16.-Admiral Seymour.
with 1900 marines, is not more than
three-fifths of the distance between Tien
Isln and Pekin, and the Boxers are de-
stroying the railway in front of his force
and burning bridges behind it. The ex-
element at Shanghai and Tien Tsin is
increasing, and it is rumOred that the rp
lief column is itself in need Of rescue
The foreign admirals may have Eliscalcu-
lated the strength of the Boxers, and it
may be necessary to send a Russian
military force to support the marines.
The Russian reserve of 100 men is al
ready on shore with guns and horses,
and this can be increased by 1000 men
from Port Arthur Englishmen, who
have confirmed habit of seeing deep
intrigue in everything Russian, are con-
vinced that the bridges are sburned and
the marines isolated in order to provide
the garrison at. Port Arthur with a pre-
text for sending an army to Pekin. In
this Chinese affair it is difficult enough
to find out what is on the carpet with
out trying to look under it.
Refugees Swarm Into PekiEo
Dispatches received here before mid
night were mainly from the coast towns
and there was little trustworthy intelli-
gence from the capital Christian refu-
gees had swarmed into Pekin from the
mission stations, and the embassies and
Protestant churches and buildings were
barricaded. The China inland mission
at Yunnanfu had been attacked and the
insurrectionary movement was spreading
from province to province. There were
rumors of hard fighting, but these were
not confirmed with authority.
Lead to Russian Occupation.
The British policy is not understood,
but there is a general impression among
members of parliament that European
concert will lead to Russian occupation,
and that Lord Salisbury will not Ger
objections. Russia, by making a settle