Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-24
Consul Goodnow and All Foreign Govern
ments Believe It Bogus.
THE RELIEF EXPEDITION IS HARD TO MOVE
Powers Show Disposition to Continue Their Policy of Pro-
crastinaton- Admiral Remey Goes to Tien Tsin
to Personally Investigate Matters
Other War News

Washington, July 23.-The state de-
partment has received a number of
dispatches from foreign governments
relative to the Conger dispatch, also
from our officials in China, including
Consul Goodnow. Without exception
they discredit the accuracy of the dis
patch, and advance various theories
to show it's lack of genuineness. The
entire burden of the answers indicate
disposition not to move the relief
expedition on the evidence furnished
by the Conger dispatch. Notwith-
standing these messages Secretary
Hay personally continues to credit the
Conger dispatch, altho ne says there
is possibility Of deception. Minis
ter Wu is now closeted with Hay.
Result of Conference.
The Chinese minister was with the
secretary some time, and on his de-
parture the department gave out the
imperial edict of the Chinese govern
ment, the substance of which had
been previously made known. Con-
cerning the proposition for mediation
made by China, the state department
is not prepared today to make any
statement. 1t is surmised that Hay is
engaged in considering the govern
ment's answer, which will probably be
delivered to Minister Wu later, but no
statement as to the course of pro-
cedure could be obtained in any official
quarter.
Both the state department and Chi
nese officials took occasion today to
deny tho report that plans were on
foot toward the delivery of Minister
Conger by the Chinese authorities to
Admiral Remey at Tien Tsin.
There is reason to believe this gov
ernment is again using every effort to
secure communication with Conger,
and this time to get an answer from
our minister which will be so conclu-
slye as to remove any shadow of
doubt. In this connection it is report
ed that Minister WI yesterday sent
another cipher dispatch to Conger, but
there is strong disinclination in Off
ciai quarters to discuss the various
steps being taken, while they are still
in an inconclusive form.
Chinese Ministers Were Seen.
Washington, July 23.-The state de-
partment has received dispatch
from Consul Goodnow at Shanghai dat.
ed today, saying that Prince Tuan
wires that an officer OF Tung -Lu-Ya.
men saw all the ministers on July 1S;
none of them were injured and no at.
| tack at the time was being made. He
does not say to whom the disuatch OF
the prince is addressed. 1t is to a
!. certain extent at variance with Con
gers dispatch, describing the legation
as being under fire at that time.
British Repulse Chinese.
i. st. Petersburg, July 23.-Two en-
counters are reported to have taker
place between the British and the
Chinese forces, near Wei-Hai-Wei. The
later, it is reported, were repulsec
after a stubborn encounter. No dates
are given.
: M. Krutizki, engineer of the Eas
Chinese railway, telegraphing July 20
from Algatch, in the Trans-Baikal ter
ritory, reports the occupation of Cha
liar, by Chinese troops. The Russians
according to a dispatch, continue t.
concentrate at Charbin.
9 I . =
/ Direct Wires to Pekins.
London, July 49, 1T is now general.
admitted in official circles that direc
communication to Peking ia now DOS