The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-21
a Day OF GREAT ACTIVITY
IMPORTATION OF GREAT INTEREST
CAME FROM MANY POINTS.
Remey Urged To Expedite Matters as
Much as PossibIe-MiIitary Sit
uation Outlined by Root.
specIal 70 d. InalanapoIIs journal.

Special TO the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON July 2o.-Minister Con-
gers dispatch. transmitted through Minis
ter wu this morning, shed a ray of hope
on a dark situation. 1t was but momentary.
however, for an analysis of the dispatch
showed that. admitting its authenticity
and that il is authentic there seems to be
no reason 10 doubt-it is far from encourag-
ing. II "quick relief on July Is was nec-
essary TO prevent general massacre" of
the legstioners it is little likely they can
be saved. 1t will be days. perhaps weeks,
before the allied forces will be prepared
for a forward movement, and other days
and even weeks before the expedition. If
successful. can reach the Chinese capital
and either relieve or avenge the legation
ers. There are certain features surround
ing the Conger dispatch that give ii dubi-
Gus look. Secretary Hays dispatch to
Minister Conger. transmitted through Min
lister WI. was sent July IL. Apparently it
required seven days for that dispatch to
reach Peking. while what purports to be
an answer to IL has made the return trip
In two days or less. This may be account
ed for by the disturbed condition between
Peking and the coast. but the long time
required to reach Peking and the short
time consumed in returning to the coast
gives the transaction queer look.
The suspicion that Minister Congers copy
of the code used by the diplomatic corps
of the United States has fallen into the
hands of the Chinese. who forged the dis
patch, may be dismissed. The key word
which vitalizes the code is never intrusted
TO written records. but is retained in the
memory of those having right to use the
code. II there is anything wrong about
the dispatch II occurred in another way.
IT is possible that the dispatch was writ
ten a month ago, that Minister Conger is
dead. and that this dispatch. being found
ready for transmittal, was sent by the Chi
nese at venture
The one thing which appears to lend it,
self TO this theory is that the Conger dis
patch is not I'm words direct answer to
Mr. Hays inquiry. Secretary Hay cabled
this question: 'Is all well9" An examina-
tion OF the language of the Conger dis
patch will show that II may or may not
have been written in reply TO the secre-
tsry's dispatch OF inquiry. while 1t is sin
gular that the language of the inquiry was
not repeated in the reply. nor was the date
embodied in the text OF the reply in such
n fashion as, TO leave no doubt as to the
date of the dispatch.
These reflections, unpleasant as they are
IN throwing doubt. not upon the Conger
r~p, hut he 10
written. and therefore upon its value as
shedding light the situation. are forced
upon one who considers the dispatch care
fully. in all its passive phases. 1t is more
certain than ever that the exact truth as
20 the situation at Peking. and as to what
occurred there since communication with
the outside world was cut of last month.
will not be known until the allied forces
occupy the Chinese capital.
This was a day of many messages and
bulletins at the State Department The
second. but OF greatest importance. was that
purporting TO be from Mr.. Conger. at Pc
king. which was delivered TO Secretary Hay
by Mr.. WI in person at 9:i5 o'clock. The
messages was as follows:
I'm British legation. Under continued
shot and she'll from Chinese troops. Quick
relief only can prevent general massacre
The message is not dated. but il is under
stood was sent from Peking on the 18th.
This had been preceded by but a few min
ufes by eablegram from Consul General
Goodnow. at Shanghai, saying:
''The Governor OF Shanghai informs me
that he has received to-day a cipher mess
age from Conger. of the 18th"
a few minutes later Mr.. Wu appeared at
the State Department with a telegram from
1sotai Sheng. dated July 20. which had
been received BY Minister wu at $50 o'clock
this morning. reading follows:
'Your telegram was forwarded. and as
requested send reply from the Tsung Ii
yamen. as follows:
Your telegram Of the 18th Of this moon
Gith JULY received. The State Department
telegram has been handed 10 Minister Con-
ger. Herewith Is Minister congers reply
70 the State Department
The conser message was promptly buIle-
tined. copy was sent 10 the President.
who received IL as he stepped OF his train
At Canton. and the text was transmitted
- AL our ambassadors and ministers