Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-08
Pekin. 1t was referred to the Secretary of
War and was not made public.
One Ray of Hope.

communication between the ministers and
their governments is the one ray of hope
in the situation, Whether the promises
contained in the edict will be made good
ought to be speedily known, and if freer
communication is established the most Sc
rious consequences may be averted. AL
though there have been intimations be-
fore that such communication would be
established, this IS the first time that 1t
has appeared in the form of an imperial
edict
As a result of this latest communication
from the Chinese government, and the mes
sage ssnt to Consul General Goodnow. the
United States government is now In a wait
ing attitude, hoping for the best, but appre-
hensive of the gravest possibilities.
Secretary Root Confers.
Secretary Root held a lengthy conference
with Acting Secretary Adee in the State
Department after the visit of the Chinese
minister At its conclusion the Secretary of
War said that the situation was unchanged
so far as the War Department was con-
cerned. He declined to enter into the Dip
lonlatic aspect of the situation, but 1t is
known, however, that the government will
lose time in putting the good faith Of
the Chinese government to the test.
this end of the receipt of the Conger mes
sage, having been informed by Consul Cen
eral GoodnOw from Shanghai and this
Chaffee in the field.
The critical situation developed hero to-
day by the receipt of the Conger message
gave rise to a number of rumors of re-
newed military activity. 1t can be stated
on the authority of the Secretary of War
that no actual steps have been taken, but
1t is understood that, acting on precau-
tionary message addressed him some time
ago, General Macarthur has 80 arranged
matters in LuZon to have a considerable
body Of troops on which he can draw In an
emergency should there be greater impera-
tive need than exists at present to send
them to reinforce the International column
in China
What Mr.. Bache Says.
Mr.. A. w Bache, who represents the
Brice railroad syndicate in China. was at
the War Department today giving the Of
fcials the benefit of his observations of the
conditions where the International armies
are now operating. He has been over the
road from Tien Tsin to Pekin a number Of
times, and Is familiar with the surrounding
country He says the country furnishes
nothing that army can subsst upon, but
that it must carry all It's supplies. The
water is not fit for use, there Is no wood,
and the natives eat the grass. Mr.. Bache
says that the Chinese army Is of little ac-
count. and he does not believe there is any
such large number of men between Pekin
and Tien Tsin as has been reported. He
doubts whether the army is we'll organized,
and says the old-style method prevails.
where a commanding general will draw
supplies for 10000 men for 1000 soldiers
He also believes that If the native troops
meet with any severe reverse that the army
is likely to go to pieces.
Gable Connections Established.
The officials of the War Department are
gratiiied 10 learn that practical steps have
been taken to Immediately establish cable
connection between Taku and Chefoo. In
formation has been received that the COM
panies controlling the cables in the orient
have established line between the two
ports mentioned with the expectation of
having it in complete working order in sew
eral days. The absence of direct means of
communication with the American COM
mander In the field has been a source of con-
siderable embarrassment to the adminis-
tratiOn. as it has prevented proper knowl-
edge of developments until several days
after their occurrence. Messages from Gen
Chaffee so far have been few and far be-
tween. and have related to events which oc-
CURED from four to five days before they
became known in Washington. In the pres
ent crisis time is factor of the utmost I'M
portance as serious consequences may re-
suit from the least delay in the transmits
sion Of messages between the military
forces in China and the administration Of
ficials in Washington. Consequently, the
officials are naturally very much interested
in the early operation of the new cable line
from ChefOo to Taku, the nearest point on
the Chinese coast with which the allied
forces have uninterrupted communication.
not subject to the supervision or censor
ship of the officials of the Chinese govern
ment.
Congcr's Latest Telegram.
Another cabiegram came to the State De-
partment last evening from Minister Con-
ger at Pekin. the second that has been re-
ceived direct from him since June IL 1t Is
the first which has come direct from the
minister since the above date the other
having been received through the interme-
diary Of the Chinese minister here Mr.. WI.
Last nights telegram shows that the sltua-
tion in the Chinese capital Is still OF very
serious character. that the ministers are
still IN danger from the Chinese troops, and
that their supplies Of ammunition and pro-
visions have been reduced to a very con-
siderable extent. So important were the
statements contained in the dispatch that
conference was held by wire between sew
eraI of the officials here and the President
at Canton. lasting for several hours. At its
conclusion the cablegram from Mr.. Conger
was made public. as follows:
TSI-NAN YAMEN, August I.
To Secretary of State:
Still besieged. Situation more precarious.
Chinese government insisting upon our leav-
Ing Pekin. which would be certain death.
Rifle firing upon us daily by imperial troops.
Have abundant courage. but little ammuni-
ton or provisions. Two progressive yamen
ministers beheaded. All connected with le-
cation of the United States well at the pres
ent moment
(Signed) CONGER.
The word ''yamen' following the name of
the city Tsi-Nan. at which the cablegram
was put on the wires. probably refers to
the official building or residence from which
"a, ts,l,