Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-08-15
The Chinese MIDDLE.

~ N@1p e~SA AEOm seolusIou SAYS
A message from Minister Conger in
cresses the alarm felt here for the
safety of the Ministers IN Pekiu. IL
Is addressed to the State Department,
and reads as follows
The Tsung Ii Ysmen states TO the
diplomatic body that the various for
eign Governments have repeatedly
asked through the respective Chinese
Ministers that we immediately depart
from Pekin under suitable escort.
The 1smen asks us 10 fix date for
our departure and TO make the neces-
ssry arrangements. Our reply is that
we Will seek instructions from our
Governments, and that IN the absence
OF such instructions We cannot Quit
our posts. j must inform YOU that
10 order TO insure our ssfe departure
foreign troops only can safely escort
us, and they must be IN sufficient
force TO guard 500 foreigners. includ-
ing 200 women and children. as well
as 5000 native Christians. who can.
not De abandoned to certain massacre.
We cannot accept a Chinese escort
under any circumstances. All nv
colleagues are dispatching the fore
going TO their respective Govern
ments. OF the American marines.
seven have been killed and sixteen
wounded, among the lstter Captain
Myers and DR.. Lippett, who are get
ting along WELL
This message is undated. but is
supposed TO have been sent OH or after
August >, when the imperial edict re-
moving the inhibition against the
Ministers sending cipher kilograms
was received by the Tsung Ii Yamen.
Ii Is believed here that the rescue
Of the foreigners depends now entire
~ upon the allied forces. The du
p.icity of the Chinese officials at Pc
kin is disclosed in the statement that
representations have been made that
ali the powers urged the Chinese gov.
eminent 70 escort the foreigners ont
or Pekln. when. on the contrarv
every nation hsvin- Minister IL he
CITY has left the subject of departure
entirely to his discretion The Min
listers have all agreed that 70 ATTEMPT
Journey TO Tientsin or any port
where pr lection could De afforded bv
the powers would be suicidal. and
they have, therefore, refrained from
accepting the overtnres Of the Chi
nese authorities, who arr regarded as
anxious 70 remove the foreigners out
side OF Pekin for the sole purpose of
having them slaughtered by the i'm.
perial forces.
Minister Wa laid before the State
Department at Washington an edict
of the Emperor of China appointing
Ii Hung Chang al envoy 70 negoti-
ate with the powers for an immediate
cessation of hostilites pending = So
luton of the troub les growing out of
the anti foreign uprising. Presi-
dent McKinley's answer to the re-
quest is that this government will
enter into no negotiations until the
Chinese government has relieved the
ministers and permitted All American
military escort 20 enter Pekiu,
The Washington authorities receiv
ed dispatch from General Chaffee.
dated Tssi Tsun. August S, inclos-
lug message from Minister Conger
stating I'VE will hold on until YOUR
arrival; hope it may be soon" Gen.
eral Chsfee's dispatch shows bv its
date the rapid progress he is making
toward Pekin.
Russia continues elaborate prepa-
rations for an extensive campaign in
the East. Sixty thousand troops
have already started and more are
to be embarked from Odessa. 1t is
reported the Russians have taken
possession of New Chang. an impor
tant railroad center.
a dispatch from Gen. Chsffee.
commander of the American relief
expedition. says the allies will proba-
bly, reach Pekin Tuesday or Wednes-
day and rescue me imprisoned min
listers.
Tho situation at Shanghai is con-
sldered grave, and it is believed |
France, Germany aud Russia will |
combine against Great Britain assert /
ing exclusive rights there, and a gen. /
eral landing of troops is in imminent /