The sun., 1900-07-21

sage tine staIe department cuue AS
conclusive evidence that it emanated
from Minister Conger?" he was asked.
might it not be possible that, having
massacred the people in the American le-
CATION, the code fell into the hands of
the leaders of the Boxer movement, and.
If such were the fact, could they not
have framed the reply in the state de-
partment's code and attached Minister
Conger's signature to it?"
II regard such suggestion as dealing
witt possibility too remote to be seri.
ously considered" replied the secretary.
II am Of the opinion that outsiders could
not have made use of our code, and, be-
sides, the nature Of the reply, with its
strong appeal for immediate relief, is
such as would not have been sent by any
one seeking to conceal catastrophe to
the foreigners in Peking"
Does this message in any way change
the situation or the policy Of our govern
ment?'
81 do not see that ii does or will result
in change of policy. The allies are Or
ganizing column for the relief of the
foreigners at Peking, and now that it is
known that they are alive the news can
only result in pressing forward the col
umn at the earliest possible moment"
Why News Was Believed.
Naturally, in view of the importance of
the communication from Mr.. Conger, the
first impulse was to make sure of its au-
thenticity. Secretary Hay was himself
perfectly satisfied on that score. Just as
Secretary Long had suggested he felt no
doubt that the message conveyed internal
evidence of authenticity.
Surprising that the Chinese government
had obtained possession of the state de-
partment secret code, it could not be con-
ceived what purpose it would serve to
represent the urgency of pushing relief
forces toward Peking. If the imperial
government is making war on the inter
nationals, ii would surely not forward an
effort to get foreign troops into its own
capital. AT least that was the line of
reasoning at the state department.
A most significant feature of the Con
ger message was the statement that the
British legation was under constant fire
from the "Chinese troops" Without
qualification or explanation, that express
sion would seem to identity the imperial
government with the attack upon the
foreign ministers He made no mention
of Boxers, but simply referred to troops.
As the state department was obliged to
paraphrase the message to protect its
code from exposure, it is not possible at
this moment to exactly estimate the full
significance of the minister's language on
this point. But in his last message pre-
ceding this he specified Boxers as attack
ing and it may be that he has now pur-
posely made distinction.
Tunn's Men Meant.
The state department officials, however,
feel that Mr.. Conger, in using the term
"Chinese troops" meant troops in rebel
lion against the imperial government
those under Prince Tuan's direction.
They find this contention entirely logical.
In the first place, the Chinese govern
ment itself has admitted that its troops
had participated in many cases during
the Boxer movement. The appeals of
Minister WI and of other Chinese minis
ters abroad to the powers to hasten their
forces to Peking also We're based on the
theory that the imperial government was
resisting these reEeilious troops and Box
ers. Furthermore, it cannot be accepted
as probable that if the Chinese govern
rlent were attacking the legations itself
it would permit Mr.. Conger to advise his
own government and the world at large
of that fact.
Altogether it may be stated again that
the state department is satisfied of two
facts: First, that Mr. Conger was alive
on the 18th inst, two days ago. This
date is supplied by Consul General Good
now. 1t may also have been in the orig
inal cipher from Mr.. Conger, though the
fact does not appear in the paraphrase
given out by the state department, which
is undated. In the second place, ii still
remains the opinion that the Chinese i'm
perial government is not encouraging, but
is resisting. the Boxer movement, which
IS consequently an insurrection against
the titular government.
what wu Thinks.
Minister WINS personal feelings over the
receipt of the message are those of in
tense relief following a long period OF
extreme depression. He has little to say
over the message. as it speaks for itself.
and his views can add nothing to it.
Above all, he is rejoiced that the reports
as to the massacre of Minister Congo!
and all other foreigners is dissipated, and
this he regards as the supreme fact, not
wi.hstanding the grave statement in the
message that bombardment is going OIL
and massacre is imminent.
The frank news with which this state
ment is made is taken as conclusive evi
dence of the genuineness of the dispatch.
Moreover, Mr.. WI is personally ac
quainted with the taotai of Shanghai.
who forwarded the message for him and
got back the answer, and the minister
regards him as one of the most ire
proachable and high minded men in all
China.
Aside from being able to get through
the message itself, Minister WI is chiefly
gratified at the opportunity he has to
serve the American government and in
this way to establish the good faith
which the Chinese authorities, as repre-
sented by him, are seeking to deal with
the situation. Throughout the legation
staff, among the secretaries. attaches, in
terpreters and American attendants, the
great load which has hung over them OF
late has now been largely dissipated, and
J-.& ~
asvANze., !.