Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-06-19
GERMAN MINISTER SLAIN.
A Special from Hong-Kong Says
Baron Won Ketteler Has Been
Killed at Picking.
ALL LEGATIONS HAVE BEEN DESTROYED.

Ten Thousand Chinese Troops. Said to
English and American Churches
Burned nj Tien-Tsin - Telegraph
Wires Down.
London, June 1s.-A special dis
patch from Hong Kong says all the
Peking legations have been destroyed,
and that the German minister, Baron
Won Ketteler, has been killed.
Had an American Wife.
Detroit, Mich, June 1S.-Baron Won
Ketteler, the German minister to
China, who is reported to have been
killed in the "BoXer" riots in Picking.
was son-in-law of Henry b. Ledyard,
president of the Michigan Central
railroad. The baron was married to
Miss Ledyard in 1897. When the news
was conveyed to the Ledyard home it
was their first intImation of what is
said to have occurred. Members of
the family stated that the baron's
wife was with him in Picking, and
that a cablegram had been received
from them week ago, saying all was
well.
Not Believed at Washington.
Washington, June 1S.-Nothing has
been heard here from any official
source to confirm the alarming re-
ports of the destruction of the en-
bassies and legations in Picking, and
in view of the fact that the govern
ment itself is not able to open COM
munication with the scene of the
troubles, the officials are inclined to
doubt whether private enterprise
could do more.
ea4n ether words, they do not be-
sDlieve the report. Minister WI, of
the Chinese legation here, called at
the state department Saturday fore
noon, but he declared that he was
without any advice from his own gov
eminent, and said that his visit to
Secretary Hay had reference to a
personal matter.
Soldiers Join Boxers.
Shanghai, June 1S.-According to
information received here from for
eign sources, 10000 imperial troops,
which were between Picking and the
international forces advancing on that
city. have disbanded and joined the
Boxers.
1t is asserted that the government
of China does not consider. itself re-
sponsible for any encounter which
may take place
The native banks at Chin-Kiang
closed business Friday, fearing
trouble from Boxers.
Excitement prevails in the Yang-tse
valley, but all is quiet at Chefoo, in
spite of alarming rumors to the con-
tTary. ysN
s..Ne-n1tsi.f, June 1s.-Friday nights
advices from Tien-Tsin report that
large incendary fires occurred in the
eastern part of the city, where three
English and American churches were
burned, besides the residences of
many foreigners. Telegraphic COM
munication is interrupted, the poles
having been burned, and there is no
hope of immediate repairs being
made.
The train conveying the relieving
party with food and ammunition was
obliged to return, being unable to
reach Lang-Fang, where detachments
of foreign troops. dispatched on Sun
day last, are now endeavoring to re-
pair the line.
VIII Uae Dispatch Boat.
Washington. June 1s.-Gniess tele-
graphic communication with ADMIRAL
Kempff is restored speedily a fast yes
sci will be ordered to proceed from Ma
Mia to Taku for news. Secretaries
Hay and Root are now in conference
with the president regarding the send
5ng of troops to China.
The conclusion reached at the con-
ference. was that If communication
with Keinpff is not reestablished with
in reasonable time forces will be
dispatched from Manila to reinforce
the American contingent. Prelim-
mary inquiries are being made to see
what can be done in the way of pre-
pairing an expedition.
RoIiang Up Heavy bill of Damages.
1t is said that the operations of the
Boxers are rolling up heavy bill
eminent. and that this will be made
the subject of strong demand for
indemnity by the United States as
soon as order is restored in China. II
is held that under the terms of ou1
treaty with China, not only are Amer.
scan missionaries. entitled to the pro.
lection of the Chinese government, but
even their native converts. Accord.
ing to the doctrine that we have laid
down I'm THE ease of the Turkish mis-,
sionary claims, the Chinese govern.
Inent can be held responsible for out.
rages committed against American
citizens, even in times of rioting, il
the government rvoops. its agents, fai
to respond to call or participate them
selves in the rioting.
No Word of News.
Washington, June lS.-Not a wore
OF news cama TO the.state department
ever night from Minister Conger, VIII
has now been cut of from communica
ticn since last Tuesday. Even TIL
United States consuls in North Chin
ports We're silent Admiral Kempff ha
moi been heard from since Friday
This absence of official reports ha
given rise to grave apprehension here
1t was expected that there might b
delay in hearing from Mr.. Conger, blu
in the case of Admiral Kempff IN earl.
report was looked for. and it is fearet
that the officers of the foreign fleet at
Taku have been prevented from reach
ing the cable station there either by
the open hostility of the Boxers or by