Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-07-20

fore he sat down a telegraph messenger
bicycled up to the legation Office and pass
ed in a dispatch. This is not unusual so
the message was taken in hand by a sec
rotary, while the minister proceeded with
his breakfast. The message proved to be
quite long, and q considerable part OF
1t was in an uninteligible cipher code. But
1t was not until the eye fell on the name
"Conger' written in English that the full
purport of the message became evident.
Stir Throughout the Legation.
Then there was stir throughout the es-
adjustment The minister was entirely in
the dark to the meaning of the strange
cipher groups of Arabic figures. but it was
evident to him that this was a reply direct
from Minister Conser to Secretary Hays
cipher cablegram of July IL. Mr. WI
went upstairs to his private office, wherl
he was joined by his accomplished secre-
tary. Mr.. Chung. Word was sent for the
minister's locomobile to take him to the
State Department.
A few minutes later he appeared with Mr.
Chung on the stone balcony of the legation.
In his hand he carried q document, carefully
wrapped up in piece of white linen. His
face was wreathed in smiles. He stepped
attendant. Charles Lee, who accompanies
him these trips, turned the lever and
they sped down Connecticut avenue toward
the State Department. 1t was 9:45 when
Mr.. WI handed the document to Secretary
Hay and then, after brief congratulations
over what the message was believed to con-
tain. he retired in order that the transla-
ton of the cipher might begin under the
personal eve of Secretary Hay
Minister Wu's personal feelings over the
receipt of the message are those of intense
relief, following a long period of extreme
depression. He had little to say about the
message. as 1t speaks for itself. and his
views would add nothing to it. Above all.
he Is rejoiced that the mass Of horrible re-
ports as to the massacre Of Minister Conger
and all other foreigners Is disslpated. This
he regards as the supreme fact. notwith-
standing the grave statements Of the mes
sage that bombariment is going on and
that massacre is threatened. The frank
ness with which that statement was made
Ii taken as conclusive evidence Of the gen.
uineness of tho dispatch
Showing China's Good Faith.
Moreover. Mr.. WI Is personally acquaInt-
ed with the Taou OF Shanghai. who for
warded the message for him and got back
the answer, and the minister regards him
as one Of the most irroproachable and high
minded mon in oil China. Aside from hav-
Ing boon able to get through the message
itself, Minister WI Ia chiefly gratifed at the
opportunity he has had to servo tho Amcri-
can government. ard In this way to estab-
l.sh the good faith which the Chinese au-
thoritIes. as represented by him, are seek
n deal with tho stuattOp.
Throughout tho legation staff, among the
secretaries. tLttaehes Interpreters and
American attendants, tho great load which
has hung over them of late has now been
largely dlsslpated, and on all sides today
there are signs of jubilation and relief. 1t
Ia appreciated that the crisis Is still acute,
but at least the mystery as to Minister
Cengar has been penetrated
The various other foreign embassies and
legations learned of tho Cenger dispatch
eariy in the day and took prompt steps to
notify the various foreign offices. Some of
the officials called at the State Department
and got the exact terms of the message,
learning also from Mr.. Hay the faith he
placed in the reply
Minister Wa Reads The Star extra"
Minister WI was in a very happy frame
of mind when seen by Star reporter after
the receipt of his cablegram containing the
message from Minister Conger. After Der
senaiiy taking this message to Secretary
Hay he returned to the legation and a short
time thereafter received an extra Star, con-
tanning a full account of his, own acts dur
ing the morning, together with a transia-
ton of Minister Conger's message. He
read the extra with great pleasure. and