The evening times., 1900-07-27

Secretary Root said this morning that the
strength Of the allied forces now at Taku.
as reported by Admiral Remey, is 2S, coo.
This number is regarded as being alto
gether too weak for immediate action, but
with the arrival of the Sixth Cavalry. the
Fourteenth Infantry and the artillery bat
terry. over COCO men will be available and
the forward movement will then be begun.
1t is confidently believed al the state
Department that within a day or two the
actual conditions in Pekin will be known
through unimpaachabIe advices. It is point
ed out that each days delay has been Of
great benefit to the allied forces and has
enabled them to complete preparations. Ac-
ton cannot be delayed beyond week and.
it is thought that in the event of the fall
ure of the Chinese Government to pro-
duce the foreign ministers, a war to the
end and the destruction OF the Imperial
city cannot be avoided.
Wa Tingfang. the Chinese Minister,
called on Secretary Hay this morning,
but had no news and received none. He
explained to Secretary Hay that it would
take five days to get reply 10 the mes
sage sent to Pekin.
Mr. RockhIITs Mission.
W. W. Rockhin the newly-appointed
Special Commissioner 10 China. called on
Mr.. Hay this morning and held a long
conference. receiving his final instructions
concerning his duties. He leaves the city
tomorrow for san Francisco. and sails on
the America Maru on August 8 he stated
this morning that while confident that he
could perform his duties satisfactorily. he
believed that before he reaches China his
task Will be very complicated. as present
indications show that the foreign powers
are gradually drifting into 4 state Of war
with China.
Col William S Muse, at present COM
mandant at the Mare Island Navy Yard.
viii be ordered to China 10 succeed Colonel
Meade. who is i'll IL the hospital. Il is
admitted. however. that in case the force
Of marines in China Is increased to Os0
Brigadier General Haywood VIII assume
command.
At the War Department. IT Is aekroxI-
edged that General Macarthur has received
Instructions to keep three regiments in
readn.ess for duty in China. but it is not
now intended that these shall participate
in the first movement, unless deemed abb
solutely necessary.
Goodnow Acted Under instructions.
In regard to the statement from Shsng
hal that Americans there were criucising
Consul General Gooduow sor comforting
with Ii Hung Chang. ard taat Mr Coed
now stated in lis defence a2t he was do
ing so under instructions, = wss lea-nei
today at the State Department that Mr..
GE EiEov's statement was correct
The department learned. IL was explain
ed. that the foreign consuls at Shanghai
intended to ignore Ii. and Instructions
were thereupon sent by Secretary Hay TO
Mr.. Goodnow TO call on the great Chinese
statesman and learn what news and views
he had. and TO ascertain what his plans
were. Indignation was expressed by the
high oficial who told The Times reporter
this, over the criticisms Of Mr. Goodnow.
The State Department. he said. was willing
to take all the responsibility for Mr.. Good
now course.
why" he remarked. do you suppose
that we are going TO ignore the man Of all
others in China who has the greatest in
fuenee? Do you think We are 50 foolish
as to let him stay in Shanghai without di-
recting our Consul General to endeavor to
ascertain his plans and his businesse E.
has said that he Was going to Perrin. We
want to know what he is going TO do when
he gets there. We want to know just what
he thinks Of the situation. You may be
sure that We will Go everything and take
advantage Of every opportunity that will
aid in the rescue Of or people in Pekin
and in ending the present troubles.
\ despatch from Mr.. Coodnow was re-
ceived at the State Department today. but
the officials VIII not make it public Il is
understood to relate 10 Ii Hung Chang's
visit and the question of the authenticity
Of the alleged Conger message Of July IS.
Mr.. GOodnow did not say when Ii Hung
Chang would start for Pekin.
Minister Wu said this afternoon that he
knew nothing of the alleged possession by
Sheng and Governor Yuan Of a copy of the
State Department code. Re insisted that
the Conger message was genuine and that
even if the Chinese had code it would not
be used by sheng and Yuan at the same
time as one was in Shanghai and the other
in Shantung.
The message from Sir Claude MacDon-
aid indicated that the Iegationers were
alive on July and he had no doubt Of the
authenticity Of the news that at least
part of them had left Pekin for TientsIn.
When they arrive at Tientsin." he said,
''you Will then h convinced that all re-
ports OF the massacre are false. but sup
pose nothing hut their arrival will convince