Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-08-16
MUST PRESS FORWARD.
Only Thing That Can Be Done Under
Present Circumstances.

Washington, Aug. II. - In the light
of the latest dispatch from Minister
Conger, received by the state depart
ment through Minister WI yesterday,
the attitude of the administration is
that there is but one thing to be done
In the present circumstances, namely,
to press on to the relief of the be-
sieged garrison at Picking. This was
made known after extended commune
cations between Washington and the
president at Canton. The Conger dis
patch was accepted as showing con-
elusive justification for the imperative
demand of the United States sent to
the Chinese government on Wednes-
day night insisting that
The Imperial Troops
cooperate with the international
forces in the rescue of the ministers,
and until this condition, as we'll as the
seccation Of the bombardment, is fully
conceded by China, there is no other
course open but to press steadily on
ward in the mission of relief. The
text of Mr.. Conger's message as given
out by the state department is as fol-
lows:
'Secdetory of State, Washington:
The tsung Ii yamun states to the
diplomatic body that the various for
eign governments have repeatedly
asked through the respective Chinese
ministers that we Immediately depart
from Picking
Under Suitable Escort.
The yanun asks us to fix date for
our departure and to make the neces-
sary arrangements to do so. Our re-
ply is that we will seek instruction
from our governments, and that in the
absence of such instructions we cam
not quit our posts.
ST must inform you that in order to
insure our safe departure, foreign
troops only can safely escort us, and
they must be in sufficient force to
safely guard 800 foreigners, including
200 women and children, as we'll as
1900 native Christians, who cannot be
abandoned
To Certain Massacre.
1--WE cannot accept Chinese escort
under any circumstances. All my col
leagues are dispatching the foregoing
to their respective governments. Of
the American marines, seven have
been killed and sixteen wounded,
among the latter Capt. Myers and DR..
Lippett, who are getting along we'll.
-"Conger."
The discussion with the president led
to the determination to reply to the
Conger. message at once, and accord
ingly Secretary Root ana Acting Sec
rotary Adee conferred on the
Terms of This Reply.
The text was ready by o'clock and it
was forwarded late in the day. 1t was
announced officially and positively
that this message would not be made
public, either in whole or in substance.
It was made plain. however, that the
message was sufficiently guarded as
not to further increase the jeopardy
of our minister in case the Chinese
have access to our cipher. AS to the
terms of the message. they are be-
1ieved to make plain that this govern
-ment will not advise. much less direct
that Mr. conEer ,4edve Rekfinig Ander
Chinese escort, when the minister has
advised Washington that this would
mean certain death.
LIS Appointement,C onfirmel.s
Brussels, Aug. 12.-The foreign Of
fee has received the following message
from the first secretary of the Belgian
legation at Picking:
"shApghai, Aug. 1o.-An imperial de-
cree names Ii Hung Chang as minis.
ter plsnipotentiary to negotiate peace. +,
The foreign Office has also received !
from the Belgian minister at Picking