Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-09

Guile u uduQ. his pears the udtG VI
Pekin, May 21st. 1t is of the most i'm
portance, disclosing as it does fun COM
prehension on the part of the foreign
ministers in Pekin, of the character
and extent of the boxer uprising, even
though Mr.. Conger himself, by dispo-
sition optimistic, found some reasons
to hope that the worst was over at
that date. What Mr.. Conger has to say
as to the attitude of the Chinese gov
eminent toward the boxer movement
as revealed in the formal interchange
that took place between himself and
the Tsung Ii Yamen, is not only Of
peculiar interest now, but probably
will have a strong bearing on the final
reckoning that must be had between
the civilized nations and the Chinese
Mr.. Conger makes it very clear through
the publication of the French priests
letter, that at least one, and probably
all of the European nations having in
terests in northern China, were ac-
quainted with the
Dangers of the Situation
at least two or three weeks before the
actual outbreak in Pekin.
The correspondence referred to fol-
lows:
Legation of the United States,
"PEKIN, China, May 21st, 1900.
ITO the Hon. John Hay, Secretary of
State, Washington, D. G.
"Sir:-I have the honor to confirm
on the overleaf, my cipher telegram of
to-day.
I'm response to the request of the
French minister, the dean called a
meeting of the diplomatic corps yester-
day, and upon information furnished
in a letter from the Catholic bishop in
Pekin and verbal reports of the other
ministers, the situation was considered
so grave that the corps unanimously
instructed the dean to present to the
Tsung Ii Yamen and demand immed-
late and effective measures, which he
did to-day by the note, copy of which
is enclosed.
Il also enclose copies of the bishops
letter and one from Rev. Mr. Killie,
an American missionary, who lives in
Pekin, but travels circuit to the
north and east.
''On the 18th inst, during an extend
ed personal interview with the Tsung
Lii Yamen, I called their attention to
the fact that Notwithstanding
Constant Warnings
from this and other legations, the box
ers had continually increased and
spread until now they are boldly or
ganizing inside the walls Of Pekin, the
existence of thousands is known in the
villages around Pekin, Christian con-
verts are being prosecuted and threat
ened everywhere, many forced to re-
cant their religious professions, and
some have been compelled to abandon
their chapels and come to Pekin for
safety.
Il said: AT a London mission near
Chou Chow, forty miles west of Pekin,
two native Christians have been killed
and their chapel destroyed. Near Pao
Ting Flu, a Catholic village has been
destroyed and sixty-one Christians
murdered, some of them being burned
alive. The foreign governments can
not longer sit idly by and witness the
persecution and murder. l can only
speak for my own government, but it
is becoming very impatient over Chi
mas continued treaty violation. 1t al
ways has been and still is the good
friend of China, and only wishes it
prosperity, but is now more than ever
determined to sustain the treaty rights
of all American citizens and of the
Christian converts and 1t will hold the
Chinese government to the strictest re-
sponsibility for every treaty infrac-
ton in this regard. 1t will do these
not only for the benefit of its own cit
liens, but in the interest of China her
self, whose government is now sadly
threatened by
These Lavless Organizations.
At present it is true they seem TO have
no capable leader. but should one
arise and the populace become really
infamed, the overthrown of the pres
ent dynasty is most likely to follow.
and possibly the destruction of the en-
pire, ETC.. etc"
They replied that did not under
stand the many difficulties under which
they labored, but they had succeeded
in suppressing the Boxers in the prov
ince of Shan Tung and would do so
here ] told them saw no effective
measures whatever being put forth.
They replied that the movement had
not been heretofore looked upon as
serious; but that now the II Me was
fully aware Of the gravity 81 Iitua-
Continued On second I'd