The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-14
THE MISSIONARIES ARE SAFE
LATE REPORTS FROM CHE-Fo0 ARE
TO THAT EFFECT.
Goodnow Cables News of an Attack ON
the Legations Last Saturday-Pux-
xling Dispatch from McWade.

WASHINGTON, July 13-The Chinese
minister. Mr.. Wu, has undertaken 10 get
through a cipher cable message from Sec
retary Hay to United States Minister Con-
ger, at Peking. and to deliver back the re-
ply of Mr.. Conger, IL he be
alive. Mr.. wu forwarded the cipher
dispatch, together with an extended
explanatory message of mis- own.
Wednesday, and the results are now being
eagerly awaited both by Secretary Hay and
the Chinese minister, although IT is appre-
ciated that some days must eiapse before
runners can carry out this plan OF opening
up communication between the American
government at Washington and the Amer
lean minister at Peking.
1t was soon after Minister WI presented
the text OF the edict issued by the Chinese
imperial government that Mr.. Hay re-
quested him to get through message to
Mr.. Conger. Since the Chiuese government
has succeeded in getting through fits own
communication from Peking. Mr.. Hay felt
that IL was quite reasonable TO ask that
like communication be opened between our
minister and the government here Min
lister Wu readily assented TO this PROPOSE
tion and evinced an earnest desire TO use
getting through the message. He sug-
gested. however. that Mr.. Hay himself
should write the message in cipher. as this
would be proof positive to Mr. conger OF
it's genuineness. whereas any open mes
sage to the minister might be under the
suspicion of having emanated from the
Boxers.
Mr.. Hay thereupon wrote the message
cipher of the State Department. The con-
tents were not made known TO Minister
WI. but I'm its unintelligible cipher form
II was intrusted TO him to be placed In the
hands of Minister Conger at the earliest
possible moment. Mr.. wu determined &c
act through the medium OF an influential
imperial officer at Shanghai who, by rea-
son Of his position. is better able than any
one else in China TO execute such a mis-
sion. Beside forwarding the message OF
Minister Conger. Minister WI sent 70 the
Chinese official a detailed and urgent ex-
planatory message. in which he set forth
the imperative importance OF performing
this service for the American government
The official was urged TO spare no effort or
expense in forwarding the message by
couriers, runners or any other means. into
the hands Of Minister Conger. and to use
Ike means in getting back the answer to
the American government. Two days have
now elapsed since the message TO Mr.. Con-
ger went forward, and Ii is confidently be-
lieved that il is now on its way from
Shanghai to Picking. surrounded by such
safeguards and such efforts for speed. that
| a reasonably early answer may be ex-
pected AT the same time. IL s remembered
that it took ten days tor China's oficiai
decree to get from Picking TO Washington.
| Minister WI is bending every energy 20
accomplish this task at the earliest possi-
BILE moment. for he looks upon II not only
as an emergency, but an opportunity In
which the Chinese government can show
its desire to renoer every assistance to the
American government in the present emer-
gency
The Department of State has received .
dispatch from Consul General Goodnow. st
| Shanghai, saying that the Governor Of
| Shan-Tung wires that the Boxers and SOL
diers were bombarding the legations for
a final attack upon the eth of July. He 10
extremely anxious for the safety Of the
ministers and friendly Chinese In Peking.
| The consul adds that fears for the worst
are generally entertained.
| The State Department also has received
| a dispatch from Consul McNadc at Canton
saying that the yiceroy. Ii Hung Chang.
has engaged quarters the Chimes
| steamer An-Ping, but that the date OF his
departure for the north Is as yet unds-
| oided.
The department officials find Il hard TO e.
| innate the value OF this statement owing
| 10 the lack OF date on the cable message.
and II is suspected that the press dispatches
| stating that he has abandoned the trip q
| Pcking is OF later date than Mr.. Mcwade's
notice. Should the great vicesoy so north
ward. his coming 10 Taku and Tien-Tsin
| would raise a question as TO the conditions
under which he undertakes 10 go TO Pa
| king and incidentally the question a. 20
whether or not he should be permitted 70
| PASS the lines would invoive the decision
OF the other question. as. TO whether or nox
a state Of war exists.
| Mr.. woliant. the Russian charge Of the
| embassy. called at the State Department
to-day 20 talk over the Chinese situatiop
with Secretary Hay. lie stated that he haS