The Portland daily press., 1900-12-27
CONGER HOPEFUL.
rn,nh. /. settlement wishchlSa win he
Effected.

VOWS win recognize the Empress Dowaeer
otficially, although all are aware tn''s
that she has long exercised the supreme
vovxar He believes the crisis will result
N tne initiation of reforms in China
.ssepor DE CoIogsn, the Spanish minis
tsr. fears that the discussion OF Sne
Joint note after the general acceptance
will extend for year or more
az. IL rumored that numerous villages
nj Pekin are combining to exterminate
native Christians, several Oh whom naVe
bsen burned in u local temple.
"Id Hung Chang is trifie better.
AMERICANS FIRST 10 ENTER.
washington, December 26-Brig Gen.
HAYWOOD. commanding the Marine CORPS
n.s forwarded to the navy departInenS
,sttsr from Captain Charles ID. Long,
serving with the marines In Onina'
stat,no that the American marines were
. .na first to enter the Forbidden CITY.
,rhere has been much controversy as 10
whether the Russians, British, 6eih'ans
or Americans were first inside tins sacreu
rraoiucts of the Forbidden city, anu enis
i..,ar ,s regarded as establishing the
o,.,m NJ the Americans as to having Deen
first on the ground
Captain Long gives the following ac-
count of the duties performed by CO. u
at Pekin on August 10;
..JJp to that time august l0) me for-
hidden CITY had not been entered by any
If the allied forces. Three OF the gates
bstween the Chen Men gate and the
Forbidden City had been forced the
rrevious day by the Americans, but then
thew halted and finally withdrew to the
FIRST cate which was held. Receiving an
order from the commanding officer OF
marines to enter the Forbidden City ana
seize such buildings and quarters as
miobt be most advantageous for us 10
hoid and occupy. l moved Immediately
with my company, forced the iou''n
gate and entered the city. Japanese
sentries objected to our entering put l
aid not consider their claim to any con
troll at that point.
son entering there was no opposition,
the Chinese having departed leaving
their tents and banners standing. put
ouards on the best of the buildings anu
the regiment colors were hoisted on one
of the administration buildings. 10 INC
hest of nv belief this was the first ana
only occupation of the Forbidden C'ty
nv any of the allied forces and the only
time that any force hoisted its co!ors
there. We remained there from $50 p.
m. to $50 p. M, when l reeeivee an
ordar to withdraw and to leave guard
a. the fonrth gate. Captain Matthews
and Lieut.. Little, U. 5. marines, were
the officers in company with me.
FRENCH BURNED VILLAGE.
paris. Dscempe f6.-A despatch to the
uavas agency from Pekin dated neoem-
nor w. saws the detachment OF French
troons commanded by General Ballioud'
vera recsptIy attacked by Chinese regu-
lars and Boxers at Thi Tcheou south Oh
Pao Ting Flu. The punitive expeuitioh
to,k the village after lively COMBAT
MANY cannon and a quantity OF pro-
visions and ammunition were secured
I'm aooount of tina hostile attitude oil
tho nomination General Bailloud burned
the village and also those villages In .he
nsiehborhood. The Chinese loss was one
thousand men, General Bailloud's force
sustained no loss Christian Chinese
families have been maltreated by the Chi
nese regulars.
INDEMNITY QUESTION WILL
Washington, December rs A cable
gram received at the state departh en-
from Minister Conger dated at Pekin on
the gath instant, states that the hrs'
formal meeting between the diplomatic
CONSERVATIVES and Prince Ching tool
place on the oath.
The last article of the note INFORMED
she Chinese government that tn'
occunation of Chi Ii anc
Pekin might continue until the Chinese
government had complied with the term'
OF this note.
tmay be stated, however, that th'
United States Is not bound or affected py
this condition. Our occupancy from {
military point of view has terminated
and there is no disposition to renew IL
AS for the other powers, it is expected
I that the main obstacle Will be the ques
! ton of indemnities.
NATIVE CHRISTIANS BURNED.
Pekin, December 26 The Rev. M
Kelly, the Presbyterian missionary, VIII
reportsd to Minister Conger the burning
by Boxers OF ,19 Catholic Christians
has received further confirmation OF tn
burning of native Christians. He says tn
nr,ohar hurned is 81 and adds tina
thousands of armed Chinese have resl
seen in the San Ho country.
Mr.. Conger has sent copy of the com
munieauion to Field Marshal Won wal
dersee ana, Japanese and German troop
have been sent to investigate the reports
The troops of the various nations cele
brated Christmas In their own fashion
hair,sr interastad In the dnin