The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-06-19

to Arrive From Manila
Shangai, June 16.-Last nights ad-
vices from Tien Tsin report that large
lncendiary fires occurred in the east
ern part Of the city, where three Eng
lish and American churches were
burned, besides residences of many
foreigners. Telegraphic communica-
ton is interrupted, the poles having
been burned, and there is no hope of
immediate repairs being made
The train conveying the relieving
party with food and ammunition was
obliged to return, being unable to
reach Lang Fang, where detachments
of foreign troops, dispa tched on Sun
day last, are now endeavoring to re-
pair the line.
According TO information received
here from foreign sources, 10000 impe-
rial troops which were between Pekin
and the international forces advanc-
ing on that city have disbanded and
joined the Boxers.
1t is asserted that the government
of China does not consider itself re-
sponsible for any encounter which may
take place.
The native banks of Chin Kiang
closed business yesterday, fearing
trouble form the Boxers.
Excitement prevails in the Yang
Use valley, but all is quiet at Che Foo,
in spite of alarming rumors to the
contrary
ALL FOREIGN LEGATIONS DE-
STROYED AND GERMAN MIN
ISTER MURDERED.
London, June 16., p ma special
dispatch from Hong Kong says all the
Pekin legations have been destroyed
and that the German minister, Baron
Won Kettler has been killed.
Washington, June 16.-Nothing has
been heard here from and official source
to confirm the alarming reports of the
destruction of the embassies and lega-
tions in Pekin, and in view of the fact
that the government itself is not able
to open communication with the scene
of the troubles, the officials are inclin
ed to doubt whether private enterprise
could do more. In other words they
do not believe the report. Minister
WI, of the Chinese legation here, call
ed at the state department today, but
he declared that he was without any
advice from his own government
and said that his visit TO Secretary
Hay had reference to a personal mat
ter.
The report of the destruction of the
embassies and legations at Pekin was
followed by many kilograms asking
the department for information. Some
of these came from Iowa, the home of
Minister Conger and some from friends
and relatives of the other persons con-
nected with the United States legation
at Pekin. Mrs. Baldwin, sister of Min
ister COnger, called in person at the
department to inquire into the truth
of the story. The department was OBJ
liged to make answer in each case that
it had no news and that it could not
confirm the report. 1t was apparent
that the officials did not believe that
the United States legation had been
burned and they were only sorry that
they could not make a denial upon
authority.
1t is said at the state department
that according to the last reports there
were at the United States legation be-
sides Mr.. Conger his wife, his daugh-
ter, at least one lady visitor, Secretary
of legation Herbert G. Squires, of New
York; William E. Bainbridge, of Iowa;
the second secretary; Lieutenant AL
bert Key, naval secretary, and f. V.
Cheshire, interpreter.
The unconfirmed and the unofficial
rumor that Baron Won Kettler, the
German minister at Pekin, had been
killed, soon spread TO diplomatic cir
cles and caused great uneasinesS as
the erroneous statement got abroad
that the state department had receiv
ed confirmation of the report. AS a
matter of fact neither the state depart
ment nor the German embassy knew
anything of it.
The rumor was none the less dis
quieting, for, aside from the grave in
ternational aspect of such an act, ga
&c ;y,fiy al Inn mn
here, having been first secretary of the
German embassy up to a few years
ago.
Many diplomats and friends called
at the German embassy to inquire as
to the report, but the answer was Civ
en- that no such news was received
and the report was regarded with
great deal of doubt.
BRITISH REINFORCEMENT
Hong Kong, June 1.-THE British
cruiser Terrible with troops, sailed for
Tien Tsin this morning. Captain
Perry M. Scott, of the Terrible, pre-
vious to sailing arranged to land 12-
FOUNDER and other ship guns for land
service.
The British first class armored
cruiser Undaunted has suddenly been
ordered north under sealed orders.
She will sail Immediately. Trouble is
brewing near West river. Riots have
broken out at Bun Chow, whence oyer
a hundred refugees arrived at WI
Chow, June II.
About 5000 rebels have assembled at
Kwei Lii Sien Bodies af Canton troops
passed through Wu Chow June lin
on their way to meet the rebels.
NO NEWS FROM MINISTER CON-
GER.
Washington, June 16.-Not "oro
of news came to the state department
over night from Minister Conger, VINO
has now been cut off from communica-
ton since last Tuesday. Even tne
United States consuls in north emma
xkln