The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-31

Milling OF Iuan by Boxers.
Washington, July N.-Unless some
aurthentic assurance as to condition
of the Americans in Pekin reaches the
state department within a day or two,
the administration is likely to abandon
whatever faith it has manifested thus
far in the truthfulness of Chinese in
formation. The Chinese minister is
confident hat within that time there
will be news from Pekin, of a charac-
ter to satisfy the most skepticaI as
to it's accuracy and he also is confident
that this will be good news from the
American point of view. The state
department is still receptive though
looking with growing GOODNESS upon
the numerous edicts and kilograms
which are coming from China, all with
out bringing any news.
The contributions of the day were
from Consul General Goodnow, at
Shanghai, and Consul Fowler, at Che
Foo. So much of their messages as
was given out for publication related
to welfare of Certain American mis-
siOnaries who have been made the sub
ject Of inquiry by relatives in this
country. The cables mangled these
messages and there is reason to doubt
the value of the information
10 be conveyed through them.
Mr. GOOdnOW also had something TO
say about the political situation and
IL is believed that part Of his message
was not of encouraging character. At
any rate IL is withheld from the press,
probably because the department did
not regard as wise to give the stamp
of its approval of matters which Mr..
GOOdnow wishes to be taken in a
purely speculative sense.
Ever since the receipt at Tien TSin
of the telegraph message from Mr..
COnger dated Pekin, July 18th, the state
department officials have lac grave
doubts as to the authenticity of the
cipher message attributed to him, dat
ed Pekin July 18th. There have been
many little side lights on this message
but rOund for suspicion, and now the
British authorities have added their
quota to the growing distrust of things
Chinese. 1t seems that a Mr.. Warren,
at present. acting as British consul at
Shanghai has been told by Sheng, n
famous Chinese director of posts and
telegraphs, that Yuan the governor of
Shang Tung told him (Sheng) that a
message had passed through to the
United States from Mr.. COnger on the
18th of July. telling of the conditions
at the British legation. This fact is
cited as c~Onfirmatory of these suspi-
sions that the cipher dispatch was
fake" by Chinese officials. 1t is point
"a out at the state department, hOwev-
er. that there are PLAUSIBLE eXplana-
tons of this curious fact, which tend
: to show the authenticity of the cipher
dispatch. Secretary Hay cabled Mr..
C0nger that he might have explicit
l--L -, Lha nprCnn Uyhn hrn1lOhr the
dispatch to him. Mr.. COnger there
fore had a right to trust the man, and
possibly he told him in a general way
the contents of the dispatch, in case
the messenger should be obliged to de-
strOy il to insure his own safety. How
ever that may be, the British govern
ment has thought Mr.. Warren'S report
worthy the attention of our govern
ment.
ANXIOUS TO ADVANCE ON PEkIN
1t is the earnest desire of this gov
rnmen that the forward movement
on Pekin be made at the earliest pos
sfble moment Although neither Cen
eral Chaffee's rank nor the number
of troops under his WOulC
entitIe this government to press MN
for of the internationa
personally is fit for such an honor anC
if chosen would acquit himself with
credit. .
If another commander is selected il
is the wish of the president that tns
American forces should not be divided
as to command. but that in carrying
out its share of any moment all orders
TO the American force should SO
through General Chaffee.
In case the commanders of the allie:
cannot reach an understanding 1t may
become necessary for the government:
49,. NH H.
the secretary of state has sent out No
csrcuIar on this subject, to those of tn
foreign ministers who nave seen hin
and who have preached the subject
he has suggested this solution IN tn
event of a hitch. 1t is earnestly hope(
however. that nc such necessity VII
arise but that the commanders them
selves will reach an agreement. Tn
beginning of the campaign on Pek1l
depends entirely upon the Satherln:
NJ Tien Tsin OF a sufficient number o
-r0Ops- Therefore, anxious as II l
mat the campaign shall be started a
once. our government is watching IN
arrivals % the foreign legations an
Is pressing Admiral Remey for report
as 70 the military conditions. Not a
Of his responses are given pubnclty
for reasons of sound policy. 1t is re
Dorted that $4,000 soldiers are alread,
~ Tiau TSin not half of the force re
garded as necessary TO begin the move
nent. The state department advice
this afternoon however, were to tn
effect that all of the japanese troop
hava now been landed, in which cas-
~ -n+arnatiOna force should be con
siderablv augmented. The war de
nartment. lacking informatio
owing TO the slowness OF telegrapnl
communication, believes that II ma
nOv- about 5000 trained and seasone
American troops in the vicinity OF NE
Tsin under the immedlat IN. -
- General Chaffee. assuming tina IN
Grant has landed her passengers, whic
She should have done if she sailed 1rol
Nagasaki on the 25th, according 10 u
original intention.
Tn MkVC Mn nnMDR0MISF