Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-07-21

dealing with a possibility too re-
mote to be seriously considered"
replied the Secretary. 81 am of
the opinion that outsiders could
not have made use of our code,
and besides the nature of the reply
with its strong appeal for immedi-
ate relief, is such as would not
have been sent by any one seeking
to conceal a catastrophe to the
foreigners in Pekin.'
Does this message in any way
change the situation or the policy
of our government"
Il do not see that it does, or will
result in a change of policy. The
allies are organizing a column for
the relief of the foreigners at Pc
kin, and now that it IS known that
they are alive, the news can only
result in pressing forward the col
umn at the earliest possible mo-
ment."
Naturally in view of the import
ance of the communication from
Mr.. Conger, the first impulse was
to make sure of its authenticity.
Secretary Hay was himself perfect
ly satisfied on that score. Just as
Secretary Long had suggested he
felt no doubt that the message con-
veyed internal evidence of anthem
ITCHY. Surprising that the Chinese
government had obtained possess
ion of the State Department secret
code, it could not be conceived what
purpose it would serve to represent
the urgency of pushing relief forces
toward Pekin. If the imperial gov
eminent is making war on the in
ternationals it would surely not for
ward an effort ito get foreign
troops into its own capital. At
least that was the line of reason
ing at the State Department.
CHINESE TROOPS"
A most significant feature of the
Conger message was the statement
that the British legation was under
constant fire from the Chinese
TROOPS" Without qualification or
explanation that expression would
seem to identify the imperial gov
eminent with the attack upon the
foreign ministers. He made no
mention Of Boxers, but simply re-
ferred to troops.
AS the State Department was
obliged to pharaphrase the message
to pro@ect its code from disclosure,
it is not possible at this moment to
exactly estimate the full signifi-
canoe of the minister's language
on this point. But in his last
message preceding this he specified
Boxers as attacking and it may be
that he has now purposely made
a distinction.
WHAT HE MEANT.
The State Department officials,
however, feel that Mr.. Conger, in
using the terms Chinese troops"
meant troops in rebellion against
the imperial government; those I'M
der Prince Tuans direction. They
find this contention entirely log
ical
In the first place, the Chinese
government itself has admitted
that its troops had participated in
many cases during the Boxer
movement. The appeals of Minis
ter WI and of other Chinese min
listers abroad to the powers to has
ten their forces to Pekin, also were
based on the theory that the i'm
perial government was resisting
these rebellious troops and Box
ers. Furthermore, it cannot be ac-
cepted as probable that if the
Chinese government were attacking
the legation itself, it would permit
Mr.. Conger to advise his own gov
eminent and the world at large of
that fact. Altogether, it may be
stated again that the State Depart
ment is satisfied OF two facts:
first, that Mr.. Conger was alive on
the 18th. instant, two days ago.
This date is supplied by Consul
General Goodnow. It may also
have been in the original cipher
from Mr.. Conger, though the fact
does not appear in the paraphrase
given out by the State Department.
which is undated. In the second
place, it still remains the opinion
that the Chinese imperial govern
ment is not encouraging, but is re-
s1sting the Boxer movement, which
is consequently an instruction
against the titular government.
Secretary of War Root was ask
ed to-day, after he had had two
conferences with the Secretary of
State and several with Adjutant
General Corbin, as to the probable
effect the Conger despatch would
have on the military situation. He