The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-05
THE AMERICANS
UNDER CHAFFEE
Continued from Ninth Page.)

patch are numbering missionaries in
South China, but are not disturbing treaty
ports Troops are being secretly brought
to treaty ports. Old batteries of the Yang
Use River, the dispatch says, are being
repaired and new ones are being erect
ed at WI Sung. Despite the declaration
of the viceroy that the work would be
stopped five guns have been mounted
The dispatch accuses the British of
secret understanding with the viceroy
in accounting for the Indifference of the
British fleet to the strengthening of the
Chinese Notifications at WI Sung.
FORTIFYING THE YANG Use.
Shanghai, Friday, August 3rd.-Accord-
ing to trustworthy reports received here
today the Chinese are fortifying the Yang
Use River. At fort near Nankin, two
six-inch quick fire guns were disabled
at first trial. Chinese officials affirm
that the guns were mounted as a precau-
ton against Boxers advancing south
ward.
ACTIVITY AT THE BOGUE FORTS.
Hong Kong, August All is quiet at
Canton, but there is great activity at the
Borue Forts which are fully manned
and on the walls of which flags are
hoisted. Constant practice is had with
the big guns at channel targets. The
Chinese state that the Cantonese are in
fear of an attack by the French.
THE CoNGER MESSAGE AGAIN.
Washington, August 4.-The Depart
ment of State authorizes the following
statement in regard to the probable date
of the first telegram from Minister Con-
ger to which, in transmitting is through
Sheng, at Shanghai, and Minister WI,
the Tsung Ii Yamen assigned the date
of July 18th.
The Department of State is in posses
sion of the original cipher text of the
entire message as received by Minister
WI on July goth and communicated by
him to Secretary Hay on the morning
of that day. 1t is partly in the Chinese
cipher code and partly in that OF the
United States. The two texts were sepa-
rated by several groups not ineligible
in either cipher. AS deciphered on July
Goth, the Conger message appeared to
begin with the words In the British Lee
CATION under continuous shot and shell,
ETC..
With the aid of the full text as tele-
graphed from Che Foo by Consul Fowler,
and already given to the press the doubt
full groups, which were distorted in tele-
graphic transmission, have now been cor
rected and found to read: For one
month we have been beseged,' which in
telligibIy completes the sentence making
the telegram read: For one month we
have been besieged in British Legation
under continued shot and shell from
Chinese troops. Quick relief only can
prevent general massacre. -- Conger.
AS it is known that these various Lega-
lions and foreigners took shelter in the
British Legation about June 18th the
date of Mr.. Conger's telegram is fixed
with approximate certainty as July 18th.
This agrees with Consul Fowler's cabled
statement that the original message as
written on a regular telegraph form and
signed 'Conger' is supplemented by the
code e. II. Conger. July 18th, address
U. S. Legation, written on the same
form. but evidently not transmitted.
The fact that the authentic text of the
original message as received in Wash
ington on July goth agrees literally with
Consul Fowlers report of the wording
of the original form written by Minister
Conger and bearing the file date of July
18th. appears to establish the genuine
ness of the message and it's date beyond