New-York tribune., 1900-08-22
A GALL FOR REVENGE
MINISTER CONGER's MEssAGE-NoR.s
ATTACK On ENJOYS.
IBY TELEGHAPH TO The TRrsUxE.I


Washington Aug 21.-Intense interest 49,
among officials and others. has centred 80.
around the last dispatch from Minister g.
ger. which received last night Extrao+.
from II were made public to-day. but what a,
believed to be the most interesting portion M.
withheld There is a general impression -.
the Minister inculpated the Imperial authorize
in the indignities that have been heaped uno-
the Ministers and in the attacks that had bee,
made upon the legations. as well as in tbs
murder Of the German Minister and the as
sasslnation OF the Chancellor Of the Japane.a
Legation. and that he urged the necessity a.
holding the Chinese Government responsible -
the fullest extent OF course this impression
to the contents Of the expurgated sentences
OF the dispatch could not be verified
OF one thing, however. there does not seer,
to be a reasonable ground Of doubt, and that is
that Minister Conger and his diplomatic chi
leagues keenly feel the sufferfngs, privatiouz
indlgnities and dangers to which they have
been exposed and subjected and that they aIso
feel that retrbution should be both severe and
swift. II would be unnatural for them not ~
TO feel. For two months they had been con-
stantly subject TO the most nerve rackfnz
anxiety and strain that men could suffer Their
wives and children and more than a hundred
Of other women and children who had fed 70
them for protection had been in daily and
hourly peril One OF their number had been
cruelty slain while attempting to make an Of
AciaI call at the Chinese Foreign Ofice, and
member Of another Legation had been assassf-
mated They had been for many weeks cut OF
from communication with their respective Gov
ernments. They had been under FIRE OF shot and
shell for weeks at a time. The little detach-
ments of marines sent TO guard them and the
legations had been decimated by Chinese bull
lets. All these things had happened by the SUI
ferance II not with the cOnnivance and aid OF
the Imperial authorities. and when relief came
it had to force its way with bullet and bayonet
Is il any wonder that the Ministers are IN
strung and their hearts filed with desire for
vengeance or that they desire that Just punish
ment shall be meted out to the Chinese aUthori-
ties. who. II they did not connive at and as
sist in the perpetration OF the outrages. did not
take effective measures TO prevent them? The
Ministers undoubtedly feel convinced that those
authorities should be held both officially and
personally responsible.
FIERCE ASSAULT REFUSED.
There are two sentences in that portion Of
Minister Conger's dispatch which made
public that family indicate his state OF mind
when he wrote them They are these:
Desperate effort made last night to extermi-
nate Mitchell. American sailor, and Rus
sian and Japanese wounded German killed
This list OF casualties in the little band Of be-
seged guards--one killed and three wounded
does not seem to indicate that the attack was
made by a considerable or well organized force
1t appears small. indeed. when compared with
the losses Of the Chinese defenders OF Pekings
gateways on the following night. given n
Japanese official dispatches. No doubt the fight
ing was severe while 1t lasted and the casual
ties of the attacking force were probably great
er than those of the besieged. but the attack
would seem 10 have been made by a mob. and
not by a body of organized troops. Following
is the part of Minister Congers dispatch that
was made public:
United states Legation. PeIfns, undated, via
Che-Foo, August 20.
Secretary State, Washing gton.
saved. Relief arrived to-day Entered city
with little trouble. Do not yet know where
Imperial family Is. Except deaths already
reported, all Americans alive and WELL
Desperate efforts made last night TO exter-
inmate Mitchell. American soldier. and
Russian and Japanese woundedg German
killed. Advise Woodward, ChicaEOi Cenger.
Des MOines; Sims, Council Bluffs; conEer,
PasadenaE Porter. Paris.
CONGER. by FOWLER, Che-Foo.
The date OF the dispatch was August IA or
15-probably the latter. 1t was certainly writ
ten prior to the assault on the Forbidden City.
as the Minister would undoubtedly have men
toned so important a fact. 1t will be noted that
Minister COuSSI says the IelleI lOECeS elIrtcu
city with little trouble" That remark
probably intended to apply to the American
contingent only. some Of the others met
stubborn resistance and lost heavily. II should
be noted that the dispatch was dated the day
that relief came, when a good deal Of con
fusion and joyful excitement prevailed, and
therefore the Government will expect soon a
more complete and detailed report from Min
lister Conger as basis of future consideration
and action. II is apparent. however, that the
officials here are already convinced that China
to-day is without a responsible Government
with which to enter into negotiations OF any
sort. Positive information has been received By
the State Department that the Emperor and
Empress Dowaser left Pezing several days be-
fore the expeditionary force arrived. going IN a
westerly direction Their present location IS un-
known here. unless II be TO Minister WI
MR. CoNGER TO BE RECALLED.
1t is thought probable that as soon as he can
make necessary arrangements Minister Conger
will return with his family to the United
States and enjoy an opportunity 10 regain his
health and strength, which have been weak
ened by the anxieties and privarions he has
been compelled to undergo In the last two or
three months. He will here be able 70 consult
with and advise the Administration in regard
20 it's future policy in China, and 10 give IL the
benefit Of his knowledge OF existing conditions
there much better than he could by means or
correspondence.
1t is considered exceedingly fortunate by the
Administration that Mr. Rockhnl. the Special
Commissioner appointed 10 investigate and re-
port concerning Chinese affairs. who sailed from
San Francisco on August 5. is now nearing his
destination and will soon be able TO consult
wit TipfSf