New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-08-12
CONGER'S BRAVE MESSAGE
WHATEVER MAY BE THE OUTCOME.
WE WILL HOLD ON INDEFINITELY"
[BE TELEGRAPH TO rEu rrrBUNE. J

icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TpTBUNEI
washington. Aug. 1L-''whatever may be the
outcome we viii hold on indefinitely was the
brave message OF Minister Conger after six
weeks siege, with no positive information Of
the measures taken for his rescue. These words
occur IN the following dispatch received to-day
q the State Department from Consul Robert
Il Mowade. at Canton:
Canton, August IL. 1900
Secretary OF State, Washington
Corger, dating August 10, Tsi-Nan, answer
ing my message, says that the legations are
under siege by the Imperial soldiery. The stu
alton Is desperate The loss OF the legations is
sfxrv killed and about one hundred wounded
There IS some sickness, nevertheless the general
health continues good he concludes: What
ever nay be the outcome, will hold on in
definitely INVADE
The State Department is disposed to believe
that the dispatch was written by Mr. ConRer
on August 3. It was probably not a cipher dis
patch. and II closely resembles dispatches from
M Conger and Sir Claude Macdonald Of that
date Considerable interest attaches TO the
statement that the casualties OF all the legations
II the long siege amounted TO 100, or lust 1s6
per cent Of the total IN the legations Compar-
ing this with the statement IN the dispatch from
Minister Conger. received yesterday, that the
casualties IN the United States marine s7,ard
we're twenty-three, or exactly IL per cent. soma
idea q the prominent part taken by the Amer
lean force in the defence Of the Ministers and
To1aen and children may be gained
This IS the seventh message that has emma
rom M Conger since the middle Of June two
q them having come by runner to T1en-Tsin
snd i IS remarkable that IN none Of them has
Re referred in words to the receipt Of anv in
formation from outside Picking, EXCEPT in one
% Major Waller. in which he expressed gratihca-
ion 70 learn OF the capture Of Tien-Tgin and
regret for the large losses sustained by the eth
Infantry
Meme Of the imprisoned Ministers in their
dispatches 10 their Governments have indicated
that they have any knowledge Of the size of the
relief force or the measures taken by the Powers
fo- their SAFETY and rescue. The Chinese
authorities have evidently managed TO keep the
legations IN the dark regarding these matters
fo- otherwise the note sent by all the Ministers
n August 3 could not have expressed any doubt
IS Il did, On the proposition 70 send them TO
I-e1-Tsin OF IN regard 70 the essential strength
- the relief force.
~ rwo, this viii be remedied and the foreigners
n the legations viii have renewed courage 10
resist any further attacks on them
not INFORMED OF PEACE ovERTUREs,
SITUATION NOT CHANGED BIZ II HUNG
CEANG's APPOINTMENT
~ 6SL~1gLOls aug. 4L-I6S chinese Legation
has not YET been advised Of Ii Hung Chang's
selection as envoy 10 negotiate for peace in be-
half Of China But the report Is credited by the
Chinese Minister here. who says that Ii is emil
nently qualified 70 perform this service IN case
The Imperial Government decides 10 adopt such
course As stated, however the fact that
peace overtures imminent has not been
officially communicated 10 the Minister here or.
50 far es is known. 10 the State Department.
re reported Imperial edict authorizing Il Hung
chang 70 negotiate for peace was likely 70 have
10 immediate effect on the situation. 1T may
be true" he said. and the Chinese may be
awakening 20 a realization Of the situation. But
neither that edict nor anything else viii bring
sbout any change in the present plan and
determination 70 push On 70 Picking and
rescue The legations I do not apprehend
that anything viii occur that will be suf-
fc.ent warrant for stopping the march TO
the Chinese capital The Ministers must he
-escued first. We would put little faith in any
such step until II IS backed up by something
more definite. Il Hung Chang may Immediately
put himself IN communication with some Of the
Powers. but Il viii not affect present plans
until our legations are rescued.
L vas further said that this Government did
not have q high opinion Of the trustworthiness
II the Chinese statesman, and was not inclined
ro put great faith IN MS acts.
The course Of such negotiations. outlined
today by q well known diplomat personally
-cnversant with affairs in Picking. would be
along the following general lines: The first
move would be for truce OF both sides during
1ch hostiliries would be suspended. But 1t Is
recognized that the Powers would insist as the
first condition OF the truce that the first action
Under Il should be the rescue Of the Ministers
md all other foreigners in Picking. To accom-
1flsh that. Il IS said by this diplomat the most
advisable course would be 70 have the inter
national column proceed 10 q point about two
miles outside the east gate Of the Imperial City.
md there camp with a distinct assurance from
The commander that no assault on the city
oUId be made. This east gate is the nearest
point 70 the place where Mr.. Conger and all the
other Ministers and foreigners are now located,
i being one and e half miles from their com
round The International force could then wait
f~r the Imperial Government TO deliver the
foreigners IN the camp Of the Allies
II vas said by the diplomat who outlined this
plan that Il vas entirely feasible, and that in
tae present emergency Il was essential that some
such means Of meeting the complexities Of the
situation should be devised II is realized that
any plan suggested would be hazardous and
open 70 objection but this is said 10 have
the least features Of substantial objection.
s-EpeTsN