The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-07-31
EDICTs AND RUMORs GALORE.
Minister WI Says Chinese Ways Are Not
Liz American Ways

Washington, July 2S.-The day brought
forth the usual crop Of edicts and re-
ports from various quarters and the usual
visit from Ministers WI to the State De
partment, all bearing directly upon the
welfare of the foreign Ministers in Pc
kin. This constantly growing mass of as
sertion is beginning to have a cumula-
tive effect upon the sceptics, and there
was a nOticeably more hopeful view taken
of the State Of affairs today. Beyond the
fact that it is scarcely conceivable that
the Chinese authorities should persist
in repeating and strengthening these
stories up to the rapidly approaching
moment when the whole truth must be
disclosed by other agencies, it appeared
upon careful consideration of the reports
that there was really little more ground
for hope as to the safety of Mr.. Conger
and his colleagues at Pekin today than
there was yesterday. The depressing fact
is always in mind that the Chinese au-
thorities, by their own statements able
to communicate with the legatiOnerS, for
some mysterious reason do not permit
these u~nfortunates to communicate with
their w Governments. Minister Wu'S
explanation Of this, namely, that the Chi
nese methods are different from our own,
is scarcely sufficient for the officials
here. The Minister, however, is honest
ly trying to get a further communication
through from Mr.. Conger, and it may be
that success in this undertaking will af-
ford him a brilliant vindication. At least
he maintains a wonderful show of conf
dence in the safety of the leg~ationers,
and manages to impress this in some de-
gree upon the officials and others with
whom he comes in contact.
Thora nothing of ip+oroct fro,,
China respecting the military or naval
forces there. The War Department Off
Gals now calculate that General Chaffee
with his troops on the Grant will arrive
at Taku this evening, though it may be
several days before his report of the
fact can reach the department. The ir-
regular and unsatisfactory character Of
the present system of communication be-
tween Iaku and the cable and at Shang-
hal has been taken into account by the
War Department, and it is said that one
of Chaffee's first acts upon taking COM
mand Of the United States troops ashore
at Taku and Tien Tsin will be to cstab-
lish, perhaps in cooperation with the
other military commanders, q line of
rapid dispatch boats running from Tien
Tsin to either Shanghai or Nagasaki.
While the positive statement is made
AHoI II Ii y Ii present 1nUPnIl0n 10
send any more troops from Manila to
China, at the same time it is known that
all contingencies have been canvassed.
and that if an emergency should arise in
emma, which made it imperative to have
additional troops they would be drawn
from the Philippines for temporary duty
at least. Some time ago General Mac
Arthur was advised by Secretary Root 10
maintain sufficient transports to carry
supplies between Manila and Taku. and
these transports would be available for
emergency troops. The Pennsylvania.
indiana and Sumner, when the latter ar
rlves at Manila, will be held for service
between Manila and Taku, and will be
aValiaDle for the contingency which may
occur, but which the Department does
not expect to arise. A stubborn resist
anco to the advance of the international
armies might make additional troops
necessary. In that event a speedy relief
column no doubt would be sent from
Manila.
THE EDICT RECEIVED BY WI.
Washington, July 28.-The Chinese Min
lister came to the State Department early
expressly to deliver an edict received by