The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-07-13

sponded and kept up h fighting all
day and hen surrendered mus the
conflict OF forces began, but certainly
the initiative did not come from our
side. Even supposing that China were
not conscious OF her true condition,
how could she take such a step as TO
engage in var with ali the powers
simultaneously and how could she, re-
lying upon tka support OF an S1arcnis-
tic populace. go snto war Win the
powers Our position in this mater
ought 10 be clearly understood by al
the powers. The o Is q statement
OF the wrongs We have suffered, and
how China was driven to the unfor-
tunate position from which she could
not escape
Our several ministers VIII make
known accurately and In detail the con-
tents Of this decree and the policy Of
hin TO the ministers OF foreign az
fairs In their respective countries and
assure them that military authorities
are stIii entoined TO AFFORD protection
TO the legations. as heretofore, TO the
utmost OF their power. As for the an
archists. they viii be severely Dealt
with rs circumstances permit
The several ministers will con-
tinue IN the discharge OF the duties OF
their office. as hitherto, without hes
atation and without doubt This tel
graphic decree is 10 be transmitted
for their information. Respect this
SATISFACTION DERIVED FRoM
THE DOCUMENT.
The document gave great satisfac-
ton. here as II showed that. assuming
there was some foundation for the nrst
reports that the imperial government
had encouraged the Boxers. n even
participated in the attacks upon the
legations. IN effort is about 10 be made
TO retrieve the mistake. The note IS
-ngR - hAr-a .rfU9r a al with the yraIX
council and. at the state department,
this body is declared TO be Identical
with the Tsung Ii Yamen. being the
power next 10 the throne, and the one
which deals exclusively with foreign
powers. The curious means adopted
Of forwarding the note are supposed
10 have been resorted TO what
mounts 10 martial law in civilized
countries is now in foce in Pekin ana
Shan Tung, so that the TSung Iii la
men would naturally connde the mes
sage TO the war board, now in supreme
control, 10 secure its TRANSMISSION 20
Shanghai. The announced purpose OF
the Chinese government TO protect n
foreign ministers is gratifying 10 the
officials here, for they have all along
been more or less doubtful or the an-
thenticity OF the several dispatches
which have emanated from Shanghai.
| respecting the relations between Prince
Ching and the legations.
NOT TO CHANGE PRESENT PLANS
Ii is said that the note does not call
for answer from the state department
at this stage and will not materially
affect the military programme laid
down by our government. Such forces
as We can land in China will be pushed
forward with rapidity to Pekin.
The only consideration that wou-i
induce the administration to relax mat
programme at any point would be the
~re-opening of communication with
Minister Conger and his release from
any sort OF duress or restraint. Pos
| sibly now that the Tsung Ii Iamen is
communicating with the outer word
II win hermit the foreign ministers in
Pekin. IL they are alive. TO do the am
| our government probably will suggest
TO the Tsung Lii Yamen through Min
lister WI here, that this be done. Much
will depend upon the response.