The Savannah morning news., 1900-07-30
IMPORTANT NEWS EXPECTED.
Minister WI Is Making n Determined
Effort to Get Another Dispatch
From COnger.

From COnRer.
Washington, July 29.-There is growing
expectation at the state department that
news of the utmost Importance may be
forthcoming at any moment from Pekn
II was even thought that something
might be received to-day, but this hope
was doomed 10 disappointment The fewca-
Diagrams that were received referred to
minor matters and did not touch at all
upon conditions in the Chinese capital. 1t
is believed that the basis for this expecta-
ton is the knowledge on the part of the
officials that certain machinery hereto
fore set in motion may result in the open
ing up of communica ton through some Sc
cret, but reliable. channels.
1t is known that a second effort has been
made by our own government to get an
other message to Minister Conger, but
nearly all of the Powers have also resort
ed to private agencies in their own in
terest with a like object.
The fact has just been developed that
one of the last acts OF the late Col. Lis
cum before his death at Tien Tsin, was to
undertake the dispatch of a spy to PeSin.
Gen. Dorward, the British commanding of
fcer at 1'en Tsin. also sent out two mes
sages, and il is believed that the japanese
did the same. Up 10 date not one of these
messengers has returned to Tien Tsln.
nor has there been a single word heard
from any of them.
This fact, has not caused the abandon
ment of hope, and this is true in partlc-
ular of the message expected from Mr.
Conger Minister Wu is perhaps the ba-
sis for this hope on our part and he
maintains an unshaken confidence in his
original assertion that the news, when
does come, will show that the lega-
toners are alive. The message reported
to have come through Missionary Wilder,
at Che Foo, is regarded as most promis-
ing.
The March to Pekin.
Minister WI had no cablegrams himself
to-day, nor had the department any III
rectly from China. Nothing further, has
been heard as to the date set for the
beginning of the movement from Tien
Tsin toward Pekin, and 1t is said here that
this is detail that must be fixed by the
military commanders upon the spot.
A message came to Inc war department
from the quartermaster on the Lenox, an
nouncing the arrival Of that ship to-
gether with the Conemaugh, at Kobe ia
pan. They have aboard the mounts for
the Sixth. Cavalry, and although they
Will start for Taku at once. not less than
five days will be consumed In this last
stage of the voyage. 1t is doubtful
whether Gen. Chaffee would care to leave
Taku without horses for the Sixth Cav
airy, particularly as according to all re-
ports, mounted cavalry is needed for sue
cessful operations in the fiat country
lying between Tien Tsin and Taku This
fact alone may delay operations until
late in the present week, though at least
portion of the tnterna tionai column may
start on the day fixed, namely, to-mor-
row.
Assurances received here show that the
japanese government is doing all in its
power to facilitate the information
movement. and though the good will of
the japanese was never suspected so
far as the United States is concerned
the knowledge is gratifying. Secretary
Long had a cable message today from
the commander of the Buffalo, al Hong
Kong, stating that he had sailed for T1-
ku. The Buffalo is taking out much
needed relief men for tn. naval crews,
and also has a lot of stores aboard for
the approaching campaign
Lieut.. Col. CooIIdge's Report
The war department received a cable
gram from Lieut.. Col. Coolidge, who as
sumed command of the Ninth Infantry
after the death of Col. Lscum giving a
report OF the part played by that organiza-
ton during the fighting at Tien Tsin. The
report is a s follows:
"Che Foo-Corbn. Washington Six
companies Ninth Infantry, under Liscum,
with marines commanded by Meade join
ed British forces under Gen. Dorward in
conjunction with-French and japanese and
attacked southwest part Of walled city al
daybreak on the 18Th
The Ninth Infantry on the right were
east of the south and were protecting the
allied forces from fiankng fire After be
ing under fire for fifteen hours they were
Withdrawn to the outer mud wall a night
The Ninth Infantry had sixteen killed,
sixty-nine wounded, one missing. out OF
42O engaged at this point. Company A
posted at the railroad station east OF the
Pei Ho, was exposed TO heavy shrapnel
fire. losing two killed and seven wounded
in addition to the foregoing.
ION the morning OF the 14th the Japa-
nese blew up the south gate. entering the
walled city. Allied forces entered town
Assigned the southeast quarter TO the
Americans for police and protection
Guards were established In the American
quarter, which was already on fire Brit
ish commander highly praised American
soldiers for arduous work and gallantry
in communication to Meade.
"Tien Tsin July &C. (Sgned) Coolidge"