The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-16


Secretary Long is an exception to those
who now are almost firmly convinced that
the worst has happened in Peking. He
still has hopes that the ministers may be
alive, and that when reliable news is re-
ceived direct from Peking it may show
that many of the reports emanating from
there have been exaggerated. He bases
his hope partly on the opinion that the
responsible heads of the Chinese govern
ment. whoever they may be, will not be so
short-sighted as to permit such a terrible
catastrophe as the murder Of the foreign
ers. because of the evil consequences.
Minister WI is disconsolate over the
latest reports from China, and 1t seems
evident that he almost has given up hope
that the ministers arc yet alive. At the
same time he trusts that official advices
will show all the rumors to have been ex-
aggerated. and that good will come out of
evil, which now seems TO overhang his
government.
Cabinet member said tonight there
had been no talk of any extra session of
Congress to deal with the Chinese situa-
ton. as the authority of the President
already available was sufficient to deal
with existing conditions.
Secretary Long had two cablegrams, to-
day, from China, but he was inclined to
set 4 negative value on them, because they
made no mention of massacre of the le-
gationers in Peking. He reasoned that Ad-
miral Remey was in good position to get
as early news as any one of such an
event. The admirals message was from
Che-Foo, of to-day's date, though, as he is
supposed to be himself at Taku, 1t is as
sumed that it was sent from that place
yesterday The admiral stated that he had
ordered the Buffalo to Taku. She was COM
ing out to the Orient by way of Suez. and
was to report for orders at Singapore,
where she was to be directed to proceed to
Manila or be detected TO North China. She
is carrying out a cargo of coal and a num-
ber of sailors to recruit the American fleet.
The second dispatch came from Captain
Bowman. of the gunboat Castine, which is
stationed at Shanghai. and also was dated
to-day. 1t was as follows:
Rodgers sends word Oregon passed Che
Foo, 18th, Nashville conveying"
1t is supposed. at the Navy Department.
that Captain Rodgers, of the Nashville
signaled this information from his ship, as
he passed Che-Foo. The distance from Che
Foo to the Kure docks. where the Oregon
is bound. is about seven hundred miles, and
as Che-Foo was passed last Thursday, IL is
estimated here that the crippled battlesnip
is now nearing the Straits of Shimonoseki
through which she must pass TO get up to
the docks.
WI is IRRITATED.
Minister WI feels natural irritation al
the statements printed in some quarters
that the Chinese in the United States are
making ready TO return to China, and that
they sympathize with the Boxers and are
| lending them financial aid. He declared in
| the most earnest manner that there is not
a word Of truth in these statements He
| says that all of the Chinese in the United
| States come from southern China and are
| altogether out of sympathy with the north
ern Chinese. In fact, they do not even
| speak the same language. He is sure there
| is not a single one OF these northern China
men in the United States. and II there
| were they would meet with the HOSTILITY OF
the Canton men. AS for the latter. the
! minister declares that they are entirely
| satisfied with their condition in this coun-
try. and could not be persuaded TO return
to China to give aid to any element op-
| posed TO Americans.
| The government here has taken note ot
| the efforts made i'm some quarters to stiI
\ up an agitation against the peaceabIe Chi.
nese in the United States. 1t feels IL Il
imperatively necessary TO use the entire re.
| sources of the government to suppress an,
movement that would jeopardize their
safety. Anything like a massacre OF Chi.
nese i'm the United States would wreck
| the whole case OF the United States gov.
| ernment in the settlement which mus
come of this Chinese trouble Our govern
ment could not demand reparation or in.
demneb from China for whatever happen.
at Peking or elsewhere in China IL the Chi
nese government, through the violenc.
| of our people. were put In position Il
claim a setoff growing out of violence
shown its people I'm the United States
Therefore. steps have been taken alread,
TO have the authorities in localities wher,
there may be danger of anti-Chinese out
breaks prepare for the promptest and mos
stern repressive measures at the first symp
| tom OF trouble. And IL may be stated there
viii be no haiting in the use of fedora