The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-08-01
Now Doubt the Authenticity
OF Conger's Autograph
Cipher Message.

washington, July ZI.-Unless some
authentic assurance as to the condition
of the Americans in Pskin reaches the
state department within day or two
the administration is likely to abandon
whatever faith it has manifested thus
far in the truthfuluess of Chinese
Information. The Chinese minister is
confident that within that time there
will be news from Pekin of q character
to satisfy tho most skeptical as to its
accuracy, and be also is confident that
this will be good news from the Ameri.
can poiot of view. The state depart.
ment is still receptive. though looking
with growing colduess upon the
numerous edicts which are coming from
China. all without bringing any news.
The contributions of the day were from
Consul General GoodDow, st Shanghai,
and Consul Fowler, at Chefoo. So
much of their message as vas given
out for publication related to the vel
fare of certain American mission aries
who have been made the subject of
inquiry by relatives in this country.
The cables mangled these messages,
and there is reason to doubt the value
of the information attempted to be con-
veyed through them.
Mr.. Goodoow also had something to
say about the present situation, and it
is believed tha. part of his message
was not of on encouraging character.
At any rate, it vas withheld from the
press. probably because the department t
did not regard it as wise to give the
stamp of its approval to matters which
Mr.. Goodnow wishes to be take, in q
purely speculative scnse.
Ever since the receipt at Tien Tsin
of the autograph message from Alr
Conger, dated Pekin. July 4, state
department officials have had grave
doubts as to the autdencity of me
cipher message attributed to him, dated
Pekiu. July 18Th There have been
many little side lights on this message
that afford ground for suspiciou, and
now the British authorities have added
their quota to the growing dis,rust of
things Chinese It seems that a Mr..
Warren. at preseu. acting as British
consu! at Shanghai. has been told by
Sheng, the famous Chinese director of
posts and telegraphs. that Yuan, the
governor of Shan Tung, told him
(SheDg) that message had passed
through to the Uoited States from Mr.
Conger 90 the 1S:h Of July telling Of
the conditions at the British legation.
This fact is cited as ccnfrna,ory of
these suspicious that the cipher dispatch
was "faked' by Chinese officials. 1t
is pointed out at the state department,
however, that there are plausible ex.
planations Of this curious fact which
tend to show the authencity of the
cipher Secretary Hay cabled Mr..
Conger tha: be might have implicit
faith 10 the person who brought the
dispatch to him. Mr.. Conger therefore
had right to trust the mao, and posi-.
oily be told him 10 general way the
contents of tho dispatch, 10 case the mes.
seDger should be obliged to destroy it
to insure his Own safety. However
that may be, the British government
has thought Mr. Warreu's report worthy
the attention of our own government.
1t 10 the earnest desire of this gov
eroment that the forward movement on
Pekin be made at the earliest possible
moment