The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-08
Chinese Government Was Insisting
"which Meant Certain Death"
DISPATCH FROM CHAFFEE
WHICH INDICATES AMERICANS
WE'RE IN THE PEI-TsANG FIGHT.
About 1000 Infantrymen aud Bat
terry of Artillery Engaged-Prob-
able Base Of Action.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7.-Th

WASHINGTON, Aug. The
following cablegram from Min
lister Conger was received tonight
by the State Department:
"Tsi-Nan Yamen, Aug. T.
Still besieged. Situation more
precarious. Chinese government
insisting on our leaving Peking,
which would be certain death.
Rifle firing upon Us daily by i'm
perial troops. Have abundant
courage, but little ammunition or
provisions. Two progressive va
men ministers beheaded. All con-
nected with legation of the United
States we'll atthe present moment.
"CONGER."
The foregoing cablegram from Minister
Conger is the second received from him
since June T. 1t is the first which has come
direct from the minister since the above
date. the other having been received
through the intermediary of the Chinese
minister here. Mr.. wu. To-day's telegram
shows that the situation in the Chinese
capital is still of very serious character,
that the ministers are still in danger from
the Chinese troops and that their supplies
cf ammunition and provisions have been
reduced to a very considerable extent. So
the dispatch that conference was held
by wire between several of the officials
for several hours. At its conclusion the
cablegram from Mr. Conger was made
public as given elsewhere.
The cablegram came in the official cipher
OF the department. 1t is undated like his
previous cablegram. but from the internal,
evidence furnished by his reference to the
beheading of two members of the Tsung Ii
Yamen and to the insistence of the Chinese
government on the removal OF the ministers
from Peking. State Department officials
say IL may be assigned date not earlier
than July 80 and perhaps not later than
Aug. 2 1t is checked by the telegraph COM
pany as having been put on the wires at
Tsi-Nan. large city about eighty miles
southeast of Peking. on Aug Z. The dis
patch reached the department at 40 D..
n. but was not made public until late in
the evening.
Those who were at the White House in
conference with the President included
Acting Secretary Adee. of the State De-
partment. Secretary Root and Adjutant
General Corbin. Captain Michael. the chief
clerk OF the State Department. through
whose hands the cablegrams pass. was also
present part of the time. What the re-
suit of the conference was the officials de.
cline TO say. That II will stimulate the
energies of the government to its utmost
endeavor TO press forward the advance
movement towards Peking is certain. for
Mr. Conger's message makes 1t clear that
for the ministers to leave Peking would
result in their death. Secretary Root did
not Tre 10 make any statement when
asked about the situation tonight
The officials had been led to believe from
the more recent dispatches which had pur-
ported TO emanate from Chinese sources,
as well as from imperial edicts. that the
condition of the legationers was much i'm
proved. but to-dsy's advices show a very
different aspect OF affairs.
90 far as he was aware there could be no
change in the Presidents intention to re-
turn TO Washington on the 18th inst. max
ing this reply to question as TO whether
the latest Developments In Peking would ne
eessitats his return to the capital earlier.
The word ''Ysmen." following the name
Of the city Tsi-Nan. at which the cable
gram from Minister conger was put on the
wires. as understood here. probably refers