The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-27
The Chinese Envoy, However, Is Still
Confident the Lcgationers
Are Alive and Well.
CABLE FROM ADMIRAL REMEY
SAYING AMERICANS DID NOT AID IN
LOOTING TIEN-TsIN.
Col. Meade Invalided HOme-RepOrt
from Kempff-GOOd Faith of the
Chinese Government Doubted.
necial to the indianapolis Journal.


WASHINGTON, July 26.-Minister Wu
called at the State Department this morn
ing, not to convey, but TO receive news. If
any had been received. None came. TIE
Peking mystery is still unsolved. Mr.. WI
informed Assistant Secretary Hill that the
minimum in which a response to President
McKinleys reply to the Emperor's appeal
for mediation by the United States was
five days, which period will expire next
Sunday. Mr.. WI was careful to explain
that, while a response may be received by
Sunday. longer period might elapse be-
fore it would be received. There might be
delay in reaching Peking, or the response
might be delayed in its transmission to this
government. Again, the Tsung Ii Yamen
the Chinese Foreign Office might take
several days to debate the conditions laid
down by the President before arriving at
decision thereon. Any or all of these
contingencies, as well as others not now
foreseen, might arise to cause delay, ex-
planned Minister WI. so that, while 1T is
possible the Emperor's response may reach
here by next Sunday, it is quite likely that
1t may not be received until several days
later.
Minister WI is unshaken in his belief
that the foreign ministers are alive and
well. Our own State Department officials
remain confident that the Conger dispatch
of July is was written either by Mr.. Con-
ger himself or Mr.. Squires. first secretary
of the legation. They will not say, what
it is that makes them confident of this, but
they claim that all question as to the au-
~
mated. though they admit it might have
been written at earlier date than July
Is. In other words. they admit it might
have been intercepted dispatch, freshly
dated and forwarded by the Chinese au-
thorities, for purposes of their own. 1t is
hut fair to Minister WI to say that the
State Department has absolute confidence
In his honesty of purpose.
1t is said tonight that the cablegram
received by the Navy Department to-day
from Admiral Remey contained no state
ment as to when the forward movement
of the allied armies on Peking was to be
made. IT. measure this was disappoint-
ment to the officials, who dread delay i'm
a united advance for the relief Of the le-
gationers. Admiral Remey has just been
en- a visit TO Tien-Tsin, where he went
to make an examination into the condi-
tions existing there and presumably to
gather what information he could as TO
the future intention of the allies. For this
reason 1t was expected that he would be
able to give some indication of the probable
time the forward movement Peking
would begin. According to the naval au-
thorities Admiral Remey's dispatch gave
no information of the present strength
of the foreign troops now ready to begin
the campaign, although it is not thought
here that they are numerous enough to
force their way to the Chinese capital and
successfully encounter the opposition which
il is feared will be met on the way there.
The estimates furnished two weeks ago
by Admiral Kempff for the China cam
paign contemplated an army of 1000 men
for the march to Peking and 10000 to
guard the bases of supplies at Taku and
Tien-Tsin and keep open the lines of COM
munication. Nothing like this number of
the relief column under Admiral Seymour
which started for Peking during the early
period of the existing difficulties, is warn
ing to the authorities of the danger of
making a second attempt without ample
provision in men and supplies, both of
forcing a way through the country and
keeping an adequate force for relief should
the invading army be cut off from the base
of supplies.