Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-07-29

WASHINGTON, July 2S.-The day
9rought forth the usual crop of edicts
and reports from various quarters, and
the usual visit from Minister WI to
the State Department, all bearing d.
rectly upon the welfare Of the foreign
ministers in Pekin. This constantly
growing mass OF assertions is beginning
to have a cumulative effect upon the
seeptics and there was a noticeably
more hopeful view taken OF the state
of affairs to-day. Beyond the fact
that it is scarcely conceivable that the
Chinese authorities should persist in
repeating and strengthening these
stories up TO the rapidly approaching
moment when the whole truth must be
disclosed by other agencies, it appeared
upon careful consideration OF the re-
ports that there was really little more
ground for hope as to the safety OF
Mr.. Conger and his colleagues at Pekin
to-day than there was yesterday. The
depressing fact is always in mind that
the Chinese authorities, by their own
statements, able TO communicate with
the legationers, for some myterious
reason do not permit these unfortun-
ates 10 communicate with their own
governments.
Minister Wu's explanation of this,
namely. that the Chinese methods are
different from our own, is scarcely suf-
fcient for the officials here The min
lister, however, is honestly trying TO get
a further communication through
from Mr.. Conger, and it may be that
success in this undertaking will afford
him brilliant vindication. At least
ne maintains a wonderful show OF con-
fdence in the safety OF the legationers,
and manages TO impress this in some
degree upon the officials and others
with whom he comes in contact.
There was nothing of interest from
China respecting the military or naval
forces there. The War Department Of
ficials now calculate that
Gen. ChafTee With His Troops
on the Grant, will arrive at Taku this
evening, although it may be several
days before his report Of the fact can
reach the department. The irregular
aud unsatisfactory character OF the
present system of communication be-
tween Taku and the cable end at
Shanghai has been taken into account
by the War Department and it is said
that one OF Chanee's first acts upon
taxing command of the United States
forces ashore at Taku and Tien Tsin
will be TO establish, perhaps in coop
GRAFTON with the other military CON-
manders, line OF rapid despatch boats
running from Tien Tsin TO either
Shanghai or Nagasaki.
While the positive statement is made
that it is not the present intention TO
send any more troops from Manila 10
China, at the same time il is known
that ali contingencies have been can
vassed and that if an emergency should
arise in China which made It impera-
tive TO have additional troops they
would be drawn from the Philippines
for temporary duty at least. Some
time ago Gen. Macarthur was advised
by Secretary Root to maintain suffi-
cient transports 10 carry supplies be-
tween Manila and Taku. and these
transports would be available for
emergency troops. The Pennsylvania,
India and Sumner, when the latter ar
rives at Manila, probably will be held
for service between Manila and TaAIs
and viii be available for the contin-
gency which may occur, but which the
department does not expect 70 arise.
A stubborn resistance 10 the advance
of xas|international armies might
ns&Se additional troops necessary. In
that event, a speedy relief column 40