Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-16

consisted of the Reney dispatch here
tofore alluded to. and one from Consul
General Goodnow at Shanghai. The
State Department declined to make
known the contents OF the Goodnow
dispatch. This opened n wide field for
conjecture, the most generally accent
cd view being that MIR. Goodnow had
advised against the plan of delivering
me leSationers outside the city OF Pc
kin.
~ MESSAGE WITHHELD.
The cipher experts We're busy with
Il dispatch from Consul Fowler at Che
roo, which was so unintelliciblc that
IL had to be returned TO the telegraph
company to be repeated So far MS II
could be deciphered, it appears to re-
peat message sent by Minister Con-
ger TO Fowler telling the latter that
the situation was becoming more crit
zeal at Pekin, and that the Chinese all-
thorittes were seeking to compel the
leSationers to leave the city under
chinese escort. 1t is possible that the
message; which Is quite long, will con-
vey additional information when its
complications are unravelled.
y CHANGE EXPECTED.
With the army at Matow. it is felt
that any one OF several conditions
might be presented in the near future.
The Chinese officials concurred in the
belief expressed by the Chinese Min
iSter nt London that there would ne
II speedy and sudden change. ana
peace within the next few weeks. On
the other hand. Baron Won Sternourg
regards TunS Chow. midway between
Matow and Peliin. as the real battle,
ground. and Secretary Root Is inclined
to accept this view. Some of the Jap
ancse officials believe that when the
allies reach Tung Chow. they would
find Pckin deserted city ahead or
them. as II was recalled that these
tactics OF withdrawal had occurred in
1860, when the British French expedi-
ton reached Tung Chow. In the alb
sence of all positive information as to
what the allied armies Will do, these
conjectures from the best posted
sources serve to show the various Sc
| rlous possibilities forming part Of
the present crisis.
MESSAGE FROM THE FRENCH
MINISTER.
The message of the French minister
ut Pckin. NJ. Pichon. to the French
Foreign Office. was ut first rernrded
here as identical with the last Conger
message. which the State Department
has not made public. But without dis
closing the nature of the Congcr mes
sage. the officials made sufficient
comparison between the Pichon and
ConSer messages to show that thew
were not identical in language or GEN
eral statement. on the contrary. Il
was clear that each minister was for
warding To his government his own adj
wees on the situation. and that there
had been no consultation between the
minister's before these two dispatches
were forwarded. While the message
are not alike. ii is understood that they
agree on considera BILE of the informa-
ton contained.
MKINLEY EXPECTED
The arrival of President Mckinley in
-
interest in view of the gravity of the
crisis. The Presidential party will be
mere early tomorrow morning and an
- -confercnce-fb-ttt-een the Pres
ident, Secretary Root. Acting Score
tary Adce and others is likely TO occur
early in the day. This probably will
assume the aspect OF n cabinet confer
encc If indeed it Is not felt desirable
tn hold special cabinet meeting. The
regular meeting day OF the cabinet is
on Friday. at which time there will be
further opportunity OF going over the
Chinese Developments.
y TERRIBLE SITUATION.
Paris. Aug. l5.-The French Foreign
Office has received the following ais
patch from the Minister of France ut
PelNin. NJ Pichon. dated August .:
We have been advised that Ia Hung
Chang is charged TO negotiate telc-
graphically with the Powers We are
ignorant of the events occurring out
side the legation. 1t Is surrounded by
hostile defences. How could we negoti-
ate without the diplomatic corps re-
gaining It's rights and the legation
grounds being evacuated? Ii the ne
gotiations prevent the march of the
allied troops. which is our only saliva
ton. we risk falling into the Chinese
hands. The section wherein lies the
French legation is occupied by imperial
troops. who have not entirely ceased to
81 rod ns1 70
We have provisions. horses, rice and
bread. for fifteen days"
AGAINST MISSIONARIES
The following dispatch has been re-
ceived from the French Consul at Can
ton:
All is quiet here. In the district OF
Swallow the agitation against the
I Christians and missionaries is alarm
/ ing. Many missions in that region have
/ been pillaced and burned. The viceroy
and myself have decided each to send
a delegate 70 make an investigation
and re establish order. With the view
OF giving weight TO the mission ana to
show that accord exists between the
mandarin and the consulate the COM
mission sails on the French war vessel
Comet"
CAPTURE OF no ST WI.
London Aug i5.-Rear Admiral
Bruce. telegraphlng from Taku to the
| British admiralty, SAYS:
"Have received the following from
the General at lilo 81 WI. August 10:
The troops are distant about TWEEN
| ty-seven miles from Pckin. They ex-
| pcrienccd little opposition. a position
had been prepared by the enemy, but.
as the allies advanced. they fled. The
| Tartar cavalry WAS charged by two
| sQuadrous of Bengal Lancers. Many
OF the former We're killed.
! Continued on Page 6.