The sun., 1900-08-09
PLAIN TALK TO CHINA.
State Department sends what II
Practically an U1timatum.

Washington, Aug. S.-A reply has been
sent to Minister Congcr by the state de-
I partment 10 the following message recciv-
ed from hm
'.Still bcscged. Situation more pre-
cariaus. Chinese government insisting
upon our leaving Peking, which would Le
certain death. Rifle firing upon ms daily
by imperial troops. Have abundant cour-
age, but little ammunition or provisions.
4 Two progressive yampn minister's hehcnd
ed. All connected with legation of the
Unitcd States well ut the present mo-
mcnt."
The reply advises Mr.. Conger of the
approach of the relief column and eX-
horts him to be of good cheer. The dis.
patch was sent direct to Minister Congei
at pekng and duplicate Of it 10 Consul
General Goodnow at Shanghai. Good
now was directed to spare no pains or ex.
B pense to get the message to Minister Con
ger.
As the result of conference between
the president, Acting Secretary of State
q Adee. Secretary Root and General Cor
bin, Il cahlegrain was sent to Consul Gen
eral Goodnow, including a copy of the
dispatch from Minister Conger and ad
4 vising him of the situation ;is it is under
stood here. He was directed to commune
fcate this TO Earl Ii Hung Chang. to
Sheng and TO such viceroys as can trans
nit it to whatever government there is in
+ in the Chinese empire. This cable CON
tanned what is said to be very emphatic
statement of the position of this govern.
ment and saying that action is immediate.
~ necessary. While it is not. strictly
speaking, an ultimatum, il is very close to
it.
The government officials here regard
a the situation as very dangerous to Min
lister conger and other foreigners in Pc
p king, and grave doubt is expressed whetli-
er the international force can reach Pc
y king i'll time to rescue the ministers.
Il While there is talk of the probable ac-
K tlon of the United States government in
the Chinese matter and some discussion
"A of the possibility of an extra session Of
q congress to deal with the whole situa-
tion it is very likely that nothing will be
done until additional information is re-
x ceived from China. The tenor of the
a message sent to Consul General Goodnow
Il and which he is expected to communicate
VI to the Chinese authorities was such MS TO
necessitate an answer ut once. The au-
8 thOrities here are now awaiting that re-
ply. 1t is stated that President McKin-
T ley will not return to Washington until
next week, when he will be accompanied
n by Mrs. Mckinley. As to the possibility
"A of an extra session of congress, it was
a said by Il prominent official that such n
& session was improbable. The situation,
lie said, is one of rescue. and were con-
gress in session now it could not get adj
sditional troops to China in time to par
a ticipate in the entrance to Peking.
M Minister WI received an edict under
h date of Aug. ! in which the Chinese gov
&ernment permits the powers to hold open
s&and free communication with their minis
fers. This includes the sending of cipher
smessages.
NM This information is the one ray of hope
lin the situation. Whether the promises
fontained in the edict will be made good
Aought to be speedily known. and if COM
Rannicntinn is established the most seri-
# Continued un I'aSt lhIce.