Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-07-20
THE FATE OF THE MINISTER'S.
An Authentic Dispatch from Shanghai
Declares That They We're Alive on
JUIy 9th.

Declares That They We're Alive on
July eth.
Washington, July 1.-THE Chinese
Minister has received a dispatch from
the Minister at London, authenticated
by Sheng, the imperial inspector of
posts and telegraphs at Shanghai, and
by two viceroys, declaring that the
foreigners in Pekin were safe on July
9th, and were receiving the protection
Of the government. This is two days
after the reported massacre. Minister
WI laid the message before Secretary
Hay. The text Of the dispatch is as fol-
lows:
THE utmost efforts have been made
to protect foreign Ministers who were
we'll on the 18th (Chinese calendar cor
responding to our July 81. If Tien Tsin
city should be destroyed it would be
difficult to restore the same in 100
years. Request the powers to preserve
it as the consequences would effect
Chinese and foreign commerce. Earl Ii
Hung Chang is transferred to north
China as viceroy to Chi Ii. Please
transmit this dispatch to the Ministers
at other capitals"
This dispatch, which is dated July
10Th, was signed by Viceroys Diu Kun
and Wuchang, respectively and also
by Sheng. director of posts and tele-
graphs at Shanghai. 1t was addressed
to the Chinese Minister in London and
by him transmitted to Minister WI
under tO-day's date.
In accordance with the request con-
tanned in the cablegGam Minister WI
asked Secretary Hay to agree, with the
other powers, to preserve Tien TSin
1.-4
Wer was not made public, but Minister
WI fears that the destruction has al
ready occurred. He regards the tele-
gram as perfectly authentic.
Minister WI received the dispatch
about II o'clock this morning, and was
greatly pleased at this satisfactory turn
of events.
The Minister expressed the most COM
p1ete confidence in the accuracy of the
message. When a by-Stander expressed
some doubt on this subject Mr.. WI
inquired with some warmth: why is
! 1t you believe the exaggerated reports
coming from unknown sources and yet
you choose to doubt this report, signed
by our highest officials and containing
Inherent evidence of accuracy"
The Minister went on to show that
this dispatch contained three distinct
statements, one of which, the appoint
Chi Ii, had been confirmed by the
State Department. Moreover, he said,
all three statements bore evidence of
having originated at Pekin, including
that as to Ii Hung Chang, whose APP
rointment must necessarily originate
with the government at Pelin. The ap-
! pointment of Earl Ii as vicerOy of Chi
Ii is considered by Minister Wu as one
Of the most important developments in
the entire situation. Chi II is the great
| province in which Pekin is located and
| Is the very heart Of the Boxer move
| ment, so that the great vicerOy now as
| sumes supreme power at the point of
| greatest danger.
Ii Hung Chang will replace as vice
| roy Of the great province Of Chi Ii a
| man who has been VIGOROUSLY anti
| foreign in his sentiments and actions.
| London, July 17.-S:15 p. m.-The
! Foreign ONCE informs the Associated
| Press that telegram identical with
| the one handed to Secretary Hay at
| Washington by Minister Wa Ting
| Fang has been~delivered to it by the
| Chinese Minister here, which was sent
| by Sheng, the administrator of tele-
| graphs at Shanghai. The Foreign Office
| points out, however, that-the date
| July 81, mentioned in the telegram
| probably applies to the Chinese Calen-
| dar and is equivalent to July 5th, ac-
| cording to the Greg0rian reckoning.
!