The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-07-19
HOPE AGAIN REVIVED
Minister WI Gets Word That
Legations Are Safe.
PRESIDENT AND CABINET IN COUNCIL.
No Extra Session of Congress mt
Prescnt-AdmiraI Remcy Reports
Successes In the Fighting
Around Ticn-tsin.

administration circles. The tide of sem
timent, which had been markedly pes
simistc turned yesterday with the an
nouncement of the victory of the allies
Mt Nen-tsin and the capture of the forts
and native city and gathered further
strength from Minister Wu's cablcgram
declaring that the foreign ministers at
Peking were safe July o. Aside from
these dispatches the arrival of the presi-
dent and the special cabinet meeting
called to consider the situation were the
features of the day. They met at 2:30
o'clock in the afternoon. less than an
hour after the president reached the
White House. Over 100 newspaper men
throngcd the corridors while the cabinet
was sitting behind closed doors. The
scene resembled the hottest days of the
Spanish war.
There were present Secretary Hay,
Secretary Root. Secretary Long, Secreta-
ry Gage and Postmaster General Smith.
AT the conclusion of the session, which
lasted two and one-half hours, Secretary
Root gave out the following formal state
ment of the action of the cabinet:
The president has determined that
the facts now known to us do not re-
qpirs or justify calling an extra session
Of congress. Should future developments
indicate that he is unable to do what is
required with the means now at his COM
mand and the action of congress Is neces-
sary to furnish either men or money or
authority he will not hesitate to call it
together"
While only this meager formal state
ment was given out it was ascertained
that the whole Chinese situation was
thoroughly discussed by the cabinet. The
decision that an extra session of congress
was not demanded by existing conditions
was the outcome of the showing which
both Secretary Root and Secretary Long
were able to make as to the force that
can be thrown into China without the
authorization Of additional troops by con-
gress aud also the decidedly more hope
full feeling entertained by the president
and the members OF his cabinet as to the
safety of Minister Conger and the other
foreigners in Peking. due to the cable Of
Minister WI reporting the safety of the
ministers July o. two days after their
reported massacre.
While this cable is not regarded as
conclusive, it is accepted in good faith
for the present. But the administration,
1t can be definitely stated, has set in
motion some machinery by which il is
confidently predicted absolutely authentic
news as to the fate of our minister and
the other foreigners at Peking will be
ascertained. Through what channel the
administration expects to receive this
all important news is not known, but
that a definite statement of the situation
in Peking is daily if not hourly expected
can be stated with the utmost positive
ness. The advices received from Peking
probably will be the determining factor
in blazing the future course of this gov
ernment. If Minister Conger has been
murdered, an extra session of congress
seems inevitable.
Admiral Remey's message of the sue
cess following the earlier hard fighting
at Tien-tsin helped to relieve the anxiety
of the president and his advisers, but
Minister Wu's message was responsible
for the really hopeful feeling that pre-
vailed. Secretary Root furnished to the
cabinet summary of the troops availa-
BILE not only in this country, but in Cuba
and gave it as his opinion that between
10000 and $1,000 troops in all could be
spared for service in China. These re-
endorsements are to be rushed through at
the earliest possible moment. Most il
not all of them, IL is believed, can be
landed by the end of August or early in
September.
Admiral Remey's dispatch to the navy
department is as follows:
"Chefu, July 17.-Today hope to get
wounded from Tien-tsin either in hos
pitals at Taku or aboard Solace. Com
munication very uncertain. Following
casualties apparently confirmed: Marines,
Captain Davis killed; Captain Lemly,
Lieutenants Butler and Leonard wound
ed. Army, Colonel Liscum killed. Ma
jors Reagan and Lee, Captains Noyes,
Brewster and Boobmiller; Lieutenants
Naylor, Lawton, Hammond and Waid-
ron wounded.
TO. Russian and japanese loss heavy.
Our total loss reported 2l5. About 40
were marines, but number believed to be
exaggerated. Have officer on shore espe-
cially to get authentic number and names.
which will be promptly telegraphed. City
and forts now in the hands of allies. Ad-
miral Seymour returned to fleet. Rank
ing officer ashore is Admiral Alexieff at
Tien-tsin."
The text of the dispatch received by
THE utmost efforts have been made to
protect foreign ministers, who were we'll
on the 18th Chinese calendar correspond
ing to our July 81. If Tien-tsin city
should be destroyed, it would be difficult
TO restore the same in 100 years. Re
quest the powers to preserve it, as the
consequence would affect Chinese and
foreign commerce. Earl Ii Hung Chang
is transferred to north China rs yiceroy
to Chilli. Please transmit this dispatch
10 the ministers at other capitals"
This dispatch, which is dated July 1G,
was signed by Viceroys Liu Kun vi and
Chang Chih Tung of Nankin and WI
Chang respectively and also by Sheng,
director of posts and telegraphs at
Shanghai. 1t was addressed to the Chi
nese minister in London and by him
transmitted to Minister WI.
Transports Sail For the East.
:. SAN FRANCISCO, July 1S.-The ar.
my transport Sumner, bearing detach-
ment of troops, surgeons and hospital as
sistants, has sailed for Nagasaki, where,