Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1900-06-01
IN A STATE Of ANARCHY
THE SITUATION CHINA ASSUMES
A CRITICAL PHASE.
It May Tax the Entire Resources OF
the Chinese Government - The
Flagship No wark Near at Hand to
Protect American Inferests-Nine
Methodist Missionaries Killed by
the Observation-Disclosures COnger Aps
prals for Protection Of Mariue
Guard for His Legation.

Washington, May 29.-Such advices
as have reached here indicate that the
situation in China has assumed a very
critical phase and one calculated to tax
the entire resources of the Chinese
Government. The State Department has
been In close communication with Mr..
Conger our Minister at Pekin, and the
Navy Department is doing it's share,
having placed the flagship Newark as
far up the Pei Ho river as the Taku
forts, which is the nearest point to
Pekin that the ship can reach. The
operations of the Boxers" are IN
creasing in magnitude. Their demon
strations are no longer local, and they
appear to be governed in their move
ments by some we'll settled design.
They have murdered nine Methodist
missionaries in one province, at the
town of Paschow and have closed in on
Pekin. j
Meanwhile the Chinese army is sus-
pected of disloyalty, this belief being
strengthened by wholesale assertions Of
the soldiers to the Boxers"
Minister Conger has appealed to the
State Department for the protection Of
a marine guard for his legation. The
department has promptly cabled him
an authorization to call upon the near
est United States naval vessels for as
sistance. 1t is not known whether he
has availed himself of the permission.
The embarrassing feature Of the
situation is the cutting of the commu-
nication by rail between Taku and
Tien TSin and the capital, for the Box
ers" have burned the railroad bridges
and there are probably only two
courses open to the marines who wish
to reach Pekin; a long overland march
through a hostile country away from
supports, or a tedious voyage up the
swift and shallow Pei Flo in shore boats
in tow of steam launches.
According to report, the Chinese
Government has done everything in it's
power to meet the demands Of the
diplomatic body al PCkin for the dis
persion of the Boxers" but 1t appears
that the uprising is far more serious
than was at first apprehended and even
the resident Ministers at Pekin are in
clined to admit that the task is not an
easy one for the Chinese Government.
SO far all of the measures taken by
the State Department look to the sim
pie protection Of the American legation
at Pekin, the American Consulates in
the vicinity and the lives of such
Americans as may be obliged to take
refuge therein, in the event of general
riotng. The State Department is close
ly adhering to the practice 1t has al
ways observed of nOn-interference in
these Chinese disturbances and it is not
contemplated that our naval forces
shall take any part in the contest be-
tween the Chinese Government and the
Boxers" though it is assumed that
Rear-Admiral Remey, the commander
an-chief of the Asiatic station, will take
immediate steps to supply Rear-Ad-
miral KempT, the senior squadron
commander with such naval force as
ne may need for safeguarding Ameri-
can interests at the treaty ports.
London, May 30.-The Daily Express
has the following from Shanghai, dated
Thursday: THE rebellion continues to
grow in intensity, and the graVest fears
are entertained of it's ultimate extent.
The foreign ENJOYS at Pekin, fearing
massacre within the capital, have de-
cided to bring up the guards OF the
legations. The rebels are now massing
outside Of Pekin, and their numbers
are reported to be constantly augment
Ing. Fresh contingents Of armed NAL
contents are coming up almost hourly"
Tien Tsin, May ga hundred
American marines from the United
States cruiser Newark are expected
here at II o'clock tonight. An armed
rescue party of Frenchmen and Ger
mans started this afternoon to try to
relieve the besieged Belglans at Chang
Tsin Tein, near Feng Tai. The vlceroy,
under the pressure of the French con-
sui has permitted the rescuers to travel
by railroad to Feng Tai, where Chinese
protection ends
Shanghai, May 29.-The Russian MIN
lister at Pekin has telegraphed asking
that all the available gunboats be sent
to Taku. =. !