The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-03-29
MAJ. coNGERs GREAT USEFULNESS.

MAJ sSONGER,S GREAT USEFULNESS.
i Some OF the Iowa papers are still asserting that
Minister Conger is not ittedfor an important for
/ elgn mission, and that, too, Notwithstanding the
constant recognition of his able services by the adj
m1n1stratlon, and President McKnley's repeated
statements that his services in Pekin have been
lemnently satisfactory. 1t is also known that Min
Ilster-Conger went from the Brazil to the Chinese
appointment at the personal request of the presi-
dent because it was desired that the United States
be represented IN China by of the ablest repre-
sentatlves during the trouble then threatened which
mas SINCE involved all the great nations of the earth
IN the Chinese problem. Mr.. Conger accepted the
chinese appointment because of the personal re-
quest OF the president, and the world knows that
he has more than ably fulfilled every expectation of
! the administration and the people. Notwithstand-
ing these generally known facts, few editors who
tear Minister Conger's we'll merited popularity are
still attempting to make it appear that his services
at Pekln are not what they should have been, and
that the administration desires a new man in the
position he has so greatly honored! Nothing could
be more untrue, as proved by the repeated state
ments OF President Mckinley, and also of all the
other ministers and people who were penned up in
the missions at Pekin during the long and bloody
weeks while it was feared that all the foreigners in
the Chinese capitol had been slaughtered by the
most terrible methods that Chinese devtry could
devise
All the authorities agree that Minister Conger
was the inspiration and power that enabled the
besleged foreigners to withstand the Boxers in the
long siege at Pekin That fact is undoubted, be-
cause OF the unanimous verdict of all who wthstood
the deadly siege; and the reports of the proceed
lngs OF the representatives of the powers since the
siege was raised show that Minister Conger has led
IN all the proceedings to force the Chinese govern
ment to come to terms Of honorable peace with the
least possible delay. There are no reports to the
contrary except from those who fear the continued
increase of Major Conger's popularity at home, and
from the antiinlperialists who have been endeavor
ing to perplex the administration and prevent the
prompt settlement of our troublesn other counF
tres All who have knowledge of Minister Con-
gers great work in China cannot understand why
he is not much praised now as he was when #
was thought that he and all other foreigners at
Pekln had been massacred, for it is known that his
greatest and most heroic labor, was performed dur
ing the siege and in the deliberations with the other
foreign ministers since the siege was raised by the
entry OF the armies of the powers
Gen. James H. Wilson, who has recentlvs return
representative
Register in New York a few days ago: ssNo man
S'could have held better or wiser course than
Minister Conger did in Pekin. His treatment of
'the complex and dangerous situation was both
diplomatic and masterful. Henot only represent
ssed the United Stated with sufficient ability. but
che was the ablest man and wisest minister of ali
ssthe ministers there, and is entitled to the graft
s'tude OF his country and the praise of the world
This tribute from Gen. Wilson, who spoke from
personal knowledge, and who was the author of a
standard work on China and the Chinese outlook
several years ago, after long so-iourn in that en-
pre-, is important and reassuring to all the people
who have faith in Minister Conger and to who all
who believe in fair play for man who has fear
llessly faced death for his country at home and
abroad Minister 'Conger is one of Iowa's and the
Nations great men, and his reputation cannot be
injured by those who fear his continued increasing
popularity State Register.
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