The Douglas breeze. (Douglas, Coffee County, Ga.) 18??-190?, July 28, 1900, Image 7

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CONGER IS ALIVE IN PEKIN MINISTER CABLES WASHINGTON HE IS UNDER CONTINUOUS SHOT AND SHELL. Officials Express Ko Doubt as to Its Authenticity—Answer to Inquiry. A Washington special says: United States Minister Conger is alive in Pe kin. An official cipher cable dispatch has been received from him through the Chinese minister, Wu Ting Fang. Minister Conger cables from the Brit ish legation in Pekin. He says he is under continued shot and shell from Chinese troops and that quick relief only can prevent a general massacre. Minister Conger’s official despatch, as translated and given out by the state department is as follows: “In British Legation, Pekin.— Ilay, Washington, care Wu Ting Fang: Under continued shot and shell from Chinese troops. Quick relief only can prevent general massacre. Congeb.” The cablegram was received bv Wu Ting Fang at 8:30 o’clock Friday morning. It was in the state depart ment cipher aud was transmitted through the tsung li yaraen and the Shanghai taoti. Immediately upon receipt of the message, Minister Wu hastened to the state department with it, where Secretary Hay caused it to be deciphered at once. The receipt of the cable has thrown Washington into a state of great ex citement and rejoicing. Shortly after the minister’s message had been de ciphered the following official state ment was made by Secretary Hay at the state department: “On the 11th of this month the state department communicated a brief mes sage asking tidings of Minister Conger in the state department code. Mr. Wu undertook to get this into Minis ter Conger’s hands if he were alive. He has succeeded in doing this. “This reply was in the state depart ment cipher, and it is regarded as genuine, inasmuch as forgeries seem under such circumstances impossi ble.” In reply to a question Adjutant Gen eral Corbin said it was impossible now to say what effect the receipt of Mr. Conger’s dispatch would have on mil itary operations in China or on our preparations here. He said he did not know but that increased military haste might precipitate matters in China. Within an hour the welcome intel ligence that Conger had been heard from, after weeks of silence and evil report, was flashed through the whole country, and, indeed, throughout the world, dispelling the gloom which had prevailed everywhere and bringing to the officials and to the public gener ally a sense of profound relief. First of all, from the standpoint q i the administration officials, the most welcome feature of the message was its assurance that the American minister himself was alive on July 18th. But with the cheering news came the ominous statement of Minis ter Conger that the beseiged foreign ers were in the British legation under continued shot and shell from Chinese troops, and that only quick relief could avert a general massacre. After the first flush of thankfulness, this graver feature of the message be gan to impress itself upon cabinet officials most deeply. As one of them remarked: “There are the poor creatures penned up under fire of shot and shell, and appealing to us for help.” The consultation brought about no pronounced change of policy, for it was felt that already every energy had been spent toward meeting the situa tion, and that there was absolutely nothing more that could be done. Af ter all, the cabinet officials felt, and so 6tated, that the message was an evi dence of friendliness and good faith of the pro-foreign element of the Chinese, and that wisdom dictated a course which would continue to utilize this friendship. NEW OFFICERS ELECTED By the Southern Industrial League to Serve the Ensuing Year. The Southern Industrial leaguers, in session at Atlanta, Ga., Fridas', elected D. A. Tompkins, of Chartotte, N. C., president of their organization, to succeed J. K. Orr, of Atlanta,whose term expired. Vice presidents elected to serve with Mr. Tompkins are: C. W. Ashcraft, Florence. Ala. A. H. West, Madison, Fla. P. K. McCully, Anderson, S. C. W. J. Kincaid, Griffin, Ga. George Winston, Raleigh, N. C. H. H. Hargrove, Shreveport, La. E. H. Dial, Meridian, Miss. F. C. Collier, Dallas, Texas. ENGLAND MAS DOUBTS. Press and People Think the Conger Message Is a “Blind.” The Conger dispatch fails to carry conviction to either the British press or the public. Its genuineness is not disputed, for, as is pointed out. the Chinese must possess quite a sheaf of such messages, which the ministers fruitlessly endeavored to get trans mitted, from which they could easily select a non-committal dispatch to serve the reauired purpose. The government accepted the mes sage as authentic and Secretary Hay transmitted it to all our ambassadors and ministers abroad, with instruc tions to lay it before the respective governments to which they are ac credited, and to urge upon them the necessity of co-operation for immedi ate relief of the foreigners at Pekin. A message was sent by Secretary Long to Admiral Itemey, conveying the in telligence of the desperate situation in Pekin and instructing him to “use and urge every possible endeavor for relief.” The message, Secretary Long ex plained, meant for Admiral Itemey to himself “use” and to “urge” upon the commanding officers of the other pow ers the use of every endeavor for the relief of Pekin. Secretary Root sent a similar notification to Colonel Coolidge, the senior American officer ashore, at Tien Tsin, but without in junction. This action was the result of the conference of Secretaries Hay, Long and Root. It was realized that the land aud naval forces now in China could not single-handed push on to Pekin, aud the other powers accordingly were appealed to, on the base of Minister Conger’s message, to co-operate for in stant relief. Secretary Ilay explains his reasons for placing reliance in the authenticity of Minister Conger’s dis patch, saying that it was a complete reply in code to the code message sent to him, and that its authenticity was vouched for by the tsung li yamen. “Of course” said Secretary Hay, smiling, “I am not omniscient and may be fooled, but I cannot see how the authenticity of Minister Conger’s cable can be questioned.” BECKHAM NAMED To Fill Out Goebel’s Unexpired Term as Governor of the State of Kentucky. Governor Beckham was nominated by the Democratic state convention of Kentucky, at Lexington, by acclama tion at 3:05 o’clock Friday morning, find the convention adjourned within thirty minutes thereafter. After the names of Judge Black, of Barbourville, and Judge Tarvin, of Newport, were placed iu nomination a roll call of the convention was he guD. When LcLean county was reach ed Beckham had the 547 votes neces sary to nominate. Then Black aud Tarvin’s names were withdrawn aud the latter at once moved that the nomi nation of Beckham be made unani mous. The motion carried and Beck ham was escorted to the platform, where he made a speech of acceptance. It was 2 a. m. when Senator Black burn presented a report from the committee on resolutions. The re port as adopted was in part as fol lows: “We heartily indorse the mngnifi cent platform adopted by the national Democratic convention at Kansas City July 5, 1900, aud also the splendid ticket named by said convention and pledge the Democracy of Kentucky to an earnest, cordial and active support of said ticket. “The Democratic party recommends that the election law of 1898, known as the Goebel law, be so amended that the most hypercritical can find no ex cuse for charging fraud or unfairness to our party in the conduct of the election. “The mob and the assassin shall not be the arbitrators of the citizens of Kentucky, nor shall the penalty of an appeal to the law and the regular constituted authorities be death at the hands of assassins.” Siucerest grief is expressed over the death of Governor William Goebel. Every sincere lover of civil and per sonal liberty is invited to join in a campaign against the forces gathered under the banner of “A Government by Assassination.” In conclusion the administration of Governor J. C. W. Beckham was '.strongly indorsed. LI REACHES HONO KONG. Britishers Welcom-* Chinese Viceroy With Salute of Seventeen Guns. Li Hung Chang and his suite ar rived at Hong Kong Thursday evening. The Chinese viceroy was received with a salute of seventeen guns and, with a guard of honor from the Welsh Fusi leers and a band, proceeded to the government house, where he was re ceived by the governor, Sir Henry A. Blake, and other officials. He stated that be had received definite news that the ministers and foreigners at Pekin, with the exception of Baron Von Ket teler, the German minister, wera safe July 9th. FORBIDDEN TO HOLD OFFICE. Baltimore and Ohio Railway Company Gives Notice to Employes. Employees of the Baltimore k Ohio Railroad Company have been forbid den to hold political office. General Superintendent Stewart, whose head quarters are i Chicago, has issued an imperative order stating that under no circumstances will employees of the system be allowed to stand as can didates for or occupy aay political of fice, big or little. CHINA IS AT WAR This Is the Conclusion of English, Russian, German and French Governments. Advices from London state that the Action of Count You Bnelow, the Ger man minister of foreign affairs, in in forming the Chiuese legation at Berlin that all telegraphic messages must be in plain language and submitted for approval by the censor, and the sug gestion of M. Deloasse, the French minister of foreign affairs, that the ex portation of arms to China be prohib ited, which are generally regarded in London as the first steps in the direc tion of treatiug China as a state en gaged in war, have been supplement ed by the official announcement from St. Petersburg that certain portions of the Amur territory have been de clared in a state of war since -Tuly 17 th. Russian action is regarded in Lon don as at least the foreshadowing of a speedy unconditional recognition of the fact that a condition of war exists between China and civilized world, and the general opinion seems to be in favor of such recognition as the best means of meeting the barbarian upheaval, while at the same time en deavoring to isolate the independent viceroys from the general conflagra tion. The revelation of the ability of the Chinese forces in the north %o stand their ground against the international interests is producing the inevitable re sults in the south. At Shanghai it is announced officially that foreign wom en aud children have been requested to leave ports along the river. WHEELER ANXIOUS TO FIGHT. .'lakes Application to Be Sent to Chins, But Age Debars Him. Desiring to add further fame to his unique military history, Geueral Jo seph Wheeler has made application for service in China. It is not proba ble that his request will be granted. i t the same time administration offi cials greatly admire the brave little cavalry leader for his martial spirit, and were it not for his age the presi dent would gladly comply with his re quest. General Wheeler is at present com mander of the department of the lakes, with headquarters in Chicago. He will retire on account of age on the Ist of September, and for that reason it will be impossible to send him to China. OUT-DOOR PROGRAM Decided Upon By Bryan-Stevenson Notification Committee. The Bryan and Stevenson notifica tion meeting will he held in the open air. This is definitely announced by those having the arrangements in charge. Newby Oval, where the notification will be held, is on the edge of the residence portion of the city and is an elliptical amphitheater surrounding a quarter-mile bicycle track, the center being a level field in which football games are played. It will seat under cover 17,000. With a grand stand in the center of the field 20,000 more people could witness the ceremonies. Half of these could hear every word spokeu. RUSSIA MEANS BUSINESS. Chinese Hmlster at St. Petersburg Is Handed His Passports. A dispatch to The New York Journal and Advertiser from Londou uys: “The Chinese invasion of the Amur province is equivalent to a declaration of war against Russia, which, con struing it as such, has handed the Chiuese euvoy at St. Petersburg his passports and requested him to leave the country. “The importance of this Chinese declaration of war against Russia and of this bold invasion of Russian terri tory lies in the fact that as the matter now stands it virtually releases the Czar from his obligations to the foreign powers to act in concert with them in China.” Relics Reduced to Ashes. Among the boats destroyed in a fire at the navy yard at Boston Thursday were several of the Olympia’s, among them the barge formerly used by Ad miral Dewey. Another victim of the flames was a cutter captured by the old Kearsage from the Albabama in the memorable fight thirty-five years “go. ADDRESS TURNED DOWN. Committee of Southern Industrial League Asked to Try Again. Delegates to the Southern Industrial League in session at Atlanta wouldn’t have the public address reported from tho special committee. On its pre sentation for adoption in the conven tion Thursday it was characterized as a political instrument, a direct in dorsement of the Republican platform, and was hastily sent back by an over whelming vote of the delegates on the floor to the committee that framed it, with instructions to tear it up aud bring in an address on industrial lines in keeping with the aims and of the league. CUBAN ELECTIONS For Delegates to Constitutional Con ventto*i Occurs September ig. It is understood that the presides* and General Wood have agreed upon ’feptember 15 as the time for holding the election in Cuba for delega'es to the constitutional convention that it to be called for the purpose of forma- I lating a constitution for an indepen I dent government for Cuba. 1 ROCKHILL GOES TO INVESTIGATE President Names a Envoy to Cf^fl on mmumjM McKinley Returl sunies His m cusses ■ President H ton C)., where ."Kill's \ eeiv.d from (V Ins presence lifl Before leuvfl appointed W. H commissioner M i. ■ H .JrivSsjjj ger is heard of of Mr. Conger is rufl ■ aide Mr. Kockhill minister to China in The cabinet wns in hours Thursday morning. phase of tlu- Chinese carefully gone over by the There was a general feeling of hoJBI fulness noticeuble among the mem bers of the cabinet, and they inclined to believe the dispatches which have been received by Mr. Wu, stating that the foreigners nre safe. Secretary Hay himself inclines to the belief that friendly natives have hid the foreigners aud that nothing can be sent out from them for fear of disclosing their hiding place. This hope, however, is not very strong and is not based on recent information. The decision reached by the cabinet is practically the same as that agreed up on two days previously-that there is no need of an extra session of congress. It is felt here that there is no im mediate likelihood of Russia declar ing war upon China, hut if such a dec laration should result from the alleged outrages committed in northern China it is stated that tho othe powers would bo obliged to join in the declaration or withdraw their troops from Chineso soil. Mr. W'l and Mr. Wollant, tho Russian charge, called at the state de partment Thursday morning and were closeted with Secretary Hay forashort time. It is stated that neither of them lmd any news from China and it was also stated that there is no confirma tion of the alleged outrages upon the Russians in northern Chirm. This government is not disposed to follow the example of some of the for eign powers in restricting in any measure the Chiuese minister here. Administration officials generally have confidence iu Mr. Wu and think it is to the best interest of Americans in China to allow him free communica tion with the viceroys and titular Chi nese government. riESSAGE FROH wTlde. Oregon Arrives at Kure and Will Be Temporarily Patched Up. The navy department Thursday morning received the following dis patch from Captain Wilde, commander of the Oregon, dated Kure, July 18: Secretary of the Navy—Oregon and Nashville arrived at Kure at 2 o’clock this morning. Expect to dock on Shall I make permanent or temporary repairs? I would suggest putting on steel patoheS which can he done in a very short time hud the ship can go hack to her duty at Tuku. To make permanent repairs it will require at least sixty days, probably more. Not a single man iujured. Wii.de. To this dispatch Secretary Long at once replied: Universal rejoicing over snfety of the Oregon. She is the Constitution of this generation. If safety of Oregon permits, patch and go to Taku. 1 commend your preference for s< rvice there. Long. * Reciprocity Treaty With Italy. A reciprocity treaty has been signed by tbeUnited Statesand Italy aud made public Thursday by the stat 3 depart- J meut. The treaty is similar to the one agreed to between the United States I and Germany a few days ago. , IN PURSUIT OF CHANG. Brltlah Cruiser Said to Be On Watch- 1 | out For the Old Han. A Shanghai dispatch states that the British cruiser Bona Venture left Woo Sung early Friday morning, it is, re ported, to Fejze the An Ping, with Li Hung Chang 0119 board. A triumphal arch, erected in Li Hung Chang’s honor, has been ordered by the coun cil to be removed. The announcement of the alleged pursuit of iLi Hung Chang, comes somewhat as a surprise after the hon ors paid the Chinese viceroy at Hong Kong, but (Confirmation of the news will meet the approval of a latge ma jority. M’KINLE/Y’S ACT APPROVED. London Standard Commends the Mis g/ion of Mr. kockhill. A London dispatch says: “The Washington idea of sending Mr. Kock hill to/China," says the Standard edi to“iall/y. “is au excellent one and m.ght/ advantageously be imitated by the j’Jritish and other governments.” Tl/e Standard then proceeds to com men/ upon the great ignorance preva lent/ in Europe, not only of recent aveJita, but of general Chinese affairs. "i that SO,(Ml) tlie campaign?” “That is tho old story,” wns ply. “Admiral Kempff cabled week or ten days ago—sixty thousand men for tho forward move on tho capi tal and twenty thousand to protect Tien Tsiu and communication with Pekin.” Asked as to the possible effect of the Chinese attack of the Russian towns along the Manchurian border, the reply was: “This may complicate the situation. I cannot say whether or not it means actual war between the Chinese gov ernment uml Russia, The matter is between those two governments. We have nothing to do with it. We do not know either what the uctual facts a*e in the case.” WILL COGPLKX I B. SITUATION. Report Current That Chinese Have Invaded Russian Territory^ A London special says: If thffnews of a Chinese invasion of Siberia pr'oves true it will, of course, immensely com plicate the situation from the interna tional point of view. As stated in the Associated Pres* Kt. Petersburg dis patch of July 8, the Chinese had al ready peremptorily ordered all Rus sians to quit Manchuria, but no one imagined they would he audacious enough to go outside their own coun try aud attack Russian territory. Such an attack, if it has been made, of course, constitutes in itself a declara tion of war, rendering formal nojiliea-. tion needless. A separate attack by the Chinese on Russia means giving Russia, accord ing to the views expressed in Europe, additional excuse for au isolated de scent on Pekin, and an additional claim to assert greater influence than the, other powers and greater compen saQon when the time of settlement, ar rives. Hence a greater uneasiness has been created in the chancellories by this latest development. NEITHER IS SATISFACTORY. Gold Democrats Denounce Both flc- Kinley and Bryan Tickets. In response to a call issued a few days ago, a number of gold Democrats and anti-imperialists met in New York City Wednesday night to discuss the methods of bringing a third party ticket before public. An address *vas adopted assailing President McKinley for his Philippine policy and his Scandalous appoint ments” to federal office; characteriz ing Governor Roosevelt as the “frank embodiment ’of militarism,” and de claring that the Republican party stands for all forms of special privilege. Mr. Bryan, the address says, is as ob jectionable ns President McKinley, as a vote for the Democratic ti*ket means a vote for free silver. SHIP CUT IN I WAIN. Steamer Campania Collides With a Vessel In English Channel. A London cable dispatch mys: A deuse fog hung over the Irish channel Saturday morning and the Cunard line steamer Campania, en route from New York for Liverpool, struck the Liverpool hark Emhieton, hound for New Zealand, amidship, cutting her in twain. The Emhieton sank immediately. Seven of the crew were rescued, but it is believed the other eleven members of the ship’s crew, ilicluding tho cap tain, were drowned. The Campania had her bow stove in. but arrived safe ly at Liverpool fire hours late. Ready For Fourth Round. The Washington artillery, one of tho oldest and most prominent military bodies in Louisiana, with a record of three wars, h tendered its service to President McKinley in ease volunteers are needed for China. Japs Landtng at Taku. A dispatch received in London Wed nesday from Shanghai stated that the disembarkation of 15,000 Japanese troop* was proceeding at Taku. push on ut, iukv; cult its base if need be, and way to PekiD, leaving the xuents now steaming toward Taka from every quarter of the globe to re establish the base and to reopen com munication. It is possible to draw two conclu sions from a failtrtfe of the foreign commanders to do thus. First the Euro pean governments haye allowed their skepticism ns to the authority of Mr. Conger’s dispatch to carry them to the point of deciding coolly and deliberate ly upon the first supposition, namely, that there are no foreigners alive to be saved; consequently there is ho need for haste. The other conclusion is that, friction is developing among the internationals in spite of the earnest endeavors of the powers, whose motives to China are so far unimpeached, to prevent it. Color is lent to this latter theory by the fact that the governments have so far been unable to agree upon an international commander for the expe dition to Pekin, and this, too, in spite of the fact that Admiral Remey, acting by the instructions of his government, is exhausting every, effort to induce the other commanders at Tuku and Tien Tain to hasten their movements. ENGTjAND not ready. A London special says: The rquest of Secretary of State Hay at Washing ton to the powers to make uu immedi ate forward movement’ upon Pekin is not likely to meet with any success in England. Lord Salisbury is just as eager ns the American secretary of state to adopt such a step, hut he is practically convinced that it will be impossible until September, owiug to local conditions and the allies’ lack of equipment. Beyond a courteous reply that Eng land is willing to co-operate in any movement that the commanders on the spot may deem advisable, nothing is likely to come of the latest American effort to reach the Chinese capital, for all official advices received indi cate that a dash toward Pekin in the immediate future would be military suicide. The government’s attitude may tie described us philosophic de termination to grin and bear it, hoping fer the best, yet fearing the worst, un til troops and climatic conditions en able the powers to euter Pekin and ascertain without a shadow of doubt the extent and cause of China’s pres ent disintegration. Until that is ac complished all is suspended, not only regarding the future of China, but also as to the nature and severity of the retribution to be exacted. RECEIVER TAKES CHARGE. .Mutual Benefit Association Has a Tangle In Affairs. The Chicago Guarantee Funa Life Society, a mutual death benefit Asso ciation, which began business seven jears ago with such men as Senator Patrick Walsh, of Augusta, Ga., and Warren F. Leland behind it, passed into the bauds of a receiver Thursday. Three Thousand Chinese Slain. A dispatch from Shanghai received in London Thursday reports that the losses of the Chinese in the fighting at Tien Tsin was upward of 3,000. BELGIUM GETS NOTICE That Ministers In Pekin Were Safe On July 20th. The minister of foreign affairs, at Brussels, Mr. Fabreaux, has received the following telegram from Shanghai, dated July 21: • “A telegram from the governor of Bhan Tung anuouaces that the minis ters were safe July 23th. They were under the guardianship of the Chinese authorities. Li Hung Chang has ar rived at Shanghai.”