Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1900 — ULTIMATUM TO CHINA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ULTIMATUM TO CHINA

AN EMPHATIC CABLE TO PEKIN FROM WASHINGTON. Conger Message Result* in Quick Action by United States Officials—Belief in Washington that the Conakry is Near War with China. \ Not only have Kiperial troops again attacked the international representatives at Pekin, but the Chinese government is reported as actually conniving to bring about their assassination. These facts wore presented in the official cipher dispatch received by the State Departme'nr from Minister Conger. The message was telephoned to the' President at UfiulOß. Though the authorities have had every reason to believe that the Chinese government is responsible for the present conditions of affairs that prevail, it has apparently believetl the polite fiction that a mob was in control in Pekin and that the imperial government was unable to regain control. Minister Conger’s lutes', dispatch entirely dissipates any such Ih>lief. He states that the “Chinese government insisting upon our leaving Pekin, which would be certain death,” affiTthcu that “rifle firing upon us daily by imperial troops.” Taken in conjunction with previous information received by the authorities, there can be no longer any doubt that the Chinese government is directly responsible for the existing situation. Taking everything into consideration, this message of Minister Conger contains more information in regard to the situation in Pekin, and the condition of the American citizens there, as well as the views of the Minister, than any message received from him since regular communication was shut off. Acting Secretary Adee. who had been called to the department, communicated with Secretary Root, informing him that a dispatch from Minister Conger had been received, and by an appointment met that official at the White House. Before Secretary Root reached the White House the message from Minister Conger had been telephoned to the President.

There had been some talk between the President and Col. Montgomery, who talked for Mr. McAdee, regarding the international phase of the message of the minister, and when Secretary Root arrived the President talked with him as to the effect of the dispatch both upon this country and upon the othbr powers. For more than two hours these officials discussed the situation with the Presiand just before Secretary Root concluded the interview Adjutant Geneeral Corbin, who had been sent for. arrived to discuss the military aspect of the situation with the Secretary of War and through him with the President. As a result of the conference between the President. Acting Secretary of State Adee, Secretary Root and Gen. Corbin, a cablegram was sent early Wednesday morning to Consul General Goodnow, including a copy of the dispatch from Minister Conger and advising him of the situation. He was directed to communicate this to Earl Li Hung Chr.ng. to Sheng and to such viceroys ns can transmit it to whatever government there is in the Chinese Empire. This cable contained what is said to be a very emphatic statement of the position of this government, saying that action is immediately necessary. While it is not, strictly speaking, an ultimatum, it is very elose tn it. Reply Sent to Conger. A reply has been sent to Minister Conger by the State Department to the mesaage received from him. It advises him of the approach of the relief column and exhorts him to be of good cheer. 'lite dispatch was sent direct to Minister Conger at Pekin, and a duplicate of it to Consul General Goodnow at Shanghai. Goodnow was directed to spare no pains or expense to get the message to Minister Conger. PEI-TBANG A BLOODY BATTLE. Bravery of Japanese Exposed Them to Murderous Cross Fire. A dispatch from Chefoo says the allies attacked the Pei-tsang intrenchments on both sides of the Pei-Ho River Sunday morning and drove out the Chinese. When forced in from their outer works the Chinese blew up the bridge. The Japanese cressed the river exposed to a murderous cross fire, losing heavily. The fighting lasted from 3 o’clock until 11, with heavy losses on both sides. The Chinese retreated up the river pursued by the allies.

Capt. W. Bade DI Wismar, the wellknown explorer, is organizing an expedition for Franz Joseph Laud, to seek trace* of Andree and to obtain intelligence of the Duke of Abruzzi. Cornelio Mansi, the Italian writer and traveler, will accompany the party. James Meacham has confessed to murdering Charles Reed, near Cleveland. Tenn. Boards of trade of the country may establish a telegraph system to coat &r ooe.ooo.

A TYPICAL CROWD OF CHINAMEN OF THE BOXER CLASS.