River Falls Journal

CONGER LEAVES PEKING.
Starts on His Trip to United States-Leaves Squiers in Charge.
ROCKHILL IS NOT HIS SUCCESSOR.
Russia Said to Be Crowding China-Threatens to Demand Harder Terms If Manchurian Convention Is Not Signed at Early Date-Protest from Americans.

Peking, March 12.-United States Minister Conger left Monday morning. All the foreign ministers bade him farewell at the railway station. Besides the foreign representatives a large crowd gathered at the station to bid the minister and his family farewell.

Notice of Departure.
Washington, March 12.-A cablegram received at the state department Monday announces the departure of Minister Conger Monday morning en route to the United States. His 60 days' leave of absence will begin when he reaches San Francisco. Mr. Conger's message was as follows:
"Peking, March 11-I leave Peking to-day for America. Squiers is left in charge."
CONGER.

Rockhill's Status.
Thus it appears clearly that Mr. Rockhill is not in any sense a successor to Mr. Conger as United States minister at Peking at this time, but simply a special commissioner, limited in his functions to the negotiations with the Chinese government and the other ministers for a settlement of the troubles growing out of the Boxer uprising.

RUSSIA CROWDING CHINA.
Threatens Latter with Harder Terms If Convention Is Not Signed.
London, March 12.-The Times, in its second edition Monday, published a dispatch from Shanghai, March 11, saying:
"It is reported, upon trustworthy authority, that Russia has notified China that unless the Manchurian convention is signed at an early named date, she (Russia) will withdraw the convention and substitute harder terms in its place. Li Hung Chang declares he is powerless to resist and has appealed to the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Japan to intervene in China's behalf."
"Considerable uneasiness, in consequence of the extreme friction, is believed to exist between the Yang-tse viceroys and Li Hung Chang."

Protest from Americans.
New York, March 12.-The American Asiatic association of this city has received the following cablegram from the American association of China: the latter a body composed of the leading American merchants in the city of Shanghai:
"Russian control of Manchuria insures extinction of American trade. Vigorously protest against Russo-Chinese agreement."

Wants No Alliances.
Washington, March 12.-There is a growing belief here that Great Britain is endeavoring to force the United States into an alliance with that government against France and Russia in the Chinese question. This government does not want any alliances whatever, either with Great Britain, France, Russia, or any other nation, and it has taken every precaution to avoid an alliance.
There is some concern upon the part of Russia and Germany over Secretary Hay's note to China notifying the imperial court that it would be unwise and even dangerous for that government to make a secret treaty with any one nation at this particular time.
The United States is following its well-established policy of trying to bring order out of chaos in China and to preserve the territorial integrity of that country. The United States has stood firmly against any power demanding territory of China, and now China has been given notice that it cannot transfer any of its territory to any of the nations.

To Remain In China.
Peking, March 12.-Companies A and B of the Ninth United States infantry have been notified that they are to remain in China. It is believed that Maj. Robertson will command them.
Many Americans here urge the legation to use its influence to have at least two field guns and enough artillerymen to work them left. They say that during the siege these guns would have been more valuable than 200 armed men and that necessity for their use is liable to occur again.
The Germans report that in the recent engagement near Pao-ting-fu 250 Chinese were killed and four magazine guns captured. There were no German losses.
The American field telegraph line, which was constructed here, has ceased operations, and the wire has been coiled in preparation for shipment to Manila.
Despite the report that Li Hung Chang is seriously ill, and that his life hangs by a thread, the physicians say that his condition would not be dangerous except for his advanced age. They are extremely hopeful of being able to bring him around.
The question of quarters for the American troops remaining in Peking is still the subject of discussion. Army men favor the Temple of Agriculture as being healthier and sufficiently near the legation for troops to be sent there in a hurry as an additional daily guard should circumstances arise rendering it necessary. They think the court's objections are magnified. It is not likely the British will relinquish the Temple of Heaven, and they will certainly long require the permanent building being erected there. A company of infantry could easily be housed in the Temple of Agriculture and the two temples now used for quartermasters' stores. The only other available place ready is a palace belonging to one of the princes, far from the legation, in the middle of the Tartar city. This is private property.