Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09
Message Amounting Almost to
an Ultimatum Sent to China.
THE SITUATION VERY CRAVE.
The Imperial Government is Reminded of
Failure to Comply With Presidents De-
mands No Casualties Among Ameri-
cans In Sundays Battle An Edict Di-
recting Safe Conduct of Foreigners From
Pckin to Ticn Tsin Free Communica-
ton Restored.
(By Telegraph to virglnian-Pilot,

(By Telegraph to VirGlnian- PilotO
Washington, Aug. S.-The Chinse sit
uation is considered very grave by the
authorities in Washington. The re-
ceipt of the message from Mr.. Conger
last night which indicated a continu-
ance of the firing upon the legationers
and the Chinese governments insist
ence that the ministers should leave Pc
KIN, Which Mr. Conger considered
would mean certain death, brought
matters to an acute stage All day the
cabinet officers who are in town have
neen consulting with each other. and
the President has been communicated
with by telegraph and over the long
distance telephone. Secretary Root
held two conferences with Attorney
General Griggs and several with acting
Secretary of State Adec, and their
views were communicated to the Pres
ident AS result of these consulta-
tons 1t was announced officially at the
close or the day that a message to the
imperial government at Pekin had
been delivered to Minister WI for
transmission to his government The
text of the message was prepared by
Acting Secretary of State Adee and
secretary Root, and in its final form
was made known, TO the President in
n talk conducted by MIR. Root over the
White House long distance telephone
III was then stated definitely that the
authorities of this government would
not make public the text of this latest
communication to China till Minister
WI had opportunity to forward It to
ms government The chief officials of
the government were not willing to
outline in any definite manner the con-
tents of the message. although 1t was
accepted generally that the communi-
cation was emphatic and to the point
a REMINDER
The message sent to the Chinese
government through Mr.. WI, accord
ing 10 the best information obtaina BILE
informs that Government that the re-
moval of the restrictions upon com
munication with our Minister, evil
uenced both by the receipt of Mr.. Con-
gers message and the transmission OF
the edict of the fifth is very graft
lying, but is not an entire compliance
with the original demands of the Pres
ident In his reply to the appeal for
mediation. The President, In his orig
inal communication to the Emperor of
China. laid down three conditions pre-
cedent to any action looking to nego-
tiations for the settlement OF the din
culties between China and the Powers
These conditions in the Presidents own
words were as follows:
81 most socmnly urge upon your
Majesty's government to give public
assurance whether the foreign Minis
tcrs are alive. and If so in what con-
dition.
ITO put the diplomatic represent
atives OF the Powers in immediate and
free communication with their re-
spective Governments and to remove
all danger to their lives and liberty
"3-To place the imperial authorities
In China in communication with the
relief expedition so that cooperation
may be secured between them for the
liberation of the legations and the pro-
lection OF foreigners and the restora-
ton of ORDER
DEMANDS REITERATED.
These three demands practically
| were reiterated in the dispatch which
Secretary Hay sent to Consul General
GoodnoW at Shanghai August l for
submission to Earl Ii Hung Chang
the authorities consider that the open
ing of communication with Minister
Conger, therefore. only partially com
plies with the Presidents demands
With the legationcrs still under fire.
the Chinese government cannot be
said to have removed all danger to
| their lives and property and, more
| over, so far as known here. the impe-
| rial authorities of China have made
lief expedition. The new demand up
on the Chinese government is for
| square toed compliance with these
| conditions. There is hope, growing out
of the fact that the Chinese govern
ment has yielded partially, that when
confronted with the firm position ia
ken by the United States IL will be
sufficiently impressed to make COM
| pletc acquescence. The government S
determination. it is hoped, will show
the Chinese government that the
United States is not to be trined with,
| and will bring the shifting, evasive
authorities in Pekin to full realiza-
| ton of the situation and the conse-
| quenccs of refusal
AN IMPERIAL EDICT.
Minister WI early in the day brought
| to the State Department. the imperial
free communication with the minister's
He was plainly perturbed over Minis
! ter Congcr's report that the legation
/ ers were under fire. but still contended
| that his government was acting in
| good faith, and protested against q
misinterpretation of the situation. He
| pointed out the fact that the absence
of artillery fire might indicate that
| there were no regular troops engaged
! in the assault, and that the rifle fire
spoken of by Mr.. Conger might be
simply the sniping of disgruntled ir-
regulars. who were engaged in guer-
rilla tactics
THE BATTLE SUNDAY.
Two dispatches were received during
| the day, one from Admiral Remey and
! the other from General Chaffee. Both
| related to the fighting at Peit Sang.
| Admiral Remey's dispatch stated spe-
| officially that the Americans were not
! onO1DeH ('haffpaS dis