The Somerset reporter., 1900-08-02
At aslsingtOn.

turn from his call upon President Nc
Kinley at Canton, announced that under
no circumstances will the U =. govern
ment accept the Chinese offer TO turn
over the foreign ministers to the inter.
nationals at Tien fsin in consideration
of suspension of the campaign against
Pekin. long cablegram was dis
patched to Rear Admiral Remey al
Taku and it is believed that this in.
struction was laid before him.
The state department claims to be
pursuing an entirely consistent course
in this decision. The officials point out
that all of the bitter criticism in the
European papers directed against the
United states policy is based upon d
mental principles which have governed
the actions of the department.
Secretary Hays decision to decline
the last Chinese proposition was based
upon his determination to adhere
strictly 10 the conditions laid down in
reply to the Chinese Emperor's appeal
The state department required that the
ministers at Pekin be put in communi
cation with the governments and the
most significant condition of all, that
the Chinese authorities cooperate with
a relief expedition for the liberation OF
the legations. Until these two things
are done, the state department abso
lutely refuses to be led into any ar
rangement looking to the mitigation OF
the punishment of the Chinese govern
ment such as the abandonment of the
expedition to Pekin.
The department of state is in receipt
of cable dispatch from Consul Fowler
at Che Foo, in reply to one sent him
asking information of missionaries in
China. Mr.. Fowler, in his reply, lays
that only one missionary, presumabl,
French, is known to be In the interior
of Honan. AT ehan Tung only Ameri
cans are situated. Those now rescued
are the persons who went to Pekin be
longing to the American Board OF
Foreign Missions and are believed to be
Arthur Smith and wife, Nyckoff sisters
Chaplin, wife and two children.
Secretary Hay is satisfied beyond the
shadow of doubt that the contents oil
the Conger cipher message we're known
to Yuan and Sheng at the time the mes
sage passed through their hands fol
transmission to Washington. Informa
ton proving this comes from the British
consul at shanghai, Mr.. Warren, who
sent word that Sheng wrote to Chinese
official in Shanghai at the time the
message must have been passing through
his hands, giving practically the exact
phraseology of the message. AS to how
the Chinese obtained the code, opinions
differ.
W. W Rockhill, special commissioner
to China, left Washington Saturday
afternoon for the Pacific coast. He call
ed at the State department that morn.
ing and had final conference with Sec
rotary Hay. His instructions require
him to report to the President the
present conditions in China, and the
result of his investigations will have
much to do with determining the future
policy of this government.
Commissioner of Pensions, II. Clay
Evans denies again that there is any
probability of the President transferring
him to another post as result of criti
cism of his pension policy. From other
sources it is learned that the President
and the com missioner are on the best oil
terms and that it is the Presidents
intention to retain the commissioner al
the head of the pension bureau, not
witbstanding The criticisms of the lat
ter's administration.
The President has rendered the ap
pointlnent OF ambassador to italy &c
former Gov. Roger Wolc0tt of Massa
chusetts. The Italian government hat
been asked whether Mr.. WOlcott would
be acceptable to it in such capacity, a
form always observed in international
relations.
The treasury department has drawn g
warrant for $1,000 ia favor of Brigham
II. Roberts, the amount allowed him IL
the deficiency act of June 6, 1900, a,
full satisfaction of salary, mileage ano
expenses incurred by him under virtue
of his certificate of election as a repre-
sentative from the state of Utah.
Former Governor of Massachusetts
Roger Wolcott, to whom the position Of
United States ambassador to Italy re
Gently was offered, has accepted it ant
his commission has been issued. Ht
succeeds An AMBASSADOR Draper, resigned
The cable from Admiral Remey shows
that he sent home on the hospital shiI
SOlace those who were wounded at tht
battle of Tien lsin and those who were
sick among the American force Hi
statement that the japanese hospita
ship will be at our disposal for convey
ing sick and wounded to Nagasaki ii
welcome intelligence, and may relieve
the situation materially in case of hare
fighting in Pekin