Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-23
is FIRM in TONE AND BRIEF.
Its Keynote is tho Presidents Attitude as
Heretofore Announced : Negotiations
Arc Impossible with Chinese Govern
ment. because 1t Cannot Prevent Hos
tilities Against Foroo Sent to Relieve the
Legations, and as Long us Attacks on the
Allied Troops are Continued.
tpy Telegraph to virgInian-pIlot,

day the reply of the United States to
the application Of Ii Hung Chang for
the appointment of Peace Commission
ers was completed and copy of the
reply sent to the Chinese Minister, Mr..
WI. to be forwarded to Earl Ii. The
State Department made definite an
nouncement that the reply had been
conveyed TO Mr.. WI, but added to it's
official utterance that the correspond
ence would not be made public until to-
morrow morning. A copy of the reply
was sent to other Governments repre-
scented in China.
FIRM IN TONE.
The American reply is chiefly charac-
terized by its firm tone and brevity. Its
keynote Is the Presidents attitude as
laid down i'll the American note of July
3. and there is the strictest adherence
to the points cnuncated at that time.
While the document is open TO the con-
struction of being rejection of Ii
Hung Changes proposition for immed
ate negotiation. yet 1t Is stated by
those who have read the answer with
care and have had n part in it's pre-
paration, that rejection is probably too
strong term to apply to 1t. The
United States places itself in q posi-
tion of being ready Mt the proper time
TO take up peace negotiations, but in
the present unsettled condition of af-
fairs in the Empire the lack of knowl-
edge as TO who arc the responsible
rulers, and what constitutes the actual
Chinese Government. 1t is made clear
that the time has not arrived for pur-
suing the negotiation proposed. The
formal courtesy of the diplomatic pro-
cedure is preserved, but at the same
time the entire tenor of the document
is one OF force and firmness.
OUR POSITION.
The Government of the United States
take the position that negotiations are
impossible with 4 government which
cannot prevent hostilities against the
forces of the Powers which were sent
to the Chinese Capital TO save their
ENJOYS. AS long as attacks are made
on the troops OF this and other gov
ernments, such as have followed the oc-
cupation of pekin and the attacks in
the vicinity of Tien Tsin. 1t Is deemed
that the Chinese Government IL either
unwilling or unable to prevent these
hostilities, and for this reason negotia-
lions must be deferred. 1t is stated,
however. that the reply is step in
the direction OF opening negotiations.
IL HUNG Changes AUTHORITY.
No question is raised as to the au
thority of Ii Hung Chang to represent
his government, but it is said that his
credentials like those of all others who
come together for the purpose of nego-
ined by the respective representatives
and the validity OF the papers of each
representative determined by that
body. The United States. however. in
communicating with Mr.. WI recognizes
him az the official representative of the
Chinese Government.
Minister WI received the reply early
this afternoon. and work was imme-
diately begun on its transmission, first
on the American text to the Chinese,
and then from Chinese into the cipher.
This took some time and 1t was until
late in the day that the reply was ac-
tually dispatched.
A DAYS DEVELOPMENTS.
The most important development of
the day as to the actual conditions in
Pekin came late in the afternoon, when
the State Department made public a
dispatch from Minister Conger, dated
at Pekin only three days ago.
Minister Conger makes no mention of
his desire to come home, and it is stated
officially that this government has
made no suggestion that he return to
this country.
The military situation was of quite
as much interest in to-day's develop
ments as was the diplomatic. Adj
miral Remey reports early in the
morning, bringing the story of the Pc
kin operations up to the 18th in Pc
kin, and confirming the press report
already printed OF the death of gallant
Captain Reilly IN the final assault on
the outer walls of Pekin.
The signal office contributed it's
quota of news in the following dis
patch from Major Scrven, chief sig
nal officer of the expedition, dated Pc
kin, August II:
CITY occupied. All well.
"sCRIvEN."
LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS.
The signal office says that while this
dispatch was several days in coming
through to Washington there Is rea-
son to believe that the military tele-
graph line Is now working into the
Chinese capital. Some delays are ex-
pected at first. as the line is simply
Insulated wire laid on the ground, there
being not enough timber in that sec
or iron poles are shipped in. Notice
also was received at the department
to-day that the Taku-Che Foo cable
is in working order. 1t is thought
mere VIII soon be a direct and relia-
pic line of wire communication from
the war Department to General Chat
lee and headquarters at Pekin. The
most important dispatch of the day
was not made public by the War De-
partment, but was the subject of an
extended conference at the White
House this morning between the Pres
identr Secretary Root and Acting Sec
retary OF state Adee. 1t was from
General Chafree and arrived about the
game time as the casualty list of the
Pekin fight. 1t was dated the 18th.
and, therefore. was not reply to the
message or inquiry sent to General