Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-08-21
ARE ON THEIR KNEES.
Chinese Will Make Terms at Any
Price.

Washington, August 2o.-The Chinese
government to-day made formal appli-
catlon through LII Hung Chang as it's en-
Voy FOR the appointment of an American
commissioner to bring about the cessa-
ton of hostilities in China and the res
tolatlon Of general peace.
rms coming since the aptur of Pc
KIN, is the first showing of China's com
plete WEAKNESS with the struggle and
ner desire to make terms. The reply of
the Unlted States government has not
yet Deen made known Ii Hung Changes
application came to the Chinese minister
and was delivered by him to the state
department at 10 O'Clock this morning.
Shortly afterward the president was
made acquainted with China's desires.
IN the absence Of Secretary Hay and
secretary Root (the latter having gone
to New York;, who have been most &C.
tive in the Chinese matter, there was no
opportunity for a cabinet council.
The application of Ii Hung Chang is
that Minister Conger or some other Of
Tclal De named as commissioner to ne
sotiate for a cessation of hostilities. Earl
Ii expresses a willingness to go where
tine powers may desire to conduct the ne
gotiations and it is expected that this
will be either Pekin or Tien Tsin. In
that event the negotiation will occur on
what is practically conquered territory.
The suggestion of the Chinese envoy that
Minister Conger be named as the Amer
lean commissioner is said to be due to
the fact that as Mr.. Conger is now re-
lieved from personal danger at Pekin
he is free to conduct the negotiations and
have the advantage of being on the spot.
The application to the United Statesc
is understood to be similar to that made
to the other powers Under these cir
cumstances it il probable that there will
ma act in unison. AS to this, however.
there is no official announcement, for Ii
Hung Changes application has barely had
time to get before the president and his
advisers.
Another important development is that
two of the influential viceroys of China
had made application to the powers in
Guiding, it is believed, the United States,
that no disrespect be shown to the en-
peror and empress dowager of China.
1t is understood hat the government is
informed that at least one of the con-
t%inental powers is prepared to answer
! that there will be no personal ~indignfty
| or disrespect to their majesties.
The condition inside Pekin was made
more clear to-day by a dispatch from
Admira Remey giving authentic reports
! from one of his staff officers, Lieutenant
! Lattimer, as to the situation on the 18th.
It spoke of the troops moving on the
Imperial city" and clearing out the Tar
tar city" This latter city contains the
Tartars' arsenal. and is headquarters for
the vicious Tartar troops. .
1t is said at the war department that
the reports of continued fighting in Pc
kin indicate that THE allied forces found
a state of anarchy in the city. with many
disorderly people and no method OF con-
trolling. This especially o. be the
case if the reported fight of the empress
dowager and emperor is true. Conse-
| quently, it has been found necessary for
the troops to restore order in the CITY
| and carry out the instructions under
which our forces are acting.