The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-27

the part or the United states government
toward China. This would not affect the
military policy already under way. but
merely the technical relations between
the two governments, which probably
would closely approximate step Of for
NAL war.
The imperial edict promulgated yester-
day by Viceroy TAX at Canton has left
a disagreeable impression here. Despite
the Chinese minister's view to the con-
trary this edict is looked on as suspicicusly
like preliminary to a formal declaration
of war and as only one step toward Sc
curing time to move Chinese forces into
a better position for defense against the
internationals
The notice that came TO the State De-
partment that Korea is free Of the Boxer
agitation was well received, for it is be-
lieved that Russia will thus be enabled
to spare many more Chinese troops from
her Siberian army for use in the inter-
national column.
After a conference with the Chinese min
lister to-day acting Secretary Hill said
that the minister had received no COM
munications from China and had no in
formation to impart. The State Depart
ment had no information of any kind from
:ts officers in China, and the conference
between the minister and the secretary
was simply an interchange of courtesies.
The Chinese minister expressed to Secre-
tary Hill his continued hope that the
ministers in Peking were still safe. and
said he believed he would soon be able to
deliver TO the department message from
Minister Conger, which would make that
hope certain.
The secretary of the treasury has sent
the following letter of instructions TO all
collectors of customs on the Pacific, pro-
hibiting the expectation Of arms 10 China:
AT the request of the honorable, the sec
retary of state, you are instructed to use
the utmost diligence. TO prevent the send
ing of arms from your port which may
be used by the insurgent forces in China
to the harm of American citizens in that
country. In any case of the shipment OF
arms destined for Asia which you have
reason to believe may thus be used, you
will telegraph the facts promptly to the
department and detain the vessel until
instructed. You may communicate the
substance of these instructions personally
to the owners or agents of vessels de-
string clearance from your port to ports
in Asia or the islands of the Pacific. invit-
ing their attention also to Sections 4OSs,
1890 and 41O2 of the Revised Statutes"
Special Commissioner Rockhil will leave
Washington Saturday with Mrs. Rockhill
for San Francisco, stopping day or two
at Chicago route. This will enable him
to reach San Francisco in time TO take
the Japanese liner America Maru, which
sails for Yokohama and Nagasaki on the
Sd of August If Secretary Hay returns
to Washington tomorrow, as he expected,
Mr.. Rockhill will have a formal conference
with him before leaving for China. 1t will
not be necessary for him again TO see
President Mckinley. He has received the
fullest instructions from the President al
ready. Mr.. Rockhil believes his task has
been made much more difficult by the de-
velopments of the last day or two, par
ticularly those indicating the gradual drift
ing of China into a regularly established
state of war with the powers. He is chary
about accepting without full confirmation
any advices as to the situation from Peking
that pass through the hands of the no.
torious viceroy at Shan-Tung, Yuan Shih
Kai, who is well known to him. Yuan was
the Chinese governments representative i'm
Korea in the period just preceding the
Chino-Japanese and it is said here
that he was the one official directly re-
sponsibie for that war.
The Chinese minister at London, Lo Fung
Lo. is understood to be one of the most
intimate of Ii Hung Chang's peculiar Chi
nese circle He was personally attached
to the great viceroy's household. as was
also Mr. WI, the present minister TO
Washington, and il is assumed the as
cendancy of Ii Hung Chang in the Chi
nese councils at this time will mean the
free employment of these two agents in
the effort to re-establish amicable rela-
tions between the Chinese government and
the powers.