Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-17
THE CORRESPONDENCE
EXCHANGED BETWEEN CHINESE
MINISTER AND STATE DEPARTMENT
Communications Made Public in Re-
gard to Ii Hung ChRng's
Proposition.

The Department OF State made public
last night the communications exchanged
between the Chinese minister, Mr.. WI Ting
Fang, and the acting secretary of state.
The following memorandum was handed
to Mr.. Adee by Mr.. WI at 0 o'clock yes
terday morning:
"A cablegram from Earl Ii Hung Chang,
envoy plenipotentiary of China, dated Au-
gust Is. and received by Minister WI at Z
pm. on the same day.
THE allied forces are approaching Tung
Chow. L have memorialized the imperial
government to depute envoy to negotiate
an armistice with the several commanders
on the spot. 1 will also shortly proceed to
Pekin. The powers, being fully aware of
the embarrassing position in which their
majestfes, the empress dowager and the
emperor, are placed, are earnestly request
ed to telegraph instructions to their re-
specttve commanders after arriving at
Tung Chow with their forces to stop their
further advance to the capital, SO as not
to cause alarm and fear to their majesties
and calamities to the people. For such
advance would shake the foundations of
the Ia Ching empire and wound the feel
ings of all her people, high and low. For
a compliance with this appeal the millions
Of people Of the empire will be profoundly
grateful to the powers. Please communi-
cate this cablegram at once to the Secre-
tary Of State"
The following memorandum in reply was
handed to Mr.. WI yesterday afternoon:
Memorandum in Reply.
Foreseeing that there would be insult
ficient time after receiving a reply to our
memorandum Of August II to get instruc-
tons to the relief column before 1t had
reached Pekin, we sent on the same day
to the general commanding the American
forces in China, the following dispatch:
"ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE.
washington, August Il, 1900.
Fowler Chefoo, for Chaffee:
August 12.-Secretary War directs me
to inform you that Ii Hung Chang, ap-
pointed by Chinese government to negotiate
with powers, requests cessation of hos
tlities. We have replied that We are ready
to enter into an agreement between powers
and Chinese government for cessation of
hostilitieS on condition that sufficient body
OF the forces composing the relief expedi-
ton shall be permitted to enter Pekin un-
molested and to escort foreign ministers
and residents back to Tien Tsin, the move
ment being provided for and secured by
such arrangements and dispositions of
troops shall be considered satisfactory
by generals commanding the forces COM
posing relief expedition. We have COM
municated this to all the powers. Japanese
government takes same position. We have
"CoRBIN."
And two days ago, in view of the rapid
progress of the relief expedition, we sent
the following:
"ADJUTANT GENERALS OFFICE,
Washington, August IA, 1900.
Fowler, Chefoo for Chaffee:
August 14.-In anticipation of accept
ance by Chinese government of condition
In our reply to them cabled you August II.
If Chinese authorities communicate will
inSness to deliver ministers and persons
under their protection to relief column at
Pekin, under arrangements which you
slider safe, you are authorized TO make and
carry out arrangement in concert with
other commanders without referring 1t
here. From informal communications with
representatives of other governments here
we believe all to take substantially same
position. Question whether you should IN
sist upon entering Pekin and going to lega-
lions or will receive delivery at gate of
inner Tartar city or at outer wall, taking
risk of ministers passing through city with
only Chinese escort; you and the other
generals must determine
by order Secretary OF War.
"CoRB1N."
We are advised by Minister Conger that
the attacks by imperial troops upon the
legations in Pekin have not ceased. While
these attacks continue we cannot stop the
advance of our forces toward Pekin. If
such attacks cease the above quoted in
structions will be allowed to stand. and
they would seem to provide for all the ac-
ton required under the circumstances
stated by Earl Ii in his dispatch.
Acting Secretary.
Department of State
Washington, August 16, 1900.
TeleEraDhed to LII Hung Chang.
Mr.. WI. the Chinese minister, promptly
telegraphed to Ii Hung Chang last night
the contents Of the memorandum giving the
instructions which have been sent to Gen
Chaffee regarding his course in dealing
with the Chinese situation. The minister,
while regarding the situation as critical,
hopes that the instructions to the allied
&C rpmanders may have reached them in
time to provide for negotiations with a
representative of his government whereby
the ministers will be escorted from Pekin
in safety.
Mr.. COnger's Dispatch.
The acting secretary OF state has made
public the following extract from a dis
patch received from Mr.. Conger yesterday
1t was handed to Mr.. Adee by Mr.. w. who
explained that he had received 1t at mid
night from the taotai of Shanghai by
whom it had been received by way of
Isi-Nan. August 10. 1t is undated, but
would seem to have left Pekin some time
between August and IL:
Secretary of State Washington:
Our cipher is safe. May it not be suf-
hcient authenticity?
We have been imprisoned and completely
besieged since June .. ." Continued
artillery and rife firing until July Il; only
rifle since, but daily; with it frequently
desperate attacks. one last night Have al
ready reported our losses. = French
Italian. Belgian, Austrian, Dutch Legations
and all other foreign property Pekin de-
stroyed DR.. Inglis child dead
Marines flaming, Fisher, Turner King.
Tutcher. KENNY and Thomas killed. Ali
other Americans alive. Inform Alta and
Secretary Ryan. Nearing allied forces give
us hope. CONGER
The Struggling Young Author