The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-03

One of the most important dispatches
received froIs1 official sources in China for
many days came today from Consul Gen
eral Goodnow at Shanghai It apparently
confirms the threat made by Sheng that
the ministers in Pekin would be massa-
cred if the allied forces moved from Tien-
tsin toward Pelzin, and is regarded as all
the more ominous because Ii Hung Chang
is quoted as the authority for the state
ment that no further messages would be
delivered to the ministers because of the
advance.
AS the situation is now understood it is:
The threat is made that the ministers
will be killed if the troops advance from
Tientsin for Pekin.
The United States Government has de-
cided that the advance shall be made and
that China will be held to a strict ac
countability for anything that may hap
pen to American citizens, or representa-
tives of the other powers, in the Imperial
city. Mr.. Goodnow's message follows:
Shanghai, Aug 8.
Secretary of State, Washington:
"Americans left ChunkIng yesterday.
Ii told French Consul today no mes
sages will be delivered ministers be-
cause foreigners advancing On Pekin.
Two pro-foreign members Tsung-li-Ya-
men beheaded 9th. for urging preser-
vation ministers by Li-ping-heng, now
commanding troops Pekin. He order
ed Paoting massacre. GOODNOW.'
Practically "a Declaration of War.
Immediately after the receipt of the des-
patch Secretary Hay and Secretary Root
held long conference. The message is re-
garded as being practically a declaration OF
war in view Of the reply sent by Secretary
Hay yesterday to Lis proposal that the
ministers would have safe conduct to Tien-
tsin if the advance on Pekfn were aban-
doned.
It was stated by an official of the State
Department that if Earl Ii makes his
threat good there can be no alternative
but for the United States to respond with
a declaration Of hostilities, and go into the
campaign without further delay.
1t is clearly shown that the imperial
forces are causing all of the trouble, ard
that the Boxers are being used as a bogy.
The acts of the general commanding the
imperial troops at Pekin. having baheaded
two officials who supported the foreign
ministers, and having ordered the massacre
of foreigners at Pacting are regarded as
having swept away ali doubt that the I'm
periaI Government was responsible for the
outrages. This has been clearly ard de-
eisively proven, and there is now no al
tentative. it is said, but war.
The Advance Begun.
A despatch received by the Navy De-
partnent this morning from Admiral Re
mey shows that the relief expedition has
moved and that scouts are out in the di-
rection of the Imperial City. The message
is as follows:
'Taku. Aug. 2.
Bureau of Navigation, Washington:
"Chaf1ee reports about 500 japanese
scouting toward Peitang, lost three
killed, twenty-five wounded Enemy
in trenches and loop-holed houses
"REMEY.''
Peitang is about fifteen miles northwest
of Tientsin. The small loss in killed and
wounded reported is translated as meaning
that no actual conflict has been had yet
The fact that the Chinese have entrenched
themselves in loop-koled houses and
trenches is regarded as meaning that they
have esefSsl---zSSise in the art of war and in
tend 10 make a stubborn resistance. The
nSxZtaetieaz are causing some worry since
1t is believed the enemy can hold out for
weeks by adopting the present defensive
attitude.
The State Department today bulletined
the following statement which is regarded |
by the officials as final proof that the ia