Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-22
Important Questions Considered
by the Cabinet Yesterday.
APPEAL OF Ii HUNG CHANG.
Our Government Declines to Appoint n
Commissioners to Negotiatofor the Ccs-
sation of HostiIities In China Army
VIII be Kept There to Preserve Order
A Cablegram From Minister Conger,
But Portion of it is Withhold From tho
Public Other News.
(By Telegraph to virginian-Pilot)

(By Telegraph to Virginian- PiloD
Washington, Aug. 2l.-The cabinet
session to-day principally opened the
consideration of momentous questions
growing out OF the capture of Pekin
and the war in China. Until to-day's
session the absorbing question has
been the safety of Minister Conger and
the legationers at Pckin. Now, how
ever. that has given place TO problems
or more intricate and far-reaching
character, touching the very existence
OF the Chinese empire and the part
which the American government is to
take in the relaxation Of that coun-
try.
The meeting to-day was devoted en-
tirely to the Chinese situation. Secrc-
tarys Hay and Root, who have been
most active in directing affairs. were
absent from the city, so that the at
tendance comparatively was small,
the President having with him Sec
rctaries Gage, Hitchcock and Wilson
and Postmaster General Charles
Emory Smith.
Ii HUNG CHANGES REQUEST.
Several questions were awaiting at
tention. First of these was the appli-
cation Of Ii Hung Chang for the APP
pointmcnt of Minister Conger or some
other commissioner to negotiate for
the cessation of hostilities. The decis-
ION arrived at was to reject the appeal
and reply of this character will he
sent to Minister WI TO be forwarded
to LII Hung Chang. The moving
cause for this action is that this gov
eminent is ut present very much In
the dark as to whether there is any
existing government in China. With
the capital in the hands of the allies
the Emperor and Empress Dowager
fugitives In hiding. and the entire gov
eminent fabric paralyzed there is no
evidence OF an authority adequate to
conduct negotiations and secure re-
suits which Will be final and binding.
AN ENORMOUS HEADLESS AFFAIR
1t was stated by members of the
Cabinet that the Chinese establishment.
instead of being government. appears
TO be an enormous headless affair with
out knowledge of what is for its best
good and without power to enforce lis
Wisnes. With the recognized rulers in
flight no one seems to know who il any
Dody, is directing its affairs. AS China
Is an absolute monarchy, without any,
legislative branch. the Emperor and
Empress Dowager arc all powerful and
principally they are the empire of
emma. Under the present remarka bic
conditions the United States Will act
with extra caution in whatever steps
1t may take toward IL solution OF the
pending problems.
WILL MAINTAIN ORDER.
In the meantime. there Is reason to
believe that the United States and all
the other Powers Interested will keep
their armed forces on the ground so
that order may be maintained, and at
least semblance of stable govern
mcnt brought out of the existing China.
The reply of this government to the -
peal OF the Viccroys of Maxim and
Human. that no indignities be offered
IA Ir11t,n
IS Il FORMAL acknowledgement of the
receipt of the communication with a
satisfactory assurance that no indig-
mites would be offered the persons of
their majestis. This reply is couched
IN the polite language OF diplomacy.
put IL Is understood that 1t does not
In any way commit the government
to refrain from imposing on the I'm
perof ana Empress Dowager any pen
atty that subsequently might he decid
ed upon in case it is proved that thnv
were directly responsible for the recent
atrocities.
Filming RESPONSIBILITY.
This question of fixing responsibility
where 1T belongs and imposing any
punishment that may be deemed fittino
has not received formal consideration
as yet. The answer with which tho
two viceroys appeal is met accordingly
as diplomatic assurance that the
riShtS OF inc Emperor and Empress
Dowager will be protected, but does NOT
Impose any barrier to a proper punish
ment. such as may be sanctioned by
civilized usage, for any offense which
hereafter may be held to call for an
accounting. This is the Interpretation
given the reply by a cable official to-
night. The question Of responsibility
will have to be worked out slowly
The Cabinet had before it a meseo 20
from Minister Conger received loet
night. After the meeting the State
Department made public portions of
the dispatch as follows:
MESSAGE FROM MINISTER CON-
GER.
Washington. Aug. 21.-The State De-
rartment makes public the following
extracts from a cablegram received
last night from Minister Congcr:
United States Legation, Pekin.
tundateD via Che Foo. Aug. 20.
Secretary State, Washington:
Saved. Relief arrived to-day. En-
tered with little trouble. Do not vet
Know where Imperial family is. Ex-
cept deaths already reported all Amer
leans alive and we'll. Desperate ef-
forts made last night to exterminate
us. Mitchell. American soldier. and a
RUSSIAN and Japanese wounded. Ger
man killed. Advise Woodward, Chica-
CO. Conger, Des Moines: Sims, Coun-
Gil Bluns; Conger, Pasadena: Porter,
Paris. "CONGEP
by FOWLER, Che Foo.'
WITHHELD FROM THE PUBLIC.
1t will be observed that the portions
given out are extracts from Minister
ConGers message. 1t was stated that