New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-12
NOT READY TOMAKE TERMS
UNITED STATES UNWILLING TO ENTER
INTO NEGOTIATIONS AT PRESENT.

Washington. Sept 11.-From formal state
rnent given out to-day 1t appears that the
State Department is not yet ready to begin d.
rect negotiations with Ii Hung Chang It does
not question his credentials as a plenpotentiary
but simply leaves the matter in allegiance
Probably this is because all Of the Powers have
not yet returned their responses to the Russian
note and it is desired TO avoid making the
United States the first among the Powers 10
abandon the hope OF harmonious action and to
strike for itself toward the settlement directly
with China Also. it may be deemed we'll to
wait to hear from Mr. Conger, who several days
ago was invited to express his opinion about
quitting Peking.
Minister Wa was twice at the State Depart
ment to-day. It was understood that lis first
call was in part, at least, to secure transporta-
ton for Ii Hung Chang from Shanghai to Taku
on a United States vessel. His later call was to
receive the answer Of the Department to that
application. as well as to the communication re-
specting Ii Hung Chang's functions The an
swer returned by the State Department to the
latter communication apparently made it un-
necessary at this time TO pursue the inquiry as
to the ship; if Ii Hung Chang may not enter
into negotiations at present there is no occasion
to transport him to Taku
The State Department announcement made
public this afternoon was as follows:
The following communication was handed 70
Acting Secretary Of State Hill on september ~
'"|ableerann from Earl Ii Hung Chang, dated
September Z, 1900, transmitted by the Cnlnese
Minister at St. Petersburg under date or sep
tember 8, and received by Minister WI on the
| last named date. ,., oz,o+ .ot +b.
Goth day Of the seventh month august a,
| 1900 transmitted by way of Pao-Ilng-Fu. II
| is follows:
M4"Ij HING Chang. Envoy PIeniDOtentiHry.
| is hereby vested with full discretionary pow
| ers and he shall promptly deal with what
| ever questions may require attention. rom
| this distance will not control his actlohs'
| Let this edict be forwarded with extra eA-
| peditfon at the rate of six hundred lis per
| day ito Earl Lii for his information and
! guidance. Respect this."
To the above communication Acting Secre-
tarv Hill has handed Mr. WI the following
reply:
| The United States does not feel called upon
| TO express any opinion at this time ns to
| the suficiency of LII Hung Chang's authority,
| but hopes it will transDire that his creden-
| fiaIs are full and authoritative, not only lor
| negotiation, but to enable him without FUR
| ther delay give assurance that the lire
| and property of Americans will henceforth
be respected throughout the Chinese Empire
The great difficulty which General Chaffee has
| to deal with in China at present in the contem-
| plated withdrawal of American troops from Pc
| king to the Philippine Islands is the demand
| of the missionaries at Peking that the Chinese
| converts be taken from PekinG under the pro-
| lection OF the United States forces and guar
| anteed from future assaults in China, or be
| brought TO places of safety. 1t was reported
at the time OF the rescue of the Ministers in
Peking that there were about three thousand
Chinese converts there who have sought pro-
lection from the Boxers IN the foreign legations
Continued preparations being made 10
bring away the United States troops as soon as
orders are issued. The transports Pennsylvania
Indiana Sumner and Garronne are ready 10 60
to Taku as soon as General Chaffee starts from
also will be available. The four vessels named
will carry thirty-eight hundred troops The Pack
ling which arrived at Manila to-day with the
horses Of the 1st Cavalry; the Port Stephens
now, AT Manila, and the Athenian. which arrived
at Kobe, Japan to-day. viii be available tc
bring the horses Of the cavalry and artillery
ard mules of the transports from Taku tC
Manila.
FIGHT NORTH OF TAKU.
Berlin, Sept 11.-Private dispatches received
here to-day say that the international forces