The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-08-17
United STATES WILLING.
Ready to Negotiate, Through Il
Hung Chang for Restoration
of Peaceful Relations.
kuIHA MUST MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS,
a sumcient Body of the Relief Force
Must be Permitted to Enter Pc
kin, Unmo1ested, to Escort the
Foreign Ministers and Residents
BACK to Tien Tsin.


Back to Tien Tsin.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE reply of
the United States government to
China's overtures for peace was made
public early in the day, showing the
firm and final position that had been
taken. While expressing satisfaction
at this pacific step, the reply states
that it is evident that there can be
no negotiation between China and the
powers, so long as the ministers AMI
legationers are restrained and in dam
ger.
A Condition Precedent.
Then follows specific statement
as to what the United States expects
as condition precedent to a cessa-
ton of hostilities, viz: That body
of the relief force be permitted to
"enter Pekin unmolested," and escort
the ministers back to Tien Tsin.
The text of the American reply il
a. follows:
Secretary Adee's Reply. =
Touching the imperial edfct of Au-
| gust s, appointing Ii Hung Chang
| envoy plenipotentiary to conduct ne
| gotiations, on the part of China, with
! the powers, and the request for ces-
sation of hostilities, pending negotia-
tions, presented to Mr.. Adee by Min
lister WI on the 18th of August, 1900:
"The government of the United
States learned with satisfaction of
the appointment of Earl Ii Hung as
envoy plenipotentiary to conduct ne
gotiations with the powers and will,
on its part. enter upon such negotia-
tions with desire to continue the
friendly relations so long existing be-
tween the two countries.
1T is evident that there can be no
general negotiation between China
and the powers SO long as the minis
tiers of the powers and the persons
under their pro ection remain in their
present position of restraint and dan
ger, and that the powers can not
cease their efforts for the delivery of
those Representatives to which they
are constrained by the highest con-
sideration of national honor, except
under an arrangement adequate to
accomplish a peaceable deliverance.
I'VE are ready to enter into an
agreement between the powers and
the Chinese government for a cessa-
non of hostile demonstrations on con-
'dition that a sufficient body of the
forces composing the relief expedi-
ton shall be permitted to enter
Pekin unmolested and to escort the
foreign ministers and residents back
to Tien Tsin, this movement being
provided for and secured by such ar
rangements and dispositions of troops
as shall be considered satisfactory by
the generals commanding the forces
composing the relief expedition.
ALVEY A. ADEE,
"Acting Secretary.
Department of State, Washington.
Aug. 12, 1900"
Not without Distinct Meaning.
1t developed during the day that
the reference to 1.-The powers" en-
pioyed in the American reply was not
without a distinct meaning. Ex-
changes between the various powers
nave been going On constantly, and,
as result the officials had the salts
Iaetion of knowing late in the day
mat the position of the United States
mad the approval and support of all
.he great powers. While this had not
oeen expressed in any formal manner
oy all the parties, yet the changes in
the chancellories of Europe and
through foreign representatives in
Washington made it positive that the
powers were acting unitedly in ap-
proval of the course of this govern
ment.
conferences with Representatives.
Several of the foreign representa-
uves, including Baron Speck Won
oternberg, the German charge DAFT
ialres, and Mr.. DeWollant, the Rus
sian charge d'affaires. had extended
conferences with Mr.. Adee during the
afternoon. These added to the as
surances of unanimity among the
powers. The presence of the Russian
representative was gratifying in
Clearing away some Misrepresentation
which was not shared by the govern
ment here, as to Russia's course in
authorizing NJ. DeGiers to leave Pekin
under Chinese escort.
No Difference i'm Attitude.
1t was pointed out that this in no
way brought about difference in the
attitude ofRussia and that of the 9TH
er powers, as all were acting on the
theory that the Chinese government
must first give an absolute guarantee
Tor the safety of the ministers. 1t
seems evident that this absolute guar
antee can not be given by China un-
less it allows the international forces
TO enter Pekin. s