The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-29

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2s-Severai COM
munications came to Washington from
the United States officials in China today,
but being undated. in most cases the gov.
ernment was by no means satisfied with
the state of the communications, and the
cabinet meeting gave the largest part OF
It's attention to the problem of rectifying
the state OF affairs. Evidences OF inter-
ference with the messages have accumu-
lated TO point where the government
has determined TO take steps 10 establish
cables of Its own, even IL IT is necessary
to employ the rather expensive device of
a man-of-war plying between Shanghai
and Chefoo for this purpose. Moreover,
word comes that rapid progress is making
with the shore cable which is TO connect
these points. and II is believed that with
I'm week these means OF communication
will be open.
Three messages were received from
Gen. Chaffee today. and while they cast no
light on the general situation. they were.
inferentially. important. The generals
statement that he needs no siege bat
terry. taken in connection with the diver
sion of the First cavalry, which was
bound from Taku to Manila, seems 10
make clear that there Is no intention of
entering into a prolonged campaign In
China. as would involve the use OF heavy
artillery or OF reinforcements In the shape
of men and horses.
Diplomacy In order.
At the same time II cannot be said that
the government has shown any sign OF
purpose 10 abandon any just claim IL may
have secured upon China through the
brilliant operations of the little American
force in the Flowery kingdom. But II
begins TO appear that the battle OF today
is one OF diplomacy. rather than one of
arms, and Notwithstanding the various
ant
nese sources Of heavy engagements be-
tween tho international forces and the
BAKERS the officials here are satisfied
that no formidable organized resistance
would be offered by the Chinese II the
demands of the powers are limited 70 'he
principles laid down by the United states
Therefore more interest attached 20
series Of diplomatic calls upon Acting
secretary Adee this afternoon than any
renort of purely military operations IN
china First came the japanese minister,
Mr. Takahira, next the Russian charge.
Mr.. woliant. and finally VI. Thiebaut. the
French charge. These trained diplomats
naturally are averse TO letting the pubic
know the developments Of incomplete me-
eotIatious Nevertheless II was gathered
that one OF the principal topics of dis
cussIon was the rroprlety of accepting Ia
Hung Chang as a person with whom me
powers might negotiate for settlement
In China.
n Hung Chang's Credentials.
n "a quite evident from the conferences
held this afternoon that the statement
made earlier in the week, 20 the effect that
this matter Is stili an open issue, waA
correct otherwise II would not have
haen necessary for the officials TO enter
into a iaborious comparison ~ croden-
tials supplied by u Hung Chang TO the
various powers of Europe, as wei as ia
nan and the United states. Past expert
ence with some of the Chinese DEGREES
has shown very radical differences from
the translations and as 20 much turns
on the form of Earl LIS credentials, Il j.
REGARDED as highly important that these
shall be shown to agree IN each case.
The statement Is made that the Russian
government Is willing 70 deal with "a.
OF course upon properly framed conditions.
and thfs appears 20 be horne out By tho
earnestncss with which Mr. Wonant the
Russian charge. Is seeking 20 impress
upcu the state department the entire
agreement between Russia ana fhe United
States as 20 China. ~ least he insists
that Russia wishes 10 prevent the dts
fnenhermeat % China. and also that her
aulmatlng purpose now s. the restoration
n order and the safeguarding - the fn-
ture Under these limitations y r. urged
here that Rusaiass objects can be achiev-
"a az well as those - the United states
by dealing with IA Hung Chang. who oc-
cupics the advantageous position ~ being
the only Chinese personaEe 50 far orr
ciaHy accredited a. peace pleHipoicn-
tiaty.
Conference at white House.
ArsInr Secretary Adcc found sufficient
matter - Interest iu these three calls
20 rerair TO the white Heuse. late r.
the afternoon. 20 ccnfer with the rresi-
Gert
In ia auite certain that our Eovsramsz1t