The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-20
BEGs FOR PEACE.
CONTINUED from the First Page.l
hospital and will be sent to the govern
ment hospital at Washington.

RUSSIAN RUMORS DENIED.
Washington. Aug. 2O.-The diplomats
connected with the Russian embassy
have been annoyed by constant reports
attributing atrocity to the Russian
troops in China. One of the most nota-
BILE instances was an alleged interview
with Mrs Anna Drew, wife of Mr.. e B.
Drew, the chief secretary OF Sir Robert
Hart. AS a refutation of the sentiments
put in her mouth, Mrs. Drew has ad-
dressed the following letter from Chi
cago under date of August IA. to the
Russian ambassador. After the usual
opening phrases, she says:
we have been living at Tien Tsin the
past year and 1 returned from there only
last week. Our steamer was besieged
with newspaper reporters upon our ar
rival at San Francisco and although
was extremely guarded in whit said to
them great many strange things have
been put into my mouth by some dis
agreeable people. The worst of all was
an article which attributed to me the
most horrible story of the atrocities
committed by the Russian soldiers. l
wish to deny these statements in full
and as the account had been copied into
many eastern papers, it has perhaps
come to your notice. I feel that 1 at
least must tell you how false it all is In
fact l can, from our own experience dur
ing those terrible days of the siege of
Tien Tsin, speak only in the highest
terms of praise of the Russian soldiers.
who undoubtedly saved our lives on
more than one occasion"
In giving this letter out for publica-
ton the Russian embassy wishes it I'M
derstood that little Importance is attri-
buted to the effect of the stories reflect
ing upon the Russian troops. Were it
not that the lady concerned is DESTROYS
of correcting the false reports no notice
would be taken of them, as the facts
themselves are the best refutation Of the
sensational canards published. with the
obvious purpose of prejudicing the
American press and people against the
Russians.
London, Aug. 20.-The Chinese minis
Pekin saying that the empress dowager
and the emperor left Pekin a few days
before the allies arrived there.
ANARCHY IN PEKIN.
Washington. Aug. 2O.-The Chinese
government today made formal applica-
ton through Ii Hung Chang as its en-
voy, for the appointment of an American
commissioner to bring about the cessa-
ton of hostihties in China and the re-
StOratiOn of general peace. This, coming
since the capture of Pekin is the first
showing of China's complete WEAKNESS
with the struggle and her desire to make
terms The reply of the United States
government has not been made known
Lii Hung Chang's application came to
the Chinese minister and was delivered
by him to the state department at IL
O'Clock this morning Shortly afterWard
the president was acquainted with Chi
ma s desires IN the absence or secretary
Hay and Secretary Root, the latter hav-
ing gone to New York who have been
most active in the Chinese matter there
was no opportunity for a cabinet coun-
Gil
The application of Lii Hung Chang is
that Minister Conger or some other Off
cial be named commissioner to negO-
tate for a cessation of hostiities. Earl
Ii expresses a Willingness to go where
the powers may desire to conduct the ne
gOtiatiOns. and it is expected that this
will be either Pekin or Tien TSin In that
event the negotiation will occur on what
is practically conquered territory. The
suggestion of the Chinese envoy that
Minister Conger be named as the Ameri-
can commissioner is said to be due to the
fact that as Mr.. COnger is now relieved
from personal danger at Pekin, he is
free to conduct the negotiat ions and has
the advantage of being on the spot.
The application to the United States
is understood to be similar to that made
to other powers. Under these circum-
stances it is probable that there will be
a conference in order that the powers
may act IN union AS to this, however
there is no official announcement for Lii
Hung Changes application has barely
had time to get before the president and
his advisers.
that two of the influential viceroys of
China had made application to the
powers, including it is believed, the
United States, that no disrespect be
shown to the emperor and empress
dOWager of China. 1t is understood that
the government is informed that at
least one of the continental powers is
prepared to arrange that there will be
no personal indignity or disrespect to
their majeStieS-
The condition inside Pekin was made
more clear today by a dispatch from
Admiral Remey, giving authentic re-
Lieutenant Latimer, as to the situation