New-York tribune., 1900-08-29
Mr.. ADEE'S BUSY DAY.
MANY CONFERENCES HELD ON THE
SITUATION IN CHINA.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO rur rn1puxr.1

washington Aug. 2S.-This was a day Of con-
siderable activity in official circles. but the de-
FeiOpments were comparatively meagre and un-
important 30 far the public was concerned.
acting Secretary Adee Of the State Department
was perhaps the busiest Official in Washington
eho ne is so thoroughly conscientious and pains
taxing IN the discharge OF his duties that his re-
sponsibiIties weighed heavily on him In the
course of the day he visited the White House
twice and conferred with the President; he held
earnest conferences with the Secretary of War
and the Acting Secretary OF the Navy. and
separately, with the diplomatic representatives
OF Russia, Japan and France. all Of whom called
al the State Department in the afternoon But
all this earnest effort and unwearied industry
yielded no results for the immediate benefit Of
the public, for at o'clock Mr.. Adee declared
that he had news whatever to make public
In regard to the Chinese situation he was as
silent as Ii Hung Chang has been for the last
week or more
Despite Mr.. Adees reserve. however, there
was strong impression that he had received
important intelligence. and that he had i'm
parted considerable information to his diplo-
matte visitors. It was understood, from pretty
good authority, that several notes had been re-
ceived from the Powers in regard to the means
TO be taken to protect foreigners and safeguard
their treaty rights in China. and that while
these were in general accord they also raised
some questions which would require further
consideration, and in regard to which the views
OF the United States were earnestly desired by
the other Powers. Among the more important
Of these were the form and suficiency of Ii Hung
Chang's credentials-as TO whether his authority
in the premises was plenary and in proper
form, and as TO whether he represented Gov
ernment which had the power TO carry out the
engagements which might be made by him
Is %rTIA ~ T.
rectly related to q future stage Of the dealings
Of the Powers with China but they were so
nearly related to the affairs Of the present that
IT was considered desirable by some Of the
Powers not TO postpone their consideration alto
gether. This desire has modified the situation
somewhat, and probably caused some delay in
reaching an understanding. but is not believed
TO have seriously endangered the prospect Of
ultimately doing so.
II is understood that several of the European
Powers are disinclined TO accept Earl Ii the
Chinese intermediary for the settlement Of the
existing difficulties, regardless Of the suf1cency
or insufTlciency Of his credentials. Whether this
feeling is due TO distrust of his authority to
bind the Chinese Government or TO doubts re-
specting the existence of such a Government
With mower RI ar force ire DEGREES Or to some
other reason, the future must disclose In view
Of the questions raised, however, the revival Of
the story that the foreign admirals in China
or several of them-had held a conference and
agreed 10 hold Ii Hung Chang and not allow
him to communicate with the foreign legatlonS
IN Peking excited some interest and provoked
some comment and inquiries as to where he
might be at the present time. None Of the Of
fcials could answer those questions. His last
communication 10 the State Department through
Minister WI was dated at Shanghai on August
p, week ago to-day. Press dispatches have
reported that he the point Of leaving
Shanghai for Peking, and other dispatches have
said that he had postponed his departure. 1t is
not thought that the astute Chinese negottator
will be likely TO fall into the hands Of the ad-
mirsls, and the State Department has no in
formation of intention to interfere with his
movements in he should desire to proceed
10 Peking.
-Nzasxy Department was equally destitute
of such information although Admiral Reney,
who is at Taku, would have been likely 10 ac-
quaint the Department Of the fact that such an
intention or purpose existed II he had heard
OF il