Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-23

/ WASHINGTON, August 22.-After a
long conference at the White House to-
day the formal answer to Ii Hung
Chang for the appointment of peace
commissioners was completed and a
copy of the reply sent to the Chinese
minister, Mr.. WI, to be forwarded TO
Earl Ii. The State Department made
definite announcement that the reply
had been conveyed TO Mr.. WI, but add
led to its official utterance that the cor
respondence would not be made public
until tomorrow morning copy of
the reply was sent to other govern
ments represented in China. The Am
erican reply is chiefly characterized by
its firm tone and its brevity. It's key
note is the Presidents attitude as laid
down in the American note OF July 3,
and there is the strictest adherence to
the points enuneiated at that time.
While the document is open 10 the con-
structlon OF being rejection OF Ii
Hung Chang's proposition for imme-
date negotiations, yet it is stated by
| those who have read the answer with
care and have had a part in It's prepar
alton, that rejection is probably too
strong term to apply TO it.
The United States places itself in the
| position of being ready at the proper
| time TO take up peace negotiations, but
in the present unsettled condition Of
affairs In the empire the lack Of knowl-
| edge as TO who are the responsible
| rulers, and what constitutes the actual
| Chinese government, it is made clear
| that the time has not arrived for pur-
| suing the negotiation proposed The
| formal courtesy of diplomatic proce-
| dure is preserved but at the same time
the entire tenor OF the document is
one of force and firmneSs. The gov
eminent OF the United States takes the
| position that negotiations are impos-
sibhe with a government which cannot
prevent hostilities against the forces
| OF the powers, which were sent to the
Chinese capital TO scave their ENJOYS.
| AS long as attacks are made on the
troops of this and other governments
such as have followed the occupation
| OF Pekin and the attacks in the vIcin-
| lty of Iien Tsin, ii is deemed that the
Chinese Government is either unwiil-
| ing or unable 10 prevent these hostil-
| tiles, and for this reason negotiations
| must be deferred. 1t is stated, however,
that the reply is a step in the direction
OF opening negotiations
| The most important development of
the day as to the actual conditions in
| Pekin came late in the afternoon when
| the State Department made public a
message from Minister COnger dated at
| Pekin only three days ago.
| Mr.. Conger's message was particu-
| larry welcome to officials in showing
| how completely the entire city is dom
| mated by the allies. He states that
| that it Is occupied throughout, and that
it is being districted for police super
| vision. This last measure shows the
| thoroughness with which the allies are
applying civil methods to the Chinese
/ capital MIR. Congers statement that
the conditions are chaotic was taken
as another strong justification for the
| firm reply given TO China to-day.
He emphasizes the facts that the Chi
nese army has fed, the Imperial fam
| lily and court have gone, and no repre-
| sentative of the Chinese government is
TO be seen in Pekin.
Minister Conger makes no mention
| of his desire to come home. and it is
stated officially that this government
has made no suggestion that he return
/ Ia this country