The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-24
A PLEA FOR THE ROYAL FAMILY
The Viceroys' Petition That They be
Not Made Prisoners of War.

Washington, August 21.-The state
department today received an appeal
from the viceroys Of Nankin and HUI
nan. asking that no personal indigni-
ties be shown h emperor and empress
dowager and renewing assurance of
friendship and Of maintaining quiet in
the south of China If this was observed.
hi communication from the viceroys
came through Minister WI and was
delivered by him to Mr.. Adee this norm
ing.
Earl Ii Hung Chang has signifed his
intention of leaving Shanghai for Pekin
as soon as he receives the reply of the
powers TO his request of yesterday for
peace.
The application Of the Chinese vice
roys is in effect a request that the Chi
nese sovereigns shall not be made pris-
oners of war. 1t is said that the pow
ers are authorized, under the rules and
practice of international law, to accede
to this request or not, as they may
deem best. The request is not one of
right. but its granting is dependent en-
tlrely upon what the powers may con-
slider best for their own interests.
1t is an established principle of in
ternational law that members of the
enemy's royal family, his chief min
listers of state n his diplomatic agents
are liable to capture, even though they
may not be actually engaged in hostile
operations. Their position makes them
so important to the enemy in the con-
duct of his war hat they cannot be
treated as ordinary non-combatants."
The Japanese legation has received
a dispatch from the japanese consul at
Annoy, saying that Chinese mobs con-
tinue to work devastation in that
neighborhood and have destroyed sew
eral chapels.
The government has received positive
confirmation from official Chinese
sources of the departure of the en-
peror and empress dowager from Pekin.
They went westward. but the point at
which they are now located was not
given.
WALDERSEE IN ROME.
Rome, August 21.-Field Marshal
Count Won Waldersee, the commander
in-chief of the allied forces in China,
arrived here this evening. He will lake
breakfast with King Victor Emanuel
and the minister Of foreign affairs,
Marquis Visconti Venosta, tomorrow
morning.
Berlin. August 21.-Press dispatches
describe Count Won Waldersee's trip
south as a triumphal procession with
enthusiastic ovations the like of which
has not been seen since 1S70-71."
AT Munich the reception was espe-
cially warm. all the princes there par.
t~icipating. When saying farewell, the
field marshal remarked: IF matters
continue like that, 1 shall arrive toe
late"
EARL LIS APPEAL FOR PEACE
Paris. August 21.-The French for
eign office has received from Iii Hun,
Chang a request similar to one ad
dressed to the United States govern
ment asking for the appointment o
NJ. Pichon, the French minister at Pc
) kin, or another person to represen
) France at the peace negotiations. !
/ is said that all the powers have receiv
: ed a like message.
:, TELEGRAPH LINE CUT.
. Shanghai, August 81, 6:10 p. NTH
foreign officials here learn that the tel
egraph from Tien Tsin has bee
cut. The position of the allies is un
certain and a large body of Chimes
P troops has taken the field.
Paris, August 21.-The Temps pub
fishes a dispatch from Shanghai. dat
a ed August 21st, saying it is reporte
there that the dowager empress file
from Pekin with treasure amOuntin
= to $4,000, 900 taels n hat she is "Sul
{ rounded by Japanese cavalry"