Morris tribune., 1900-09-01
United 5tates approve Russia's
Action in Regard to Lii
Hung Chang.
Should Be Allowed to Commune
cate With Chinese Shore
Authorities.
Resolution of the Fleet Com
manders Is Considered
Inexplicable.

| WASHINGTON, Aug. 3l.-The course
of, the United States in the pending
Chinese negotiations was made more
clear by an important note, embodylng
"a communication from Russia and ad'
vising che powers of the action taken
by this government. The Russian note
declared the introduction Of Ii Hung
Changes communication with the
Chinese government was 'inexpllca-
ble," and asked that the powers direct
their commanders to vacate the order.
| The United States concurs with the po-
sition of Russia and informs the powers
| that instructions have been sent to our
representative in China in the spirit OF
the Russian telegram. The following
is the official text of the note sent to
| our ministers abroad:
"The following note was received by
us from the charge Of the Russian gov
eminent at this capital Aug. II:
I have just received a communica-
ton from the imperial government in.
forming me of the resolutions of the
admirals of the allied fleets, interdict-
ing the plenipotentiary Of the Chinese
government, Ii Hung Chang, from all
communication with the Chinese au
thorities in the event of his arrival at
Taku. This
Resolution Being Inexplicable
in view of the fact that all powers have
recognized the utility of admitting his
Iii Hung Chang's) service, in the even
tual negotiations for peace and espe-
cially because it would be impossible
for him to fulfill his mission in the
character of China's plenipotentiary if
this were done it would be desirable
that the interested governments should
give orders to countermand the above
mentioned decision
Inquiry of Admiral Remey, COM
manding our feet at Taku, was first
answered that no such resolution had
been adopted. He now cables that the
admirals have agreed to write the dean
Of the legations at Peking, instructing
in case Ii Hung Chang should arrive
at Taku and meantime not to allow
him to communicate with Chinese shore
authorities. Remey dissented from
last proposition.
Eve take the same view expressed in |
the Russian note. In the interests of !
peace and effective presentation of
just Demands of All Powers
against China, it seems important that |
the Chinese plenipotentiary should be
able TO communicate both with his own |
government and it's military COM
mandant, whose action will be neces-
sary to any suspension of hostilities as
required in the telegram to you of the
22d. The Chinese minister here is
without power or advices. Ii Hung
Chang is prima facie authorized by i'm
perial decree to negotiate and is the
only representative of responsible au-
thority in China so far as we are ad-
vised. We have instructed our repre-
sentative in China in the spirit of the
Russian note.
''Any misunderstanding or divergent
action on the subject by the representa-
Ives Of the powers in China would be
and we would be glad to
earn from other powers If there are
'easons not known to us which in their
would lead to a view differ.
mt to that which we take
"You will communicate this to the
minister Of foreign affairs, awaiting
arly response.