The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-23
WINTER CAMP PAIGN
HIGHLY PROBABLE
Conditionsin ChlneseCap-
ltal Chaotic.
REPLY TO Ii HUNG.
Time Not Yet Arrived for Carrying
on Negotiations.
Time Not Yet Arrived for Carrying
No GOVERNMENT IN EXISTENCE
The Allies Have Possession OF All of
Pe.Sin Save tie impcria. Palace
nnd That. Too, May Have
Fallen Ere Now More
Fighting iscpurtc
Around Ticn Tsin.
ny Associated rress.l

f;y Associated Prcss.)
WASHINGTON. August 2o.-After a
dong conference at The White House to-
day the reply of the United States to the
application of Ii Hung Chang for the np-
pointment of peace commissioners was
completed and copy of the reply sent to
the Chinese Minister, Nj WI, to be for
warded to Earl Ii. The State Depart
meut made a definite announcement that
the reply had been conveyed TO Mr.. WI.
but added to its Official ntterance that
the correspondence would not be made
public until tomorrow morning. A copy
of the reply was sent TO other Govern
-nents represented IN China.
The American reply is chiefly charac-
terized by its firm tone and brcvity- Its
keynote is the Presidents attitude as lad
down in the American note of July 3D.,
and there is the str:ctest adherence to the
points enunciated at that time. While
the document Is open to the construction
of being q rejection of Ii Hung Chang S
proposition for immediate negotiation, yet
1t is stated by those who hive read the
answer with care and have had a part in
its preparation, that rejection IS probably
TOO strong a term to apply 10 II.
NOT YET TINE.
The United Suites places itself il a posi-
ton of being ready at the proper time 10
<take up peace negotiations, out IN the
present unsettled condition OF affairs IN
the Empire. the lack of knowledge as 10
who is the responsible ruler and what
anent, ii is made clear that the time mas
not arrived for pursuing the negotiations
proposed. The formal courtesy of dipio-
rnafic procedure is preserved, but at the
same tine the entire tenor OF the docu-
1nent is one force and f:rmness-
The Government of the United States
takes the position that negotiations are
impossible with n Government which can
not prevent hoStilities against the forces
of the powers which were sent TO the
Chinese capital TO save their ENJOYS. AS
long as attacks are made the troops
of this and other Governments, such as
have followed the occupation of Pekin,
and the attacks in the vicinity of Tien
Tsin, it is deemed that the Chinese Gov
srnrnent is either unwilling or unable TO
prevent these hostilities, and for this rea-
son negotiations must be deferred
STEP IN. THAT DIRECTION.
It is stated. however, that the reply is
a step in the direction of opening nego-
1iations No question Is raised as to the
authority OF Ii Hung Chang to represent
his Government. but it is said that his
credentials like those Of all others brought
together Tor the purpose OF negotiating
terms OF peace, will be examined by tne
respective representatives, and the validity
of the papers OF each representative de-
terTnined by that BODY.
The United Stats, however, in COM
rnunicatLng with Mr.. WI, recognizes hlm
as the official representative of the Chin
csc Government Minister Wu received
the reply early tfli> afternoon, and work
was Immediately begun on its translation,
first from the American text to the Cnln-
csc and then from Chinese into CIPHER.
This took some time and it was not until
late in the day that the reply was actuaiiy
dispatched.
TIE most important development Of the
.lay as to the actual conditions in Peln
came late in the afternoon when the
State Department made public dlspatch
from Minister Conger, dated at Pekin only
three days ago.
Minister Conger makes no mention Of MS
desire to come homo. and il is stated OH
cially that this Government has made no
suggestion that he return to this country.
MILITARY SITUATION.
Tha military situation was Of quite as
much interest in to-day's developments as
was the diplomatic. Admiral Remey re-
ported early IN the morning, bringing the
story of the Peidn operations up 10 the
18th IN Peldn. and confirming the press re-
port. already printed, of the death OF the
gallant Captain Reilly in the final assault
on the outer walls of Pekin.
The Signal Office contributed its QuOtd
of news in the following dispatch from
Major Schriven, chief signal officer OF the
expedition, dated Pelsin, August 14th;
(signedl "scHRIvEN'
Tha Signal Office says that, while the
dispatch Was several days N coming
through 10 Washington, there IS reason 10
believe that the military telegraph me
Is now working into the Chinese capital
Some delays are expected al first. as the
line is simply insulated wire laid on the
ground, there being not enough timber III
that section TO erect II on poles until lumber
Or iron poles are shipped in. Notice aiso
was received AT the Department to-day
that the Taku-Che Foo cable is in Working
order.
DIRECT LINE.
i is thought there win soon be direct
md reliable lae of wire communication
from the War Department TO General
Chafeos headquarters at Pelin-
The most important dispatch of the day
was not made public by the War Depart
nent. but WIS The subject of an extended
conference At the White House this morn
htg between the President, Secretary Root
snd ActiaE-Secretary of State Adee- II was
from General Chaffec and arrived about
Iae same time as the casualty list of the
Tekin fight. II w;.s dated the 18th and.
therefore, was mol reply to the message
3. inquiry sent to General Chaffee by the
War Department on Monday night, Still
q answered number of the inquiries
contained in that message 1t dealt entire
cs With military operations ana conditions.
- sile II cannot be said TO have contained