New-York tribune., 1900-08-22
LIS APPEAL REJECTED.
no NEGOTIATIONS AT PRESENT POS
SIBLE-ANSWER TO vICEROYs
By The Associated Pressl

/ CBy The Associated Press)
Washington, Aug. 21-The Cabinet session to-
! day was practically taken up with consideration
Of the momentous questions growing out Of the
capture Of Peking and the war in China. Until
! to-day's session the absorbing question has
! been the safety Of Minister Conger and the
! legationers at Peking. Now. however that has
given place 10 problems OF 2 more intricate and
| far reaching character touching the existence
Of the Chinese Empire and the part which the
American Government is 70 take in the recon
structon Of that country.
The meeting was devoted entirely 10 the Chi
nese situation Secretaries Hay and Root, who
have been most active in directing affairs were
absent from the city. so that the attendance was
comparatively small the President having with
him Secretaries Gage, Hitchcock and Wilson
and Postmaster-GeneraI Charles Emory Smith
Several questions were awaiting attention. First
Of these was the application OF Ii Hung Chang
for the appointment OF Minister Conger or some
other commissioner 70 negotiate for the cessation
Of hosdlities. The decision arrived at was TO re-
ject the appeal, and a reply Of this character
will be sent to Minister WI TO be forwarded 10
Ii Hung Chang. The cause for this action is
that this Government is at present in the dark
as to whether there is any existing Government
in China With the capital in the hands
the allies, the Emperor and Empress DowaEsr
fugitives and the entire governmental fabric
adequate 10 conduct negotiations and secure
results which VIII be final and binding
It was stated by members OF the Cabinet that
the Chinese establishment instead Of being a
government appears to be an enormous head
less affair without knowledge Of what IS for
its best good and without power to enforce its
wishes. With the recognized ruler in flight, no
one seems to know who, If anybody is directing
its affairs As China is an absolute monarchy
wiz r7rpTT~ a. fac-f
Empress Dowager are all powerful and prac-
tically they are the Empire Of China Under the
present remarkable conditions the United
states viii act with extreme caution IN whatever
steps II may take toward q solution Of the pend
ing problems In the mean time there is reason
TO believe that the United States and all the
other Powers interested will keep their armed
forces on the ground so that order may be
maintained and at least 4 serabIance of stable
government brought out Of the existing chaos
The reply Of this Government to the appeal Of
the Viceroys OF Marking and Hoo-Nan that no
indignities be offered the Emperor and Empress
dowager IS a formal acknowledgements Of the re-
ceipt OF the communication with satisfactory
assurance that no indignities would be offered
the persons OF Their Maiesties This reply is
couched in the polite language Of diplomacy, but
it is understood that II does not in any way
commit the Government TO refrain from i'm
PO9IIIs Oh the emperor ana Empress Dowager
any penalty that subsequently might be decided
upon IN case II is proved that they We're directly
responsible for the recent atrocities. This dues-
ton OF fixing responsibility where ii belongs and
imposing any punishment that may be deemed
fitting, has not received formal consideration as
yet The answer with which the two Viceroys
appeal IS met accordingly is a diplomatic
surance that the rights Of the Emperor and En-
press Dowager viii be protected, but does not
impose any barrier to proper punishment, such
as may be sanctioned by civilized usage for any
offence which hereafter may be held to call for
an accounting. This is the Interpretation given
the reply by Cabinet official tonight The
question Of responsibility VIII have TO be worked
out slowly.
Earl Ii Hung Chang has signihed his inten-
tion OF leaving Shanghai for Peking as soon as
he receives the reply Of the Powers TO his re-
quest OF yesterday for peace.