The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-18

All PROPER
at Pekin Antagonistic in their Poll
tfcs-Troops not to Winter In Pel1in.
Question OF Indemnity.
Pekin, September Z, via Taku, Sep
tember 13, and Shanghai, September
15.-At a meeting of the foreign min
listers here it has been decided that
they had no power at present to treat
with Prince Ching. The generals of
the powers also think they cannot
| treat with the prince. The Russian
legation, it is understood, has been
ordered to be withdrawn and this is
believed to indicate that the future of
| China must be decided by an interpa-
! tional commission in some foreign cap
| ital.
Sir Robert Hart, the director of the
Chinese imperial maritime customs,
| has informed the foreign generals that
they must be prepared for future hos
| tilities, that the Chinese troops are
| concentrating and moving on the line
of communication between Pekin and
Tien Tsin and that he thought trouble
might be looked for by November
| General Chaffee believes Pekin has
sufficient troops to hold out against
any attack.
| Prince Ching informed Mr. Conger
| that the emperor is anxious to return
to Pekin and make all proper prepara-
| tions. The prince says the emperor
| and the entire court are in SMALL viii
| lagos sixty miles away. He will not
| endeavor to negotiate until the arrival
of Ii Hung Chang, who is expected
| here shortly.
Lieutenant Benjamin B. Hyer COM
n1anding sixty men of the Sixth cav
| any, Vas recently attacked near here
by sec Boxers. He put them to rout,
his force killing twenty-five of them
and capturing some rifles and treas
ure. There were no American casual
ties.
AN INTERNATIONAL CONFER
ENCE.
Paris, September 15.-The unsatis-
factory condition of the cipher mes
sages which reach the powers from
their representatives in China, es-
peciaIly at Pekin, has brought for
ward prominently the suggestion of an
International conference at some Euro
pean capital A point which gives ad-
ditional weight to the plan is apprecia-
ton of the difficulty of reaching
amicable results anmong the ministers
at Pekin, many of whom have been
antagonistic in their policies during
the last few years. Could they OBJ
tain direct and quick cOmmunica ton
with the home governments the tan
giles would be Strengthened out, but
under the prestnt conditions this seems
to be impossible. An argument ad-
vanced against the proposed confer
ence is the difficulty Of the powers
beng represented by men fully con-
servant with all the latest phases of
the far east question. Some of the
details which will be urged in connec-
| ton with the peace terms are discussed
in diplomatic circles here. One point
strC',3-ly urged on the part of France
| is L ornament continuance of the
iI5s:.iS sinnal agreement now in force,
prohibiting the expectation Of arms to
China. This is believed to be a strong
measure of precaution against q re-
occurrence of the determined assault
ON foreigners. A demand is also made
for a reduction of the Chinese forces
holding Taku and Woo Sung, which
are the main coast defences respective
ly of Pekin and Shanghai, in order to
| ket- open a more secure route to the
| cities.
The question of indemnity and how
| 1t Will be paid is serious problem.
The indemnities are divided into three
classes, thase payable to the states, to
the societies and to individuals. The
| amount which the various states will
demand will reach an enormous sum
and the ability of China to meet them
solely with cash payments causes con-
cern. Great Britain's indemnity, it is
believed here, will not be less than Co.
100000 francs, while Russia's will not
be f"r below this. Frances indemnity
will be in the neighborhood of 30,000,-
900 francs and that of the United
States, it is thought, will not be so
QT-xJn a nor Of tI,n Ayrola ar~i
can troops going from the Philippine
islands.
In order to meet these great claims,
it is possible that some reforms IN the
internal administration in China may
be necessary though their nature is
not considered yet.
1t is said that Russia has not heard
from NJ. De Giers, her minister at Pc
kin, for some days and the messages
of NJ. Pichen. the French minister a.
the Chinese capital, are also delayed
: | thus not permitting the government to
the evacuation terms which are left
: | to these Officials. 1t is asserted here
| that France and Russia are acting in
perfect harmony and that they will GER
tainly remain in accord in their nego-
| tiationS Off peace.
TROOPS NOT TO WINTER IN PE
KIN.
Pekin, September S, via Shanghai
: / September 15.-It is announced tha
owing to the fmpossloility Of gettini
the railroad through before winter set
| in all the Russian forces will be with
. | drawn and will make Tien Tsin thei
= headquarters. This is causing specula
ton as to Russia's policy. The occu
patton Of Pekin during the winter
,, practically impossible for a large bod
= OF troops unless railroad connection
= , can be established. Some favor level
!, ing Pekin with the ground before re
. hour in conference with acting Secre'
r WU AIT THE STATE DEPARTMEN,
e Washington, September 15.-Ministe
WI was an early caller at the stat
department today and spent nearly a
hour in conference with Acting Secre
a tary Adee. He notified Mr.. Adee yer
bally Of the appointment Of Yung L