Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-08-09
MOVEMENT ON PEKIN
The Chinese Government Wants the
Powers to Abandon the Idea.
The CHINESE GOVERNMENT COWED.


Call for Volunteers.
Washington, Aug. 2.-The Chinese
imperial government is putting forth
the most powerful efforts to secure
through negotiation the abandon
ment of the international movement
upon Pekin. The cablegrams received
at the state department yesterday
from Earl Vi Hung Chang all tend to
demonstrate his desire to secure the
succor of the ministers at Pekin and
their delivery at Tien Tsin if this can
be safely effected, trusting that in
return the international column can
be halted. Unquestionably a proper
assurance of the safe delivery of the
ministers would have some effect upon
the temper OF the powers, and it is
possible that the United States gov
eminent would give ear to overtures
in that direction were not the attempt
made by the Chinese to impose con-
ditons upon the delivery that are al
together Objectionable Such, for in
stance, is stipulation that the Chi
nese imperial authorities shall be alb
solutely freed from the consequences
and liability for what has taken
place in Pekin. The first stipulation
might be regarded as direct invita-
ton to the boxers to murder the min
listers on their way to the coast, and,
therefore, our government will leave
IL 10 Mr.. Conger himself whether or
not he regards 1t as safe to leave Pc
kin, when the opportunity Is held out.
Meanwhile, there has been no
change as to the military programme,
80 far as our government is advised.
The senior United States naval officer
at Taku already is under the most
positive instructions to urge a for
ward movement, these having been
sent by Secretary Long just after the
receipt of the original Conger mes
sage, and he was advised also of the
of the government to add
to his force. These matters are re-
ferred to in the belated dispatch from
Tien Tsip which touches upon the
situation and the prospects
Of a speedy forward movement. But
no additional instructions on this
point were sent to the United States
army officers yesterday and the gov
eminent is allowing its officers on the
spot to shape their own campaign, re-
lying particularly upon the very full
md comprehensive instructions pre-
giously given to Gen. ChafFee both in
person and by cable upon his arrival
Vt Nagasaki.
Secretary Root said yesterday that
here had been no developments in
The diplomatic situation which would
ielay the advance upon Pekin, and
That Gen. Chaffee had orders to cover
my contingency which might arise.
statement has been made In the dis
patches from Europe to the effect that
he United States is pushing Gen.
'haffee for chief command. 1t was
aid at the war department that such
vas not the case, though it was recog-
lized that the situation might be such
IS to make it necessary for him to ac-
ept command il rendered by the
'ther powers.
The Chinese Government Cowed.
Berlin, Aug. "A high official in
he German foreign office said yester-
ay that. in the opinion of the foreign
l'lce, all the messages recently re-
eiyed from the members of the lega-
ions were allowed to pass the lines
Y the Chinese government. From
his the foreign office argues that
he Chinese government is already
owed by the international success at
'aku and Tien Tsin. The official was
Inclined to think that the advance
'ould be made without commander
l-chief, course of action which he
characterized as feasible, although
e denounced the failure to agree
pom II common commander as scan
alous.
The National Zeitung says: "A
erman commander-in.chief is quite
ut of the question, as Germany has
My 800 soldiers in Tien Tsin,"
The statement is made in reliable
uarter that more than 10000 men
nd 1850 officers of the German army
ave responded to the call for yolun-
GERS for Chinese service.
------------- -------
Washington, Aug. 4.-Another move
as made yesterday in the diplomatic
tuation by the return of an evasive
nswer by Ii Hung Chang to Secre-
my Hays peremptory demand of the
It to be put in communication with
he foreign officials at Pekin. Lis
nswer is not final and leaves the
latter open to diplomacy, but Lis
'tlon, as reported by Consul General
oodnow, is unquestiouably sincere
nd will amount to final rejection
the American proposition, II per-