The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-04
THE SITUATION IN
CHINA MORE DARK
Ii Returns an Evasive An
swer to Hay.
FIGHT NEAR TEN TSlN
Japanese Scouts Have an Encounter
With Chinese,
FIGHT NEAR TEN TSIN
ROAD TO PEKlN WILL PROVE A HOT ONE
Such is the Opinion of Army Officers Here
Two Members Of Chinese Foreign Office
Beheaded by Chinese Commander
at Pekin.
at Pekin.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, August 3.-Another
matte situation by the return of an
evasive answer by Ii Hung Chang to
Secretary Hays peremptory demand
of August 1st, to be put in commune
cation with the foreign Ministers at
Pellin. Lis answer is not final and
leaves the matter open automatically.
But Lis action as reported by Consul
General Goodnow is unquestionably
sinister, and will amount to a final
rejection of the American proposition
if persisted in. Mr.. Goodnow's dis
patch contains some further informa-
ton bearing on the question of re-
sponsbility for Pekin conditions in
the statement that the commander
of the Chinese troops, by inference
answerable to the Chinese Govern
ment, ordered the Pao Ting massacre.
1t is learned here that Iii Ping Hong.
the commander referred to, is a civil
official and well known to all the Chi
nese officials abroad as one of the
most rabid anti-foreign leaders in
China. he is a close friend of Prince
Tuan and the association Of these two
in Pelin affairs, with power enough
behind them to cause the ignomin-
Gus death Of two high officials is re-
garded here as a bad sign.
simultaneously with Mr.. GoodnOw's
dispatch came 4 characteristically di-
plomatic message from Yuan Shih
Kai, Governor Of Shan Tung, repeat
ing the story of two days ago that
the Chinese Government was arrang-
ing to deliver the Ministers in safety
at Tien Tsin. No effort is made to
reconcile that statement with Earl
Lis refusal to allow communication
with the Ministers.
General Chaffee's message as to the
unexpected resistance offered to the
Japanese reconnaissance is regarded
by military men here as forecasting
a greater degree of resistance to the
international advance than had been
anticipated, and they are now salts
fed that the Chinese troops will fur
nish material for at least one severe
battle, before the way is clear to Pc
kin.
The Navy Department today issued
an order for the cooperation of its
officers abroad with the officers of
the army in landing and Transporting
troops destined for Chinese service
This revives the situation that existed
in Cuba, when Shafters army corps
was landed largely through the ef-
forts of the navy and the use of the
latter's boats and steam launches. 1t
is thought in the department that the
navy can lend considerable assistance
to General Chaffee's troops not only
in aiding their debarkation. but pos
sibly in furnishing them boat trans
portation if q move is made along
the Pei Ho.
1t appears that some misunder-
standing exists as to St. Petersburg
dispatch printed here this morning
saying that the Chinese Minister there
and his colleagues in Europe had ca
bled the Governor of Shan Tung de-
manding that free communication be
opened between the Pekin Ministers
and their respective Governments.
This communication was in fact a
joint memorial to the Throne con-
Cured in by all Chinese Ministers
abroad, including Minister Wa in
Washington. 1t was forwarded by
Minister Yeng Lu at ST. Petersburg,
because the latter is the dean of the
Chinese diplomatic service. 1t was
transmitted through the Governor of
Shan Tung to be forwarded to Pekin.
This action is considered very impor-
tant as indicating that the Chinese
Ministers abroad have at last reached
a unanimous conclusion that the sit
uation is no longer to be trifed with.
Their action may be regarded as a
final effort on their part to influence
the home Government and it's outcome
is awaited with great interest.
Meanwhile the Government of the
United States, like the Governments
of Europe, has not abandoned its eff
forts to establish communication
with its Minister at Pekin by indie
pendent means and the State Depart
ment has instructed Consul General
Goodnow at Shanghai. Consul Fowler
at Che Foo and Consul General Rags
dale at Tien Tsin to spare no effort
or expense to open up direct cOmmu-
nication with Minister Conger.
In addition to his short message
relative to the Japanese check, trans
mitted through Admiral Remey and
received this morning, General Chat
fee made another and a direct cable
report this afternoon. The message
was withheld from publication by