The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-04
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Washington, August Smother move
was made today in the diplomatic stu
alton by the return of an evasive answer
by Ii Hung Chang to Secretary Hays
peremptory demand OF August to be put
in communication with the foreign minis
tiers Mt Pekin LIS answer Is not final
and leaves the matter open to diplomacv.
But LIS actions, as reported by c. nsIi
General Goodnow, are unquestionah,y
sinister and will amount to a final rejoc-
tion Of the American proposition, if per-
sisted in Mr.. Gcodnow's dispatch con-
tains some further information bearing
On the question of responsibility for Pekin
conditions in the statement that the COM
mander of the Chinese troops by infcf-
ence answerable to the Chinese govern
inent, ordered the Pao Ting massacre It
is learned here that LII Ping Hong, the
commander referred to. is a civil ofacial
and well known to all the Chinese Officials
abroad rs one of the most rabid anti
fore gn leaders in China. He is close
friend OF Prince Tuan and the association
Of these two in Pekin affairs, with power
enough behind them to cause tho lgnom-
inous death OF two high officials, is re-
garded, here as bad sign.
Simultaneously with Mr. Goodnows
dispatch came a enthusiastically dino
matte message from Yuan Shih Kai gov
ernUr of Shan Tung repeating the story OF
two days ago that the Chinese govern
ment was arranging to deliver the min
listers IN safety to Tien Ts.n. 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 I'M
expected resistance offered to the Japan
csc reconnaissance is regarded by military
men here as rorecasting a greater degree
I opposition to the international advance
than had been anticipated, and they are
now satisfied that the Chinese troops will
furnish material for at least one severe
battle before the way is clear to Pek.n.
The navy department today Issued an
order for the cooperation of its office S
abroad with the officers of the army in
landing and transporting troops destined
for Chinese service, This rcyives The
situation that existed in Cuba when Shat
ters army corps was landed largely
through the efforts OF the navy.
1t appears that some misunderstanding
exists as to a St. Petersburg dispatcn
printed tare this morning, saying that
the Chinese minister there and his coll
leagues in Europe had cabled the governo'
Of Shan Tung demanding that free c5m-
munication he opened between the Pekin
ministers and their respective govern
meuts. This communication was in fact
a joint memorial to the throne concurred
in by all Chinese ministers abroad in
Guiding Minister WI In Washington. 1t
was forwarded by Minister Yu Len at St
Petersburg, because the latter is the dean
0f the Chinese diplomatic service. II was
transmitted through the governor OF Shan
Tung to be forwarded TO Pek,n. TIL az
ton indicates that the Chinese ministers
abroad have a least reached a Unanimous
conclusion that the situation is no longer
to be tritled with
Meanwhile the government OF the
United States has instructed Consul Cen
eral GoOdnow at shanghai, Consul Fowler
at Chez Foo and Consul Ragsdale at Tien
Tsin 10 spare no effort or expense to open
| up direct Communication with Mr.. Can
ger.
Washington, August S.-rhe navy de-
narment this afternoon received the fol-
low1ng telegram from Admiral Remey
Tsku. August 2.-Bureau Navigation.
Washington; Chaffee reports that 500
japanese scouting toward Pei Tang lost
three men killed, twenty-five wounded.
Enemy in trenches and loop-holed houses.
Remey.
Washington, August S,-A cabinet meet
ing was held today which lasted about
an hour The Remey dispatch telling Of
the check 10 the japanese scouting column
was read but was not consideTei as of
serious Importance as ehesting the gem
eral Alyance Il was stated that the gov
eminent has 10 ofAcA assurance that
general advance against Pesin has Deeh
begun by the American or any other con-
tingent of the international forces
The Fowler dispatch was also discussed
and one OF the members said that i was
accented as putting an end 70 any posi-,
az Seep pota ~ a 60 the authenticity Of
ne orisinal conger cipher dispatch.
The presidents plans have nor oeen
changed BY any DEVELOPMENTS since nc MS MS
return to Washington and he started oaas
TO-, 10 canton tonight as previously srransee