Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-04

tIley VIII DC Killed.
1t is stated that only the Russian {:
!: and Japanese. $4,000 strong, are
starting for Pekin. ::
AN EVASIVE ANSWER.
Washington. ID. c.. Aug. 3.--Another
move was made to-day in the diplo-
matte situation 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 ministers at Pekin.
LIS answer is not final and leaves the
matter open automatically.
But LIS action. as reported by Con-
sul-General Goodnow, are unquestiona-
bly, sinister. ana will amount to final
rejection OF the American proposition
II persisted In. MIR. GoodnoW's dis
patch contains some further informa-
ton bearing on the question of respon-
eibility for Pekin conditions in the
statement that the commander of the
Chinese troops. by inference ansWera-
Bile to the Chinese Government, ordered
the Pao Ting massacre. 1t Is learned
here that Ii Ping Hong, the comman-
der referred to. is Il civil official and
Well-known to all the Chinese officials
abroad as one Of the most rabid anti
foreign leaders In China He is n close
friend OF Prince Tuan, and the nssocia-
ton OF these two in Pekin affairs, with
power enough behind them to cause the
ignomlnious death of two high officials,
Is regarded here as u bad sign.
CHARACTERISTIC MESSAGE.
simultaneously with Mr.. Goodnow's
dispatch came enthusiastically dip
iomatic message from Yuan Shin Kali
Governor of Shan Tung, repeating the
story OF two days ago that the Chinese
Government was arranging to deliver
the Ministers in safety at Tien Tsin.
No effort is made to reconcile that
tn ton 4, - 81 81,
allow communication with the Minis
terS.
SEVERE BATTLE POSSIBLE.
General Chanees message as to the
unexpected resistance offered to the
Japanese reconnaissance is regarded by
military men here as forecasting n
greater degree of resistance to the in
ternational advance than had been an
ticipated, ana they are now satisfied
that the Chinese troops will furnish
material for at least one severe bat
tie before the way is clear to Pckin.
THE NAVY TO COOPERATE.
The Navy Department to-day 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 revivcs the situation that existed
In Cuba when Skaters army corps
was landed largely through the efforts
of the navy and the use Of the lat
thought in the Department that the
navy can lend considerable assistance
to General Chaffee's troops, not only
in aiding their debarkation but pos
sbly in furnishing them boat transport
tation IL n move is made along the
Pci-Ho
a JOINT MEMORIAL.
1t appears that some misunderstand-
ing exists as to a ST. Petersburg dis
patch printed here this morning saying
no Minister fhprn md
his colleagues in Europe, had cabled
the Governor of Shan Tung demand
ing that free communication be opened
between the Pekin Ministers and their
respective Governments. This commu-
nication was in fact n joint memorial
to the throne concurred In by all
chinese Ministers abroad including
Minister WI. in Washington.
II was forwarded by Minister Yong
Tn at st. Petersburg. because the lat
ter is the dean of the Chinese diplo-
matte service. 1t was transmitted
through the Governor OF Shang Tung to
be forwarded to Pekin. This action is
considered very important as indicat-
ing that the Chinese ministers abroad
have at last reached a unanimous con-
cIusion that the situation is no longer
to be trifed with. Their action may
he regarded as n final effort on their
mart 10 influence the home government
and ITS; outcome is awaited with great
interest.
MINISTER CONGER.
Meanwhile the Government of the
United States, like the governments of
Europe. has not abandoned it's efforts
to establish communication with it's
minister at Pekin by independent
means. and the State Department has
Instructed Consul General Goodnow at
Shanghai, Consul Fowler at Che Foo
and Consul Ragsdale at Tien Tsin TO
spare no effort or expense to open up
direct communication with Mr.. Conger.
FROM GENERAL CHAFFEE.
IN addition to his short message rcla-
tive to the Japanese check. transmitted
through Admiral Remey and received
this morning. General Chaffee made an
other and a direct cable report this af-
ternoon. The message was withheld
from publication by Secretary Root.
who declines TO make its purport pub
lie. Presumably it was devoted to a
recital of General Chaffee's needs in n
military way. In view of the London
statement that the advance on Pekin
actually begun with the present week
there IS also possibility that General
Chaffee's message has some bearing on
this subject. though it Is evident from
his report of this morning that the adj