Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1900-08-24
LIS PLEA REJECTED.
Uncle Sam Not Ready to Nego-
tiate Peace.
CHINA MUST MEET OUR DEMANDS.

CHINA MUST MEET OUR DEMANDS.
Until These Are Fully Complied with
Hostilities Not Likely to Cease
-Extracts from Conger's
Latest Cablesram.
Washington, Aug. 22.-The cabinet
Tuesday decided to reject the latest
appeal from Ii Hung Chang for a ces-
sation of hostilities. The reply will
be communicated at once to the Chi
nese government with a statement of
the reasons for the action of this gov
eminent. The rejection is based on
the noncompliance of the Chinese
government with the specific provi-
sions of the declaration of the United
States under date of August H..
One moving cause for this action is
that this government is at present
very much in the dark as to whether
there is any existing government in
China. With the capital in the hands
Of the allies, the emperor and empress
dowager fugitives in hiding, and the
entire governmental fabric paralyzed,
there is no evidence of an authority
adequate to conduct negotiations and
secure results which will be final and
binding. 1t was stated by members
of the cabinet that the Chinese estab-
lishment, instead of being a govern
ment, appears to be an enormous head
less affair, without knowledge of what
is for it's best good and without power
to enforce its wishes. With the recog-
nized ruler in flight, no one seems to
know who, if anybody, is directing it's
affairs. AS China is an absolute mon
archy, without any legislative branch,
the emperor and empress dowager are
all-powerful, and practically they are
the empire Of China. Under the pres
ent remarkable conditions, the United
States will act with extreme caution
in whatever steps it may take toward
q solution Of the pending problems.
In the meantime there is reason to be-
lieve that the United States and all
the other powers interested will keep
their armed forces on the ground, so
that order may be maintained and, at
least, a semblance of stable govern
ment brought out of the existing
chaos.
l., Not Yet Forwarded.
It is stated that the reply Of this
government to the appeal of Ii Hung
Chang for a cessation Of hostilities
end the appointment of a.peace COM
mission has not yet been transmitted
to the viceroy. It is suggested in dip
lomatic circles that the delay is prob
ably for the purpose of ascertaining
the trend of opinion of the other for
eign powers, inasmuch as the pre-
sumption is an identical appeal was
made to all of them.
Effort to Exterminate Foreigners.
The state department makes pub
lie the following extracts from a
cablegram received Monday night
from Minister Conger:
"United States Legation, Picking (undat-
ED, via Crefoo, Aug. N.-Secretary of State,
Washington: Saved. Relief arrived to-
day. Entered city with little rouble. Do
not yet know where imperial family is. Ex-
cept deaths already reported, all Americans
I Raw CAAO VSAAs IN . 1uduC xdSI
night to exterminate us. Mitchell, Amer
lean soldier, and a Russian and Japanese
wounded, German killed. Advise Wood
ward, Chicago; Conger, Des Moines: Sims,
Council Bluffs; Conger, Pasadena; Porter,
Paris. CONGER, by Fowler, Chefoo.'
1t will be observed that the portions
given out are extracts from Minister
Conger's message. It was stated that
these portions ove such features as
the government desires to make public
at this time. The entire message was
before the cabinet and the portions not
given out doubtless refer to questions
of policy and to Chinese internal af-
fairs, upon which the minister speaks
as the adviser of the government rather
than as the medium communicating
actualoccurrences. a,(
The state department also has re-
ceived a dispatch from Consul Fowler,
at Chefoo, but it deals with technical
features and it is stated that for this
reason it will not be given out. tits
said it sheds no new light on the sit
uation at Picking.
Appeals from viceroys.
Washington, Aug. 22.-The state de-
partment Tuesday received an appeal
from the viceroys of Marking and
Human, asking that nc personal indig-
mites be shown the emperor and en-
press dowager and renewing assur-
ances Of friendship and of maintain
ing quiet in the south of China if this
was observed. The communication
from the viceroys came through Min
lister WI and was delivered by him to
Mr.. Adee Tuesday morning. It is un-
derstood that the powers already have
considered this question ana there ap-
pears to be no disposition to give the
emperor and the empress dowager
affront. a
Purport of the Appeal.
The application of the Chinese vice
roys is in. effect a request that the Chi
nese sovereigns shall not be made pris-
oners Of war. 1t is said that the powers
are authorized, under the rules Of the
practice of international law, to ac-
cede to this request or not, as they
deem best. The request is not one OF
sN -A.