Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-28

palace gave rise in the Chinese Imagination
to the belief that the allies had been re-
pulsed.
Ii HUNG Changes CREDENTIALS.
Questioned Whether He is Competent
to Conduct Peace Negotiations.
The sufficiency of Ii Hung Chang's Gre
dentials as a plenipotentiary to conclude a
settlement with the powers on behalf Of
China is one point which is now a subject
for active telegraphic negotiations between
the powers. 1t was stated positively this
morning however, that so far that issue is
still open.
In diplomatic exchanges between highly
civilized powers, the forms for the initia-
fined. The sovereign, or president, or gov
erning body of a nation furnishes creden-
tials to an agent or plenipotentiary author
izing him to act for his government within
a certain closely defined limits. In nearly
every case the credentials bear the personal
signatures of the emperor, king or presi-
dent
Now Ii Hung Chang's credentials are
different from these. They were conveyed
by an imperial edict dated August 8, and
this edict was transmitted to the Chinese
privy council, which in turn notified 1t to
the United States government through
the governor of Shan Tung, the Taotai Of
Shanghai and finally through Minister WI.
The other powers were presumably notified
in the same manner of Ii Hung Changs ap-
pointment, and in addition Earl Ii him
self cabled an announcement of the same
kind from Shanghai to the various minis
ters abroad.
With all this none Of the foreign govern
ments have seen the emperor's signature
accred;ting Ii as his representative and
envoy. 1t is said here that there Is nothing
singular in this omission; that it is in &C
cordance with the usual Chinese custom.
Still the fact has afforded ground for a diff
ference of opinion between the various ma
tions now represented on Chinese soil as
to the competency of Ii Hung lang to
pledge the fugitive Chinese government in
any enduring fashion.
1t would appear, that so far as the United
States government is concerned, it has been
willing to accept Lis credentials, for in his
note of August II, Mr.. Adee stated that
the government learns with satisfaction
of the appointment of Earl La Hung Chang
as, envoy plenipotentiary to conduct re-
gotiations with the powers. and will on it's
desire to continue the friendly relations
so long existing between the two coun-
tries"
1t is true that the State Department de-
clined to enter upon the negotiations with
Lii at the time but that appeared to be only
because the Chinese government had not
complied with the condition imposed as to
the safety Of the foreign ministers, and not
because of any question as to Lis COM
potency.
Some OF the powers have taken the
ground that Ii no longer represents any
thing tangible; that the fleeing tninese
emperor and empress dowager are power
less to carry out any pledge. But none Of
them have, so far as eah he learned up2n
inquiry here finally decided this Important
question beyond recau, and, as already
stated, the negotiations on that point g e
still in progress. +
TROOPS DIVERTED TO MANILA.
The 1st Cavalry viii Not Go to China,
as Ordered.
Action was taken today by. the War De-
partment which marks the carrying out of
the new policy of the government respecting
the Chinese situation. This consisted in an
order to the departments agents at Kobe
Japan, to divert the 1st U. 5. Cavalry and
their animals from that port to Manila, in
stead of allowing them to proceed to Taku,
according to their original orders
Only this morning was a cablegram re-
ceived by the War Department announcing
the arrival of the Garonne, with eight COM
panies of the LIST Cavalry aboard, and the
Packing with the animals Of the organiza-
ton, at Kobe. The 1st Cavalry is under
of Lieut.. Col. T. L. Lebo
In reply to his request for instructions
Secretary Root promptly directed him to go
to Manila. This is the carrying out of the
purpose of the administration to cease the
reinforcement Of the 5000 American soldiers
and marines now on Chinese soil.
Won KETTLER'S RESCUE.
Gen. Chaffee Reports Having Ten
dered Assistance.
The War Department today received the
caJlegram:
TAKU, China.
Adjutant General, War Department, Wash
ington:
Have offered assistance to Baroness Won
Kettler; will furnish transportation and
escort Tien Tsin few days; have offered
accommodat tions to Naga-
saki also. CHAFFEE.
1t will be observed that this dispatch
bears neither Pekin nor a Taku date.
Both dates were evidently removed while
the message was in transmission and prob
ably after it left Chefoo, which is the end
Of cable connections.
General Chaffee's statement that he had
offered assistance to Baroness Won Kettler
and an escort to Tien Tsin shows that Cen
eral Chaffee was in Pekin when the tele-
gram was sent. This message is the first
intimation which has been received of the
safety Of the wife of the unfortunate Ger
man minister. The Baroness Won Kettler
is an American woman. She was a Miss
Ledyard of Detroit, and the rows of her
safety will come as a great relief to her
friends. who have been making many ef-
forts to secure information as tot her where
abouts.
THE TROUBLE At AzIOY.
statement From Toxic Regarding the
Landing of Troops.
Tn I'd IN tha