The sun., 1900-07-27
IMPERIAL ED|CT
MAY MEAN WAR
AGAINST CHIMES
China's Latest PrOnOuncement
Looked on Suspiciously by
Official Washington.
Mr.. WI REMAINS CONFIDENT
says He Thinks He Will Soon be
Able to Establish the Fact
That the Peking Envoys
Are Yet Safe. III
Hung Chang
Threatens.

Washington, July Notwithstanding
t..us of activity the state department had
ching Of especial interest to give ont
.,urhing the Chinese situation. The navy
tarilncnt sont over copy Of dispatch
re, ived from Admiral Remcy, noting
ne changes in the marine hody, ana
Minister Wu came down and talked for
lr m hour with Acting Secretary Hill,
vi. he declared that he had nothing from
rama. though he was confident of ni-
44dant developments in the immediate
atue.
The imperial edict promulgated by
N.acroy TAX at Canton has left n dis
l2rrrable impression here. Despite the
Chinese minister's view to the contrary,
Ills cdict is looked upon as suspiciously
Re il preliminary to formal declaration
%. war. and rs only one step toward secur-
ng time to move Chinese forces into
better position for defense against the
interna,ionals. The edict says:
I'VE have lost Tien-tsin. Great pre-
nutions have becn taken in Picking. No
prace can he obtained without going
through war.
I'm the time of Chung the agreement
was made that no murder can be com
mitted on ministers from abroad. 1t is
Il month since the minister from Ger
many was assassinated by the Boxers.
Strict orders have been given to arrest
the murderer. We are trying our utmost
to preserve the lives Of the other min
listers. They are still in safety.
For fear that the viceroy and gov
ernors may misunderstood the intention
of this decree. and rely on the safety Of
these ministers as ground for making
peace let them--taking no heed whatever
prepare for attack and defense. Neg
lect in fortifyng the districts under
their jurisdiction will bring endless ca
lamity
"Thc viccroys and governors are to
nay all their attention to and urge on the
preparations for coast attack and de-
fcnse They are to take the consequences
ia case Of any territory being entirely lost
through their delay or mismanagement.'
korca Free From BoXcrs.
News that came to the state depart
Iupnt that Korea is free Of the Boxer ag-
itation was we'll received, for il is be-
licvcd that Russia will thus be cnablcd
Ia spare many more troops from her 81
borian army for use in the international
column.
After his conference with the Chinese
minister Acting Secretary Hill said that
the minister had received no communica-
tions from China and had no informa-
ton to impart. The conference between
the minister and the secretary was SIM
Fly an interchange of courtesies. Inc
Chinese minister expressed TO Secretary
Hill his continued hope that the minis
ters in Peking were still safe and said
he believed that he would soon he able
to deliver to the department message
from Minister Conger which would make
that hope certain.
The navy department during the day
received the following cnblegram from
Admiral Remey. dated Taku, July "a
via Chefu, July %:
Colonel Meade, condemned, Mare Is
land hospital, rheumatism. Major Wal
Ter succeeds command First regiment
NV obtainable information clears marines
Of any imputation burning houses or loot
ing Tien-tsin.'
Not Surprised at the News.
The fact that Colonel Meade, who wa
In command of the marines ut Tnku, hn
been invalided home on account of rhcu
matism has created no surprise anon
his comrades of the navy VINO Know NJ,
best While man of indomltable VIII
Colonel Meadc's vitality has been beloN
par, and it has been an almost constah
struggle for him to perform his duties.
Colonel Meade had been the rankin
marine officer at the Cavite naval statl"
since its establishment. His departul
from Taku will leave Lieutenant Colont
Coolidge of the Ninth infantry in con
maud of the American land forces. I'll
latter's command, however, will be onl
temporary. as the arrival of Gener;
Cbaifee within the next few days wi
place him in supreme command.
Major Waller, who is now the rankin
marine officer, will give way upon I'll
arrival of the Grant to Major Biddl
who is his senior Major Biddle hi
with him on the Grant two compani'
of the Fourth battalion of marines, IL
first detachments of marines which hay
gone direct from the United States to Il
scene of trouble in China. The acquis
tion of these 225 marines will bring Il
total force of marines close up to 1OO.
Owing to the largely increased force
marines and the re-enforcements whit
are on their way from the United State
Colonel William S. Muse, who is no
stationed at the Mare Island navy var
San Francisco, may be assigned to col
mand them.
The navy department is very mu'
gratified to hear from Rear Admiral X
mey direct a denial of the imputation tn
American marines participated IN al
way in the burning and looting or he
tsin after its capture fly the allies. Ho'
ever. this has been understood to be u
fact from the start.