The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-11
Lii Hung Chang Has Been Or
dered to Pelin
To Open Negotiations With
Foreign Powers.
HE ASKS FOR A SHIP
And a Guarantee of Safe Con-
duet.
Imperial Decree is Cabled to
Washington.
Prince Ching Appointed to Act
With Lii.
FRANCE WILL LEAVE.
Will Follow Russia in Departure
From Capital.
Japan Expresses Willingness to
Do Likewise.
FRANCE WILL LEAVE.
Will Follow Russia in Departure
From Capital.
Japan Expresses Willingness to
Do Likewise.

Washington Sept u--Minister Wu
has received a cable dispatch from
Earl Ii Hung Chang. giving an imperial
edict, signed by the emperor, directing
him to proceed Immediately to Pekin
and there to cooperate with Prince
Ching toward peace negotiations and
settlement of all war difficulties The
edict is dated August q. Accordingly
Ii Hung Chang asks that the powers
cooperate in affording him personal
protection and facilitating his journey
He will probably leave Shanghai at
once, going by sea Sir Robert Hart,
imperial minister of customs. has been
asked to procure steamer acc0mmoda-
tfons for the trip. Minister WI will
probably ask that a United States gun
boat be designated for Earl Lis use
SITUATION WAITS ON SALISBURY
New York. Sept IA dispatch to the
Tribune from London says
The announcement that the main
American force viii not remain in China
after the end OF September is published
here simultaneously with dispatches
from Berlin stating that heavy German
reinfOrcements viii be sent out soon at
ter that date, and also with details OF
the triumphant march of the allied
troops through the Forbidden City
The news from Pekin and foreign cap
italS is unusually full. and varied, but
its most significant feature is the evi-
dence that the mandarins, now that the
heavens have not fallen in consequence
of the foreign dissertation OF the sacred
palaces in the imperial enclosure are
willing to make terms with the allies If
they are allowed to do SO without losing
their heads
Ii Hung Chang will be armed with full
powers and that the emperor viii be
produced if his presence be required IN
order to sanction the appointment
of missionaries also appear in time for
emphasizing the demand that the guilty
mandarins shall not be suffered to go
unpuniShed-
This strange medley OF Chinese news
IS filed out with contradictory accounts
of diplomatic proposals by Italy ana
Russia and the persistent determination
OF the German emperor to send out more
battaliOnS on the errand Of vengeance
Lord Salisbury's own policy IS almost
the only element of a complex situation
about which there is complete silence IN
the British press He is expected back
in London at the end of the week. when
possibly this great mystery viii be
cleared up.
Meanwhile evidence that the United
States government does not intend to
be drawn into an indefinite prolongat1on
of the military operations in China for
purposes unknown and may recall ITS
troops within a fortnight, is received
without resentment or surprise oy the
English press
r X
London, Sept 1.-THE officials Of the
Chinese legation decline to make public
the text Of the imperial decree com
manding the opening Of peace negoua-
tions, but say the document appoints
Prince Ching, head of the Tsung Ii
Yamen. a pIenipotentiary. as well as Il
Hung Chang. It was added that it had
been suggested that Liu Kun II, the
viceroy of Nankin and Chang Chih Tungr
the viceroy of HankOW would also be
appointed, but the decree does not men
REPORT THAT EMPRESS IS CAP
TURED.
London. Sept ia dispatch to
news agency from Nagasaki, Japan,
SAYS it IS reported there that the dow
ager empress Of China has been cap
ITALY TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY
London Sept IA special dispatch
from Rome says the Italian cabinet mas
decided to initiate Immediately negotia-
tfons with China 1t will formulate de-
mands for an indemnity and If they are
accepted Italian Intervention viii be
considered terminated and no proposals
tending 10 further warfare in China will
be considered
FRANCE WILL WITHDRAW
London. Sept 1--France has form
ally adhered to the Russian proposal to
withdraw frora Pelxin to Tien Tsin- A
representative of the Associated Press
learns or unquestiolabIe authority that
telegraphic instructions were sent yes
terday from Paris and ST. Petersburg
to Nj. Pichon and NJ DeGiers, respect
lively the ministers of France and Rus
sia at Peixin. directing both ministers,
in conjunction with Generals Frey and
Lin0wftch To take measures to with
draw the LEGATIONS and military contin-
gents OF both countries to Tien Ts1n
Immediately If circumstances permit
Diplomatic circles IN London are IN
c1ined to believe that this step Will lead
to similar action upon the part Of the
United States and japan. and that while
Germany may hold out until Field Mar
r-aT in
China she viii ultimately aeQufesce,
leaving Great Britain little choice but
TO follow suit
ITALT'S PROPOSITION.
Paris sent. IA special dispatch
from Rome SAYS that the italian min
lister of foreign affairs. Marquis Visconti
Venosta.~ has addressed TO the powers a
note proposiug negotiations with China
On the following basis
Ffrst-The evacuation OF Pekin as