The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-10-19
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
REPORTED BEGUN BETWEEN THE EN-
VOYS IN PEKlN
ANOTHER CHINESE FORGERY
The Edict Ordering Punishment of the
Leaders of the Revolt Repudiated by
Prince Ching aud Earl Ii as Not Gem
ufne-Russia's Intentions n Puzzle to
Other Powers-Renewed Activity of
Boxers - Rapid Progress of the
Southern Revolution

DoASTs - tbaplu ITOgFeSs the
Southern Revolution
Washington, October 17-Minister
| WI called upon the president this
morning and was received in the Blue
parlor. Upon leaving the White house,
| the minister said that he had conveyed
to the president a message from the
emperor of China, thanking President
/ Mckinley for the consideration shown
by the United States during the Chi
| nese trouble. The minister also brought
| dispatch from Shanghai from the
southern viceroys, stating that the i'm
| perial party had reached Tung Kuan,
| only a few miles from Sinan Flu, the
| new capital, on the 14th instant.
The advices received by Minister Wu
| give no indication of a purpose on the
part of the royal family to return to
Pekin although there is reason to be-
| lieve that efforts continue to be made
| to induce the emperor to return to the
| capital. The emperor has heretofore
! sent messages of thanks to the czar of
/ Russia and the emperor Of Japan for
the course their governments have pur-
sued, and the message to the president
| is along the same lines.
| Secretary Hay spent some time at
| the war department this morning, in
conference with Secretary Root, after
| Which he went to the White house.
| From this it was inferred that there
were some military developments in
the Chinese situation, although no
| statement was made from officials
| RnSSia'S 6atarn1in9f fjOn RI a
| policy Independent of the other powers
| is regarded by officials as a most i'm
| portant development in the situation.
| In the absence of official details those
| in authority are in doubt as to wheth-
er this Russian move is designed to in
sure occupation of Manchuria or is
only another move in the pacific tend
| encieS which the cZar's government
| has given expression to, beginning with
| the announcement of the withdrawal
of Russian troops from Pekin.
AS to Russian designs on Manchuria,
| it is being recalled that in the Russian
| note of August 2Sth that government
| specifically stated: Russia will not
fail to withdraw her troops from with
| in the boundaries of the adjacent en-
| pire, provided, however, that the ac-
| tion of other powers shall not stand in
the way
1t is a question, however, whether
the present aggressive course of Ger
many in opening a military campaign
is not the action of other powers
which will "stand in the way
There is strong impression in Off
cial quarters that the entire trend of
Russia is toward the ultimate acqui-
sation of Manchuria as part of the
Russian domain.
THE EDICT FOR PUNISHMENT OF
OFFICIALS FORGED.
| Pekin, October 15--It is now regard
ed as certain that the alleged imperial
edict ordering the punishment of high
officials was forged and was concocted
with the object of preventing the ad-
vance of the allies on Pao Ting Flu.
Both Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang
deny it's authenticity.
Count Won Waldersee is expected to
arrive here October II. Small maraud-
ing bands have become troublesome
in the vicinity of the summer palace
and a punitive expedition is being or
ganized to proceed against them.
!. RENEWED ACTIVITY AMONG
BOXERS.
There is renewed activity among the
, Boxers north of Pekin. The imperial
troops claim that they can suppress the
| Boxers, but the allies may send an eX-
, pedition against the. rebels. United
States Minister Conger and Generals
Chaffee and Wilson returned Ii Hung
| ShdhS . N1Sll ILLS dllCl hooA.
Ching and Ii Hung Chang are conferr-
!. ing for the purpose of fixing the first
date with the ministers.
| FRANCE URGES IMMEDIATE NE
, GOTIATIONS.
Washington October 1.-THE French
charge d'affaires, M. Thiebaut, called
at the state department today and had
conference with Secretary Hay. II
is understood that he presented a men,
| dim hot no
gotiations with China begin immedi-
| ately, in accordance with the favorable
| action of the powers on the recent note
of the French government. NJ. THE
| baut also made known the satisfactory
character of the answers received from
the several governments and pointed
out the desirability of having action
, taken at once to carry out the several
points on which the powers have been
brought into agreement.
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN.
London, October 1.-THE Chinese
minister here asserts that peace nego-
tiations have actually begun at Pekin
between the Chinese plenipotentiaries
and the representatives of the powers,
in the Tsung Ii Yamen buildings
which, he adds, have been turned over
: to the Chinese for that purpose.
fl Pekin, October 16, via Tien TSin, Oc-
tober IL, via Shanghai October H.
: Prince Ching and Ii Hung Chang have
t addressed joint meeting of the for
s eign ENJOYS, fixing Saturday next fol
the first meeting to discuss the condi-
tionS of peace.
Washington, October 17.-If any peace
negotiations have begun as asserted
by the Chinese minister at London
they are simply of very preliminary
character, confined probably to the ex-
animation Of the credentials of the of
: ficials appointed by the emperor tc
represent the imperial government
Neither the Chinese minister here mol
the state department have any infor-
! nation in regard to the beginning OF
negotiations. Ii Hung Chang anC
Prince Ching, two of the representa-
. tives of the imperial government, ar,
in Pein.
| Hong Kong October 17-Adrice,