The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-17
CHINA'S PEACE 0VERTURES
Safety of Foreign Legations a Prereq-
uisfte to Any Negotiations.

Washington, August 13.-The depart
reply of the United States government
to Minister Wu's communication, deliv-
cred on Sunday morning, notifying the
department Of the appointment Of Earl
Lii Hung Chang as envoy ~plenipotenti-
airy to negotiate with the powers. This
reply was sent to Minister WI at 5
O'Clock Sunday afternoon and is as fol-
lows:
Touching the imperial edict of Au-
gust Sth, appointing Ii Hung Chang
envoy plenipotentiary to conduct nego-
ltiations on the part of China with the
powers, n the request for a cessation
of hoStilities, pending negotiations.
communicated TO Mr.. Adee by Mr.. WI
on the 18th of August, 1900.
The government of the United States
learns with satisfaction Of the appoint
ment of Earl Ii Hung Chang as envoy
Iplenipotentiary to conduct negotia-
lions with the powers and will, on its
part, enter upOn such negotiations
with a desire to continue the friendly
relations S o long existing between the
two countries.
1T is evident that there can be no
general negotiations between China
and the powers so long as the minis
tiers of the powers and the persons un-
der their protection remain in their
present position of restraint and dan
ger, and that the powers cannot cease
their efforts for the delivery of these
Representatives to which they are con-
strained by the highest considerations
of national honor, except under an ar
arrangement adequate to accomplish a
lpeaceable deliverance.
I'VE are ready to enter into an agree
ment between the powers and the Chi
lneSe government for a cessation of
L~--.I-
that a sufficient body of the forces
composing the relief exnedition shall
be permitted to enter Pekin unmoleSt-
ed and to escort the foreign ministers
and residents back to Tien Tsin, this
movement being provided for n Sc
Icured by such arrangements and dis
positions of troops as shall be conSid-
lered satisfactory by the generals conf
ImaEding the forces composing the re-
lief expedition.
ALVEY A. ADEE,
Acting Secretary.
Department of State, Washington,
August Il, 1900"
The tex of this reply TO the over
lures communicated by Minister WI
was telegraphed asst night to the rep
l~resentatives of the United States for
the powers cooperating in the relief
movement.
THE TRANSPORT SUMNER REACH
Els NAGASAKI.
The war department has received
the following from General Barry:
"Nagasaki, August II.
l"Adjutant General, Washington.
The transport Sumner arrived at this
port on the 10th. No casualties oc-
Icurred. Health of command excellent.
! will proceed to Taku on the Indiana.
BARRY"
The Sumner carried a battalion of the
Fifteenth infantry. The Indiana also
will take aboard the siege guns which
General Macarthur sent from Manila.
1t Will take about three days for the
Indiana to reach Taku.
LEGATIONS AGAIN SHELLED.
Copyrighted by Associated Press.)
Tien Tsin, Monday, August 6, via
shanghai, August 12.-The army ad-
lvanced twelve miles to-day. Two re-
liable couriers who left Pekin August
list, arrived to-day at Tien Tsin. They
say that the empress dowager fed the
foreigners for a few days.
The former viceroy of Shan Tung
who is bitterly a~nti-foreign, arrived
with new troops, according to these
lcouriers, INT planted two batteries or
the wall of the legation. The enem,
began shelling and opened a heavy rifle
fire which was kept up for two days.
The head of the missionary board
with a party, while trying t. get pro-
visions, was killed.
The army took Yang Tsun to-day
They suffered heavily. The American
loss vas small.