Omaha daily bee., 1900-10-18
MESSAGE FROM THE EMPEROR
Minister WI Calls at the White House
with "A Dispatch for the
President.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1T.-Minlster WI
called upon the president this morning.
On leaving the White House the minister
said that he had conveyed to the president
message from the emperor of China
thanking President Mckinley for the con-
sideration shown by the United States dur
ing the Chinese trouble. The minister
also brought dispatch from Shanghai
from the southern viceroys stating that
the imperial party had reached Tung
Kuan. only a few miles from Snan Flu, the
new capital, on the 14th inst.
Referring to the report from Pekin that
the edict for the punishment of certain
Chinese officials had been forged, Minister
Wu said such story was preposterous
and should receive no credence whatever.
II anyone should issue a false decree Of
that character it would be very easy, he
said to ascertain his identity and he cer-
tainly would be beheaded.
The advcos received by Minister Wu
gives no indication OF purpose on the
part of the royal family to return to
Pekin, although there is reason to believe
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 en-
peror of Japan for the course their gov
ernments have pursued and the messages
to the president is along the same lines
Secretary Hay spent some time at the
War department today in conference with
Secretary Root, after which he went to
the White House. From this It was in
ferred that there were some military de g.
velopments in the Chinese situation, al
though no statement was made from off,
cials.
Russia's determination to pursue policy
independent of the other powers is re-
garded by the officials as a most important
development in the situation. In the alb
sence Of the official details those in
authority are in doubt as to whether this
Russian stroke is designed to insure Rus
sian occupation of Manchuria, or is only
move IN the pacific tendencies 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 Manchura, It is
being recalled that in the Russian note of
August 2s that government specifically
stated: Russia will not fail TO withdraw
her troops from within the boundaries Of
the adjacent empire provided, however. that
the action Of other powers shall not stand
in the way"
II is a question, however, that the pres
ent aggressive course of Germany in open
ing military campaign is not the action
of other powers" which will stand in
the way"
There is strong impression in official
quarters that the entire trend of Russian
action is toward the ultimate acquisition
OF Manchuria as part of the Russian do
main.
1t Is very unusual thing for minister
to communicate directly with the presi-
dent. Only an ambassador, according to
diplomatic usage, can hold a personal
audience with the president for the trans
action of diplomatic business. but the
unusual character Of the message Minister
WI had TO convey warranted the depar-
ture. After delivering this message, for
which the president expressed his grateful
Acknowledgements, Minister WI and tho
president talked about the situation for
some time