New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-11
Ii HAS FULL POWER.
EDIcT coNFERRING AUTHORITY TO
NEGOTIATE FOR PEACE
Cny The Associated Pres,

Washington, Sept. 10.-The Chinese Minister,
Mr.. WI Ting Fang to-day delivered to the
State Department Imperial edict comforting
on Ii Hung Chang absolute and unconditional
authority to negotiate with the Powers for
peace and for the settlement Of questions grow
ing out of the The edict is dated on the
last day Of the seventh moon. Chinese calendar.
which is about August "a. It is issued by the
Emperor, and not the Empress Dowager. indi-
eating that the former is now exercising those
Imperial functions which some of the Powers.
notably Great Britain, have insisted belonged
TO him rather than 10 the Empress Dowager.
The document does not show the place at which
it was issued, but it transmitted through
Pao-Ting-Fu. and probably emanated from
there as the Imperial household has been at that
point for some time.
An extended conference held between
Mr.. Hill and Minister concerning the ex-
tensive authority with which Ii Hung Chang
is now invested. The edct makes him the sole
negotiator on the part Of China, giving him dis
erection to act finally and in a manner to bind
China without interference from the Emperor.
The edict is prior TO the request sent by Ii
Hung Chang to the Throne that the Viceroys
of Marking and Wu-Chang and Prince Ching
be included with him as negotiatOrs. This re-
quest has not yet been responded to by the
Throne so far as the Chinese Minister here is
advised, but If Earl Lis request is granted
there is no doubt 1t will carry the same abso-
lutte authority with which Ii Hung Chang has
been invested Minister WI says the
thority is so complete as to remove any possible
question to the sufficiency OF the credentials.
General Chaffees dispatch received this morn
ing is in line with that officers former declara-
tionS respecting the advisability of withdrawing
the American troops from Picking, and undOubt-
eddy will cause the Government to increase its
efforts to effect some sort CT a settlement that
Will permit of an early withdrawal from China.
The conditions reported by General Chaffee
appear to warrant the conclusion that Mr.. Con-
ger will speedily leave Picking for of the
ports the coast, where nc act more
effectively, and that the United States troops
will not respond 10 the German invitation to
make further offensive campaign outside OF
Picking. 1t is believed that the objects that re-
main to be accomplished can be secured without
further military OPERATORS far as the United
States troops are concerned.
The idea of removal of the diplomatic centre
TO Shanghai meets with objection from those
familia: With the conditions 1t is said that
Shanghai is practically cut Off from Picking
soon as winter sets in. fun month being re-
quired to exchange communication so that il
would he inadvisahle thus to suspend the
chance of communication with the capital.
Baron Sternburg, the German Charge d'Af-
fairies had a long talk with Secretary Hill this
morning, but il led to material change in
the situation. 1t Is understood that Count
Waldersee will arrive at Hong Kong, 20 thence
to Shanghai and then to Tien -Tsn, which will
he his military base. He Is due at Hong Kong
about the end of this week and at Shanghai
three days later.