Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-22
Governments Response to Germany's
Proposition.
CHAFFEE READY TO REDUCE FORCE
Gossip Regarding Personnel of
Peace Commission.
ADMIRAL REMEY REPORTS

At the instance of President Mckinley
the State Department has decided to defer
until tomorrow morning the publication OF
the reply it has returned to the various
powers relative to the Chinese situation.
That course is to be followed, notwith-
standing the fact that the notes were de-
livered last evening to every European
chancellory, from a desire to carry out the
traditional practice of the department,
which allows forty-eight hours to elapse
after the delivery of a note before making
it public in our own country, even though
publication may have been made abroad
before that time.
There is no reason to change the esti-
mate of the note formed yesterday to the
effect that 1t amounts to a declination of
the German proposition, and provides for
the reduction of the United States military
contingent In China to strong legation
guard, just sufficient to insure the safety
of the legation In the event of recurrence
of rioting in Pekin, or the safe withdrawal
of the minister to Tien Tstn or some Otner
convenient port. 1t is not intended that
the military forces shall be employed IN
further offensive operations, so that IL Will
not cooperate with the German FORCES uh-
der Count Won Waldersee in an offensive
campaign.
Ready to Reduce His Force.
tary force under Gen. Chaffee has not yet
been issued, but it Is admitted at the War
Department that it may go forward at any
moment Secretary Root has already stated
that preliminary orders were sent to Gen.
Chaffee fully two weeks ago, directing him
just how to act in case he should receive
orders to withdraw completely or partially
from China. and OF course, he mas perfected
his arrangements and selected the organlza-
tions which are to remain, now that the
emergency has arisen.
The considerable force of marines, num-
bering about 1000 In all, which has been
opera ting under Chaffee's command, are to
be taken away from Taku in one Of the
army transports to Cavite. Some or the
number will be left aboard those vessels OF
Admiral Remey's command Whlch sent part
of their marine oontingents to help out the
first military expedition against Pekin ana
have not so far recovered them. The re-
mainder will be afforded period of rest
and recuperation at Cavite.
The Peace Commission.
The personnel of the commission which
Is to represent the United States in the
final negotiations with the Chinese authors
authorities has not yet been completed. Be-
yond the fact that Mr.. Conger Is to be one
of the commissioners 1t is matter of con-
lecture who shall form the remainder of
the commission. One name, which Is now
under earnest consideration, is that of Mr..
Seth Low, president of Columbia Univer-
sty, New York. and there is reason to be-
lieve that that gentleman either has been
or will be- requested to serve as a com
missioner. The intimation Is conveyed.
however. that the body will not be finally
completed within the next week.
Place of Negotiations.
1t Is believed that the place where the
peace negotiations shall occur has not yet
been definitely settled upon. Ii Hung
Chang was, by the terms Of the edict ap-
pointing him an envoy, directed to proceed
to Pekin but it is noted here that the
dispatch recording his arrival at Tien Tsin
yesterday stated that he had taken up his
quarters with a numerous guard in that
town under conditions that appeared TO
warrant the belief that he expected to stay
there for some time, thus forecastlng Inc
conduct of negotiations at I1en Isin.
Gen. Foster Interested.
Ex-Secretary John w. Foster, who has
Just returned to Washington from his sum-
mer home Ii New York, has been caller
upon the President, and 1t is believed has
also been In communication with Chinese
authorities, facts which have led to the
conclusion that he is likely to be in some
manner connected with the Chinese nego-
tiations, on side or the other. most
probably the Chinese side.
Evacuation of Peitang Forts.
The Navy Department has received the
following cablegram from Admiral Remey:
'TAKU, September 21, 1900.
Secretary Navy, Washington.
Force of Russians, Germans and Aus
trians advanced on Peitang forts last night.
Fire opened by Chinese and kept up all
night at intervals. Forts evacuated at 8
this morning. Europeans hoisted their col
ors over forts at II. Twenty-Five Russians
and Germans reported blown up by mine.
Information from Commander Wise, who
followed troops into forts only five Chinese
killed. REMEY."
Mr.. COnger to Open Negotiations.
The State Department absolutely refused
to make any statement to the nature of
the answers, taking the ground that to do
would be a violation OF the diplomatic
proprieties. The President himself it
seems, had given instructions that every
effort should be made to maintain secrecy
in this matter until the official disclosure.
With all this it is known that the Ger
man proposal that negotiations with China
be deferred Until the Chinese responsible
for the Pekin outrages have been surren-
dered to the allies has. failed of approval
by our government. The declination has
been conveyed In a manner that cannot give
offen5e, but 1t Is believed that the United
States government cannot recognize the
principle that country may be called upon
to surrender its own citizens to foreign
power or powers for punishment. The gov
ernment does not relinquish the idea of the
ultimate punishment of the offenders when
they are properly Identified but 1t does not
believe that the pursuit of this object
should put stop to all negotiations. An
other point settled Is that Minister Conger
has been instructed to begin preliminary
negotiations with Il Hung Chang and
Prince Ching as legal representatives of the
Chinese government.
CAPT. McCALLA PRAISED.
The Secretary Of the Navy Sends Him
q COngratulatOry Letter.
Secretary Long has sent the following