The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-22
The Powers VIII Keep Their Armed
Troops in Pekin.
NO INDlGNITlEs TO RULERS
The United States Assured Southern
viccroys That None Will Be offered
the Empress and Emperor, But
This Will Not Prevent Prop
cr Punishment il Re-
sponsibic for Outraecs.
(By Associated Press.)


WASHINGTON, August 21.-Tne Cabinet
session to-Gay practically opened the con-
sideration of the momentous questions
growing out of the capture of Pekin and
tho war in China. Until to-day's session,
the absorbing question has been the safety
of Minister Conger and the lesationers at
Pekin. Now, however, that has given
place 10 The probable effects OF a more in
tr.,.ats and far-reaching character touch
ing The existence of the Chinese Empire
and the part which the American Govern
meat is TO take in the reconstruction Of
that country
The meeting to-day was entirely devoted
10 the Chinese questions. Secretaries hay
and Root. who have been active in direct
ing affairs, were absent from the CITY, So
that the attendance, comparatively, was
small. the President having with him Sec
retaries Gage Hitchcock and Wlison, ana
Pcstmaster-GeneraI c. Emory smith.
Several questions We're awaiting at'eh-
,ion First of these was the apptcaaon
of l.. Hung Chang for the appointment o.
Minister Conger or some other coiiilii.S-
ssioner TO negotiate for the cessation oA nus
tilities. The decision arrived at was 10
reject the appeal and reply oil thls caai-
acter viii De sent 10 -h4ti-SteA ~ - -
forwarded 70 Ii Hung ChanS.
T,ha moving cause for this action is that
this Government is at present very nluch
n, ,ba dark as to whe.her there Is any eS-
listing Government in China. With the cap
ital in the hands of allies, the hLapeiui
and Empress Dowager fugitNeS in h!uins'
and the entire geYeTnmental iael-' pa a.
lived. there is no evidence OF an authorits
TO conduct negotiations ana secuio
which Will be binding.
Under the present remarkable CONDITIONS
tha 17r,tted States wili5actFwit extra eau
son in whatever steps it may take toward
a solution of the pending problems
WILL KEEP TROOPS THERE.
7, +b.. meantime there is reason TO be
aiave hat the United States and MI the
orhar Powers Interested vii! keep their
armed force on the ground, so that order
NAV be maintained and at least seno-
lance OF stable government brought out
of the existing chnos.
The reply OF this Government TO the ap-
neal OF the v:ceroys of Nan King ana
Human that no lndignities be offered to the
Emperor and Empress DowaSer Is d
Formal acknowledgment OF the receipt Oh
the communication with q satisfactory
assurance that no indignit.es will be Of
fered the persons of their Majesttes. This
reply is couched in the polite language OF
diplomacy, but it is understood that II
does not in any way commit the Govern
ment to refrain from imposing on the
Emperor and Empress any penalty tha-
subsequently may be decided upon II II
is proved that they were directly response
BILE for the recent atrocities.
This question of fixing responsibility
where it belongs and imposing any punish
mert that may be deemed fitting las not
received formal consideration as yet.
INFORMATION aIEAGRE.
1; had been hoped that Minister Conger's
advices, as well as those from General
Chaffee, would be ample by this tine, in
order TO afford the Washington officials
full opportunity to deal with the perpleX-
ing questions rnised by the Chinese dis
turbances.
General Chaffee has not been heard
from, and the Conger message was not
as complete as the authorities here had
desired 1t was stated to-day that mes
sage may be sent from here to our repre-
sentatives an China specially calling for
more detailed information.
Aside from the consideration given to
political questions raised by the Conser
dispatch. the appeal of l.; Hung Chang and
that of the southern vlceroys. the Cabi-
net also had time TO look over the broad
field OF Chinese affairs. There was no ef-
fort. however, at this early stage to out
line q general policy; that Will come later
and will be 10 a considerable extent the
outgrowth of the Governments action
upon the various issues as they may be
tod