The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-03
BORDERING ON WAR
SECRETARY HAYS NOTE is CON-
SIDERED OMINOUs.
ADVANCE ON PEKlN BEGUN.
ANSWER TO Ii HUNG CHANG
CLOSES NEGOTIATIONS.

1t VIII Probably Take One Battle to
structiOns to Chafee Are I'm
changed, and He Is Going Straight
to Pekin-The Ministers in Pekin
Officially Reported Safe by China
on July 30.
Washington, Aug. 2.-Secretary Hays
reply to Ii Hung Chang has closed the
negotiations with China unless the old
viceroy is able to secure the full accep-
tance of our terms relative TO the foreign
ministers, and that at once.
No orders, therefore, looking to a re-
Taxation of the preparations for the ad-
vance on Pekin have gone out from
Washington, for, as the situation is de-
scrbed by one of the leading officials
here, '<here will be no bargaining on our
part in advance of the concession by the
Chinese authorities of full and free COM
munication with the foreign ministers"
There is, moreover, a note ominously
close to actual war in Secretary Hays
declaration that the conduct of the Chi
nese government is "unfriendly." That
kind of language is extreme in diplom-
acy, and it is only a narrow step be-
tween it and formal war.
May Accept Our Terms.
The impression prevails here that the
Chinese government, if 1t is not absolutely
bereft of power to act in defiance of the
Boxers, will accept our terms and some
such action is looked for very son.
Possibly a battle not more, 1t is believed,
than one at the most will he required to
bring the imperial government to the
point of acceptance, though in that case
it is questionable whether the original
conditions would be regarded as still open
to acceptance.
If the Chinese government now accepts,
however, the United States government
will be face to face with one of the most
delicate and momentous diplomatic tasks
ever undertaken. 1t must attempt to re-
deem its promise to use its good Offices
in favor of China, and in the present tenn
per of some of the European Powers, the
greatest difficulties may be expected to
arise in the prosecution of the attempt
1t is the confident expectation of the Of
ficials here, however that If the Chinese
government actually aud in good faith
meets all of the four conditions laid down
by the President in his rep.y to the Chi
nese- Emperor's appeal for aid, that at
least a majority of The Powers now rep
rese nted in China will accept that as
proper base upon which TO cease present
hostiltieS and open negotiations for set
tlement. The decision of the majority in
such case without doubt would receive
ihe acquiescence of the minority else an
interminable enlargement might arise.
No Change in Instructions.
Secretary Root said this afternoon there
had besn no developments which would
necessitate any changes in the instruc
tons to Gen Chaffee, or which would
change the intentions of the government
in the least t. A cipher cable message was
sent to Gen. Chaffee by Secretary Root
to-day which contained additional infor-
mation and facts which have developed
since the last message was sent him at
Nagasaki The message contained no ad
ditional Instructions, but merely infor-
nation which he may use as a guide to
his actions.
1t is not believed at the War Depart
ment that an advance has been made as
yet from Tien Tsin. 1t is explained that
the last dispatches indicated a great deal
of delay in unloading the transports, and
Before any advance can be made the
troops must have all their equipment and
the transportation for them. The indica-
tons are that the plans being matured
at Tien Tsin contemplate repid advance
when the movement begins, for 1t seems
to be understood that there will be car
ried with the army a sufficient quantity
of supplies to maintain the troops on the
march TO Pekin and return, if a return
should be advsab BILE.
The fact that no reports were received
from Gen. Chaffee during the day was
not surprising to the War Department Off
cials, who said that the general was busy
preparing for the campaign, and more
over communication between Taku and
Che Foo is uncertain.