Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-03


following correspondence between Il
Hung Chang and the department, re-
garding the abandonment of the CAM
paign in Peking:
Telegram sent to the United States
embassies in Berlin, London, Paris
Rome and ST. Petersburg. and to the
United States minister. Toxic:
Department of State, Washington
August 1, 1900:
TN reply to a suggestion of Ii Hung
Chang that the ministers might be
sent under safe escort to Tien Tsin,
provided the powers would engage not
to march on Picking, the Secretary of
State replied on the 30th of July:
"'This government will not enter
into any arrangement regarding dis
position or treatment of legations
without first having free communica-
ton with Minister Conger. Response
bility for their protection rests upon
the Chinese government. Power to
deliver at Tien Tsin pre-supposes
power to protect and to open communi-
cation. This is insisted on.
This message was delivered by Mr..
Gocdnow on the 31st to Viceroy Ii,
who then inquired whether ''If free
communication was arranged that the
powers should not advance on Picking,
pending negotiations"
To this enquiry the following reply
was sent on August 1:
"Goodnow, Consul General, Shanghai:
II do not think it expedient to sub
NIT the proposition of Earl Lii to the
other powers Free communication
with our representatives in Peking is
demanded as a matter of absolute
right, and not as a favor. Since the
Chinese government admits that it
possesses the power to give commune
cation, it puts itself in an unfriendly
attitude by denying it. No negotia-
tons seem advisable until the Chinese
government shall have put the diplo-
matte representatives of the powers in
full and free communication with their
respective governments and removed
all danger to their lives and liberty
We would urge Earl Lii earnestly to
advise the imperial authorities of
China to place themselves in friendly
communication and cooperation with
the relief expedition. They are as
Stunning heavy responsibility in acting
otherwise.
You will communicate this infor-
nation to the minister of foreign af-
fairs. HAY"
The State Department having made
public to-day the correspondence with
Ii Hung Chang relative to the release
of the ministers at Pekin and the posi-
ton of thIs government being officially
disclosed as one of unalterable opposi-
ton to the institution of the negoia-
tions in advance of free communication
w. the ministers at Picking, it is be-
heved that a crisis has been reached,
automatically speaking, in the Chinese
situation. If the Chinese government
decides to accept Secretary Hays terms
it must do so very promptly, and its
answer may be forthcoming at any mo-
ment. Otherwise the march on Peking
proceeds.
Neither the military nor naval COM
manders at Tien Tsin or Taku have ad-
vised the government here of the re-
ported forward movement of the inter
national force. The officials would not
be surprised at the lack of report; even
were the march already under way,
owing to the delays in kilograms be-
tween Tien Tsin and Che Foo. Doubt
Is expressed here, however, as to the
actual movement in force, owing to the
lack of cavalry and artillery. 1t is stat
ed that military practice would not
warrant the forward movement of the
entire international command, until
thorough reconnaissance had been
made OF the country in the immediate
front.
Moreover, it is said, the column
would not start forward as a whole
but in detached bodies, leaving a con-
SIDERABLE force at the Jase-Tien Ism.
The last advices from any official
source that have been received by the
State Department regarding the
strength OF the international force
were to the effect that it numbered
$4,000 men of all arms. This has since
been increased by at least one regi-
ment and one battery of United States
troops; by ESQ United States marines
and by an unknown NUMBER of Japa-
nese troops, but the impression is that
the aggregate strength of the column
is not above $4,000 men. This, however
Is regarded by our government as quile
sufficient for the purposes of an i'm
mediate advance, and holding that
view it has lost no opportunity or quiet
ly but earnestly urging the Europeans
to action
Advantage was taken OF the oppor-
tunity afforded by the Presidents re-
turn to Washington this morning tc
hold meeting of the cabinet Secre.
tary Hay was prepared with a full re.
port OF all that he had done in rela-
ton to the Chinese trouble since the
Presidents departure, and there was
little for the cabinet to do but to sci
the seal of its approval upon the Sec
retary's policy, and particularly upon
the energetic communication to Il
nung Chang.
TO STOP THE ALLIES.