The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-07-28
HAY WILL NOT
CONSENT {. TO THE
OFFER I:.|' OF 0 I CHINA. .'.|+i|.
Latter Promises to Turn Over the
Ministers to Internationals at
Tien Tsin in Case
.PEKlN is SAVED FROM SIEGE
Of Foreign Troops-Demand Minis.
ters be Placed in Communication
With Respective Countries,

| Washington from Canton this morning
i by the announcement that under no
circumstances will the United States
government accept the Chinese offer to
turn over the foreign ministers to the
internationais at Tien Tsin In consid-
erntion OF a suspension OF the campaign
against Pekin. A long cablegram was
dispatched to-day to Rear Admiral Re-
meg at Taku. and It is believed that
this Instruction was laid upon him.
! The state department claims to be
pursuing an entirely consistent course
in this decision. The officials point out
that all OF the bitter criticism In the
European papers directed against the
United States policy is based upon O
total misunderstanding OF the funda-
mental principles which have governed
the actions Of the department.
Will March to Pekin.
At no time. 1t is said. has the state
department allowed the belief that the
foreign ministers at Pek!n were alive
to interfere In the slightest degree with
the prosecution OF Its military plans
for reaching Pekin. On the contrary.
the news that the ministers were alive
! was, accepted by the state department,
not as conveying absolute verify. but
as an additional reason for fastening
the relief column forward to Pekin. 1t
was the departments contention that.
even though degree OF inlprobaolltty
surrounded the Chinese news as TO the
state OF affairs in Pek!n. yet every con-
sIderation OF humanity and policy de-
manded that 1t should be given careful
| Consideration and that 1t should be
acted upon as II true. provided that ac-
tion went toward the relief Of the for
elgn ministers, and did not operate to
prevent the consummation OF any OF
the objects laid down in Secretary
Hays !dentc note. The department is
absolutely satisfied that Its attitude
was perfectly correct. and that even
European. critics will, In time. admit
that fact.
Must Communicate With Ministers.
Secretary Hays decision to decline
the last Chinese proposition was based
upon his determination to adhere
strictly to the conditions laid down in
the reply to the Chinese emperor's ap-
peal. The state department required
that the ministers at Pekin be put In
/ Communication with their governments
and their most significant condition OF
oil, that the Chinese authorities Coop
| crate with the relief expedition for the
liberation OF :he legations. Until these
two things are done. the state depart
ment absolutely refuses to be led into
any arrangement looking 10 the miti-
| CATION OF the punishment OF the Chi
nese government. such ns tie abandon
ment OF the expedition to PeEin.
Traceable to Il Hung Chang.
It Is not known at present just how
this last proposition reached the state
department. it is inferred that 1t came
from several sources. but all are be-
lleved to be ,raceable to L! Hung
Chang. Mr.. Goodnow. our consul gen.
eraI at Shanghai. Is the nearest United
States Official to Ii, and has acquitted
himself so well up to this point, that
the state department does not hesitate
to make free use OF him as diplomatic
ngent. Therefore, It may be interest
ing for the foreign contingent at
4 Shanghai. who have complained
against Mr. Goodnow's intercourse with
Ii Hung Chang to know that the con-
sui general Is acting In strict accord
ance with the Instructions OF the state
! department. Secretary Hay has cabled
him to put himself In communication
with Earl Il and to avail US far us pos
s,ble Of that Chinese officials influence
In securing the objects plainly stated in
the identic note. II does not follow
that the United States is bound to ac-
cept without question any statement
made by Ii. Mr.. Goodnow is shrewd
man and the department OF state feels
itself able, using him rs an interme-
diary. to give proper weight TO anything
coming from the great v!ceroy.
VIII Not Be Deferred by Criticisms.
In so doing the department Is carry
Ing out Its policy OF making nil proper
use OF any instructalities within its
reach to achieve Its well defined OBJ
jects. and It Is not TO be deferred from
so doing by any criticisms that 1t Is
thereby disturbing the solld!ty OF the
powers In their dealings with the Chi
ncse government.
a special cabinet meeting was held
In Secretary Hays Office at Ii o'clock
this morning, the usual hour. The Sec
retary OF state. fresh from his personal
Intercourse with the President. was in
n position to advise his colleagues OF
the administrations purpose. and the
whole Chinese situation was discuss.
ed. Beside Secretary Hay there were
present. Secretary Gage. Postmaster
General Smith and Secretary Root.
No Further Action Prepared.
When the cah.ne. conference adjourn
ed 1t was stated that no further definite
plans concerning the action OF this
government had been prepared. The
meeting was a general Interchange OF
opinions md views. Secretary Hay
laid before the members the ia,es, IN
formation he has received, including n