The Portland daily press., 1900-08-03
No Word From Gen. Chaffee
Yesterday.

Washington, August 2.-Secretary
Hay reply to Ii Hung Chang has closed
the negotiations with China unless the
old viceroy is able to secure the fun ac-
ceptance OF our terms relative to the for
eign ministers and that at once. No or
ders, therefore, looking to a relaxation
of the preparations for the advance on
Pekin have gone out from Washington
for, as ths situation is described by one
of the leading officials here, there viii
be no bargaining on our part in advance
of the con session by the Chinese authorl-
ties of fun and free communication with
the foreign ministers"
There IS, moreover, a note ominously
close to actual declaration Of war in Sec
retary Hay S assertion that the Chinese
government IS ''unfrienaly." "
That Kind Of language is extreme diplo-
macy and it IS only q narrow step be-
tween it and formal war.
The Impression prevails here that the
Chinese government, If 1t is not absolute
ly bsreft Of powers to act in defiance OF
the Boxers, viii accept our terms, and
some sach action is looked for very
soon. Possibly a battle not more, it is
believed than one at the most, viii be
required to bring the imperial govern
ment to the point OF acceptance. though
in that case it is questionable whether
the original conditions would be regard
ed as still open to acceptance. IT the Chi
nese government now accepts, however,
face to face with one Of the most delicate
and momentous diplomatic tasks ever
Undertaken. 1t must attempt to redeem
it's promise to use its good offices In favor
OF China and IN the present temper of
some Of the European powers, the great
est difficulties may be expected to arise
IN the prosecution OF the attempt. 1t is
the confident expectation of the officials
here, however, that II the Chinese gov
ernment actually and in good faith meets
all OF the conditions laid down by
the President in his reply to the Chinese
Emperor's S appeal for aid, that at least a
majority OF the powers now represented
base upon which to cease present host1l1-
ties ana open negotiations for a settle.-
ment. The decision Of the majority in
such case without doubt, would receive
the acquiescence Of the minority, else
an interminabie entangIement might
arise. Secretary Root said this afterno IN
there had been no developments which
would necessitate any changes in the in
structions to Gen Chaffee or which
would change the intentions of the gov
ernment in the least. A cipher cable
message was sent to Gen. Chaffee by
Secretary Root today which contained ad-
ditional information and facts which
have developed since the last message,
was sent him at Nagasak1. The message
contained no additional instructions,
but merely infor nation which he may
use as a guide to his actions
1t is now believed at the War Depart
ment that no advance has been made as
yet from Iien Ysin. 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 equipments
and transportation.
The fact that no reports were received
from Gen Chaffee during the day was
not surprising to the War Department
officials, who said that the General was
busy preparing for the campaign and
moreover communication between Taku
and Che Foo is uncertain.