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

WAsHING1ON,/ August 2.-Secre-
tary Hays reply to Ii Hung Chang has
closed the negotiations with China, I'M
less the old viceroy is able to secure
full acceptance Of terms relative to the
foreign ministers, and that at once.
No orders, therefore, looking to a re-
taxation of the preparations for the adj
vance on Pekin have gone out from
Washington, for as the situation is de-
scribed by one of the leading officials
here, there will be no bargaining on
our part in advance of the concession
by the Chinese authorities of full and
free communication with the foreign
ministers.
There is, moreover, a note ominous-
ly close to actual war In Secretary
Hays declaration that the conduct of
the Chinese government is "unfriend-
ly." That kind of language is extreme
in diplomacy and it is only a narrow
step between it and formal war.
The impression prevails here that the
Chinese government, if it is not abso-
lutely bereft OF power to act in de-
fiance of the boxers, will accept our
terms, and some such action is looked
for very soon. Possibly a battle, not
more it is believed than one at most.
will be 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 &C
cepts, however, the United States gov
eminent will be face to face with one
of the most delicate and most momen-
touS political tasks ever undertaken.
1t must attempt to redeem its promise
to use it's good offices in favor of
China, and in the present temper 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
officials here, however, that if the Chin
csc government actually and in good
faith meets all of the four conditions
laid down by the President in his reply
to the Chinese emperor's appeal for
aid, that at least a. majority of the
powers now represented in China will
accept that as proper base upon
which to cease present hostilities and
Fl, TIL n
decision of the majority in such case
without doubt would receive the ac-
quiesence of the minority, else an in
terminable ENHANCEMENT might arise.
Secretary Root said this afternoon
there had been no developments which
would necessitate any change in the
instructions to Gen. Chaffee, or which
would change the intentions of the
government in the least. A cipher
cable message was sent to Gen. Chaffee
by Secretary Root to-day, which con-
tanned additional information and facts
which have developed since the last
message was sci him at Nagasaki
The message contained no additional
instructions, but merely information
which he may use as a guide to his &C.
lions.
1t is not believed at the War Depart
ment that an advance has been made
as yet from Tien Tsin 1t is explain
ed 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 for
them. The indications are that the
plans being matured at Tien Tsin con-
template rapid advance when the
movement begins, for it seems to be
understood that there will be carried
with the army a sufficient quantity OF
supplies to maintain the troops on the
march to Pekin and return, if return
should be advisable.
The fact that no reports were receiv-
ed from Gen. Chaffee during the day
was not surprising to the War Depart
ment officials who said that the general
was busy preparing for the campaign
and moreover, communication between
Taku and Che Foo is uncertain.