Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-08-08
TRYING TO DODGE.
Inconsistent Position of China on
Question of Liability.

Question of Liability.
Washington. ID. c.. Aug. 4.-Taken in
connection with what has preceded them,
todays cablegrams from China place the
Chinese government in the unique posi-
ton of denying liability for what the
Chinese troops have done at Pekin. while
assuming responsibility for what they
are now doing iii tie neignbOrhoOd of
Tien Tsin. The point sought to be made
automatically is regarded here as of the
utmost Importance in the future settle
ment The tsung Ii yamens polite init
nation that it is ineXpedient to allow
communication between our government
and its ministers because fighting is go
ing on near Tien Tsin. leaves little doubt
as to who is responsible for the resist
ance being offered to the progress OF the
international forces.
Answer to Hays Demand.
The Emperor himself, by edict. already
has indicated that, while reparation
might be afforded the powers for injuries
sustained by their citizens before the at
tack on the Taku forts, the Chinese gov
eminent Will not assume responsibility
for what has happened or will happen,
as a result Of the military operations fol
lowing that event. OF course this notice
from the tsung Ii yamen can be construed
as an answer to Secretary Hays demand
upon Ii Hung Chang that free commu-
nication be opened with the ministers at
Pekin and their own governments and in
consequence the negotiations which were
about to be instituted had that request
been complied with, may be regarded as
indefinitely postponed Meanwhile the
Chinese ministers in Europe and Minis
ter WI in the United States are still
making a last combined effort to make
plain to the imperial government the ia
tUity in the course now being followed by
the tsung Ii yamen, respecting the con-
tinued isolation of the foreign ministers.
and it may be that their representations
will meet with a favorabl response, if not
now, then certainly after the first dec-
sive victory achieved by the international
column.
Without Information.
Strict censorship, strongly reinforced
by immense difficulties in the way Of
speedy communication between lien
Tsin and the outer world. still surrounds
with mystery the progress of the inter
national column toward Pekin The
state department officials have nothing
from their own agencies bearing on the
movements of the column, and while the
war department has heard recently from
Gen. Chaffee. the officials will not make
public his dispatch and refuse to say
whether or not they themselves know
that the movement has begun. 1t Is
known that the Chinese government IS III
the way, to quickly take advantage OF
any information that may be puDllsheG
respecting the international column and
it is deemed bad strategy to afford the
Chinese any assistance of this kind
There are signs that all is not well with
Gen. Chaffee. He is meeting with diff
culties that had not been expected il
getting his troops debarked and ready
for the start toward Pekln.
Chaffee Has Unlimited Power.
But the war department has given him
unlimited power in the matter Of fnan-
cial resources and also is doing all it can
to help him from this end. There is q
renewal Of the rumor that something is
occurring at Shanghai Kwan, at the east
ern end of the great wall, which vii
surprise the Chinese. There rs a fine
military road from this point TO Pekin
over high and dry ground, and although
the distance is nearly twice that from
Tien Tsin to Pekin. its physical advan
tages may make this route practically
much shorter in point of time. 1t is be
| lieved here that a strong Russian column
either has been or will be landed at thai
point to converge on Pekin simultaneous
| ~ with the international column anC
thus divide the Chinese opposing force.