The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-08-22

1900 armed native Christians. The le-
gati0nerR were enabled 20 hold out by
purchasing ammunition from Chinese.
The American action IN refusing 20
deal with II Hung Chang IN his peace
proposition meets with unanimous ap-
proynl M the hands of The morning
papers.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 2i.-The cabl.
net session today practically opened
the consideration of the momen,Ous
questions growing out of the capture
~ pekin and the war IN China. I'm
ill tcdav's session the absorbing Ques-
tlor has been the safety of Minister
COugcr and the legatl0nerr NJ Pekin.
/ Now. however that has given place 10
prohlema ~ more intricate and far
reaching character. touching the exist
ence ~ the Chinese empire and the
part which The American government
Is 10 take In the reconstrpction u that
country.
The meeting today was devoted en-
tirelv 10 the Chinese situation. Sew
/ rrai Questions We're awaiting attention.
| The first Of these was the appllca-
/ ton of III Hung Chang for the ap-
pointment ~ Minister Conger or some
other commissioner TO negotiate for the
cessation of h0stilties. The decision
arrived az was 20 reject the appfal, ana
reuly OF this character VIII be sent
20 Minister wu 90 be forwarded to II
Hung Chang.
The moving cause for this action Is
! that this government Is AT presen, very
much In the dark as 10 whether there
II any existing government IN Chlna.
| With the capital IN the hands OF the
allies. tho emperor and empress dow
ager fueitives IN hiding and the en-
tire governmental fabric parnlvz7d,
| there Is no evidence OF anv authority
ADEQUATE 90 conduct negotiations and
secure results which viii be final and
binding. II was stated by cabinet men,
hers that the Chinese establishment In
stead Of being a government apnears
to he an enormous ieadless affair with
cut knowledge Of what Is for It's best
gooi and without the power 70 enforce
iis wishes with its recognized ruler in
fight no one seems to know II any
bodv r. directing its affairs
40 china Il mn absolute monarchy
without any executive branch the em-
peror and empress dowager are all pow
erful. and practically. they are the cm-
markable conditions. the United States
win act witS extreme caution In what
ever stems Il may take toward the So
lniion OF pending problems.
Tn the meantime there Is reason tn
believe that the United states and all
other powers interested will keep their
armed forces on the ground so that
order NAV be maintained and at least
scmhlance of stable government
brought out Of the existing chaos.
The renly Of this government to the
appeal Of the vicerovs OF Nankln and
Huran tha; no ln1ignities be offered
70 the emneror and empress dowager
Is formal acknowledgment of the
reccipt of ths communication, with sat
isfnc'orv aeeuranca that no indignities
would be offered the persons OF their
maiestles
This reply is couched IN the polite
language Of diplomacy. but Il Is under
stood that Il does not In any way conf
nit the government 20 refrain from i'm
nosing on the emreror and emnress
dowager any penalty that subsequent
" might be decided upon IN case It Is
proved that they We're indirectly re-
sronsihle Tor the recent atrocities.
There are now IN China, the Ninth in
fantrv, eight companies Of the Four
teenth infantry battery + Of the Fifth
artillery. eight troops OF the Sixth
cavalry and four companies Of the Flf-
teenth infantry, the latter having re-
Gently arrived
There are at sea. destined for China.
four batteries Of the Third artillery.
Company u. of the engineers four
troops Of the Third cavalry, eight troops
Of the First cavalry and eight troops
OF the Ninth cavalry
Besides these. there sailed on the
sherman TODAY four companies each Of
the Second. Fifth and Eighth infantry.
Some troops at sea should reach Taku
within week or ten days.
Copyrighted, 1900, Associated Press)
PEKTN. Aug. IA, via Che Foo, Aug.
9l.-The American and Russian flags
were planted on the east wall Of Pc
kin at II o'clock this morning. indian
troops entered the British legation at