The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-07

Earl Ii Now Joins I'm Russfa'S
Movement General Chafrce Wants
Definite Instructions as to Pro-
gramme for Winter.
washington, September A very
interesting dispatch was received to-
day at the war department from Cen
era Chaffee. He described the military
as eminently satisfactory
and would have been Of greater value
but for the omission. Common to all of
the other official dispatches from Chi
ma, h a Of the date line.
However, taking into consideration
the fact that a cablegram was received
by h state department today, dated
five days ago, from Mr.. Conger the
conclusion was reached thai General
Chaffee's dispatch also was sent from
Pekin about August 10Th or Goth. Cen
eral haffee asks a very pointed que s.
ton as to the withdrawal of the Amir
lean troops. The answer to that ques-
ton, it is said, might have been found
in the state. departments answer to
the Russian evacuation proposition;
"NN SAA"S 0AAS = Va al q . UPS
of it, was not cabled to General Chaffee
until the Goth ultimo. and it is ssumed
that, allowing for the same time in
tranSmittal as was consumed by Gen.
eral Chaffee's dispatch received today,
the synopsis has just reached him.
h the American answer to the
Russian proposal was made public, it
was stated here hat General Chaffee
a been instructed some time before
by telegraph just what col nSe to pur-
sue in the matter of retiring from
Pekin III the event of the emergency
that afterward arose. This being so,
tOdayS application for instructions
might be regarded as an Indication tho.
he had not received the original in
~structions when he sent his message.
1t is stated that no order has been
sent to General Chaffee to leave Pekiu
as the result of any recent develop
ment. In fact it would seem that the
war department is not able to instruct
him more specifically on this point I'm
til the decision of the powers relative to
general evacuation is known. 1t was
stated at the war department that our
position was unchanged; If Russia
withdrawS her troops then General
Chaffee will do the SAME. but we Will
not act unless there is d general agree
ment or Russia actually does with
draw her troops. Meanwhile it IS
gathered that conditions in China are
still disorderly, and foreign life and
property are still unsafe.
THE DISPATCH FROM CONGER.
The dispatch received from Minister
Conger was gratifying to officials IN
that it contained the date of Pekil,
August 30th, as an integral part OF the
message, and this part III cipher. The
text of the Conger dispatch was not
made public, but it was authoritatively
stated that it did not change the sitIa-
ton n was devoted somewhat to eX-
- pvessiOns of opinion. 1t was authorl-
tatiVely stated in this connection that
Minister Conger will remain at mis- post
until further orders. Up to this time
he has expressed no wish to be re-
lIieved.
RUSSIA'S MOTIVES.
In diplomatic quarters Russlas mo-
tives, continue to be a fruitful theme.
The theory advanced by NJ. Blowitz in
The London Times that it was an Of
set to France for RuSSSia'S supposed
nomination of Count Waldersee, is re-
garded as purely fanciful.
4 much simpler and more reasonable
explanation is advanced by one of the
diplomatic officials who has taken an
active part in the negotiations. He
saws that Russia recognizes the obvi-
Gus fact that it is to here advantage
to have a weak ~neighbOr, instead of
having a partition of China, which
would range a number of the powers
alongside Russia. For this reason, it
is said, Russia's chief aim is to main
the present territorial conditions
EARL LIS NEW MOVE.
An official communication received
here through diplomatic channels
makes the rather surprising statement
that Ii Hung Chang is at present US
ing all his efforts to nave n or more
of powers dissent from Russia's prop
isition, believing that a rupture OF
the allies will be of greater
TO China thar any agreement, even or
the favorable basis put orwar by
Russia.
1t is stated that up to the present,
less han a majority of the powers in
terested in hin have responded 10
the Russian proposals, as our govern
ment is advised, and our officials here
agree with the general tenor of the
European dispatches this morning in
the conclusion that inal action on the
part of all the powers may not be had
I for several days at least Everytnlns
: now depends on the action OF Russia
the attitude of the other nations belns
negative. and if she does not haster
20 carry out her announced purpose &c
= the troops, the other govern
ments. probably, will be content, cher
iShing the hope that in the meantime
some kim of Chinese governm car
be re-establiShed in Pekin with which
the powers may negotiate for a fina
settlement.
Ii Hung Chang's attempt TO secur,
imperial warrant for the institution
of peace negotiations. through himsel
and the Chinese nOtables referred I,
in the European dispatches is regard
ed here as 9 step in the right direction
while on the other hand some Dispute
has been caused by the report IN Il tn
internationals in Pekin have beer 3r
resting some of the members of tn
Tsung Lii Yamen, who were seekin
TO open negotiations and re-establis
the government. There Is no DISPOSE
ton here to condone h Q
any of these Chinese officials VINO ma
have participated in the outrages /
Pekin. but it is questioned whethe
the present is an opportune time to al
minister punishment.