Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-09-05
BATTLE Of DIPLOMACY
IS NOW The FEATURE
OF The CHINESE SITUATION
Looking for Reliable Chinese Peace
Commissioner - Russia Insists
That Its Action Is In
Good Faith.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-Several
communications came to Washington
from the United States officials In Chi
ma today, but being undated In most
cases. the government was by no means
satisfied with the state of the commu-
nications, and the cabinet meeting gave
the larger part Of its attention to the
problem of rectifying this state of af-
fairs. Evidences of interference with
the messages have accumulated to a
point where the government has deter
mined to take steps to establish cables
OF Its own, even II Ii Is necessary 20
employ rather expensive device of
man-of-war plying between Shanghai
and Chefoo for this purpose. Mean
while word comes that rapid progress
Is being made with the shore cable
which is to connect these points, and It
is believed that within week these
means of communication will be open.
Several messages were received from
General Chaffee today, and while they
cast no light on the general situation
they were inferentially important. The
generals statement that he needs no
siege battery, taken In connection with
the diversion of the First cavalry,
which was bound from Taku to Manila,
seems to make clear that there is no
intention of entering into a prolonged
campaign in China, as would involve
the use OF heavy artillery or OF re-
endorsements In the shape OF men and
horses.
But 1t appears that the battle OF 20
day Is one of diplomacy rather than
one OF arms, and Notwithstanding the
various rumors that have filtered
out from Chinese sources of heavy en-
gagements between the international
forces and the Boxers, the officials
here are satisfied that no formidable
organized resistance would be offered
by the Chinese If the demands of The
powers are limited to the principles
laid down by the United States.
Therefore, more interest attached to
series of diplomatic calls upon Act
ing Secretary Adee this afternoon than
any report of purely military opera
lions in China. First came the Japan
ese minister, Takahira, next the Rus
sian charge, Wollant, and finally THE
baut, the French charge. These diplo-
mats naturally are averse to letting the
public know the developments of in
complete negotiations. Nevertheless il
was gathered that one of the principal
topics of discussion was the propriety
or accepting Ii Hung Chang as a
proper person with whom the powers
might negotiate for a settlement in
China. 1t Is quite evident from the
conferences held this afternoon that
the statement made early In the week
to the effect that this matter Is still an
open issue was correct. Otherwise il
would not have been necessary for the
officials to enter into laborious com
parison OF the credentials supplied by
Ii Hung Chang to the various powers
OF Europe as well as Japan and the
United States.
The statement Is made that the Rus
sian government for one Is willing 10
deal with Ii, OF course upon properly
framed conditions, and this appears TO
be borne out by the earnestness with
which Mr.. Wollant, the Russian charge,
Is seeking to impress upon the state
department the entire agreement be-
tween Russia and the United States as
to China. At least he insists that Rus
sia wishes to prevent the dismember-
ment OF China, and also that her ami
mating purpose now Is the restoration
OF order and the safeguarding of the
future. Under these limitations It is
urged here that Russia's objects can be
achieved as well as those of the United
States by dealing with Iii Hung Chang,
who occupies the advantageous po-
sition of being the only Chinese per-
sonage so far officially accredited as
peace plenipotentiary.
Acting Secretary Adee found suf-
ficient matter OF interest in these three
calls to repair to the White House late