The Van Buren press., 1900-08-18
UNITED STATES WILLING.
Ready to Negotiate, Through Il
Hung Chang for Restoration
of Peaceful Relations.
CHINA MUST MEET CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

4 Sufficient Body of the Relief Force
Must be Permitted to Enter Pc
kin, UnmoIested, to Escort the
Foreign Ministers and Residents
Back to Tien Tsin.
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE reply OF
the United States government to
China's overtures for peace was made
public early in the day, showing the
firm and final position that had been
taken. While expressing satisfaction
ct this pacific step, the reply states
that It Is evident that there can be
no negotiation between China and the
powers, so long as the ministers anil
legationers are restrained and in dan
ger.
A Condition Precedent.
Then follows specific statement
a. TO what the United States expects
% a condition precedent to a cessa-
ton of hostilities, viz: That body
Of the relief force he permitted to
"enter Pekin unmolested," and escort
the ministers back to Tien Tsin.
The text of the American reply 10
% follows:
Secretary Adee's Reply.
"Touching the imperial edIct of Au-
gust 8, appointing Ii Hung Chang
envoy plenipotentiary to conduct ne
gotiations, on the part of China, with
the powers, and the request for ces-
sation of hostilities, pending negotia-
lions, presented to Mr.. Adee by Min.
lister WI on the 18th Of August, 1900:
1.-THE government of the United
States learned with satisfaction Of
the appointment of Earl Ii Hung an
envoy plenipotentiary to conduct me-
gotiations with the powers and will,
on It's part, enter upon such negotia-
tions with a desire to continue the
friendly relations so long existing be-
tween the two countries.
ut is evident that there can be no
general negotiation between China
and the powers SO long as the minis
ters of the powers and the persons
under their protection remain in their
present position of restraint and dan
ger. and that the powers can not
cease their efforts for the delivery Of
those representatives to which they
are constrained by the highest con-
sideration of national honor, except
under an arrangement adequate to
accomplish peaceable deliverance.
"We are ready to enter into an
agreement between the powers and
the Chinese government for a cessa-
ton OF hostile demonstrations on con-
dition that sufficient body of the
forces composing the relief expedi-
ton shall be permitted to enter
Pekn unmolested and to escort the
foreign ministers and residents back
to Tien Tsin, this movement being
provided for and secured by such ar.
engagements and dispositions Of troops
"a shall be considered satisfactory by
the generals commanding the forces
composing the relief expedition.
"ALyEY A. ADEE,
"Acting Secretary.
department Of State, Washington,
Aug. 12, 1900"
Not without Distinct Meaning.
II developed during the day that
the reference to "the powers" EN-.
ployed In the American reply was not
without distinct meaning. Elk.
changes between the various powers
have been going on constantly, and,
as q result the officials had the salts
faction Of knowing late In the day
that the position of the United States
had the approval and support Of ali
the great powers. While this had not
been expressed in any formal manner
BY oil the parties, yet the changes in
the chancellories Of Europe and
through foreign representatives in
Washington. made IT positive that the
powers were acting unitedly in APP
proval Of the course Of this govern
ment.
Conferences With Representatives..
Several OF the foreign representa-.
tives, including Baron Speck Won
6ternberg, the German charge DAT
flares, and Mr.. DeWollant, the Rus
sian charge d'affaires, had extended
conferences with Mr.. Adee during the
afternoon. These added to the as.
surances OF unanimity among the
powers. The presence OF the Russian
representative was gratifying in
clearing away some misrepresentation
which was not shared by the govern
ment here, as TO Russia's course In
authorizing N. DeGiers TO leave Pekin
under Chinese escort.
No Difference In Attitude.
II was pointed out that this In no
way brought about a difference in tho
attitude ofRussia and that OF the 9TH
err powers, as oil were acting on the
theory that the Chinese government
must first give an absolute guarantee
for tho safety Of the ministers. II
seems evident that this absolute guar
antee can not be given by China un.
less II allows the international forces
70 enter Pekin.
Three Employees Killed,