Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-22
This Government Cannot Stop With
the Act of Rescue.
CHINESE AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBLE
Continued Co-Operation of Allied
Forces Necessary.
FURTHER INFORM NATION

The Chinese minister was waiting at the
State Department for more than two hours
this morning for an interview with Secre-
tary Adee. Meanwhile, Secretary Root and
Mr.. Adee were closeted with the President
They went to the White House before 10
o'clock this morning, and were still there
at II. The Chinese minister was waiting
for the formal reply of this government to
Lii Hung Changs appeal for peace negotia-
tions. The terms of this reply were the
subject of consideration at the White House
in connection with the general situation in
China. Mr.. Root was not at the cabinet
meeting yesterday, and the department. has
further information of official character
than possessed at the time of the csbi-
net conference. That which may be in
ferred from today's advices, especially from
the dispatch from Admiral Remey, indi-
Gates that the situation is increasing in
gravity. The reply to Ii Hung Chang will
be of the character indicated yesterday
entlreiy negative as to the negotiations
but there is much more in the situa ton de-
manding serious consideration than he
overtures of Lii Hung Chang
Deeper Complications
The indications are that by force of cir
cumstances which cannot be avoided this
government is being drawn far deeper into
the Chinese complication than was involved
in the declaration of policy which ccntem-
plated merely the rescue of the legationers
The very brief official reports show that
the military operations at Pekin have al
ready gone beyond the relief of the lega-
TONERS. And these operations seem TO be
moro than merely defensive. The condition
described even in these brief and incom-
plete reports is that of war, and how this
government is to extricate itself from a
situation threatening general hostilities is
a hinh {r-
consideration. 1t was the declared policy
OF this government at the outset to effect
the rescue of the legatiOners, and then t.
suspend military operations until a settle
ment through diplomacy had been attempt
ed, the purpose being to withdraw troops
as speedily as possible from Pekin. Gen.
Chaffee, in whose discretion the utmost con-
fidence is placed. has a full understanding
Of this policy. and the fact that military
operations have been carried beyond the
original plans that the imperial city has
been entered and an assault made upon
the palace. discloses. without full explana-
ton, that a situation exists in Pekin which
does not admit of the mere rescue and
withdrawal, and the continued occupation
of Pekin for an indefinite time seems to be
foreshadowed.
Responsibility of Chinese Govern
The fighting in the imperial city. together
with the unofficial information of the pur-
SUIT DS tie JapdileSe cavalry Oh the I'M
peral guard supposed to be protecting the
fleeing empress dowager, after the rescue
of the legationers has been accomplished,
preSuppoSes absolute knowledge on the part
of the commanders of the allied forces that
full responsibility for the outrages COM
mitted rests upon the Chinese government;
otherwise the nature of the original expe-
ditUn would not involve a purpose to cap
ture the empress dowager and the imperial
oiilcials, nor an attack upon the imperial
ha inn al
there were the aPgresSors. 1t was under
stood at the outset that the expedition of
the allies was not punitive, and the change
of program indicated must be based on the
discovery of a condition of affairs at Pekn
which rendered an aggressive force un-
avoidable If such is the case it is i'm
possible to foretell what may ultima tely fe-
suit. However desirous this government
may be to conne the military operations
to the original plan and to withdraw the
troops from Pekin, the weakening of the
Americans, while the rest feel comneiIed
to remain. is a thing that could hardly be
contemplated.
Continued CO-OperatfOn.
In fact. information through foreign
sources that reinforcements are needed in
Pekin discloses the practical impossbility
OF such thing, and the intimation in the
announcement at the War Department to-
day that Col Slocum, military attache.
ordered to st. Petersburg, or Col Kerr
attache ordered to Berlin NAV accompapv
the German troops to China indicates con-
unued cooperation of the allied forces for
an indefinite time
The report by Admiral Remey of a battle
between the Boxers and part of the ,I
lied forces within eight miles of Tien Tsin
on the I3th and press reports of Chinese
troops marching toward Pekin may indi-
cate general movement of Chinese troops
In defense of the government, which woIfd
make actual inevitable