The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-10-18
NEGOTIATING FOR PEACE.
CHINESE MINISTER AT LONDON
SAYS 1T HAS ACTUALLY BEGUN.
Not Credited in Washington Uniess
II he Of . Preliminary Character
Ii Hung Chang Fixes Friday as
the Nay to Discuss the Matter.

WASHINGTON, Oct. l7-If any peace
negotiations have been begun in Picking.
as asserted by the Chinese minister at
London, they are simply Of a very pre-
liminary character. confined probably to
the examination Of the credentials
of the representatives appointed by
the emperor to represent the i'm
periai government. Neither the Chi
nese minister here nor the state depart
ment have any information in regard TO
the beginning of negotiations. Ii Hung
Chang and Prince Ching. two Of the
representatives OF the imperial govern
ment, are In Picking.
The French charge d'affaires. NJ. THE
baut. called at the state department to-
day and had a conference with Secretary
Hay II Is understood that ne presented
memorandum proposing that the peace
negotiations with China begin immedi-
ately in accordance with the favorable
action Of the powers on the recent note OF
the French government. NJ Thiebaut also
made known the satisfactory character Of
the answers received from the several gov
ernments. and pointed out the desirable
ity OF having action taken at once to
carry ont the several points on which
the powers have been brought into agree
ment.
Secretary Hay spent some time at the
war department today In conference with
Secretary Root, after which he went to
the White House. From this Il was in
ferred that there were some military de-
velopments In the Chinese situation, al
though no statement was made BY Of
icials.
Russia's Independent Policy.
Russia's determination to pursue n mol
ICY Independent Of the other powers Is
regarded by officials as a most import
AM AM development in the. situation. In
s sne aDsence OF onicial details those. in
THIS Russian stroke Is designed to insure
nussian occupancy OF Manchuria or Is
oniy anotner move In the pacific tendency
winch the cars government has given
expression to. beginning with the an
nouncement of the withdrawal OF RUS
sian troops from Picking. AZ to Russia's
that In the Russian note OF August 3
tnat government especially stated: "Rua-
sia VIII not fail to withdraw her troops
cent empire, provided however, that the
act OF other powers shall not stand in
It Is = question. however. whether the
present aggressive course OF Germany In
opening military campaign T. not the
stand n the way" There Il . strong
tire trend of Russia's action IL toward
the uitir tie acquisition of Manchuria
~ part OF the Russian domain.
AiutHtUT WI CafteQ upon the Dfe4i0ent
this morning. Upon leaving the White
House the minister said that he had con-
veycd to the president message from
the emperor Of China thanking President
Mckinley for the consideration shown by
the United States during the Chinese
trouble.
The emperor has heretofore sent mes
sages OF thanks to the car Of Russia and
the emperor Of Japan for the course their
governments have pursued and the mes
lines.
The minister also brought a dispatch
from Shanghai from the southern vice.
roys stating that the imperial party had
reached Tungkuan only few miles from
Sinanfu. the new capital, on the 18th in
slant
Referring to the report from Picking
that the edict for the punishment OF cer-
tain Chinese officials had been forged.
Minister WI said such a story was pre-
posterous and should receive no credence
whatever. II anyone should issue false
decree OF any character II would be very
easy. he said, to ascertain his identity
and he certainly would be heheaded.
The advices received by Mr.. WI give
no indication Of n purpose on the part
OF the royal family to return 10 Picking.
although there IL reason to believe that
EFFORTS continue TO be made To induce the
emperor to return TO the capital.