The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-08-01
THE PRESIDENT DECLINES. !
Proposition to Suspend Military
Operations Rejected.
TO CRITICISMS
Secretary Hay Defends His Policy
Faith in Conger's Safety
Unshaken.

Unshaken.
Washington, d. c., July 27.-The
United States government has absolutely
refused the Chinese proposition to sus-
pend military operations against Pekin
in return for the delivery ut Tien Tsin
of~the foreign ministers.
New York. July pa dispatch to the
Herald from Shanghai says: The pro.
posal made by the Chinese government to
the American consul through Taotai
Sheng, that hoStilities against the Chi
nese should cease upon condition that the
foreign ministers were sent under escort
to lien ISln, appears to be, part Of q
deep-laid plan to conceal the date of the.
massacre and the duplicity of the OFF,
Gals who, being in possession of the
news, suppressed it.
The story will be that the ministers all
left Pekln under strong escort but were
set upon hy mob of Boxers. 1t will be
announced that although the Chinese sol.
ders fought bravely they were overcome
and all were massacred.
In an interview which he has had with
the American consul here, Ii Hung
Chang solemnly declared that the min
listers in Pekin were all safe. He denied
sthe statement that Kang vi had been
appointed vicerOy at Canton.
The viceroy of Nankin, Liu Kun vi, is
himself ignorant whether the ministers
are alive or dead.
Liu Kun vi is determined to preserve
order IN his provinces, but if any reason
able Tear becomes current of the partition
of emma being threatened the whole Of
central China will explode. The situa-
ton Is, indeed. very precarious.
The new expedition for Pekin is en-
pected to reave Tien Tsin inside of fort
night
Chinese troops have retreated from the
native city of Tien Tsin and are concen-
trating at Yaung-Tun, on the railway
line to Pekin, with a view to opposing the
advance of the allies.
Secretary Hays Policy.
Washington, d. c., July 27.-The
state department claims to be pursuing
an entirely consistent course in this mat
ter. The officials point out that all Of
the bitter criticism in the European pa
pers directed against the United States
policy is based upon a total misunder-
standing of the fundamental principles
which have governed the actions of the
department. At no time, it is said, has
the state department allowed the belief
that the foreign ministers at Pekin were
alive to interfere in the slightest degree
with the prosecution of its military plans
for reaching Pekin. On the contrary,
the news that the ministers were alive
was accepted by the state department,
not as conveying absolute verify, but as
an additional reason for Fastening the re-
lief column for Pekin.
Secretary Hays decision to decline the
last Chinese proposition was based upon
his determination to adhere strictly to
the conditions laid down ia the reply to
the Chinese Emperor's appeal. The
state department required that the min
listers at Pekin be put in communication
with their governments, and the most
significant condition of all, that the Chi
nese authorities cooperate with the re-
lief expedition for the liberation of the
legations. Until these two things are
done. the state department absolutely re-
fuses to be led into any arrangement
looking to the mitigation of the punish
ment of the Chinese government, such as
the abandonment of the expedition to
Pekin.
The Cabinet Session.
special cabinet meeting was held in
Secretary Hays office. The secretary of
state, fresh from his personal inter-
course with the President, was in posi-
ton to advise his colleagues of the ad-
ministration's purpose and the whole sit
uation was discussed. Beside Secretary
Hay, there were present Secretary Gage,
Postmaster-Ge General Smith and Secretary
Root
When the cabinet conference ad-
journed it was stated that no further
definite plans concerning the action OF
this government had been prepared. The
government has received information,
presumably from Admiral Remey, that
the number of allied troops in Iien Tsin
is $4,000. The movement of the troops
from Tien Tsn to Pekin, Secretary Root
said, would depend upon the arrival and
mobilization of troops of otner natlons
now on the way to Taku. He said it
would be impossible for the United
States force, small as it is, to go along.
1t is further stated that all the United
States troops that could possibly be
spared, had been ordered to China.
Confidence mistaken.
This government presumably is still ac-
cepting in good faith the representations
made by Minister WI. Our officials fig
ure that two days must yet elapse before
an answer can be received from Minister
Conger (presuming he is still alive to
the last code message sent him. In the
meantime they are directing every en-
ergy to getting all the men they can into
China and to cooperate with the allied
forces in the forward movement.
There were no official advlceS from any
Chinese source over night, except short
message from Lieut. Stanford, the signal
officer with Gen. Chaffee's contingent at
Nagasaki announcing that all was we'll
with the troops.