The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-17
BELIEVE THEY ARE SAFE.
Continued from First Page.

order that there might be negotiations
with the commanders on the spot.
The reply to this communication is an
emphatic denial of the request 10 stop the
troops. I'VE are advised by Minister
Conger that the attacks by imperial troops
ceased said this government. While
these attacks continue, we cannot stop The
advance of our forces toward Pekin."
At the same time, the American reply
contains copies of instructions to Gen.
Chaffee, which Secretary Adee in his note
says would. if the attacks cease seem TO
provide for all the action required under
the circumstances slated by Earl Ii IN
his dispatch. The authority given TO
Chaifee Contemplates the acceptance by
the Chinese government of the conditions
laid down in the American reply of Aug.
10: IF the Chinese authorities commu-
nicate willingness TO deliver the ministers
and persons under their protection to the
relief column at Pekin. under arrange
merits which you consider safe, you are
authorized 10 make and carry out the
arrangements in concert with other COM
Tanders without referring il here" And
the instructions make il plain TO Gen.
delivery. whether it shall be inside Pekin
or at the outer gate, is left to him and
Their other generals who are on hand. 1t
will be seen from this that the General
in command of the American forces has
had ample authority to act during the
past two Gays, and that If he reached
Pekin on the 14th, as seems likely, there
was nothing 10 stand in the way of nego-
tiations for the prompt turning over of
the besiesed legation people.
The authorities here feel positive that
the rescue has already taken place. They
have really had no doubt since the APP
pointlnent of III that eventually the rescue
would take place by the Chinese practi-
cally acceTting the American conditions.
A notable fact revealed by these instruc-
tons is that the face of the 5000 native
Christians has at no time been lost sight
of.
II will be noticed that the instructions
to Chaffee refer 20 the ministers ana the
persons under their protection. THIS
means not only the legation forces, but
the native Christians who would, all or
the ministers have reported be left 40
undoubted massacre if abandoned by the
relief forces. They are to be taken care
of just as are the others There is, of
course, great deal of anxiety in official
circles over the situation because every
body is now watching for the news of
the relief. Not until that comes will the
authorities breathe easy
At to-day's meeting of the cabinet
there was naturally some discussion of
what would follow the successful accom-
plishment of the relief. OF course nothing
has been decided, because no definite plan
would be fixed in advance of complete
knowledge of the conditions. 1t is certain.
however. that with Minister Conger and
the American contingent safely in his
hands, there will be nothing for the Amer
lean commander to do but to withdraw
from Pekin.
TIE question Of indemnity must be left
to d ponaic channels. 1t is probable,
however, that the American troops after
relieving Tien Tsin. will remain there I'M
til the negotiations relative to indemnity
shall have betn completed. A cabinet min
ister said af er to-day's meeting that no
determination whatever has been reached
as to the course TO be pursued after the
ministers have bee secured
AS 70 the future government of China
he indicats that whatever influence this
COVE rnment might be able to exert would
be On the line of preventing the dismem-
berment of the country. He gave 1t as his
Individual OF inioD, moreover, that China
would remain intact and under Chinese
rule England, Japan and the United
States are together In their advocacy of
Chinese autonomy. and the jealousy of
other Powers would. he thought. contrib
ute to a gen raj uuderstsn ding that there
shall be no division of Chinese territory,
despite all the talk of German. Russian
ard French plots to increase their hold
ings in that end of the world.