The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-07
TO THE DEMANDS CT THE ALLIES AS
TO THEIR MINISTERS
WILL Be NO NEGOTIATIONS
Until h Ministers at Pekin Are
shown to be safe and Free Commune
cation With Them Established-Mfn-
lister Ifay'- Emphatic Reply to
chinese Government on This Point.
The Advance on i'vkfn-More Massa-
ores of Foreigner--English Women
Beheaded.

Hays reply to Ii Hung Chang has
closed negotiations with China unless
the old viceroy is able to secure the
full acceptance OF our terms relative
to the foreign ministers. n that at
once No orders therefore looking TO
a relaxation of the preparations for the
advance On Pekin have gone out from
Washington, for, as the situation is
described by one of the leading Off
cials here, there will be no bargain
ing on our part in advance OF the con-
cession by the Chinese authorities and
full and rec communication with the
foreign ministers"
There Is moreover a note OmlnouSly
close TO actual war in Secretary Hays
declaration that the conduct OF the
Chinese government is "unfriendly."
That kind CT language is extreme in
diplomacy and it is only a narrow
step between it ard formal war.
The impression prevails here that
the Chirese government, If ii is not
absolutely bereft of the power TO act
in defiance of the Boxers. will accept
our terms. arI some such action is
ook for very soon. Possibly a bat
tie, not more, it is believed, than one
at most, will be required to bring the
imperial government to the point Of
acceptance, though in that case it is
questionable whether the original con-
ditions would be regarded as still open
to acceptance.
CONSEQUENCES OF CHINESE AC-
CEPTANCE.
If the Chinese government now ac-
oADt- u-o- ~ - c-~A~- -~--
eminent will be face to face with one
of the most delicate, momentous diplo-
matte TASKS ever undertaken. 1t must
attempt to redeem its promise to use
it's good offices in favor of China and
in the present temper of some of the
European over the greatest Difficult
ties may be expected to arse in the
prosecution of the attempt. 1t is the
confident expectation of the officials
here, however, that if the Chinese
government actually and in good faith
meets all of the -four conditions laid
down by the president in his reply to
the Chinese emperors appeal for aid,
at least a majority of the powers now
represented in China will accept that
as a proper basis upon which to cease
hoStilities and open negotiations for a
settlement. The decision of the ma
jority in such a case, without doubt,
would receive the a~cquiescence of the
minority, else an interminable entan-
gle might arise.
NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS.
Secretary Root said this afternoon
there had been no new developments
which would necessitate any changes
in the Instructions to General Chaffee
or which would change the intentions
Of h government in the least. A ci-
pher cable message was sent to Gen
eral Chaffee by Secretary Root to-day
which contained additional informa-
ton and facts which have developed
since the last message was sent him at
Nagasaki. The message contained nc
additional instructions, out merely in
formation which he may use as a
guide to his actions.
REPORT OF ADVANCE NOT BE-
LEVIED.
1t is o believed at the war depart
ment that an advance has been made
as yet from Tfen TSin. 1t is explained
that the last dispatches indicate a
great deal of delay in unloading the
troops and before any advance can be
made the troops must have al their
equipments and transportation fol
them, The indications are that the
plans being matured at Tien Tsin con.
template a rapid advance when the
movement begins, for it seems to be
understood that there will be carried
with the army a sufficiency Of supplies
to maintain the troops on the march
to Pekin and return, if a return should
be advisable.
The fact that no reports were re
ceived from General Chaffee durins
the day was not surprising to wal de.
partment officials who said that tn.
general was busy preparing for thu
campaign, and, moreover, communica,
ton between Taku and Che Foo is un.
certain.