Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-12
Ii WANTS A GUNBOAT.
Wu Asks American Transporta-
ton For Peace Commissioner.
NO ANSWER HAS YET BEEN GIVEN.
Diplomatic Situation ns to With
drawal of Troops Hinges on Rus
sins Next Move-StiIl Playing n
Waiting Game,

as 10
drawai of Troops Hinges on Rus
sia's Next Moye-Stiu Playing n
Waiting Game.
Washington. Sept 12-The text of an
imperial edict directing Ii Hung Chang
to proceed at once to Peking and CO.
operate with Prince Ching in the negotia-
tiOn for peace was presented to the state
department officials yesterday. The edict
is issued by the emperor and dated Aug
21. Sir Robert Hart, minister of i'm
perial customs, is directed to secure nee
cssary hcilities for the trip. The pow
ers are also asked to afford Ii Hung
Chang security and to facilitate his move
ments.
In communicating this edict WI Ting
Fang, the Chinese minister, requested
that orders be issued to the American
military and naval commanders to pro-
vide him with safe conduct 1t is pre-
sumed that the Nashville will be assign
ed to convey the viceroy to Taku, whence
he will go to Peking. His coming may
have the effect of inducing the st. Pc
tcrsburg government to retain its minis
ter in Peking to negotiate, and should
this be so Mr.. Conger may remain. The
United States, however, is not commit
ting itself as to its future course. Mr..
Hill has made very noncommittal reply
to the imperial edict comforting authori-
ty upon the viceroy to negotiate for
peace, putting especial emphasis upon
the desire of the president to be assured
that in the future full protection will be
accorded Americans and their interests.
Frances Acceptance Received.
Russia has now received the replies of
all the powers to her proposal to evacuate
Pcking. Only France accepts the plan
without reserve. The United States will
withdraw if Russia does, though it does
not deem it the best thing. Five nations
Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan
and Austria-propose to remain. Great
Britain states that she will keep her
troops in Pcking only so long as may he
necessary for the proper protection of
her interests. Japan is favorable to any
action which the powers may decide up
on in concert and expresses willingness
to withdraw any forces which may be
superfluous. But she will herself deter
mine what part of her forces is SUPER
fuous, so that her reply, instead of being
identical with that of the United States,
as at first thought, is probably more sat
isfactory to Germany.
Diplomats look toward st. Petersburg
for the next move. No information has
reached here confirming the report that
the Russian and French governments
had instructed their legations and troops
TO withdraw from Peking as soon as cir
cumstances allow, but no surprise would
be felt by officials should this prove the
case. Some embarrassment in connection
with the proposed withdrawal of Ameri-
can troops has been caused by the appeal
of American missionaries that the 5000
native Christians rescued with the ega-
tions be taken under United States es-
cort to n place of safety. The matter is
under consideration.
Further preparations are being made
to bring away the United States troops
as soon as orders are issued The trans
ports Pennsylvania, Indiana. Sumner
and Garonne are ready to go to Taku as
soon as General Chaffee starts from Pc
king. These will carry $500 troops. One
or more of the regular transports will
also be available.