Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-08-02

government would give ear to over
lures IN that direction, were not the at
tempt made by the Chinese to impose
conditions upon the delivery that are
altogether objectionable Such, for In
stance. is stipulation that the Chinese
imperial authorities shall be absolved
IN advance from the consequences of
the attempt and from liability for what
mas taken place in Pekin. The first
stipulation might be regarded as di-
rect invitation to the Boxers to murder
the ministers on their way to the coast,
ana therefore our government will
leave II to Mr. ConGer himself whether
or not ne regards 1t as safe to leave
hekln when the opportunity is held out.
Meanwhile there have been no
changes as to the military program so
far as our government is advised. The
american commander at Taku already
is under positive instructions to urge
forward movement and he was adj
vised also to attend to our forces. Sec
Rotary Root has said that there had
been no developments in the diplomatic
situation which would delay the adj
vance on I'ektn, and that Gen. Chaffee
mad orders to cover any contingency
been made in the dispatches from Eu-
rope 10 the effect that the United States
IS urging Gen. Chaffee for chief COM
mand. 1T was said al the war depart
ment that such was not the case tho
II was recognized that the situation
mlsht be such as to make it necessary
tor MIN 10 accept the command. If de-
clded by the other powers
The safety of the ministers at Pekin
bF1ng temporarily assured, the attens
lion OF the government is now being
directed toward two objects. first of all
the permanent safety of the ministers
by bringing them away from Pekin.
and second to hasten the advance on
the Chinese capital. The Chinese gov
eminent is employing every device.
automatically, to prevent the forward
movement of the International column.
Lii Hung Chang is the main reliance
to encompass this purpose, but he is
hampered by the obluseness OF the Pc
Kin officials. Our government is willing
TO render such assistance as 1t properly
can, but 1t must be upon the terms al
ready laid down. 1t is said here that
one possible means of stopping the for
ward movement of the column within
reach of the Chinese government is the
instant compliance With the first de-
mands OF the powers. namely. that the
ministers be put in free communica-
tion with their governments. 1t has
been suggested to the Pekin, thorities
that they send an embassy Immediately
10 lien Tsin clothed with full authority
10 deal with the situation and given
UNLIMITED power tn afford PREPARATION
for the injuries inflicted upon the in
ternationals. If this is preceded by the
relief of the ministers from the siege,
there is possibility that the powers
Will temporarily suspend their military
movement. which may in the end, be
rendered unnecessary if the embassy
meets the demands Of Europe and
America. Meanwhile, Admiral Remey
cables that more marines. those who
crossed on the Grant. under Maj Rid
die. are being sent to Tien Tsin. indi-
eating the intention of the military
commanders there to make an early
start. The advices from Ii Hung
Chang. brought to the#state department
by Minister WI. afford strong evidence
of the desire Of the Chinese government
to escape from its present predicament.
and certainly seem to afford a reascna-
Ib.e guarantee for the bodily safety OF
the legations. pending the outcome Of
the negotiations respecting the aban-
donment of the Toekin campaign.