The Portland daily press., 1900-08-04
Big Battle Inevitable Before
Way to Pekin is Opened,

Washington, August Another m owe
was made today in the diplomatic situa-
ton by the return of an evasive answer
by Ii Hung Chang to Secretary Hay S
peremptory demand of August 1 to be put
in communication with the foreign min
listers at Pekin. Lis answer is not final
and leaves the matter open dipIomaticaI-
ly. But Lis actions, as reported by Con-
sui General Goodnow, are unauestion-
ably sinister, and will amount to a final
rejection of the American proposition, if
persisted in. Mr.. Goodnow's despatch
contains some further information bear
ing on the question OF responsibility for
Pekin conditions, in the statement that
the commander of the Chinese troops by
Inference ansWFrabIe to the Chinese gov
ernment, ordered the Pao Ting Flu mas
sacre. 1t is learned here that Lii Ding
Hong the commander referred To- is a
civil official and well known to all the
Chinese officials abroad as one of the most
rabid anti foreign leaders in China. lie
is close friend of Prince Tuan and the
association of these two in Pek1n affairs,
with power enough behind them to cause
the ignominious death of two high offic-
ials. is regarded here as bad sign
Simultaneously with Mr.. GoodnoW's de-
spatch came a characteristicalIy dipIo-
matte message from Yuan Shih Kai, gov
ernor Of Shan lung repeating the story
of two days ago that the Chinese govern
ment was arranging to deliver the min
in
is made to reconcile the statement with
Earl LIS refusal to allow communica-
6ion with the ministers.
General Chaffee's message as to the IN
expected resistance offered to the Japan
csc reconnaissance is regarded by mill
tary men here as forecasting a greater de-
gree OF opposition to the international adj
vance than had been anticipated and they
are now satisfied that the Chinese troops
will furnish material for at least one Sc
we're battle before the way is clear to Pc
kin.
The navy department. today issued an
order for the cooperation of its officers
aboard with the officers Of the army in
landing and transporting troops destined
for Chinese service. This revives the
situation that existed in Cuba when
Skaters army was landed largely
through the efforts of the navy. IT is
thought in the department. that the navy
can lend considerable assistance to Gen.
eral Chaffee's troops not only aiding
their debarkation but possibly in furnish
ing them boat transportation if a move
is made along the Pei Ho. 1t appears
that some misunderstanding exists as to
q ST. Petersburg despatch printed here
this morning saying that the Chinese
minister there and his colleagues IN Eu
rope had cabled the governor of Shan
Tung demanding that free communica-
ton be opened between the Pekin min
listers and their respective governments.
This communication was in fact a Joint
memorial to the throne concurred in bv
all Chinese ministers abroad, including
Minister WI in Washington. It was for
warded by Minister Yeng Lu at St. Pet
ersburg because the latter is the dean
of the Chinese diplomatic service. Tt
was transmitted through the governor of
Shan lung to be forwarded to Pekin.
Ibis action is considered very important
as Indicating that the Chinese minis
tors abroad have at last reached a unan1-
nlous conclusion that the situation is no
longer to be trifed with. Their action
may be regarded as final effort on their
part to influence the home government
and it's outcome is awaited with great
interest.
Meanwhile the government of the Unit
Ell States like the governments of Eu-
rope, has not abandoned it's efforts to
establish communication with it's minis
tors at Pekin by independent means and
the state department. has instructed Con
SUI General Goodnow at Shanghai, Con-
sui Fowler at Che Foo and Consul Rags
dale at Tien Tsin to spare no effort or ex-