Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-29
LII Hung Chang's Status.


Beyond a short message relative to the
situation at Annoy, which is still regarded
as threatening. the State Department had
nothing to make public this morning. The
diplomatic, rather than the military, situa-
ton is still regarded as of supreme impor-
tance. Again Mr. Wu, the Chinese minister,
was an early caller at the State Depart
ment. He was much disturbed in mind
over the reiterated report that the foreign
admirals are going to restrain Earl Lis lib
erty Of communication with his own gov
ernment. The minister was naturally in
dignant at the report and was much COM
forted by the assurance he had from Act
ing Secretary Adee that the report was
probably an old one, referring to the condi-
tions that existed at Taku before the be-
ginning Of the march on Pekin.
The minister was very strongly of the
opinion that any renewed attempt to inter-
fere with Ii Hung Chang, either in his
movements or in his communications with
the imperial government, would prove most
disastrous in its effect upon the earnest eff
forts now being made by the viceroys, as
we'll as by the imperial government itself,
to terminate the present hostilities in China
Baron Speck Won Sternburg, the German
charge, also saw Mr.. Adee just after Min
lister Wu's departure, and 1t Is understood
that his purpose also was to talk over the
question Of LIS credentials. One effect Of
Germany's refusal to accept Ii as plenipo-
tentiary will be to delay peace negotiations
at least until Field Marshal Waldersee's .
arrival In China, several weeks hence.
Possible Withdrawal of Troops.
This fact is not contemplated with equa-
nimity by our own government, the Presi-
dent being desirous to terminate the pres
ent unsatisfactory state of affairs in China
as soon as this can be done with honor and
security.
So. providing the objects laid down in his
various notes can be attained, he will con-
slider that the United States has performed
its duty from a military point of view.
Therefore If our government can assign
some responsible person with whom to con-
clude an agreement, and such an agree
ment can be arranged a basis that will
fully conserve the rights of the United
States. without infringing upon those Of
the other powers, a speedy withdrawal of
the United States troops from China may
be expected, and 1t Is entirely possible that
Field Marshal Count Waldersee will not
after all exercise command over any
American troops in China.
Nevertheless preparations are being made
for wintering 5000 United States troops in
China. The report that Cen Chaffee was
making arrangements for winterng $4,000
troops probably originated before the gen.
eral was informed that the troops on the
way to China had been diverted at Naga-
saki to Manila
International Conference Proposed.
nh
on the Chinese question is again being dis
cussed among officials, and in view Of the
meeting of the cabinet today 1t is possible
that this plan will assume more definite
shape.
In the last note of the United States, re-
plying to Ii Hung Changs application for
peace negotiations, it was stated that this
government would, when the time was op-
perfume, not only welcome overtures for a
truce. but would also stand ready to invite
the other powers to join In such a move
ment.
1t Is felt In some quarters that the in
ternational conference would probably be
now existing as to the purposes of the
various powers, and would bring to a
direct and final determination what the
future policy was to be-
SuspensiOn of Objection.
The latest phase of the diplomatic tangle
involving the powers now interested in
China is the practical abandonment of OBJ
lection to the form Of Lii Hung Chang's
credentials. At least, 1t may be said that
these objections have been suspended for
the time being. The point of attack on the
part of those powers or power which Is op-
posing the recognition of Ii Hung Chang as
a plenipotentiary is now the authority of
the titular Chinese government to issue any
credential Of value or worthy Of recogni-
ton.
In other words, admitting that LIS cre-
dentials were properly issued by Emperor
Kwang Tsu, the contention Is that that
monarch. being a fugitive and powerless,
cannot by himself or through his agent,
Ii Hung Chang, enter any engagement or
give any guarantee which the Chinese peo-
pie as whole will accept as binding This
subject Is now receiving the careful at
tention of the Department of State
Meanwhile the department and Minister
WI are in ignorance as to the whereabouts
OF Ii Hung Chang. and from the fact that
nothing has been heard from him for four
days at least 1t Is conjectured that he NAV
have left Shanghai by sea, and that he will
next appear in the north of China nroho bI,,