The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-08-14
AMERICAN NOTE TO CHINA
Text of Refusal TO Open NegOtia-
tiOns with Ii Hung Chang.
Permission TO send Allied Escort TO PekiB
Must BE Granted Before the Powers
Can Listen 20 Overtures for
Peace from the Chinese.

The reply Of the United States govern
ment to the peace overtures Of China was
given out at the tSate Department yes
terday. II is as follows;
Memorandum: Touching the imperial edict Of
August s appointing Ii Hung Chang envoy plenipo-
tentiary to conduct negotiations on the part OF
China, with the powers. and the request for a
cessation Of hostilities, pending negotiations.
communicated TO Mr.. Adee By Mr. WI on the l2th
Of August 1900,
The government Of the United States learns with
satisfaction Of the appointment Of Earl Ii Hung
Chang as envoy penipotentiary to conduct nego-
tiations with the powers and will, on its part en-
ter upon such negotiations. with desire 10 con-
tinue the friendly relations so long existing be-
tween the two countries.
II is evident that there can be no general neg0-
tiation between China and the powers so long Is
the ministers Of the powers and the persons under
their protection remain in their present position #
restraint and danger and that the powers cannlJ
the.. efforts for the delivery Of these repre-
sentatives. TO which they are constrained by the
highest considerations OF national homer except
under an arrangement adequate TO accomplish a
peaCeable deliyerauce.
We are ready to enter into an agreement be-
tween the powers and the Chinese government for
a cessation OF hostile demonstrations on condition
that a sufficient body Of the forces composing the
relief expedition shall be permitted 10 enter Pekin
unmOested and TO escort the foreign ministers and
residents back to Tcutsin. this movement being
provided for and secured by such arrangements and
dispositions of troops as shall be considered salts
factory by the generals commanding the forces
composing the relief expedition.
ALVEY 4 ADEE,
Acting Secretary.
Department Of State, Washington. August y. 1893.
That the United States had taken this
course was foreshadOwed in yesterdays
Post but the announcement OF the text
of the message disclosed the firm policy
which the United States has adopted.
The Importance of the action taken by
this government lies TO a considerable ex-
tent in the wording Of the message. China
had made overtures for peace and had
thus opened the way for a possible COM
promise or for further diplomatic tempor-
izing. The United States. in its response.
LAYS down certain specific preliminaries to
any peace overture. including an entire IL
rev demand. namely, that a sufficiently
large force froN ne allied column shall
be allowed to enter Pekin unopposed and
conduct the members OF the legations and
their followers from the Chinese capital
20 Tientsin.
While this last demand might have baan
inferred from the previous rejection by
the United States Of the proposal for a
Chinese escort, il is now put forward as
an exact and unalterable demand whicn
China must accept unconditionaIly if sne
hopes 10 stay the advance OF the interna-
tional forces or hopes even 10 have con-
sidered any other conditions OF peace
which she may desire TO put forward 10
the offended powers.
The reply was sent TO Ii Hung Chang
through Minister WI and as there are
not the delays in communicating with him
similar 10 those in dealing with Pekin. Il
may be expected that China peace envoy
has already been acquainted with the Do
sition of the United States.
A member Of the Cabinet stated vester-
day that no consideration would be given
promises Of the Chinese government until
the demands that have been mace by this
government are actually and fully com
piled with I'VE have made our demands
on the Chinese government" said this Of
ncial. in very definite language, and in
view OF that governments persistent fall
ure 10 meet them, although certainly fully
understanding them. mere promises VIII
not now be considered Nothing, as see
IL, will stop the march OF the relief force
10 Pekin, except the actual delivery OF
ogr people now there Unless they are
put into our hands Immediately the allied
forces will continue on into the Chinese
capital without any unnecessary delay.
This peace edict, however looks as II the
Chinese were about ready TO yield They
probably will be disposed 10 take any
steps necessary TO save their sacred city
from foreign intrusion"
II developed during the day that the
reference TO the powers employed IN
the American reply was not without a
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