The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-08-24

since his departure the situation has
so changed at Pekin as to make 1t de-
sirable to supplement the instructions
he already has received. Mr.. Adee
stated that as the Instructions related
to pending affairs, 1t t&oIld be rather
'inexpedient to make public anything
In reference to them. 'ls5l: u
The United States has taken the lead
in replying to China that there will be
no temporizlng negotiations, and there
is every reason to believe the powers
will be united In the same policy. The
answer Of the United States was quick
ly followed to-day by similar action on
the part OF Germany, the Berlin for-
.elgn office delivering to the Chinese
minister an answer refusing to enter
Into negotiations, on the ground that,
there was no evidence that Ii Hung
Changs credentials gave him sufIicI-j
.ent power to act. and that nothing
short OF complete authority from the
responsible rulers Of China, the en-,
.Deror and empress dowager. could be
regarded as sufficient. Soon after, this
action at Berlin, the German charge
.d'ahaire,s Baron Sheck Won. Sternburg,.
was advised by cable. and he: called
at, the state department to Inform the
authorities Of Germany's course.
Exchange Of Felicitations.
There was an exchange OF fellcita-
tions, as It is looked upon as another
evidence OF the uniformity OF action
between the United States and Ger
many. The Japanese officials expressed
their full conviction that Japan could
take similar action, II indeed, such ac-
:tlon had not been taken. 1t develops
that Japan is acting with her eyes open
In this peace overture. as 1t Is similar
to the oyertures at the close of the,
China-Japanese war. when the sessions
Of the Shimonoeki peace congress came
TO n halt, because the credentials of
the Chinese commissioners gave them
no power to act conclusIyely. The
course OF France and Great Britain has
not been made known here, but there
is thought to be no, doubt that these
governments will decline to treat with
China at this time. Each government.
however. is acting entirely on Its own
responsibility. For that reason the
German answer differs from the Amer
lean, although the end secured is the
same. In the case OF the American an
swer. copies OF 1t were sent to all the
powers, simply for their Information,
but in the state departments note Of
transmission there was no suggestion
that concurrence or approval$was ex-.
pected or desired.
Uncle Sam Acted First.
On the contrary, the United States
acted entirely on Its own Initiative,
and, as 1t has turned out; acted first,
and in such way. as to have other
governments take. like action.
The German reply. in one respect, is
regarded as having Significance beyond
that of the United States in that 1t is
based on the theory that there can be
no sovereign authority In China other
than that emanating from the emperor
and empress dowager. Among dlplo-
matte officials, this Is said to be equiv
allen. to an assertion that the exist
Ing regime is. to be recognized. and that
there is no purpose to set up any new
administrative authority over China.
While 1t Is said that this may: not go
to the extent Of assuring the. continu-.
ance of the present Manchu dynasty
1t at least dlscloses no present purpose
to hold that the flight of the emperor
and empress dowager is m abdlcation
Of the Mnnchu regime. ~