The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-18
Flags Needed to Mark Chinese Houses
Which Have Been Promised Pro-
lection by the Americans.
WORK FOR THE PRESIDENT
MIR. M'kINLEY CALLED FROM CAM
TON To WASHINGTON.
Provost Courts Opened i'm Pe<ing by
Allies Observation-Disclosures Ex-
plosion at Tung-Chow.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-THE passage
OF the day without an event bearing upon
the Chinese situation went to confirm the
prediction made last week by the officials
that there would be no immediate impor-
tant developments. Several cable mes
sages were exchanged and there were
some consultations. notably between act
ing Secretary Adee and the Chinese and
Japanese ministers and the French charge
daffaires, but these were without visible
result. The general impression is that
nothing can be done until the Chinese
themselves have progressed further toward
the restoration of the government at Pek-
ing. Meanwhile the military preparations
for winter stay in China go on without
cessation; though the officials are careful
TO point out that these are only precau-
tionary measures and are not to be taken
as an indication of a final determination
on the part of the government. The War
Department to-day received the follow
ing cablegrams from General Chaffee:
''Taku (no date)-Peking. Sept. 13.-Rus-
sian commander assures me he has ordered
repair material from Port Arthur, Vladi-
vostock and the United States and that
he feels assured the railway will be re-
flags and 5000 more small flags; latter re-
quired for Chinese houses to show our
protection. Goodnow telegraphed on the
7th, at request of Ii Hung Chang, that
the latter would leave Shanghai in a week
OF so.
"Taku (no date)-Peking. Sept 14-Expe-
dition from Tien-Tsin 10 Tu-Liu thirty
miles southwark, two companies Four
teenth Infantry participating Returned
TO Tfen-Tsin after slight opposition. Town
destroyed by British troops. No casual
ties. Filed cable Office $40 p. m, 18TH"
General Chaffees dispatches show a de-
cided Improvement in the cable commune
cations, and notice having been given to-
day to the State Department that the new
cable from Shanghai to Che-Foo connect
ing at that place with the Taku cable has
just been completed, it is hoped that 1t
will soon be possible to get messages
through the date of dispatch.
Count Won Waldersee, who will command
the allied armies. is expected to arrive at
Shanghai next Wednesday or Thursday.
There have been no announcements of his
purposes. but it is expected that these will
be developed as the result of instructions
which he will receive on arriving. Although
a military commander, il is the under
standing among officials that he will prob
ably exert influence upon the diplomatic
situation, as he is a diplomat as we'll as
a soldier. He was with the German en-
bassy at Paris before and after the Franco
German war and has had wide experience
in the diplomatic field.
The Japanese minister, Mr.. Takahra. had
a conference with Acting Secretary Adee.
to-day. concerning the status of Chinese
affairs. Japan's course has been clearly
defined in her answer TO the Russian pro-
posal. In this answer Japan announces
her purpose of withdrawing from Peking
all ''superfiuous forces, and continuing
there only such force as is considered nee
essary. Just what number will constitute
though it is expected to be the bulk of
the Japanese detachment now at Picking.
The efforts made by China to start peace
negotiations have led to the suggestion
that Marquis Ito, the distinguished jan
anese statesman, represent that country
in the negotiations A strong public sem
timent has been developed in Japan in his
behalf, but he has expressed an unwilling
ness to accept the post, feeling that the
conditions do not require his services 1t
was Count Ito who represented Japan i'm
the negotiation with Ii Hung Chang for
the settlement of the Japanese-China war.
The suggested removal of the Chinese
capital from Peking TO Shanghai is now
practically abandoned. The main reason
given is the difficulty of communicating
between Shanghai and Peking during the
winter months. But aside from this there
was strong feeling in certain quarters
that IL would be undesirable to establish
seat of government where British in
fluence is so strongly dominant. The de-
oision has led 10 the general understand
ing among officials that Tien-Tsin offers
the greatest advantages outside of Peking
for purposes of negotiation. and 1t is like
ly TO be the headquarters, military and
diplomatic OF the foreign establishments
not maintained at Peking.
The desire of China TO actually bsgin
the negotiations for peace was evidenced
to-day in a dispatch from Prince Ching.
delivered by Minister Wu TO the State De-
partment. The dispatch was dated Pc
king, Sept. ). and in it Prince Ching states
that he has been clothed with full author
ity, along with Ii Hung Chang, 10 ne
gotiate fer peace. He expresses a desire
10 proceed in the matter, and asks Min
lister Wu to submit request to the sec
retary OF state to send instructions TO Min
lister Conger TO begin the negotiations at
once. 1t is probable no immediate response
10 the request for instructions TO Minister
Conger can be given. as Prince Ching
request will have To be laid before the
President. and sufficient time given 10 con-
slider the question OF his credentials, as
well as the desirability of proceeding at
once. Moreover. IL is likely that Minister
Conger's judgment TO when the actual
negotiations should open will govern TO a
considerable extent.
Th. ncltca guard which has hean v,ain