New-York tribune., 1900-08-24
NO TERMS WITH CHINA.
UNITED STATES REPLY TO LIS PRO-
PosALs-CHAFFEgs MESSAGE.
rny rEI.EeRAPH TO TEE TRIBUNE.


gan with the official publication Of the recent
correspondence between Il Hung Chang and
the State Department in regard to a cessation
OF hostilities and the discontinuance OF MILL
tary operations by the international forces and
the opening of negotiations to restore anicable
relations between China and the Powers
This correspondence shows that the Chinese
Envoy still fails fully TO comprehend both the
position of the Powers and the mission of the
relief force and also the conditions which still
prevail as to treaty rights Of American citizens
and other foreigners in China The reply is
brief and TO the point. Despite the fact that the
condition set forth in Acting Secretary Adee's
memorandum Of August II was not fulfilled by
China, and that the Powers were compelled TO
DO 'by force of arms. unaided by the Chinese
Government" what the latter neglected. refused
or was unable TO do-rescue the Ministers-the
Government Of the United States is still ready
70 welcome an overture for a truce, and invites
the other Powers TO join when security is es-
fablished in the Chinese capital and the Chi
nese Government shows it's ability and willing
ness to make its part an effective suspension
OF hostinties there and elsewhere in China"
When that has been done. and then only the
United States will be prepared to act in CO.
operation with the other Powers and 'the au-
thoritative and responsible Government OF the
Chinese Empire to attain the objects set out in
NO LooPHoLE LEFT FOR CHINA
It is the opinion OF the Administration that
the directness and clearness OF this statement
yiIl not leave even the crafty and able Oriental
to whom it is addressed any other course than
20 take immediate steps TO have the Chinese
Government enter into prompt communication
with the commanders Of the international forces
and cooperate with them to restore order in
Peking "and elsewhere in China in whatever
way may be practicable.
The second most important development Of the
day was the issue of order from the War
Department which requires that all transports
hereafter sailing from Pacific ports with troops
shall proceed TO Manila. unless they receive
orders at NagasakL al which port all Of them
touch, to proceed to China. The military situa-
ton in North China has improved that in the
opinion Of Major-General Chaffee, he will not
need more than five thousand effective troops
OF the Army in order 10 carry out his instruc
lions. This will allow the sending direct to Ma
Mia Of about seven thousand troops which were
under orders for China. OF course. II the mill
tery situation should change TO require
larger force than five thousand men, the trans
ports would receive orders at Nagasaki to pro-
reed 10 Taku.
It seems probable that this change in the
army dispositions due 10 some information
or recommendation communicated in the Chat
fee dispatch OF yesterday which was not made
public. This information that owing to the
occupation OF Peking and the quiet aspect which
matters there promised speedily to assume no
larger American force would be required to pro-
tect the persons and property of American citi-
gems and 70 safeguard the interests of the United
States. A high official OF the War Department
said this Government had not yet received in
formation that the other Powers would adopt
similar course.
TO REPAIR RAILROAD LINE
Another dispatch was received from General
Chaffee to-day, dated August is. which, II is
understood, related solely to the repairing and
putting in operation of the railway between
Tien-Tsin and Peking. He. it appears, did not
feel sure whether. within the scope Of his in
structions. he could properly eKpend public
money for that purpose. He has been informed
tb = he do It is not known how much
rep p the railway will need to put 1t in working
order how much the work will cost, or how
long it will take. It may be remembered that
Admiral Seymour. who tried to move his relief
force along the railway from Tien-Tsin to Pc
king was entrapped by the Chinese. who tore
up the rails and ties both in his frcnt and rear
between Tien-Tsin and Lang-Fang. the latter
being a station situated midway between the
former and Peking. AS the last relief column
did not attempt to make use Of the railroad,
and did not follow it beyond Yang-Tsung, twen-
~ miles beyond Tien-Tsin II is probably not in
a worse condition beyond the former place than
81 was early last June. The putting of this
railway in operation between Peking and Taku
SIS soon as practicable is regarded as exceeding
9y important in view OF the probable fact that
considerable force Of international troops will
be kept at Peking through the coming winter.
high official said late this afternoon that no
oflcial information had yet been received ex-
cept from Germany to whether the other
Powers had replied to Ii Hung Chang's mes
Eases Of August 10 and 90 or If So whether
The tenor OF the replies was similar to that of
The United States. 1t was rather soon, he
Thought, to expect such information The same
official confirmed the report that w W. Rockhill
had reported his arrival at Yokohama and had
expressed intention to proceed at once to
Peking. unless otherwise advised. This official
6eclined 10 say whether Mr. Rcokhill had been
T'otherwise advised" but his manner left a
strong impression that the Special Commissioner
would go to Pekng as early as practicable.
IMPORTANT DISPATCH WITHHELD
In regard TO the suppressed portion OF the dis
patch received from General Chanee yesterday
there are persistent whispers that il convened
very important information respecting the
capture Of the Imperial Palace, showing nv
whom the palace was occupied and whether the
entire personnel Of the Imperial Government.
from the Emperor and Empress Dowager down
had fed before the capture. There are those
who hold the theory (Which is supported to
some extent by reports from japanese sources)
that when the palace was taken either the
Emperor or some important officials of the I'm
perial Government fell into the hands of the
international troops.
The Chinese question has reached so i'm