The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-17
MAY DELIVER MINIS
IERS OUTSIDE PICKING.

lLhO UUl0lUL YLhlNu.
Continued From Page One.
first to. the Chinese minister, who. early
IN the day, conveyed II to the department
OF state. Although It was not the regu-
iar gay Tor meeting of the cabinet
GERS In the city that a special cabinet ses-
SION would be held at IL o'clock. Secre-
tary Root. who has been guiding fac
tor IN the Chinese negotiations, was with
the president before the meeting opened
presenting the Chinese communications
ana the dispatch OF instructions already
sent to Gen. Chaffee.
win the president at the cabinet table
were Secretaries Root, Gage Wilson and
postmaster General Smith. The conclu-
sions reached can be stated best by refer
ence 10 the succinct response OF the
United States government, set forth in
the official announcement.
After the cabinet meeting the American
reply was sent to the Chinese minister
Chang.
Issue Framed and UnalterabIe.
Thus the issue was framed. and unal-
terable. The United States declined TO
consider the proposition OF III Hung
Cnang for a halt and an armistice at the
city OF Tungchow. Even the supreme APP
peal OF the venerable Chinese statesman
that the Chinese empire would be shaken
py an advance of the allies beyond Tung-
CHOW. was not Needed The answer ~
IN, me United states Is that our position is
namely that the ministers must be deliv-
cred at the walls OF Picking, and in such
etsrc gu as Will meet the judgment
OF the military commanders on the spot
IL Will be observed that the American
memorandum Of the reply gives Ii Hung
Chang practically nothing beyond rope
tition OF two dispatches heretofore sent
70 Gen. Chaffee The first dispatch, OF
august IL. gives sharp response TO Earl
Las hrst communication. laying down the
relief expedition shall be permitted to en-
ter Picking unmolested." The second dis
patch. of August II, merely amplifies Gen.
mas acceptance of the American demand
that the relief column must enter Picking
Instructions to Gen. Chanee.
The second order to Gen. Chaffee is pred
icated solely upon the presence of the
allied forces at Picking It specifically
states that IL the Chinese authorities are
willing TO deliver the legatloners to the
relief column at Picking. then Gen. Chat
fee is authorized to make and carry out
an arrangement in concert with the other
commanders without awaiting the slow
process OF reference to Washington"
Whether this arrangement. thus freely
committed TO Gen. Chaffee. Is to be an
armistice. truce OF some other device of
military science, is for him TO decide at
Picking. The two dispatches to Gen. Chat
fee contemplate action only at Picking,
and II is for him to determine upon the
manner OF delivery. at the inner gate,
or at the outer wall. Thus there can be
no misunderstanding OF the issue made
up. Ii Hung Changes appeal for an ar
mistice at Tungchow is rejected and the
continually reiterated demand OF the
United States that the ministers be de-
livered to the allied troops at Picking is
reinforced.
Minister ConGer's Message.
The latest dispatch from Minister Con-
ger was scanned with eager interest, but
IA AL q. IT,.
already at hand. In one respect, however,
II gave the government strong encour-
agement. as II was almost categorical
answer to the inquiries of the state de-
partment This was the first defnitc
knowledge that We were in direct touch
with out minister. for all Of his dispatches
without, reference to the repeated inaui-
ries of the government That the situa-
ton is desperate is shown by his state
ment that one OF the attaeks upon me as, ,e-
In response TO a request Of the state de-
partment. Mr., conger gives the list OF
the brave band of American marines who
fell in defense OF the legation II Ia evil
dent that the minister ls informed IA to
the approach Of the column, as he says
"the nearing of the allied forces gives rs
hope"
The two dispatches TO Gen. Chaffee.
sent on the 18th and l4th, were sent also
in duplicate TO Minister Conger so that
he will he well advised by this time OF
the movement Of the troops. and OF
Gen. ChafYee's authority to negotiate Mt
tho walls OF Picking.
Whereabouts of Allies.
Beyond the important diplomatic ex-
changes OF the day and the receipt OF
the Conger message the chief interest
centered in the whereabouts of the al
lied army. From Japanese sources came
the most advanced information. first in
the Tokyo advices that TunEchow had
been occupied. and later in the day In
an official dispatch from the japanese
foreign Office 10 Minister Takahira con-
frmlng the report. The minister prompt
~ communicated his information to the
department OF state and II was accented
by the officials, including the secretary
of war. as the latest and most authentic
news OF the whereabouts OF the relief
column.
this occupation of Tungchow and there
had been ample time to cover the twelve
miles between that place and Picking.
Whether the allied forces actually were
there was the all-absorbins question OF
which everyone IN official and unofficial
nfc awaited word with keen anxiety
Secretary Root was satisfied that Tung-
chow had been left behind, and this
was one OF the reasons why Il was re-
garded as futile TO consider II Hung
Changs proposition for an armistice az
Tungchow.
day from Admiral Remey conveying the
Japanese report az the occupation OF
Tuugchow. and adding the statement
also on japanese authority. that the at
tack on PeiSing was expected TO be made
yesterday.
dispatch was sent 20 Gen. Chaffec.
but IL contents were not made public.
Aithough the officials regarded Il as UNI
important. q doubtless made the Ameri-
can commander awax 81 the fact that
there was no deviation In the American
attitude.
A dispatch also was sent 20 Minister
CanEsr, advisory in character, giving
him the benefit ot the latest develop
meat