The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1900-08-15
POWERS TAKE OUR COURSE.
United States Answer to China Is
Approved by AII-Nothing Yet
From Lii Hung Chang.

Washington. Aug. H.-A mysterious dis
patch from Minister Conger. which the
State Department refused to make public,
was the sum total of the department ad-
vices from China to-day.
The reasons for the unusual mystery
concerning this message can only be sur
missed. Assurance was given by the Off
cials, however. that the message Indicated
no change in the situation at Pekin, either
for better or worse, and also that II was
not a reply to any of the messages which
this government has sent our besieged
minister.
1t is the general understanding about
the War Department, where the message
was naturally much discussed that 1t had
particular reference to the inadvisability
of the acceptance of a Chinese escort and
was even stronger on this line than Min
ster Conger's former message Concerning
the lack of good faith of the Chinese gov
ernment. 1t is also understood to have
contained some valuable information about
the military situation at and surrounding
Pekin which may be of value 10 the COM
iildiuSIS vi ln6 dllleu
There was nothing from General Chat
fee up to the hour of closing the depart
ments. War Department officials very
much hope that he and his colleagues have
succeeded in getting their forces well on
towards Pekin by this time. though it is
hardly possible 10 know this for several
days yet.
There seems to be general impression
that the Chinese will make no stand this
side of Pekin. If such a stand is made,
it will probably be made at Ching Chai
Chow, which the maps show to be the
next town Of Importance beyond Ho-Si-
WI. This is really a part of the walled
plies upon which Pekin depends are
stored.
Mckinley Is Optimistic.
President Mckinley is decidedly opti-
mistic over the situation. Those officials
who have talked with him over the long
distance telephone say he believes that
China will meet the condition laid down
in the American note made yesterday,
and will allow the allied troops, or a GER
tain portion of them, to go into Pekin un-
der proper guarantees and bring out the
besieged legation force and the 5000 native
Christians, who must be protected from
massacre.
The announcement was made to-day
that all of the other Powers, including
Russia, agree TO the general terms of
the American note, and have either al
ready so informed China, or will do so.
This is, they will place themselves on
exactly the same footing as this gov
eminent.
There is no official information here of
the reported permission of the Car to
NJ. De Giers, his minister, to accept Chi
nese escort IL is pointed out that the
Gear practically left the decision open
with his minister. and it Is believed here
that NJ De Giers will not act independ-
emily of the other minister's but will be
governed by their judgment, which is
against the acceptance of Chinese assur-
ances of safety. If NJ. De Giers believes
IL the part of wisdom to place his safety
in the hands of the Chimes, he is the
only one of the ministers who takes that
position.
Nothing has been received direct from
Ii Hung Chang looking to peace nesotia-
tons. 1t was expected that in view of
his appointment something would have
been heard from him by this time. but
1t is probable that the American note has
had the effect of causing delay and per-
haps a change of plan.
An Alleged Interview.
An Associated Press interview with an
alleged high official of the government,
published this afternoon. attracted some
attention and called forth a vigorous de-
nial from those in highest authority. This
Official was quoted as saying that the
United states would demand for every
American citizen killed or MANNED by the
Chimes a sufficient indemnity to COM
fortaby support their families for the re-
mainder of their lives.
"The collection of the indemnify" the
supposed official is made to say, may
make Il necessary to station warships
in the harbors of the principal cities, and
officials within these cities to watch the
revenues, and. II need be, take charge
OF the revenues to apply to the in
demnity"
The most significant clause OF the in
terview was this, 'If It can be shown
that orders for the hostilities were issued
by the Empress Dowager or Emperor,
their deposition is certain and another
government Will be set up"
The men who in the absence of the
President and Secretary Hay are in
charge of affairs enter a vigorous denial
that this has been considered at all, and
say that the plans of this government 10
not extend beyond the rescue of Minister
Conger and his associates. What will
happen after that is a matter for future
consideration.