The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-03
Secretary Hay Sends Firm Reply to Ii Hung (hdngs Request
For an Agreement. Making Communication With
(on9U an Absolute Requisite
The Statements Made by Dr. Morrison the London Tines Together Win 0Md
Information Reaching the Departments Has Atenuled the Demand Tor
Prompt Advance On Picking and Solution Of the Situation There
Nothing Has Been Heard From Advance Forces
Not Known That they Have Started

Special Dispatch to the Post-Inteliigencer.
WASHINGTON, p. c., Aug. 2.-War
with China Is inevitable. Is the belief OF
the government officials here. II Is a be-
lief based not alone upon the credence
which they place In the truthfuiness of the
statements made by DR.. Morrison. eorre-
spondent of the London Times. whose sen
sationai letter describing conditions In
Picking Is the first detailed news 10 come
from the imperial capital. All older in
formation reaching the state. war and
navy departments. tends in the same d.
rection. Even the correspondence between
Secretary Hay and IA Hung Chang. made
public today. shows Hays final reply TO
the Chinese viceroy was more In nature OF
a threat than demand. Indeed. there is
Increasing reason to believe this govern
ment has for some time anticipated tho
practical certainty OF war with China and
has been preparing therefor in snch Sig
nificant indications as that the war de-
partment. In printed orders assigning Of
ficers and soldiers to commands. has
dropped the fiction OF "for foreign serv-
ice" The orders now read for "servicc
in China
preparations 0Ot08 oms
Not since the first intimaticn Of trouble
has there been relaxation in the prepara-
tions the war department. is naking for.
long and active campaigning In China.
Purchases of munitions OF war. provi-
sions. army mules and supplies Of all
kinds are going on uninterrsinsediy. Re-
iuforcements have been hurried forward
and soldiers are under orders TO be ready,
This ,snee not necessarily mean that con-
gress will be called In extra session IN
order that formal declaration OF war
may be made.
In some circles II IL argued that " the
statements Of DIR. Morrison. describing the
attitude OF the imperial government to-
ward the foreign legations be true, china
already has committed acss which are
tantamonnt ON her part 20 declaration
OF war against the world. The United
States. however may continue 70 proceed
upon the jus,lfable theory that It's soicisra
arr crying for rescue and protection by
officials and citizens OF this country.
II is now thought that additional uoora
beyond those available fer the present
strength OF ths xiuy will be needed. There
IL plenty OF money in the treasury which
can be used for the purpose Of rescue ang
protection. as indicated In the theory npsn
which the United states troops now are
being sent into China. Thus, Il u saii
in Official circles. the converting of cen
gress will become neither praetiea' or
lseal necessity. unless the situation sbead
change materially. Even were congress %
bc called together for formal dselara-
tlon of war. 1t IL said. that at present.
tfere is no reason 70 believe additional
Troops will be asked for BY the president.
There will be no change n the policy %
this government. and there t. nothing IN
the situation making Il necessary feF tac
president to remain in Washington Ha
wlIl return 70 Canton % aHssa his vaeA.
,cn. unless the unexpected happens 10 de-
tain him hers.