Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-23
STATE OF CHAOS.
Chinese Government Has Fled
from the Imperial City.
Whole City Except the Imperial Palace
Occupied by the Allies.
Washington Now Considering Line Of Future
Action in China.
Augl5. dt1stp

Washington, Aug 22.-Aftcr a long
conference at the White House, today,
the reply of the United States to the
application Of Ii Hung Chang for the
appointment If peace commissioners
was completed. and a COPY Of the re-
ply sent Ia the Chinese minister, Mr.
WI. to be forwarded to Earl Ii.
The state department made definite
announcement that the reply had been
conveyed to Mr.. WI. but added to its
official utterance that the correspond
ence would not be made public until
tomorr1 " morning. a copy Of the re-
ply WAS sent to other governments
represented in China.
The American reply is chiefly charac-
terized by its firm tone and its brevity.
Its keynote is the Presidents attitude
as laid down in the American note Of
July 3. ana there is the strictest adj
herence to the points enunciated at
that time. While the document is
open to the construction Of being 2
rejection Of Iii Hung Chang's propo-
stion for immediate negotiations. yet
il is stated by those who have read
the answer with care and have had
a part in its preparation, that rejection
is probably too strong a term to APP
ply t. it.
The United States places itself in a
position Of being ready at the proper
time to take up peace negotiations. but
in the present unsettled condition Of
affairs in the empire. the lack of kn0wl-
edge as to who are the responsible rul-
ers. and what constitutes the actually
Chinese government, it is made cleat
that the time has not arrived for pur
suing the negotiations proposed The
formal courtesy Of diplomatic proceed
ure is preserved, but at the same time
the entire tenor Of the document is one
Of force and firmness. The government
Of the United States takes the position
that negotiations are impossible with
a government which cannot prevent
hostlities against the forces of the
powers, which are sent to the Chinese
capital to save their ENJOYS.
AS long as attacks are made IN the
troops of this and other governments
such as have followed the occupation
of Pekin, and the attacks in the ViCin-
ity of Tien Tsin. il is deemed that the
Chinese government is either unwilling
or unable to prevent these hostilities.
and for this reason negotiations must
be deferred. 1t is stated. however that
the reply is a step i'll the direction OF
opening negotiations. No question Is
raised as to the authority of Ii Hung
Chang to represent his government.
but it is said that his credentials. like
those Of all others who come together
for the purpose of negotiating terms
Of peace, will be examined by the re-
spective representatives. and the valid
ity Of the powers of each represent
ative determined by that body. The
United States. however. in commune
eating with Minister WI. recognizes
him as the official representative Of
the Chinese government.
Minister WI received the reply. early
this afternoon. and work was immedi-
ately begun on its translation. first on
the American text Of the Chinese and
then from Chinese into cipher. This
took some time. and it was not until
late in the day that the reply was act
ually dispatched.
The most important developments Of
the day came late in the afternoon,
when the state department made pub
lie dispatch from Minister Conger
dated at Pekin only three days ago
1t was given out with the following
statement:
"Pekin. Aug. 10. Secretary Of
State. Washington. The entire city
with the exception Of the imperial
palace. is occupied by japanese.
Russian. British, Americans and
French. 1t is being apportiOned in
to districts for police supervision.
The Chinese army fed. The inn
perial family and the court have
gone westward. probably to 81 An
Flu in the province Of Shen 81. No
representatives of the Chinese gov
eminent are in sight in PeSin, ana
the conditions are chaotic. The pal
ace is expected to be taken immedi-
ately Many missionaries have
started for home. while others re-
main in charge of the Christian
refuge. and numbering about 1000.
(Signed) Conger."
Mr.. Conger's message was particu-
l1riv welcome to the officials in show