The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-27
MEANS WAR
The United States Government
Refuses to Suspend
Military Operations Against the
Chinese Capital.
MAKES NO BARGAIN
Eo,. 4hn nalirarv OF Foreign
For the Delivery OF Foreign
Ministers at Tien TSin.
Determined Not to Be a Victim
of Chinese Duplicity.


States government has absolutely re-
fused the Chinese proposition to sus-
pend military operations against Pe1ln
in return for the delivery at Tien Tsin
of the foreign ministers
Secretary. Hay signallized his return to
Washington from Canton this morning
by the announcement that under no cir
cumstances will the United States gov
ernment accept the Chinese offer to turn
over the foreign ministers to the inter
nationals at Tien Tsin in consideration
of a suspension of the campaign against
Pekin A long cablegram was dispatched
today to Rear Admiral Remey at Taku
and it is believed that this instruction
was laid upon him.
The state department claims to be pur-
suing an entirely consistent course in
this decision. The officials. point out
that all of the bitter criticism in the
European papers directed against the
United States policy is based on total
misunderstanding of the fundamental
principles which have governed the ac-
tions of the department. At no time 1T
IS said, has the state department allowed
the belief that the foreign ministers at
Fel1in We're alive to- interfere in the
slightest degree with the prosecution of
its military plans for reaching Pek1n
On the contrary. the news that the
ministers were alive was accepted by
the state department, not as conveying
absolute ver'acity but as an additional
reason Tor Fastening the relief column
forward to Pekin. The departments con-
tention is that even though a degree of
1mprOba bility surrounded the Chinese
news TO the state of affairs in Pekin
yet every consideration humanity and
policy demanded that it should be given
careful consideration and that 1t should
be acted upon as if true, provided that
action went toward the relief of the for
eign ministers, and did not operate to
prevent the consummation of any OF the
objects laid down in Secretary Hays
identic note The department is abSo-
1utely satisfied that it's attitude was per-
fectly correct and that even European
critics, will in time admit that fact.
Secretary Hays decision to decline the
last Chinese proposition was based upon
his determination TO adhere strictly to
the conditions laid down in the reply to
the Chinese emperOr'S appeal. The state
department required that the ministers
at Pekin be put in communication with
their governments and the most Signif-
1cant condition of all. that the Chinese
authorities cooperate with the relief ex-
pedition for the liberation of the lega-
tions. Until these two things are DONE
the state department absolutely refuses
to be led into any Arrangement looking
to the mitigation of the punishment of
the Chinese government such as the
abandonment of the expedition to Pekin
would imply.
1t is not known at present lust how
this last proposition reached the state
department. 1t is inferred that it came
from several sources, but all are be
neVed to be traceable to Ii Hung Chang.
Mr.. GoodnOw, United States consul
general at Shanghai, is the nearest
United States official to Ii and has
acquitted himself SO well up to this
point that the state department does
not hesitate to make free use of him
as diplomatic agent Therefore it may
be interesting for the foreign cOntin-
gent at Shanghai, who have complained
against Mr.. Goodnow's intercourse with
Ii Hung Chang, to know that the con
sui general is acting in strict accord
ance with the instructions of the state
department Secretary Hay has cabled
him to put himself In communication
with Earl Ii and TO avail as far as pos
sible of that Chinese officiaFs influence
in securing the objects plainly stated
IN the identical note. 1t does not follow
that the United States is bound to ac-
cept without question any statement
made by Ii. Mr.. Goodnow is a shrewd
man and the department of state feels
itself able. using him as an intermed-
larry. to give proper weight to anything
coming from the great VicerOy In so
DONG the department is carrying out
lis policy of making all proper use of
any lnstrumentalities within its reach
TO achieve its we'll defined objects and
lt'ls not to be deferred from so doing
DS any criticisms that 1t Is thereby dis
turbing the soliditary of the powers in
their dealings with the Chinese govern
ment.
a special cabinet meeting was held
IN secretary Hays office at IL O'Clock
TINS morning, the usual hour. The sec
Tetary OF state, fresh from his personal
1ntercourse with the president. was in
pOSltOn 10 advise his colleagues of the
admlnlstratons purpose and the whole
ChineSe situation was discussed Re
sides Secretary Hay. there were pres
Shl secretary cage, Postmaster General
Smith and Secretary Root
When the cabinet conference adjourn
ed. II was stated that no further definite
plans concerning the action of this gov
ernment mad been prepared. The meet
1ng was general Interchange of 0nin-
ions and views. Secretary FIav laid he
fore the members the latest infornoatioD
ne mas received including a dispatch
from Consul General Goodnow Al
SnanSha1. The government has received
Information presumab bly, from Admiral
Reney tnat the number of allied trOOns
In lien Tsin is 2S0OO The movement
o. the troops from Tien Tsin to Pel1in
secretary Root said, would depend
upon the arrival and modification Of
troops of other nations now on tha x,-s1-
70 Iaku- He said it would be inapossible
Tor the United States force as small
as IL IS TO go alone. 1t is further stated
tnat all the United States troops thar
could possibly be spared had heen or
dered to China VI
This government presuraat tl1r l.; e+;,,
accepting in good faith the re1reSs,7+.,
tons made by Minister WI Our on
clalS ngure that two days must xre+
elapse before an answer can be received
from Minister Conger (presumine he ia
still al1Ve) to the last code r9eSSaega
sent him. In the meantime they are
aEectlng every energy to getting ali