The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-31

Take Joint Action to Prevent Interdic-
tom fla Hung Chang's Communi-
cation with Government.

Washington, August 80.-The course of
the United States in the pending Chinese
negotiations was made more clear today
by an important note, embodying a
communication from Russia and advis-
ing the powers of the action taken by
this government The Russian note de-
olared the interdiction of Lii Hung
Chang's communication with the Chi
nese government was inexpIicable and
asked that the powers to direct their COM
manders to vacate the order. Inc United
States concurs with the position OF Rus
s1a and informs the powers that 1nstruo-
tlons have been sent TO our representative
in China in the spirit of the Russian
note. Following IS the official text of the
communication:
Telegram sent to the representatives of
the United States in Berlin, Vienna,
Paris, Londons Rome, Toxic and St.
Petersburg:
Department. Of State, Washington, Au-
gust "a, 1900.
The following note was received by us
from the charge Of the Russian govern
ment at this capital, August IL:
- i have just received a communication
from the imperial government, informing
me OF the resolution OF the admirals of
the allied fleets interdictin2 the pIenipo-
tentiary Of the Chinese government, Ii
Hung Chang, from ali communication
with the Chinese authorities in the event
OF his arrival at Iaku.
" This resolution being inexplicable,
IN view of the fact that all powers have
recognized the utility of admitting his
Iii Hung Chang s. services, in the event.
ual negotiations OF peace. and especially
because 1t would be Impossible for him 10
fulfill his mission in ghe character of Chi
nese plenipotentiary If this were DONE it
Ia l1sa0 "a int ted
governments should give orders to coun-
termand the aOove mentioned decision.'
Inquiry of Admiral Remy, command
ing our fleet at Taku, at first answered
that no such resolution had been adopted.
lie now cables that the admtrals have
agreed to write the dean of the legation,
at Pekin forinsTuotiOns in case Ii Hun
Chang should arrive at Yaku, and mean
time to allow him to communicate wit b
Chinese shore authorities
1--WE take the same view expressed IN
the Russian note. In the interests of
peace and effective presentation of just
demands of all the powers against China,
10 seems important that the Chinese plen-
ipotenUiary should be able to communi-
cate, both with his own government and
its military c0mmandant, whose action
VIII be necessary TO anyN suspension of
hostilities as required IN my telegram to
you of the 22d. Chinese minister here is
without power or advices. Ii Hung
Chang Is. prlma facie, authorized by i'm
perial decree to negotiate, and is the only
representative of responsible authority
now in China, so far as we are advised.
We have instructed our representative IN
China, IN the spirit of the Russian note.
ANY misunderstanding or divergent
action on the subject By the representa-
ttYes of the powers in China would be un-
fortunate and we would be glad to learn
from OtherpOwers II there are reasons not
known to Us which, in their judgment,
should lead to view different from that
which we take.
" XoI VIII commuicate This to the min
lister OF foreign affairs awaiting early re
sponse. s.Adee. Acting
The State Department. has despatched
its instructions to the United States lip
lomatic representatives abroad in con-
formity with the decision reached yestsr-
day by the cabinet upon the Russian pro-
p0sal to Withdraw the troops in Pekin in
order to allow the Empress Ilowager and
Emperor kwang Tsu to return to the
capital, tosGstitu6e negotiations for
settlementawith the A1wers.
The Chinese governs ent must guaran-
tee its ability to prevent the spread of
disorder to the other provinces, and re-
currence of disorders as have occurred,
1t is not quite clear how the Russian
government can guarantee these cOndi-
tions but 1t is possible that it has some
private means of knowing that the En-
press DOWdSoE sosuuo 1o@uy 10 E0tuIu 10
Pekin upon the withdrawal of the foreign
troops from that capital
The State Department yesterday sent
specific instructions to Consul Wilcox to
return to Hankow and resume his du-
ties there and to Consul Martin to return
to Chin Kiang. These officers were al
lowed to leave their posts during the first
furry of excitement but it is now be-
neved that they may resume their duties
without personal danger.