The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-23
ALLIES CUT OFF.
TContinued from Page II


condition upon which the United States
would take up overtures for truce Be
yond this important correspondence the
early part of the day brought few de-
velopments in the Chinese situation.
The American reply having been given
there was no pressing need OF CABINET
conferences. The Chinese legation was
without additional advises. The Amerf-
can reply was sent forward last night 1t
seems to be accepted as bringing all ne
gotiations to a halt for the present ard
it is difficult to foresee what the next
move will be.
The reply is considered a remarka bic
document because of its extreme brevity
and the number Of vital points it con-
talnS. While casual reading OF the
document would convey the idea that
it was simple rejection of China's pro-
position yet an analysis discloses that it
is full of important propositions which
will be the guiding principles of this
government for the present time. Chi
mas declaration that the sole purpose
of the international expedition was the
rescue of the ministers from Pekin is
met by the statement that this rescue
has been accomplished only by force of
arms, unaided by the Chinese govern
ment- 1t next makes plain that the Uni
ted States is ready to welcome any ov-
ertures for a truce. In this connection
the first official statement is made of
the readiness of the United States to
Invite the other powers to join in ne
EQUATIONS AS a means OF judging when
the time for negotiations will arrive the
American note states that it will be
when security is established in Pelxin
and the Chinese government shows first
its ability, and second its willingness to
make on its part IAN effective" suspen-
sion Of hostilitieS, both at PeIxin and
throughout China.
Minister Congers dispatch shows there
was no representative of the Chinese
goVernement, so there is at present no
ability" on the part of the government
to act in binding manner.
The reply also makes clear that the
United States is not combining it's at
tention TO Pekin, but that the suspen-
sion of hostilities elsewhere in China
is a condition precedent to negotiations.
The further use of the term ''authori-
tatlVe and responsible" government of
China also has a definite meaning in
connection with the present chaotic
condition of affairs. Finally the reply
states that when all of these various
conditions open the way to negotiation
then this government viii lbe prepared
to negotiate ito attain the ends de-
clared' in the circular to the powers on
July g. In short all purposes of future
negotiations are referred back to this
circular when the president laid down
specific intentions of the United States
and also expressed a policy of pre-
serving the territorial and adminiStra-
tive entirety of China" seeking a solu-
ton which would preserve a Chinese
territorial and administrative entirety.
There is no doubt that the feeling of
the United States government is much
stronger than expected in the reply.
This was cOuched in diplomatic Ian
guage, but officials of the government
in a position to know the attitude of
this country state that it is a great as
sumption on the part of Earl Lii to init
mate that the conditions imposed by
this government have been fulfilled.
While it is the intention of this govern
ment to stand faithfully by the note of
July 3, the chaotic condition reported
by Minister Conger, the flight of the
Chinese government, the apparent in
ability or lack of desire on the part of
such government as exists in China to
cooperate with the United States and
with the allied forces either to pre-
serve or protect the foreigners conpli-
Gates the situation and makes a firm
position by the United States necessary.
Under these conditions the troops of
the United States together with such
endorsements as seem desirable, will
remain in China. There are several
conditions which must be complied with
and after careful consideration it has
been determined that the United States
would be in condition to enforce de-
mands which it must make If it should
withdraw from Chinese territory. 1t is
known that indemnity will be demand
ed and the punishment of those re-
sponSible for the outrageS against the
government of the United States as
represented in Minister Conger. and for
the klIllnS Oh american GIllZenS anu the
destruction of their property. 1t is
said that this indemnity must be ex-
acted and the punishment of the guilty
parties insisted upon as a warning to
all governments and to all peoples that
the life and property of American citi-
zens everywhere shall be respected and
protected. More than this, until there
is a responsible government in China,
which can protect the lives and prop
erty of such citizens of the United
States who are still there this govern
ment does not feel that it can with
draw it's protection In fact it is said
by competent authority that the cap
ture of Pekin by the allied army has
not changed conditions to any great ex-
tent in dealing with the Chinese nor can
there be any material change until the
government of China asserts itself
against the 1awless element which has
caused all the trouble.
IN FEAR OF SALT SMUGGLERS-
London, Aug. pa news agency dis
patch from Shanghai dated Wednesday,
August q. says a consular report re-
ceived from 500 Chow says the COVER
nor fears the city will be attacked by
force of salt smugglers-