The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1900-08-17
ALLIES NEAR PEKINC.
Chaffee Reports Half the Dis
tance Traversed.
AMERICAS ANSWER TO CHINA.
Relief Expedition Must Enter the
Capital 'UnmOIested and Escort
Foreigners to Place of Safety
Before Peace Is Considered.

Before Peace Is Considered.
WASHINGTON, ANlg. 14.-The Amer
lean commander in China in a dispatch
of just three words received at the war
department late yesterday afternoon sent
a thrill of exultation and expectancy,
throughout official quarters by announc-
ing his arrival at Ho-Si-Wu, only 30
miles from Picking, last Thursday. The
last heard from him before this was at
Yang-tsun which had been captured aft
er a hard fight and word of his move
ments since then had been eagerly await
ed. Thursday he was Is miles beyond
Yang-tsun. Lang-Fang, the place where
the i'll fated Seymour expedition met it's
fate and turned back, had been left be-
hind. The battle of Yang-tsun was fought
on the 9th, and the advance on Ho-Si-Wu
was accomplished on the 9th, a march OF
10 miles in three days. This was four
days ago. and at the same rate of prog
ress Chaffee is even now fairly within
striking distance of the walls of Peking.
1t was a consummation which the war
department had awaited calmly, and,
stirring as the news was that the NAmeri-
can force was now nearing the gates of
the imperial city, Secretary Root and
Adjutant General Corbin evinced no sur
prise, as it accorded with calculations, al
though the advance has been more rapid
than was expected.
Word of the advance soon spread
throughout official quarters, and in the
enthusiasm of the moment a report got
about that this was the day for, the actu-
al arrival at Picking. But the war de-
partment had not a word of the advance
beyond Ho-Si-Wu. 1t was deemed hardly
likely the march to Picking should have
been made since last Thursday. At the
rate of progress, six miles day, made
from Yang-tsun to Ho-Si-Wu, about "A
miles would have been covered in the last
four days, and up to yesterday this would
still leave the international forces nine
miles from Picking. Viewed from any
standpoint the advance to Ho-Si-Wu was
of the utmost Importance not only stra-
logically, but also in showing that COM
munication was open back to Chefu, that
the expected opposition from Chinese
hordes had not been sufficient to prevent
the steady forward movement and in the
influence it would exert upon the Chi
nese government
The reply of the United States govern
ment to China's overtures of peace was
made public early in the day, showing
the firm and final position that had been
taken. While expressing satisfaction at
this pacific step, the reply states that
1t is evident that there can be no gen
eral negotiation between China and the
powers so long as the ministers and
legationers are restrained and in danger.
Then follows a specific statement of
what the United States expects as a
condition precedent to a cessation of hos
tilities-viz, that a body of The relief |
force be permitted to "enter Picking I'M
molested'' and escort the. ministers back
to Tien-tsin. The text of the American
reply is as follows:
Touching the imperial edict of Aug. 8
appointing LII Hung Chang envoy plepi-
to conduct negotiations on the
part of China with the powers and the |
request for a cessation of hostilities pend
ing negotiations, communicated to Mr.. |
Adee by Mr.. WI on Aug. II, 1900 the |
of the United States learns |
with satisfaction of the appointment of
Earl Ii Hung Chang as envoy plenipo-
Tertiary to conduct negotiations with the
powers and will on its part enter upon |
such negotiations with a desire to contin-
ne the friendly relations so long existing |
between the two countries.
''It is evident that there can be no gen.
eral negotiations between China and the |
powers so long as the ministers of the |
powers and the persons under their pro-
lection remain in their present position Of |
restraint and danger and that the powers
cannot cease their efforts for the delivery |
of these representatives, to which they |
are constrained by the highest considera-
tons of national honor, except under an |
arrangement adequate to accomplish a |
peaceable deliverance.
eve are ready to enter into an agree
ment between the powers and the Chi |
nese government for a cessation of hostile |
on condition that a suffi-
cient body of the forces composing the re-
lief expedition shall be permitted to enter
Picking unmolested and to escort the for
eign ministers and residents back to Tien-
tsn, this movement being provided for
and secured by such arrangements and |
dispositions of troops as shall be consid-
cred satisfactory by the generals COM
manding the forces composing the relief
ONIV TEN DAVIS FOOD.