The evening times., 1900-09-28

A brief despatch from General Chaffes
was received at the War Department to-
/ day, and for unknown reasons was not
made public It is understood that the
| commander Of the American forces has
replied to his instructions to withdraw
nearly all of his men from Pekin, ard re-
ports that the troops are en- route o
Tientstn The cable despatch further
states, it is alleged, that General Chatee
is assured that the Emperor viii not re-
turn to Peizin as long as the allies occupy
the city, and that he (Chafee) has adj
vised the withdrawal of the allies, with
the exception of legation guards.
This view of the matter agrees with the
desires of the Administration and the hope
was expressed by several officials today
that General Chaffee might be successful
in his endeavors.
General Chafee's message is said to con-
tain the statement that the action of the
United States in Withdrawing its troops
and bringing powerful naval force into
Chinese waters. is disconcerting the allies
and that the show Of force is causing much
comment.
The instructions to Minister Conger for
his guidance in the preliminary. peace ne
gotiations with Ii Hung Chang and Prince
Ching have been returned from Canton
where they were sent for review by the
President and have been fled for trans
mission 10 Mr. Conger. It is expected that
he VIII begin the negotiations as soon as
he receives the instructions.
| A high official Of the state Department
announced today that he had received in
formation that England has not and will
not reject the proposition made by Ger
many, and that the delay in answering the
same has been due to the careful consid-
Grafton which is being given to the feast
bilfty of the plan Of punishfng the leaders
in the Boxer outrages. before negotiating
for peace.
Considerable interest has been created
in official circles over the reporta from
China and Europe that Russia is sending
a blockading squadron to China, and
/ that the foreign ministers in Pekin have
informally invited the Emperor Kwang
Hsu and the Empress Dowager TO return
to the capital No information to con-
| firm either of these statements he's come
to this Government
The report that the Emperor and En-
press DowageT have been asked to return
to PeEin is regarded as very reasonable,
but the officials are at a loss to understand
why Russia should desire to exercise su-
pervision over the Chinese coast. One sug-
gestton is that Russia fears that Germany
will attempt 20 seize the Chinese feet at
Shanghai and is strengthening her own
force as a warning to Germany not to un-
dertake such radical action. The rumors
of preparations in Europe for sending ad-
ditional warships to China may, in the
opinion of some officials. have some founda-
| ton
This Government would not be sur
prised if its decision to augment its feet
in Asiatie waters would cause other pow
ers to follow that example.
In telegram to the State Department
today, John Goodzow, United States Con-
sui General at Shanghai, says that sheng,
the Director General of chinese Railways
and Telegraphs, admits that Prince Tuan,
the Boxer leader and father of-the heir
apparent of China. had been appointed
Grand Secretary of the Empire.
The department is inclined to believe
that Mr.. Goodnow was given an err
roneons impression, and that Prince
Tdan has been appointed a member of
the Privy Council place CT much
| greater political Importance than that of
Grand Secretary, which is a social office
with no political functions. and created
in order that the Emperor might confer
favor On distinguished persons.
| Minister Wu Tfng-fang was at the
State Department today in search of
news from China. He said that he did
not get any information, and that he had
none to give the department.