The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-08-22

ton from official Chinese sources OF ths
departure OF the emperor and empress
dowager from Pekin. They went west
ward. but the point at which they are
now located was not given.
PARIS. Aug. 21.-The Temps pub
fishes a dispatch from Shanghai. dated
August p, saying it is reported there
that the Dowager Empress fled from
I. Pekin with treasure amounting to S0.-
100000 taels and that she Is surrounded
by japanese cavalry.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 21.-The cahi-
net session to-day practically opened
the consideration OF the momentous
questions growing out OF the capture OF
Pekin and the war In China Until to-
days session, the absorbing question
has been the safety OF Minister Conger
and the legationers at Pekin. Now.
however, that has given place to prob
lens OF more intricate and far-reach-
ing character, touching the very exist
ence OF the Chinese empire and the part
which the American government is TO
take in the reconstruction OF that coun-
try.
The meeting to-day was devoted en-
tirely to the Chinese situation. Secre-
taries Hay and Root, who have been
most active in directing affairs. were
absent from the city, so that the attend
ance comparatively was small, the
President having with him Secretaries
Gage. Hitchcock and Wilson and Post
master General Charles Emory Smith.
Several questions were awaiting atten-
tion. First Of these was the application
Of Minister Corger or some other COM
missioner TO negotiate for the cessation
OF hostilItics. The decision arrived aS
was to reject the appeal and a reply OF
this character will be sent to Minister
WI to be forwarded to Ii Hung Chang
The moving cause for this action Is that
this government is at present very
much in the dark as TO whether there IS
any existing government In China
With the capital In the hands Of the al
lies. the emperor and empress dowager
fugitiyes in hiding. and the entire gov
ernmental fabric paralyzed, there Is no
evidence OF an authority adequate to
conduct negotiations and secure results
which vii be final and binding.
Enormous, Headless Affair.
Il was stated by members OF the cabi-
net that the Chinese establishment. in
stead OF being government, appears to
be an enormous. headless affair. with
out knowledge OF what Is for Its best
good and without power to enforce It's
wishes. With the recognized ruler in
flight. no one seems to know who, II
anybody. is directing Its affairs. As
China Is an absolute monarchy, without
any legislative branch, the emperor aud
empress dpwaser are all-powerful, ard
practically they are the empire Of
China. Under the present remarkable
conditions, the United States will act
with extreme caution in whatever steps
It may take toward soiution OF the
pending problems. In the meantime,
there Is reason to believe that the
United States and all the other powers
interested will keep their armed forces
on the ground. 80 that order may be
maintained and at least scmblance of
stable government brought out OF the
existing chaos.
The reply OF this government to the
appeal OF the viceroys OF Nankin and
Human tina; no indignities be offered the
emperor and empress dowager. Is I for
NAL acknowledgement OF the receipt OF
the communication with satisfactory
assurance that no indIsnities would b.
offered the persons OF their majestics.
couched in Polite Language.
This reply is couched in the polite Ian
quaga OF diplomacy. but 1t Is understood
that 1t does not In any way commit the
government to refrain from Imposing
on the emperor and empress dowascr
any penalty that subsequently might be
decided upon In case It Is proved that
they were directly responsible for tho
recent atrocities. This question OF fx-
ing responsibility where 1t belongs and
imposing any punishment that may be
deemed fitting has>not received formal
consideration as yet. The answer with
which tho two viceroys, appeal Is met,
accordingly !s n diplomatic assurance
that the rights OF the emperor and en-
press dowager will be protected but
does not impose any barrier to q proper
punishment, such as may be sanctioned
by. civilized usage. for any orrcnso which
hereafter may be held to call for an ac-
counting.
This Is the Interpretation given the
reply by 4 cabinet official tonight.
The question OF responsibility viii