The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-11
ISSUED BY EMPEROR
Delivered at Washington
Through Minister WI.
MAY PROVE KEY TO THE SITUATION
Carries Unconditional Authority to Bind
China to Any Agreement Minister
Conger May Leave Pekin-
Troops to be Withdrawn
MAY PROVE KEY TO THE SITUATION

Washington, September 10.-The Chinese
Minister, Mr.. WI Ting Fang, delivered the
State Department an imperial edict con-
ferring on Ii Hung Chang absolute and un-
conditional authority to negotiate with the
powers for peace and for the settlement Of
questions growing out of the war. The
edict Is dated on the last day of the seventh
moon, Chinese calendar, which Is about Au-
bust "a. 1t is issued by the Emperor and
not the Empress Dowager, indicating that
the former is now exercising those imperial
functions which some of the powers, nota-
bly, Great Britain, have insisted belonged
to him rather than the Empress Dowager.
The document does not show the place at
which 1t was issued, but 1t was transmitted
through Pal Ting Flu and probably eman-
ated there, as the imperial household has
been at that point for some time.
An extended conference was held between
Mr. Hill and Minister WI concerning the
extensive authority with which Ii Hung
Chang is now invested. The edict makes
him sole negotiator the part of China,
giving him discretion to act finally and in
a manner to bind China without interfer-
ence from the emperor The edict is prior
to the request sent by Lii Hung Chang to
the throne that the Viceroys of Marking
and WI Chang and Prince Ching be in
| cluded with him negotiators This re-
quest has not been responded to by the
throne SO far as the Chinese Minister here
! is advised, but If Earl Lis request Is
granted there is no doubt it will carry the
same absolute authority with which Ii
Hung Chang has now been invested.
Complete Authority
Mr.. WI says the authority is so COM
plete as to remove any possible question
as to the sufficiency of credentials.
General Chaffees dispatch received this
morning Is in line with that OF the for
mer declarations respecting the advisable
ity of withdrawing the American troops
from Pekin and undoubtedly cause the gov
ernment to increase its efforts to effect
some sort of settlement that will per-
init of early withdrawal from China.
The conditions reported by General Chat
| fee appear to warrant the conclusion that
| Mr.. Conger will speedily leave Pekin for
| one of the ports the coast, where he
can act more effectively, and that the
| United States troops will not respond to
| the German invitation to make further
offensive campaign outside of Pekin 1t Is
believed that the objects that remain =
be accomplished can be secured witnoue
further military operations far as the
United States troops are concerned.
The idea of the removal of the diploma6v
ic center to Shanghai meets with objection
from those familiar with the conditions,
1t is said that Shanghai is entirely cut off
from Pekn as soon as winter sets in, a
full month being required to exchange
communications, so that 1t would be inadt
! visable to thus suspend the chance Of
| ready communication with the capital.
! Baron Sternberg, the German charge
had talk with Secretary Hill this morns
! ing, but 1t led to no material change in the
situation. 1t is added that Count Won
Waldersee will arrive at Hong Kong, and
go thence to Shanghai and then to Tien
Tsn, which will be his military base. He
is due at Hong Kong about the end of this
week, and at Shanghai three days later.
A Message from Chaffee
Washington, September 10.-The following
dispatch has been received at the War
Department.:
'Taku mo date).
"Adjuatant- General, Washington:
Two afternoon, 4th-Evidence accumu-
| lates that diplomatic relations will not be
| resumed here for a long time. Russian le-
| cation leave very soon for Tien Tsln. APP
| pear to me certain Chinese government will
| not return here whilst foreign army re-
| main, and If this is true our legation can
transact no business. My opinion to be
| merely camp foreign army pending settle
| ment by powers at other points.
(Signed "CHAFFEE.