The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-08-02
Latest Imperial Edict. Forwarded by
Lii Hung Chang, Presented
by Minister Wu.
STORY OF A CORRESPONDENT
DETAILS OF THE LONG DEFENSE OF
THE PEKING LEGATIONS.
Brilliant Sortie by American Marines
sick and wounded Fighters ON
the Hospital Ship Solace.
,eclal to the 1naianapolIs journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Aug, 1.-State and War
Department officials are not quite sure that
the London dispatch. based upon advices
from Shanghai, that the allied relief expe-
dition has set out for Peking. is correct.
They are prepared to support such move
ment If it has been undertaken with the
assent of General Chaffee The only thing
that could possibly justify delay. in their
judgment, would be Chaffee's decision that
the allied column would not be sufficiently
strong to force its way 10 Peking. IL is
expected the forward movement of allies
win meet with desperate resistance from
both the imperial troops and hordes Of
Boxers. 1t is recognized that the defeat
or even temporary check of that movement
would immeasurably increase the difficult
ties of the situation. For these reasons au-
thentic news is awaited with anxiety. IL is
certain the administration will not refrain
from military operations until the safety OF
Minister Conger and other Americans In
Peking and elsewhere i'm China is assured
EFFORT TO DELAY ACTION.
An Associated Press dispatch says: The
Chinese government is putting forth the
most powerful efforts To secure. through
negotiation, the abandonment of the inter-
national movement on Peking. The cable
grams received at the State Department
to-day from Ii Hung Chang all tend 10
demonstrate his desire TO secure the succor
of the ministers at Picking and their de-
livery at Tien-Tsin. If this be safely ef-
fected, trusting that In return the inter-
national column can be halted. Unques-
tionably proper assurance OF the safe de-
livery of the ministers would have some
effect on the temper of the powers. and IL
is possible that the United States govern
ment would give to overtures IN that
direction were not the attempt made by
the Chinese to impose conditions on the de-
livery of the ministers that altogether
objectionable. Such. for instance. is stip-
ulation that the Chinese imperial authori-
ties shall be absolved i'm advance from the
consequences of the outbreak and for iia-
bility for what has taken place I'm Peking.
The first stipulation might be regarded as
a direct invitation TO the Boxers 10 murder
the ministers on their way Ia the coast,
and therefore our government will leave I:
to Mr. Conger himself whether or not he
regards it as safe to leave Pel0ing when the
opportunity is held out.
1t has been suggested TO the Peking au-
thorities that they send an embassy imme-
diately to Tien-Tsin. clothed with full au-
n h. zffna ION nd ofv
unlimited power 10 afford reparation for
the injuries inflicted upon the interna-
tionals. II this is preceded by the release
of the ministers from siege there Is pos
sibility that the powers temporarily viii
suspend the military movement. which
may, in the end. be rendered unnecessary
IL the embassy meets the demands Of Eu-
rope and America
NO CHANGE IN PLANS.
Meanwhile there has been no change as
to the military programme. so far as our
government Is advised. The senior United
States naval officer at Taku already is un-
der the most positive instructions TO urge
forward movement. these having been
sent by Secretary Long just after the
ceipt OF the original Conger message. and
he was advised also of the intention of the
government to add 10 his force. These
matters are referred TO I'm the belated dis
patch from Tien-Tsin. which touches upon
| the military situation and the prospects Of
speedy forward movement. But no addi-
| tional instructions on this point were sent
To the United States army officers to-day,
and the government Is allowing its officers
on the spot 10 shape their own campaign.
relying particularly on the very fun and
comprehensive instructions previously eiv-
| en- TO General Chaffee. both In person and
| by cable upon his arrival az Nagasaki.
Secretary Root said to-day that there haa
been no developments In the diplomatic sit
uation which would delay the advance upon
Peking. and that General chaffee had or
ders 10 cover any contingency which might
arise. a statement has been made In the
dispatches from Europe 20 the effect that
the United States is pushing General Chat
| fee for chief command. II WAS said al the
War Department to-day that such was not
| the case, though II wss recognized thai tho
situation might be such as 20 make II nso-