Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-08-22
}EPLYT0LIHUNG CHANG
His Appeal For Peace Unfavor-
ably Considered.
POLICY OF OUR GOVERNMENT
Everything Is In Such n Chaotic
State That Our Plans VIII Not he
Made Definite Until Further In
formation Is Received

net meeting President Mckinley sent
for Acting Secretary of State Adee and
directed the preparation of reply to
Ii Hung Chang's request for the ap-
pointinent of peace plenipotentiary.
The attention of the venerable Chinese
statesman was directed to the fact that
the presidents conditions for the resto-
ration of amcable relations had not
been complied with. Such communica-
tion as had been established with the
American minister was obtained only
by the armed efforts of the allies, and
the fighting and disorder in Peking since
their entrance to the city We're far from
the guarantee of security which should
obtain under a capable government.
Awaiting Details.
This, in general terms, is the idea
which the president has conveyed TO
Earl Ii. 1t is recognition of Ii Hung
Chang in his representative capacity,
and it affords diplomatic reason for
postponing more pointed correspond
encc until fuller details of the situation
in Peking shall have been received from
Minister Conger or Special Commissions
er Rockhill.
Another cabinet meeting will not be
held until Friday, Immediately preceding
the departure of the president for Chi
cago to attend the Grand Army encamp-
ment there. Whatever action is taken
by this government will be in accordance
with the programme which the admins
tration has had clearly in view from
the beginning of the Chinese troubles.
The relief of the American minister
and his people having been accomplished,
American interests will be protected and
peace and order restored sufficiently
at least to permit II reduction of the
fighting force on Chinese soil and even
tually its withdrawal.
To Oppose Seizures.
With the operations of the foreign
governments in other parts of the en-
pire where armies are being landed with
supposed Interior motives the United
States will not interfere, except to enter
protest against territorial seizure
which is likely to interfere with the
open door policy through which Ameri-
can trade is to be extended on even
terms.
The most important message that has
been received from Peking was given
out yesterday, signed "Conger," but
without date. As given out it Is as fol-
lows:
United States legation. Peking, un-
dated. by way of Chefu, Aug. 20:
Saved. Relief arrived today. En-
tered city with little trouble. Do not
yet know where imperial family is. Ex-
cept deaths already reported, all Ameri-
cans alive and well. Desperate efforts
made last night to exterminate us,
Mitchell American soldier, and Rus
sian and Japanese wounded, German
killed. Advise Woodward, Chicago:
Conger, Des Mones; Sims, Council
Bluffs; Conger, Pasadena; Porter, Par
is"
Charges Against China.
The state department officials admit
that part of Minister Conger's dispatch
had to be suppressed 1t is believed that
the American minister has charged the
Chinese government direct with compile
ity in the attacks which have been made
on the foreigners and which eliminated
in desperate effort for their extermina-
ton the night before relief arrived. This
is of extreme significance considered in
connection with the flight of the dow
ager empress and the uncertainty as to
where the emperor, Kwang Su, is. 1t
would seem that the Chinese imperial
government had purposely scattered to
escape the punishment which its treach-
erous conduct had earned.
The point has been raised that with no
visible head to the government of Chi
M there is no government to deal with
that there is i'll fact no government
whatever in China except that which is
maintained by the yiceroys in the yari-
Gus provinces. Upon this question the
state department holds that for diplo-
matte and international purposes there
is a government in China so long as the
ministers at the respective capitals
throughout the world are afforded rec
ognition.
VicerOys StiII Loyal.
Minister Wu was received in his min
isterial capacity yesterday for the pres
entation of certain messages from loyal
Chinese officials concerned in the pro.
lection of the persons of the emperor and
dowager empress from indignity. Until
there is an agreement between the pow
ers as the result of grave deliberation
for the appointment of a new occupant
to the throne or until the present dynas-
ty is overthrown by revolution or other
wise it will be assumed that there is
central power in China, although it may
temporarily be beyond the reach of di
rect communication. How long this
anomalous condition of affairs will bs
permitted to continue nobody can an
swer.
The possibility of complications that
are likely to embarrass this government
in its atruistic policy is appreciated by
the administration. 1t was suggested
yesterday that situation might be de-
veloped which would disclose that one of
the powers has violated the tentative
agreement to maintain the territorial in
tegrity of the Chinese empire.
Possibility of IA Crisis.
That it was said, would produce a
crisis in which the United States would
have to decide quickly how far it would
become involved in game of seizure
that is likely to lead to war No ad-
vices have been received from public
sources that any of the powers have
separated themselves from the rest in
Chinese operations, but suspicion is di-
rected toward Russia, where rumors that
boundary lines are being extended to
cover Chinese territory have been COM
mon of late.