The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-04
EARL Ii is EVASIVE
MAY REJECT OUR PROPOSITION IF
ADVANCE is MADE.
ADVANCE PROBABLY BEGUN
REPORTS INDICATE THAT ALLIES
HAVE STARTED.


Encounter With Chinese shows
That Resistance May BE Expected.
Navy officers Directed to Cooper
ate with the Army Shanghai
Reports the Forward Movement
Well Advanced - Further Efforts
Made to Hear From Conger.
Washington, Aug. 3.-Another move was
made to-day in the diplomatic situation
by the return of an evasive answer by
Ii Hung Chang to Secretary Hays per-
communication with the foreign ministers
at Pekin.
LIS answer is not final and leaves the
matter open automatically. But LIS ac-
tions, as reported by Consul General
Goodnow, are unquestionably sinister,
and will amount to a final rejection of
the American proposition if persisted in
Mr. Goodnow's dispatch contains some
further information bearing on the ques-
ton of responsibility for Pekin conditions
in the statement that the commander of
the Chinese troops, by inference answer
able 10 the Chinese government, ordered
the Pao Ting massacre.
1t is learned here that Ii Ping Hong
the commander referred to, Is civil Off
cial, and we'll known to all the Chinese
officials abroad as one of the most rabid
anti-foreign leaders in China. He is a
close friend of Prince Tuan, and the as
sociation of these two in Pekin affairs
with power enough behind them to cause
the ignominious death of the two high
officials, is regarded here as a bad sign
simultaneously with Mr.. Goodnows dis
patch came a characterstically diplo-
matte message from Yuan Shih Kai, Gov
ernor of Shan Tung, repeating the story
of two days ago that the Chinese govern
ment was arranging to deliver the minis
ters in safety at Tien Tsin. No effort is
made to reconcile that statement with
Earl LIS refusal to allow communica ton
with the ministers.
May He Great Resistance.
Gen. Chaffee's message as to the unex-
pected resistance offered to the japanese
reconnaissance is regarded by military
men here as forecasting greater degree
of resistance TO the international advance
than had been anticipated, and they are
now satisfied that the Chinese troops will
furnish material for at least one severe
battle, before the way is clear to Pekin.
The navy department to-day issued an
order for the cooperation of its officers
abroad with the officers of the army in
landing and transporting troops destined
for Chinese service. This revives the sit
uation that existed in China when Shat
ter's army corps was landed largely
through the efforts of the navy, and the
use of the latter's boats and steam
launches. 1t is thought in the depart
ment that the navy can lend considerable
assistance to Gen. Chaffees troops, not
only in aiding their debarkation, but pos
sibly in furnishing. them boat transporta-
ton if move is made along the Pei Ho.
Memorial From Ministers.
1t appears that some misunderstanding
exists as to a st. Petersburg dispatch
printed here this morning saying that The
Chinese minister there and his colleagues
in Europe, had cabled the governor of
Shan Tung demanding that free communi-
cation be opened between the Pekin min
listers and their respective governments.
This communication was in fact joint
memorial to the throne. concurred in by
all Chinese ministers abroad, including
Minister WI in Washington II was for
warded by Minister Yung Lu at ST. Peters
burg because the latter is the dean of the
Chinese diplomatic service. 1t was trans
mitted though the governor of Shan Tung
to he forwarded TO Pekin.
This action is considered very important
as indicating that the Chinese ministers
abroad have at last reached unanimous
conclusion that the situation is no longer
to be trihed with Their action may be
regarded as a final effort on their part TO
influence the home government, and its
outcome is awaited with great interest.
Trying to Hear From Conger.
Meanwhile the government of the Uni
ted States, like the governments of Eu-
rope has not abandoned its efforts to es-
tablish communication with its minister
at Pekin by independent means, and the
state department has instructed Consul
General Goodnow at Shanghai, Consul
Fowler at Che Foo, and Consul Ragsdale
al Tien Tsin, 20 spare no effort or ex-
pense to open up direct communication
with Mr.. Conger.
Ia addition to his short message rela-
tive to the japanese check, transmitted
through Admiral Remey and received this
morning, Gen. chaffee made another and
direct cable report this afternoon. The
message was withheld from publication
by Secretary Root. who declined to make
its purport public Presumably II was
devoted 20 a recital Of Gen. chaffee's
needs in a military way.
In view of the London statement that
the advance on Pekin, actually began
with the present week, there is also a
possibility that Gen. Chaffee's message
mas some bearing on this subject, though
Il is evident from his report of this morn
ing, that the advance. II started, could
not have progressed far beyond Tien Tsln.
as the outpost affair described by him
took place only ten miles out Of town.
second Assistant Secretary Adee is to
oct as secretary OF state for few weeks
during Secretary Hays absence, who left