The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-08-23
THE PALACE TO FALL SOON
No Representative Of Chinese Govern
ment Visible.
ARRANGING NOW TO POLICE THE CITY
The Sixth Cavalry and About 400 English and
Japanese Dispersed 1000 Boxers Eight
Miles From Tien Tsin on the
Nineteenth.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PreSS.)
Washington, August 22.-After a long
conference at the White House today
the reply of the United States to the
application of Ii Hung Chang for the
appointment of peace commissioners was
completed and a copy of the reply sent
to the Chinese Minister, Mr.. WI, to be
forwarded to Earl Lii. The State De-
partment made definite announcement
that the reply had been conveyed to
Mr.. WI but added to it's official utter
ance that the correspondence would not
be made public until tomorrow morn
ing A copy of the reply was sent to
other Governments represented in China.
The American reply is chiefly char
acterized by its firm tone and brevity.
Its keynote is the Presidents attitude
as laid down in the American note of
July 3rd and there is the strictest adj
herence to the points enunciated at that
time. While the document is open to the
construction of being a rejection of Ii
Hung Changes proposition for imme-
date negotiation, yet it is stated by
those who have read the answer with
care, and have had part in its prepare
strong term to apply to it. The Uni
ted States places itself in position of
being ready at the proper time to take
up peace negotiations, but in the pres
ent unsettled condition of affairs in the
Empire, the lack of knowledge as to who
constitutes the actual Chinese Govern
mont, it is made clear that the time has
not arrived for pursuing the negotiation
proposed. The formal courtesy of diplo-
matte procedure is preserved but at the
same time the entire tenor of the docu-
ment is one of force and firmness.
The Government of the United States
takes the position that negotiations are
impossible with Government which
cannot prevent hostilties against the
forces of the powers which were sent to
the Chinese capital to save their ENJOYS.
AS long as attacks are made on the
troops of this and other Governments
such as have followed the occupation of
Pelkin and the attacks in the vicinity of
Tien Tsin, it is deemed that the Chinese
Government is either unwilling or I'M
able to prevent these hostilities and for
this reason negotiations must be de-
ferred. 1t is stated, however, that the
reply is step in the direction of opening
negotiations.
No question is raised as to the au-
thority of Lii Hung Chang to represent
his Government, but it is said that his
credentials, like those of all others who
come together for the purpose of nego-
tiating terms of peace, will be examined
by the respective representatives and
the validity of the papers of each repre-
sentative determined by that body. The
United States. however, in communication
ait 1T,
cial representatives of the Chinese Gov
eminent.
Minister WI received the reply early
this afternoon and work was Immediately
begun on its translation, first on the
American text to the Chinese, and then
from Chinese into the cipher. This
took some time, and it was not until
late in the day that the reply was act-.
ually dispatched.
The most important development of the
day as to the actual conditions in Pekin,
came late in the afternoon, when the
State Department made public dis
patch. from Minister Conger, dated at
Pekin only three days ago. 1t was given
out with the following statement:
CEINA'S CAPITAL PHOSPHATE.
announcement of the receipt at an early
hour this "wednesday morning, through
the Consul at Che Foo of telegram
from Mr.. Conger in the department
cipher to the following effect:
''Pekin, August 18th.
Secretary of State, Washington.
THE entire city with the exception
of the imperial palace is now occupied
by Japanese, Russians, British Ameri-
cans and French. 1t is being apportioned
into districts for police supervision. The
Chinese army fed. The imperial family
and the court have gone westward prob
ably to ST An Flu in the province of Shen
ST. No representatives of the Chinese
Government are in sight in Pekin and
the conditions are chaotic. The palace
is expected to be taken Immediately.
Many missionaries have started for
home. while others remain in charge
of the Christian refugees, numbering
about 1000.
(Signed) "CONGER.
Minister Conger makes no mention of
his desire to come home, and it is stated
officially that this Government has made
no suggestion that he return to this
Yuntry
The military situation was of quite as
much interest in today's developments
as was the diplomatic Admiral Remey