The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-08-29
Our Forces in Pekln. The En-
tire City Occupied.

Washington. Aug 22-After
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 commits
sioners was completed aud copy 10
the reply sent to the Chinese minister,
Mr. WI, tc be forwarded to Earl Ii.
BRIEF But FIRM.
The American reply is chiefly char
acterized by its firm tooe and it's
brevity Its keynote is the presl-
dents attitude as laid down in the
American note Of July 3, and there
is the strictest adherences to the
points enunciated at that time
While the document is open to the
construction, of being rejection Of
Ii Hung Chang's proposition for i'm
mediate negot;atlou, Jet it is stated by
those who have read the answer with
care and have mad e part IN its pre-
paration that rejection is probably too
strong term to apply to it The
Uuited States places itselfln the posi-
;ion Of being ready 3: the proper
time to take Up peace negotiations,
but in the present unsettled condition
Of affairs in the empire, the lack OF
knowledge as to who are responsible
sulers and what constitutes the actua!
Chinese government, it is made
clear that 2ae time has not arrived for
pursuing the negotiation proposed
The formal courtesy of diplomatic
procedure is preserved. but at the
same time the entire tenor Of the
document is one of force and firm
ness The government of the Un;
ted States takes the position that
negotiations are impossible with a
government which canuot prevent
hostilities against the forces OF the
powers which were sent to Chinese
capital to save their euvoys AS
long as attacks are made on the
troops of this and other governments
which have followed the occupation
of Pekin and the attacks in the vicin
ity of Tien Tsin, it is de med that
the Chinese government is either un-
willing and unable to prevent these
hosti!ities and for this reason negotla
tions must be deferred 1t is stated.
however, that the reply is q step in
the direction of opening negotia-
tons No questions is raised as to
the authority of Ii 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 negotiating terms O.:
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 COM
municating with Mr WI recognizes
him as the official representative of
the Chinese government
The most important development
of the day as to the actual condi-
tions in Pekin, came late in the after.
roon when the state department
made public dispatch from Mr.
Conger, dated at Pekin only three
days ago 1t was given out with the
following statement
ENTIRE CITY OCCUPIED
The state department authorizes
the announcement of the receipt at
an early hour this Wednesday,
morning through the consul at Che
foo, of telegram from air Conger in
the department cipher to the follow.
ing effect:
Pekin. Aug 49,
Secretary CT State. Washington
The entire city with the exception
of the imperial palace is occupied by
Japanese. Russians. British. Ameri-
cans and French It is being appor-
toned into districts for police super
vision. The Chinese army fed.
The imperial family and the court
have gone westward probably to
Sian Flu in the province Of Shen ST
No representatives of the Chinese
government are in sight of Pekin and
the conditions are chaotic The
palace is expected to be taken I'M
mediately Many missionaries have
started for home, while others remain
in charge of the Chrietian refugees,
numbering about l 900
Conger.
Minister Copger makes no men
ton Of his desire TO come home, and
it is stated officially that this govern
ment has made no suggestion that ne
return to this country
REPORT FROM REMEY.
The military situation was OF
quite as much interest in today g