The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-28

AedIy Accept Germany's Proposal
Washington, September 26-One be-
lated dispatch from General Chaffee,
relative to conditions in Pekin on the
list instant, was made public today. 1t
is apparent that our government is
again in a waiting attitude, after hav-
ing made the important move toward
a reduction of the American troops in
China announced yesterday. General
Chaffee had not received the depart
ment's instructions when he sent his
message made public today, but, with
out doubt, now has it in hand. His
offer to escort Ii Hung Chang was in
conformity with the expressed pur-
pose OF the state department to facili-
tate in every proper manner the jour
ney of the Chinese viceroy to Pekin
= Still, it is now regarded as just as
we'll that the offer was declined and
the responsibility of Earl Lis safety
left with the Russians.
The instructions to Minister Conger
to establish relations with Ii and
Prince Ching are still held up here. 1t
is beginning to appear that the purpose
OF the delay is to ascertain more clear
ly the plans OF the powers in whose in
terest, as we'll as in our own, Mr.. Con-
ger was to endeavor to bring about
negotiations for a settlement. If it
shall appear that there is a disposition
on the part of any considerable part of
them to reject in advance the well
meant efforts of the United States gov
eminent to bring about a conference
and negotiations in which they could
participate on equal terms with our
own government, with the purpose of
terminating the Chinese difficulties,
then Mr.. Conger'S instructions may
require recaSting. 1t might be regard
ed as useless for him to arrange for 4
meeting OF the powers with China the
former do not care to attend, owing to
entirely different purposes from those
animating the United States, and there
probably is no disposition to subject
our minister to humiliation by fiat
failure, which might be anticipated.
1t also is possible that the news rela-
- tive to the advancement 1f Prince Tuan
to position where he might influence
the negotiations is regarded as worthy
Of attention, and that our government
may delay proceedings as long as he
stands in the way. The state depart
ment has not been officially informed
TUAN PRESIDENT OF THE PRIVY
COUNCIL
1t is stated in diplomatic quarters
that definite and official information
has been received that Prince Tuan
has been appointed president of the
privy council in China, instead of grand
secretary as at first reported, and that
a number of other Chinese officials
prominent in the recent uprising have
been similarly honOred. The Chinese
minister has not been advised of Prince
Tuan's appointment but he expressed
the belief after calling at the state de-
partment today that the report proba.
bly, was true. The position Of president
Of the privy council is said to be one oi
foremost Importance, similar to tnat o
secretary of state or premier.
SNUBBED BY EARL Ii.
The following has been received from
General Chaffee:
'"Taku, September 25.
ITO Adjutant General. Washington.
September q, No. 53. Acknowledg,
your number 40. Leave for Tien Tsil
this afternoon. Will be absent severa
days. General Wilson remains here
Lii Hung Chang at Tien Tsin. Under
stand he starts here soon. Hav
offered him escort, declined; countr.
very quiet; good order in Pekin.
(Signed) 'CHAFFEE.'
The dispatch from General Chaffe
has no date showing that it came from
Pekin, but the war department official
are satisfied that it was sent from tn
Chinese capital.
1t is thought here that with viey
= to preventing any possible misunder
standing, General Chaffee has &C
Quainted the military representative
Of the powers at Tien Tsin with tn
projected withdrawal of the America
VT
because OF the possibility of the ap
pearance of Field Marshal Won Wal
dersee at Taku or Tien Tsin at an
moment 1t is desirable that tn
change of the status of the America
troops shall have taken place befor
he appears on the scene
RAPID MOVEMENT TOWARD FOR
NAL WAR.
The rapid movement Of events 4
China toward actual and formal wa
which is regarded as certain to folio,
a refusal on the part Of Germany an
some of the other continental power
to enter into negotiations for settle
ment with China, - regarded here a
justifying the decision of the state de
partment to withdraw the America
troops, now that the purpose for whic
these troops were sent into China he
been accomplished. As to the unilitar
plans already laid down they will n
main unchanged, it is said here
the beiligerent power or powers sci,
upon Pekin the American minister wi
still remain there and General Chat
fees legation guard will stay with hi
but take no part in the war. III
power in possession can find no val
objection to the presence of this leg
ton guard
GERMAN WARSHIPS ARRIVING
II Hong Kong. September 25.-The Gel
man transport Gera and three Germa
Storpedo boats have arrived here AG
= vices from the West river report ths
Z piracy and brigandage are increasin
- and it is considered probable that til
river will relapse into it's old state (
Insecurity during the winter unless az
tive measures are taken. Sewers
minor piratical acts are reported an