Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-10-18
WAS A FORGERY.
Edict Ordering Punishment Of
Chinese Leaders a Trick. :
N. Thiebaut Proposes Immediately
Entering Upon Peace Negotiations.
Message oil Tharks From Emperor Of China
TO Pres. Mckinley.

|
imperial edict ordering the punishment
Of high officials was forged and was
concocted with the object OF prevent
| ing the advance OF the allies on Pao
Ting Flu. Both Prince Ching and Ii
Hung Chang deny its authenticity.
Count Won Waldersee is expected 70
arrive here Oct. H.
Small marauding bands have become
| troublesome in the vicinity OF the sum
mcr palace, and a punitive expedition
| Is being organized to proceed against
them.
! Washington. oct. 17.-Minister WI
called upon the President, this morn
| ing. Upon leaving the White House
| the minister said that ne had convey
| ed 10 the President message from
| the Emperor Of China thanking Presi-
! dent Mckinley for the consideration
| shown BY the United States during the
Chinese trouble. The minister also
read a dispatch from Shanghai from
| the Southern viceroys stating that the
| imperial party had reached Tung
| Kuan. only 4 few miles from Sinan Flu.
| The new capitol. on the 1st inst.
| Referring TO the report from Pekin
| that the edict for the punishment OF
certain Chinese officials had been for6-
| ~ Minister WI said sucn a story was
prepOstcrOus and should receive no
credence whatever. IF any one should
/ issue false decree Of that character.
| ii would be very easy, he said. To as
| certain his identity and he would Ger
| tainly BE- beheaded.
| The advices received by Minister WI
| give no Indication Of the purpose on
/ the part Of the royal family TO return
| to Pekin. although there is reason to
| believe that efforts to that end con-
| tinuc to be made. The Emperor has
| heretofore sent messages of thanks to
the Gar Of Russia and the Emperor
! Of Japan for the course their govern
| ments have pursued. and the message
| 10 the President is along the same
| lines
! Russia's determination to pursue A
| policy independent Of the other powers
IS regarded By officials as a most i'm
| portant development in the situation.
| In the absence Of official details.
| those IN authority are in doubt as to
! whether this Russian stroke is design
| "a To insure Russian occupation Of
! Manchuria. or II only another move in
! the pacific tendencies which the Czar's
/ government has given expression to.
| beginning with the announcement OF
| the withdrawal Of the Russian troop.
| from Pckin
| II is a very unusual thing for a min
lister To communicate directly with the
| President. Only the accredited report
| of a foreign power having the rank Of
an amba 1a1Or. according to diplomatic
| usage can hold a personal audience
| with the President for the transaction
~ diplomatic business, but the un-.
usual character Of the message which
| Mr.. Wa had 10 convey warranted the
! departure from ordinary diplomatic
| custom. After delivering the message.
| for which the President expressed
grateful acknowledgements. Minister
WI and the President talked for some
time about the situation in China.
The French charge d'afalres. NJ.
| Thiebaut. called at the state depart
ment. today. and had a conference
with Secretary Hay. II Is understood
that he presented a memorium propos-
| ing that the peace negotiations with
China begin Immediately in accordance
with the favorable action 81 the pox-
| cts on the recent note II the French
/ known the satisfactory character os
/ the answers received from the severa!
gyte -nments and pointed out the des!r-
ability ~ having action taken al once
| ID carry out the several points On
which the powers have been brought
I into agreement
| Victoria r. r.. oct l7.-The follow
4 ing letter Tas given by United States
| Minister r9uger To the rnisgionari-s At
/ P-kin:
! u sicged American missionaries.
one and AL IF you. ~ providentiaiiY
saved from certain massacre. I desire
/ in this hour n deiiv@rance 70 express
I what know 10 BE- the universal s@nti-
ment NJ our diplomatic corps SINGER.
app-e -i8t.gn ~. and profound gratitude
| for. irestirnable help which the native
/ Chri=tians under you have rendered
I toward our preservation. without
your intelligent ard successful plan
ming and the accomplishing execution
lrortfutfeI On mage -