The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-08-13
M'K1NLEY's ULTIMATUM.
China Must Meet His Requirements
Before Negotiations For Peace.

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Washington, Aug. 13.-Acting Secre-
tary Adee, by direction of President Nc
Kinley, has presented to Minister WI, for
transmission to his government, the
reply of the United States to an imper-
ial edict received appointing Ii Hung
Chang envoy to negotiate with the pow
ers for a cessation of hostilities. In
effect it is a reiteration of the demands
previously made by the United States
upon China, coupled with a vigorous
intimation that no negotiations will be
entered into until the Chinese govern
ment shall have complied with those de-
mands.
AS transmitted to the imperial govern
ment by the secretary of state through
Minister WI, the demands in brief were:
That the Chinese government give as
surance that the foreign ministers are
alive, and, if so, in what condition; that
the ministers be placed in free COM
munication with their governments, fir
ing upon the legations cease and all
dangers to their lives and liberty be re-
moved; that the imperial authorities
place themselves in communication
with the relief expedition, so that the
legationers may be liberated, foreigners
protected and order restored.
Until these demands have been ac-
ceded to the government of the United
States and probably the European gov
ernments, all of which have made prac-
tically the same demands upon China,
will refuse to consent to a cessation
of hostile demonstrations which are
being conducted, at least so far as this
government is concerned, with the sole
purpose of Succoring the besieged lega-
tions in the Chinese capital.
Minister Wu is inclined to take an
optimistic view of the situation; but it
can be said authOritatively that his view
is not shared in full by the Washington
officials. There is no disposition evident
today to abate by one single jOt the de-
mands which have been made upon
China. A strong hope is expressed, how
ever that the Chinese government viii
accede to the demands eventually and,
perhaps. very soon- This hope is based
for peace. To this extent it may be
said that the view of the officials here is
optimistic.
The attitude assumed by the diplo-
matte representatives of European gov
ernments in Washington is sufficient
evidence that the powers will press Wig
orously the demands which they have
made upon the Chinese government. To
Pekin the allied armies will go, it is de-
clared frankly, unless every demand
is acceded to and all possible repara-
ton is made by China for the OutrageS
already committed. Negotiations look
ing to any other settlement of the dis
turbance in China will not be considered
seriously
Indications of the desire of China for
a peaceful settlement of her present
difficulties have been multiplying for
several days. Official evidence of that
desire was presented to the department
of state yesterday. 1t was in the form
of an edict promulgated by the emperor,
Kwang Hsu, appointing Earl Ii Hung
Chang as envoy plenipOtentlary to
negotiate with the powers for an i'm
mediate cessation of hostilftfes'' pending
a solution of the problems which have
grown out of the anti-foreign uprising
in the empire. Earl Lii is to act directly
for the emperor. and a fair inference is
that whatever terms of settlement he
may reach with the powers will be ap-
proved by the imperial government.
During the day only one dispatch that
was made public reached any of the
government departments from China.
A belated message from Minister Con-
ger was transmitted to the war depart
ment by General Chaffee. It expressed
simply his ability to "hold on" until
General Chaffee should come to his re-
lief All the power of the government
will be exerted to get that relief to him
and the other imprisoned legations at
the earliest pOSSible moment