The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-11
THE CHINESE MINISTER
BIOL DIS A LONG CONFERENCE AT THE
STATE DEPARTMENT
OTHER CONSULTATIONS HAD

"NpPooCu ~ no ii new move IN the
Chinese Negotiations-A Proposed
Compromise in Russia's Proposal
Likely to be Reached
Washington, September Minister
WI arrived in Washington from Cape
May late this afternoon and proceeded
directly to the state department. 1t is
understood that he had received an
intimation that the department Off
Gals We're DESTROYS of comforting with
him. For nearly an hour the minis
ter was closeted behind locked doors
with acting Secretary Hill and Assis-
tam Secretary Adee- None of the
parties to the conference was commu-
NEGATIVE as to the conference, but at
its conclusion, DR.. Hill repaired 10 the
White house with a portfolio we'll fill
ed with papers.
For several hours preceding the
minister's visit acting Secretary Hill
and Assistant Secretary dee had been
engaged in short conferences, and il
was gathered that the negotiations rel
ative TO China were approaching an
other phase and that another pro-
nouncement of some kind was in prep
aration.
When the United States made its re-
SponSe to the Russian note on the 10Th
the authorities here expressed the be
lief that a weeks time, would be re-
quired to determine upon the next
step, and at the end of that time it
would be definitely known whether or
not the troops Were to be withdrawn
from Pekin. That period of time has
now elapsed. The reports from the
European chancellories indicate that,
officially, this important subject is be
ing treated with the greatest deliber-
alton and at least another week, and
probably Yer more time. may be con-
stunned in framing the last of the ans
wers to the Russian note.
Meanwhile our government has pref
ty we'll satisfied itself is to the atti-
tude towards this last proposition of
each and all of the powers interested
in the Chinese problem. 1t may be
that this knowledge is regarded as suf-
ficient upon which to base another
forward, and, perhaps, in this case
an independent, movement by the
United States toward the ultimate
withdrawal of the troops n the set
Element with China which the govern
ment has had in mind since the begin
ming of the trouble.
The consultations with Mr.. WI are
believed to nave been inspired by a
desire to learn something of the per-
~SOnality of ChinSe netableS whose
names have been suggested as proper
to constitute the Chinese side of any
commission which may be named to
arrange a settlement of the difficult
ties. Mr.. WI is an ardent adherent
of Earl Lii. There is much speculation
here as to the personnel of the Amer
lean commissioners, in case the peace
negotiations should be entrusted to
such a body, and the names of men
prominent in international affairs in
recent years have been
Included in the list is the name of
General John w. Foster, but it is re-
garded as much more probable that
if he appears at all in these negotia-
ti0ns, it will be in his old place as a
representative of the Chinese govern
ment.
NO NEWS FROM CHINA.
There was a dearth of official infor-
nation from China today. General
Chaffee got through a dispatch dated
September 1st at Pekin, indicating that
couriers are still employed to close the
gap in the line of communication be-
tween Tien Tsin and Pekin. This dis
patch made no mention of the mill
1ary situation and it was inferred that
affairs in Pekin remain quiet. n
dispatch warmly commended Colonel
Aaron S. Daggett for gallantry in Chi
ma and urged hat he be made a brig
adler general before his retirement
min years hence.
EARL Ii WANTS AN AMERICAN
ESCORT
London, September IA special dis
patch from Shanghai says Ii Hung
Chang has made a request for an
American escort to accompany MIN on
his journey to Pekin and that United
States Consul GoodnOw is considering
his request.
Now that a proposal more in con-
formfty with the original American
recommendation has apparently met
with the appreciation of at least a
majority of the powers, the British
foreign office has allowed it to become
definitely known that the British gov
eminent is of the opinion that it is ad-
vfsabIe for the allied forces to remain
at Pekin until satisfactory arrange
ments for peace etc, are concluded
with the Chinese government.
THE PROPOSED COMPROMISE.
Paris. September 7.-Active negotia-
lions are in progress looking to some
compromise arrangement with Russia
regarding the position she has assumed
towards Pekin. The communications
exchanged between the powers now
have better promise of success. The
compromise suggested, 1t is asserted
here. is the withdrawal of the forces
of all the powers IN Pekln, leaving the
interna tiOnal guard to protect the le-
cations. which. it is further asserted
in Paris, will be allowed to remain at
the Chinese capital pending a peace
settlement. The main body of troops,
it is also said, will retire to the neigh
borhood of Tien Tsin. leaving sufficient
forces along the road to keep clear the
railroad route between Pekin Tien
Tsin. RusSia's attitude is interpreted
as meaning that she will withdraw her
troops outside the walls of Pekin. but
not necessarily a great distance from
that city.
E-.Ion Ticket I'm Neyada-