The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-08-17
.Chaffee Free to Act,

AASs - = AAo olSAo"t 90 iioo pGSu oub :
sested, but at the imperial city Of Pc
kin. ssi q z N Z. . yls
.Chaffee Free to Act.
Furthermore. 1t was made known to
China that General Chafree's 3instruc-
tions left him free rein as to whether
he should insist upon entering Pekin
and going to the legations or should
receive the delivery Of the legatIoners
at the gate of the inner Tartar city or
at the greater outer wall. In short,
China, through her peace envoy. be-
sought q halt and an narmlstice at Tung
Chow, twelve miles from Pekln; where
as, the response Of the American gov
ernment is that. II there is to be halt
an armistice-lt must be at the walls
OF the imperial city.
The conclusions OF the government
were announced after an extended cab
met meeting.
At the same time the authorities gave
out the latest dispatches from Minister
conger received to-day through the
Chinese minister, Mr.. WI.
Appeal Of China,
The appeal OF China and the prompt
response OF the American government
were the subject Of supreme interest
throughout the day. Coming at a mo-
mont when the allied armies were in
the shadow Of the great walls OF Pekin,
the circumstances In which the cores
pondenc. occurred were of peculiarly
momentous character. The President
had just returned from brief respite
ut Canton. and, going to the white
house. found his advisers ready to
present to him the issue now advanced
by China. The appeal from Ii Hung
Chang came first to the Chinese minis
ter, who. early in the day conveyed it
to the department of state. Although
1t was not the regular day for a meet
Ing OF the cabinet, word was conveyed
to those cabinet officers In the city that
q special cabinet session would be held
at II o'clock. Secretary Root, who has
been guiding factor in the Chinese
negotiations, was with the President
before the meeting opened; presenting
the Chinese communications and the
dispatches OF instructions already sent
to General Chaffec. With the President
at the cabinet table were Secretaries
Root. Gage. Wilson and Postmaster
General Smith. The conclusions reach
ed can be stated best by reference to
the succlnct response OF the United
States government set forth in the
official announcement.
American Reply Sent.
After the cabinet meeting the Anerl-
Gun reply was sent to the Chinese
minister, who. later in the day. cabled
It to Ii Hung Chang.
Thus the issue was framed, finally
and unalterably.
The United States declined even to
consider the proposition Of Ii Hung
Chang for halt and an armisticc at
Tung Chow. Even the supreme appeal
OF the venerable Chinese statesman
that the Chinese empire would be sha-
ken by IN advance Of the allies beyond
Tung Chow. was not needed. The an
swer OF the United States is that our
position Is the same now US It has been
from the outset, namely, that the min
listers must be delivered at the walls OF
Pekin and such circumstances as will
meet the Judgment OF the military
commanders on the spot.
1t will be observed that the American
memorandum Of reply given Ii Hung
Chang practically nothing beyond q
repetition OF the two dispatches here
tofore sent to General Charee. The
first dispatch OF August IL, given
sharp response to Earl LIS first COM
munication, laying down the condition
that "the forces composing the relief
expedition should be permitted to enter
PekIn unmolested."
Must Enter Pekin. t
The second dispatch OF August IA,
merely ampiifles General ChafIee's au-
thority In anticipation OF China's nc-
ceptancc OF the American demand that
the relief column must enter Pekin."'
This second order to General Chnffee Is
prcdicated solely upon the presence OF
the allied forces ut Pekin. 1t specific
r1ly states. that II the Chinese authorit-
les are willing to deliver the legation
ers ito relief column at Pckln." then
General Chaffee is authorized to make
and carry out an arrangement in con-
cert with other commanders without
awaiting the slow process OF refer
ence to Washington. Whether this ar-
rangement thus freely committed to
General Chafree ia to be an armistice. a
true or some other device OF military.
science. is for him to decide at Pekln.y
The two dispatches to General Chafrec
contemplate action only Mt Pekin and
1t is for him to determine upon the
manner OF delivery ut the inner gate or
at the outer wall. n.
Thus there can be no misundorstand-
Ing OF the Issue as made up. Ii Hung
Chnng's appeal for an armistice at
Tung Chow Is rejected and the con-
tinually reiterated demand OF the
United States that the ministers be DE-
llvercd to tho allied troops Mt Pckin is
rc-euforceh.