The age-herald., 1900-08-22
Answer Will Be Forwarded to
 Ii Hung Chang.
THE EMPRESS D0WAGER IN FLIGHT
Under the Present Remarkable Condi- tions the United States Will Pro- ceed With Caution
 from Minister Conger

Washington, August 2t.-The cabinet ses- sion today practically opened the consider ation of the momentous questions growing out of the capture of Pekin and the war In China. Until today's session the absorb ing question has been the safety of Min lister Conger and the legationars at Pe- kin. Now, however, that has given place to problems of a more intricate an far-reach- ing character, touching the very existence of the Chinese Empire and the part which the American government Is to take in the reconstruction of that country.
 The meeting today was devoted entirely to the Chinese situation. Secreta- les Hay and Root, who have been most active in directing affairs, were absent from the city, so that the attendance was comparatively small, the President having with him Sec retaries Gage, Hitchcock and Wilson, and Postmaster General Smith. Several ques- lions were awaiting attention. First of these was the application of Li Hung Chang for the appointment of Minister Conger or some other commissioner to negotiate for the cessation of hostilities.
 The decision arrived at was to reject the appeal, and a reply of this character will be sent to Minister Wu to be forwarded to Ii Hung Chang.
 The main cause for this action is that this government is at present very much in the dark as to whether there is any ex- isting government in China. With the cap- itol in the hands of the allies, the En- peror and Empress Dowager fugitives in hiding and the entire governmental fabric paralyzed, there is no evidence of an au- thority adequate to conduct negotiations and secure results which vii be final and binding.
 Enormous Headless Affair
 It was stated by members of the cabinet that the Chinese establishment, instead of being a government, appears to be an enormous headless affair without knowl- edge of what Is for it's best good and with out power to enforce its wishes. With the recognized ruler in flight no one seems to know who, if anybody is directing its af- fairs. As China is an absolute monarchy, without any legislative branch, the En- peror and Empress Dowager all pow erful, and practically they are the En- pire of China. Under the present remark able conditions the United States will pro- ceed with caution in what steps it may take towards solution of the pending problems. In the meantime there is req son to believe that the United States and all the powers interested will keep their armed forces on the ground so that order may be maintained and at least sem blance of stable government brought out of the existing chaos.
 The reply of this government to the ap peal of the Viceroys of Nan King and Hu Nan, that no indignities be offered the Elm peror and Empress Dowager, is formal acknowledgement of the receipt of the communication with the satisfactory as- surance that no indignity would be offer ed the persons of their Majesties. This re- ply is couched in the polite language of diplomacy, but it is understood that this does not in any way commit the. govern ment to refrain from imposing on the Elm peror and Empress Dowager penalty that subsequently might be decided upon in case it is proved that they were directly responsible for the recent atrocities.
 Fixii g the Responsibility
 This question of fixing responsibility where it belongs and imposing any pun ishment that may be deemed fitting has not received any formal consideration as yet. The answer with which the two Vice roys appeal is met accordingly as a diplo- matic assurance that the rights of the Emperor and Empress Dowager will be protected, but does not impose any barrier to proper punishment such as may be sanctioned by civilized usages for any of fense which hereafter may be held to call for an accounting.
 This is the interpretation given the reply by Cabinet official tonight. The question oI responsibility will have to be worked cut slowly.
 The COnger Message
 The Cabinet had before it a message from Minister Conger, received last night. After the meeting the State Department made public some portions of the dispatch, as follows:
 United States Legation, Pekin, (un- 6ated), via Che Foo.-Secretary of State Washington: Saved. Relief arrived today Entered city with little trouble. Do not know where Imperial family is. Except deaths already reported all Americans alive and We'll Desperate efforts made last night to exterminate uo Mitchell, an American soldier, and Russian and Jap anese wounded, German killed Advise Woodward, Chicago; Conger, DesMoines: Sims, Council Bluffs; Conger, Pasadena; Porter, Paris.
 "CONGER, by Fowler, Che Foo"
 It had been hoped that Minister Conger's advices, as well as those from General Cbaffee, would be ample by this time in order to afford the Washington officials full opportunity to deal with the perplex- Ing questions raised by the Chinese dis- turbances. General Chaffee has not been heard from, and the Conger message was not as complete the authorities here had desired. It was stated today that messages may be sent from here to our representatives in China specifically call- ing for more detailed information.
 Aside from the consideration given to