The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-14
WITHDRAWAL FROM PEKIN
QUESTION AS TO OUR TROOPS NOW
BEFORE THE PRESIDENT
EARLY DECISION TO BE MADE

IHllIt UIOiOlUN ~ VI WHUl
The Considerations for and Against
This Proposftion-Another Edict of
the Chinese Government Appointing
Peace Envoys-Earl Ii Asks for
American Protection - Cooperation
of Our Troops Therefor Promised.
Allied Expedition Against Boxers
Washington September 12-The
question of withdrawing the American
troops al once from Pekin is now be
fore the president, and a speedy de-
cision is expected and required. There
are differences among officials in Pc
kin on this subject and THE issue is for
the president to decide.
General Chaffee was sometime ago
directed TO hold himself in readiness
TO withdraw his troops. Undoubtedly
he has conferred with the other COM
manders as to the time and manner
of Withdrawal, according TO the terms
of the note. The sending of further
supplies to him has been stopped and
he now awaits but the signal from
Washington TO begin his movement.
1t is for the president to give that
signal.
The considerations now before him
In favor of immediate withdrawal are:
First, the fact that he is already COM
mtted, in measure, 10 such course
by the reply to the Russian note; sec
ond, 1T As represented that China is
a 70
the retention of the troops in Pekin
preventing as they do the return of
the Chinese government and 1.-THE sup
ply of provisions to the capital places
the responsibility for what threatens
TO be a frightful calamity upon the
powers who sanctioned the occupa-
ton.
On the other hand, strong representa-
tionS have been made to the president
in opposition to withdrawal in advance
OF the procurement of absolutely suffi-
c1en't guarantees for the protection of
American interests in China and for
the safety of the native Christians
This last condition is one most diff
cult to meet, but, being insisted upon
by the missionary element, is being
given most careful consideration.
In anticipation of some such state
of affairs, the effort has been made TO
hasten the dispatch of preliminaries
| that some responsible representative
of the Chinese government be reoog-
nlZed IN order that we may secure a
sufficient guarantee upon which to
base the withdrawal Of our troops. Ii
Hung Chang and Prince Ching are the
only lights in the east so far as our
government can see, and III is possible
| that the present problem may be solved
by decision ito deal with them i'm
| med1ately and to accept their pledge
! as sufficient for our purposes. There
| fore, the decision announced today to
| facilitate Ii Hung Chang's passage
! from Shanghai to Pekin may be re-
garded as significant. Later it was an
| nounced that Consul General Goodnow
| had reported that Ii would leave
| Shanghai next Friday for Tien Tsin.
| His means of transportation are not
known, but he may have a United
| States vessel if such a thing is abso-
! lutely necessary to his reaching Tien
| Tsin.
1t is not known that any of the pow
| erS is prepared to object to Ii Hung
| Chang'S visit.
Meanwhile the state department. is
| doing it's best to force the Chinese
| government through Ii Hung Chang.
| to restore peace in the provinces and
stop the outrages upon American ciu-
zenS which have been continued up to
| the present day.
| ANOTHER EDICT APPOINTING
PEACE ENJOYS.
Washington, September 12-The state
department has made public the fol-
| lowing correspondence:
The following communication was
handed to acting Secretary of State
| Hill on September 11th by the Chinese
minister:
'Cablegram from Earl Ii Hung
| Chang dated September 9, 1890, trans
mitted by the Chinese minister at Lon
don under date of September 10th and
received by Minister WI on the nigh ht
of the last named date
~ have just received a telegram
dated September 8th from Governor
OF Shan II ng transmitting dispatch
| addressed from ia Tung Flu (Shan SIP,
on August 80. The privy council 10
Ii Hung Chang, envoy plenipotentiary.
| grand secretary of state and viceroy
of Shih Lii
ION the third day of the sixth moon
27th) the following imperial edict was
| issued
We hereby command Lii Hung
| Chang, envoy plenipotentiary with
| full discretionary powers and grand
! secretary o. states, 10 proceed at once
by steam vessel TO Pekin and there TO
associate himself with Prince Ching
/
| pending questions. Let there be no
! delay. Respect this
The above has been communicat-
| ed % me in obedience 10 the imperial
| will
Another communication from the
council states an edict has already
been issued commanding Sir Robert
Hart to confer with the representatives
| OF the foreign nations for the loan of
steam vessel TO convey La Hung
Chang without delay to Pekin where
he Is % associate himself with Prince
Ching IN dealing with all pending ques-
tons. There was also a copy OF an
edict for Lii Hung Chang, which the
| inspector general OF customs (Sir Iobt
HarD was directed 10 depute an Off
cial TO deliver in person TO Earl Ii.
The documents referred TO have been
dispatched by post, but on account OF
the roundabout method employed, and
fearing a mistake or failure might
arise in the edicts, are respectfully
tranScribe as above. On receipt of the
same the Shang Tung government IS
| requested to transmit them by tele-