The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-09

The demand on China sent by the State
Department last night to Minister WI for
transmission to Pekin, and given out for
publication today, is not, technically con-
sidered, an uItimatum. 1t is, however,
couched in vigorous and unmistakable Ian
guage, and is regarded as a final state
ment of the position of this Government,
which China shall heed if other relations
than those of war are to be maintained
Such is the Interpretation of the mes
sage at the State Department itself. Such
also is the view taken of ii by Admin
istration e2icers generally who are famil-
lar with the position taken up to the pres
ent time by Secretary Hay.
I'VE demand the immediate cessation of
hostile attacks by Imperial troops upon
the legations the message reads. and it
IS asserted that the Government would
not use the word demand" meaning only
request or hope for" The demand of
the Government is also meant to convey
Vhe nSAHlnS IHAt AdIluit u comply VIII
necessitate declaration of war. No ether
Interpretation is considered possible.
No specific demand looking TO the safe
deliverance of the ministers from Pekin is
made Surprise is felt at this in some
quarters, as 1t has been understood that
the Government was considering the prop
osition OF calling upon China to permit the
entry of the allies into Pekin under a flag
Of truce to bring about their rescue.
It is said. however. that the demand for
tie Immediate cessation of attacks on the
legations with the unmistakable though
diplomatically worded Suggestion" that
China enter into communication with the
relief column are equivalent to such pro-
posa1.
One rumor at the department this morn
ing was that the message originally con-
tanned such a proposition, but that Presi-
dent Mckinley modified it.
Avoiding Il Hostile Attitude.
1t is not yet the policy of the Govern-
ment to take technically hostile attitude
toward China. 1t is believed that this
would be an unfortunate step to take at
the present juncture when persuasion may
prove effective, and hostility could hard
ly prove otherwise than disastrous TO the
legations cooped up in Pekin.
A high official at the State Department
sad this morning that the text as made
public was complete copy of the note
handed to Minister WI. He denied that
the message made any suggestio:. for ad-
mitting party of the allies into Pekin
under the white flag.
The same high official said that no re-
ply was expected in less than five days
to the message sent last night to Minister
Conger. Two days at least will be re-
CURED for its transmission by way of
Shanghai 10 Pekin, as much nore time will
be needed for its return. and one day in
which Minister Conger, if alive, can receive
and answer it. That would make Monday
evening the earliest date when the reply
can be expected
Test of ChiHa's Good Faith.
The note is intended to test the good
Faith of the Chinese Government in prom
Using free communication with the min
listers.
Not one word as to the contents of the
message sent yesterday by Acting seere-
tary Adee tt Minister Conger is obtain
able from the Government officials, who
have agreed among themselves that it
would be unwise to say anything in rer
gard to it.
All that it is possible to say at this time
is that it informs Nj. Conger of the posi-
tion of this Government with regard 10
China and asks him for certain informa-
tion. 1t cannot be ascertained whether
the message contains any proposition. dis
cussed and endorsed yesterday, submitted
to Mr. Conger for mis- opinion. that part
of the allies be permitted to enter Pekin
under a flag of truce and take the for
efg.. .ers taerefrom.
The State Department has received a
So To The seaShore and Return s5
via Pennsylvania Railroad.
Tickets on eaIe for all trains Fridays and Sat.
uTGays 10 Atlantic City, Cape May, Ocean Ci4v
and Sea -sle City, y j., good 10 return ,satii