The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-08-04

new and very serious phase has been
given to the Chinese situation through the
announcement Of the Chinese Government
that "as fighting is going on at Tientsin,
1t is inexpedient that cipher kilograms
should be sent from and to the foreign
ministers in Pekin.
The announcement is contained in de-
spateh received by the Chinese Minister
last night and presented to Alvey a. Adee,
the Acting Secretary of State. this morn
ing An official bulletin containing the de-
spateh was given to the press by Mr.. Adee
It follows:
Minister Wu this morning handed
to the Acting Secretary Of State a
copy of q telegram from the Taotai of
Shanghai dated August .. and receiv-
ed by Mr. Wa On the evening of the Sd
1t confirms the message OF Yuan
Shih-kai, Governor of Shantung te
Mr. Fowler, Consul at Chefoo, purport-
ing to communicate the same telegram
of July 80 from the Tsung-IiYamen,
but it is TO be noted that it contains a
passage emitted from Governor Yuan's
message; namely, the announcement
that as fighting is going on in Tientsin,
it is inexpedient to send cipher tele-
grams to the foreign ministers in Pc
kin. In this particular, the present
telegram agrees with Consul General
Goodnows s report, received yesterday,
that Earl Ii Hung Chang had told the
French Consul az Shanghai on the Sd,
that no messages would be delivered to
the ministers because the foreigners
were advancing on Pekin.
The Taotai to Minister WI:
''Tsung- cabIegram of July
so is as follows:
. Foreign ministers in Pekin are all
safe and well. Recently vegetables,
fruit and provisions have been repeat
edIy supplied to them. Relations most
friendly. At present consultations are
going on for the protection of various
ministers going to Tientsin for tenn
porary shelter. which Will soon be con-
cluded satisfactorily. But as fighting
is going on in Tientsin, it is inexpe-
dent that cipher kilograms should be
sent Different consuls have been noti-
fed, SO that they may inform their re-
spectIve Governments. Please inform
the Foreign Office.
Besides wiring 70 other ministers,
transmit the above TO you
''YU LIEN YUEN''
China's Defiant Attitude.
While officials are inclined TO regard the
announcement of the Chinese that com
nunication in cipher between the minis
ters and their Governments has been sus-
pended on account of the hostilities going
Oh near Tientsin as part of big game OF
bluff, they are nevertheless sensible OF the
defiant attitude which China has assumed
toward the powers and particularly toward
The United States which demanded free
communication with Minister Conger ''as
matter of absolute right and not as a
,avor.''
In denying the demand of this Govern
nent China, it is said, approaches Yer.
lose to the line between peace ant
war. She has assumed the "unfriendI.
lttitude" to which Mr. Hay referred in hi:
,nswer to Ii Hung Chang's recent commu-
aication and has assumed also the heavy
responsibility. which was pointed out BY
Mr. Hay. But it is confidently assumed
mere that China's defiant action does no.
mean as much as she would have the pow
ers believe. Her sole aim now appears tc
be to keep the allies from reaching Pekin
She knows that their primary object is te
rescue the ministers and other foreigners
in the capital and that the ministers are
the star card in the game.
To set the ministers safely TO Tientsir
or to turn them over to the allies be.o-e
the allies reach Pekin is the best way Il
accomplish her endeavor to placate tht
powers, and despite the virtual threat
contained in the message received by Mn
lister Wu. it is believed here that the i'm.
perial authorities will do everything ir
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