The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-08-10
Treatment of Legations


without first having free communica-
ton with Minister Conger. RESPONSE
bility for their protection rests upon
Chinese government. Power to deliver
at Tier-tsin prcsupposes power to pro-
tect and to open communication. This
insisted en-
This message was delivered by Mr..
Goodnow on the 31st to Viceroy Ii, who
then inquired whether, "if free com,
munication was established between
ministers and their governments it
could be arranged that the powers
should not advance to Feking pending
negotiations"
To this inquiry the following reply
was sent on Aug. i:
..".Goodnow, Consul General, Shang-
hal: I do not think it expedient to
submit the proposition of Earl Ii to
the other powers. Free communica-
ton with our representatives in Pc
king
: Is Demanded
as matter of absolute right, and not
as favor. Since the Chinese govern
ment admits that it possesses the
power to give communication, it puts
itself in an unfriendly attitude by de-
nying it. No negotiations seem adj
visable until the Chinese government
shall have put the diplomatic repre-
sentatives Of the powers in full and
free communication with their respec-
tive governments and removed all
danger to their lives and liberty. We
would urge Ii earnestly to advise the
imperial authorities of China to place
themselves in friendly communication
and cooperation with the relief expe-
dition. They are assuming heavy re-
sponsihility in acting otherwise.
you will communicate this in
formation to the ministers of foreign
affairs. Hay"
Secretary Hays reply to Ii Hung
Chang has closed the negotiations with
China unless the old viceroy is able
to secure the full acceptance Of our
terms relative to the foreign ministers
and that at once. No orders, therefore,
looking to relaxation of the prepara-
lions for the advance on Picking have
gone out from Washington, for, as the
situation is described by one of the
leading officials here, there will be
no bargaining on our part in advance
of the concession by the Chinese au-
SltOA iIASS VI 1ull SIlO 1ISC COHlIIluIllCdc
ton with the foreign ministers" There
is, moreover, a note ominously
Close to Actual War
in Secretary Hays declaration that
the conduct of the Chinese government
is "unfriendly." That kind of Ian
guage is extreme in diplomacy, and it
is only narrow step between it and
formal war. The impression prevails
here that the Chinese government, If
it is not absolutely bereft of power to
act in defiance of the Boxers, will ac-
cept our terms, and some such action
is looked for very soon. Possibly a
battle, not more, it is believed, than
one at most, will be required to bring
The Imperial Government
to the point of acceptance, though in
that case it is questionable whether
the original conditions would be re-
garded as still open to acceptance. II
the Chinese government now accepts
the United States government will be
face to face with one of the most del
icate and momentous diplomatic tasks
ever undertaken. 1t must attempt to
redeem it's promise to use its good Of
fees in favor Of China, and in the
present temper of some Of the Euro
pean powers the greatest difficulties
may be expected to arise in the pros
ecution Of the attempt. !.