The age-herald., 1900-08-04
But Leaves Matter Open to Fur
 ther Negotiations.
EARL LIS ACTIONS ARE sMIsTER
General Chaffee's Message as to the Unexpected Resistance Intimates That the Opposition Will be
 Greater Than Expected

Washington, August 3.-Another move was made today in the diplomatic situation by the return of an evasive answer by u Hung Chang to Secretary Hays peremp- tory demand of August to be put in conn., munication with the foreign Ministers at . Pekin. Lis answer is not final and leaves the matter open to diplomacy. But Lfs actions as reported by Consul General doo.now are unquestionably sinister and will amount to a final rejection of the American proposition, if persisted in
 MT Goodnows dispatch contains some further information bearing on the ques- ton of responsibility for Pekin conditions in the statement that the commander or the Chinese troops by inference, answer able to the Chinese Government, ordered the Pao Ting massacre. It is learned here that Li Pi Hong, the commander referred to- is a civil official and well known to all the Chinese officials abroad as one of the most rabid anti-foreign leaders in China. He is close friend of Prince Tuan, and the association of those two in Pekin af- fairs with power enough behind them to cause the ignominious death of two high officials is regarded as bad sign.
 Simultaneously with MT. Goodnow's dis patch came a characteristically diplomat- ic message from Yuan Shin Kai, Governor of Shan Tung, repeating the story of two days ago that the Chinese government was arranging to deliver the Ministers in safe- ty to Tien Tsin. No effort is made to re- concile the statement with Earl Lis refus- al to allow communication with the Mfn-- isters '
 The Opposition is Strong
 General Chaffee's message to the un- expected resistance offered to the Japan csc reconnaissance is regarded by military r~en here as forecastng a greater degree of opposition to the international advance than heretofore anticipated, and they are now satisfied that the Chinese troops will furnish material for at least one severe battle before the way is clear to Pekin.
 The Navy Department today issued an order for the cooperation of its officers abroad with the officers of the army in landing and transporting troops destined for Chinese service. This revives the sit. uation that existed in Cuba when Shaf. ters army corps was landed largely through the efforts of the navy.
 It seems that some misunderstanding exists as to St. Petersburg dispatch printed here this morning SaylHB that lH9 Chinese minister there and his colleagues in Europe had cabled the governor of Shan Tung demanding that free communicat tion be opened between the Pekin ministers and their respective governments.
 This communication was, in fact, joint memorial to the throne concurred in by all Chinese ministers abroad, including Minister Wu in Washington. It was for- warded by Minister Yeng Lu at St. Peters, burg because the latter is the dean of the Chinese diplomatic service. It was trans-' mtted through the governor of Shan Tung to be forwarded to Pekin. This action indi, cates that the Chinese ministers abroad have at last reached a unanimous conclu- sion that the situation Is no longer to be trified with.
 Meanwhile the government of the United States has instructed Consul General Good- now at Shanghai, Consul Fowler at Che Foo and Consul Ragsdale at Tien Tsin to spare no effort or expense to open up direct communications with Mir. Conger.