New-York tribune., 1900-08-03
Department Of State,
Washington. August 1. 1900.

washington, august /, l9UU
In reply to a suggestion of Ii Hung Chang
that the Ministers might be sent under safe
escort to Tien-Tsin provided the Powers would
engage not to march Peking, the Secretary
or state replied on July 30:
This Government will not enter into any
arrangement regarding disposition or treat
ment of legations without first having free
communication with Minister COnger. Re
spOnsibiIity for their protection rests upon
Chtnese Government Power to deliver at
Tien-Tsin DresuppOses power to protect RRd
to open communication. This is insisted 0a
This message was delivered by Mr.. Goodnow
on the 31st to Viceroy Ii. who then inquired
whether ''if free communication estab-
lished between Ministers and their govern
ments, 1t could be arranged that the Powers
should not advance on Pehing, pending negotia-
tions''
To this inquiry the following reply was sent
on August /:
GOOdnOv, COnsuI-GenernI, Shanghai.
do not think fl expedient to submit the
proposition of Earl Ii to the other Powers
Free communication with representa-
dyes I'm Picking is demanded Is a matter of
absolute right, and = n favor. SINCE
the Chinese Government admits that pos
sesses the power to give communication, it
puts itself in unfriendIy attitude by de-
nying it. No negotiations seems advisable
until the Chinese Government shall have put
the diplomatic Representatives of the Pow
erH in full and free communication with
their respective governments. and remOv ed
all danger their lives and liberty. We
would urge Earl Ii earnestly TO advise the
Imperial authorities OF China place them
selves in friendly communication and
operation with the relief expedition. They
are assuming heavy responsibility in act
ing otherwise. HAY.
You will communicate this information to the
Minister of Foreign Affairs.
SPEAKING FOR ALL THE POWERS.
This peremptory demand on the Emperor Of
China, through the only channel through which
it appears possible to communicate with Peking
is calculated to bring the Imperial authorities to
a speedy realization Of the futility of temporiz-
ing. after wasting nearly a month in trying to
shift the responsibility for their action and in
action, it suited them Secretary Hay has
substituted for the circumlocution of Manchu
edicts most distinct and emphatic reiteration
of the requests repeatedly made. as "an abso-
lutte right and not a favor for free COM
munication with our representatives in Peking."
The language employed makes it unmstakable
as well that the United States is speaking with
authority. very clearly implied for all the
Powers in it's insistence on learning from those
in whom alone it has implicit confidence the
exact condition of affairs in the Tartar capital.
While closely following the lines of the Presi-
dents message to the Emperor, on July %, it
brings out more strongly the fact that the re-
lief force is going to Pekng, and that the Chi
nese ought to lose time in making amcable
advances to the allied commanders
The message can hardly fail to impress Ii
Hung Chang as an ultimatum, and to spur him
to his utmost in his efforts to avert by pacific
measures the occupation Of Peking by the allies.
The note is expected to create an excellent i'm
preston in Europe. proving. it does. that the
United States, while leading in the attempt
TO settle the complication peacefully, is not dis
regarding European interests, and is not to be
induced by China to undertake anything except
with the complete concert of the great Powers.