The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-17
READY FOR BUSINESS.

rived at Tien Tsin-
READY FOR BUSINESS
Washington, Sept 1.-THE Chinese
minister has received a dispatch from
Prince Ching, dated Pekin September 8,
stating that he has been clothed with
Iull authority, together with Ii Hung
Chang, to negotiate peace and request
ing Minister Wu to ask the secretary of
state to instruct Minister Conger to
open negotiations at once. Minister WI
has taken the dispatch to the state de-
partment
HUMAN HEADS IN SACKS.
Victoria, B. c., Sept. 17.-Among the
advices brought by the Breeonshire
of Chinese wit hthe heads of foreign SOL
diers in sacks. It seems that head mon
ey of fifty taels is paid for each head.
This fact was brought to light by the
discovery of the private papers of Vice
roy Yu Lu of Tien Tsin. In his day
book there is entry which reads:
'sTaels 100 paid for the heads of two
Americans killed in the advance to the
relief of Tien Tsin. Taels so for two
guns captured ON the same OCCASION
The entrJ explains many CHASTITY in
cidents which have been recounted of
the killing of wounded. When Captain
Beyts and three marines with him fell
at the engagement before Hsi arsenal at
tempts were made to decapitate them.
The next night some Chinese were
found hiding in the millet, and in trying
to escape were bayonetted. One clung
with great pertinacity to a bag, which,
when opened was found to contain the
head of a United States marine, Gunner
Watkins
CHAFFEE NEEDS 5000 FLAGS.
Washington, Sept. 1.-THE war de-
partment has received the following from
Adjutant General, Washington, Sept. 13:
Russian commander assures me he
has ordered repair material from Port
Arthur, Vladivostok and United States
and that he feels assured railway will
be repaired in two months. Need fifty
storm flags and 5000 more small flags;
latter required for Chinese houses to
show our protection Goodnow tele-
graphs 7th, at request Lii Hung Chang,
latter leaves Shanghai in week slz,,, or !. so.
It is thought at the war department
that the date, Sept. 13, refers to the time
the message left Pekin. The railroad
mentioned is the line between Tien Tsin
and Pel1in. The second dispatch is as
follows:
'sTaku (no date Adjutant General,
Washington: Pekin, Sept. 14.-Expedi-
ton Tien Tsin to Taku, 80 miles SOUTH
ward, two companies Fourteenth infan-
try participating. Returned Tien Tsin
slight opposition. Town DESTROYED by
British troops; no casualties. Filed ca
BILE office $40 p. m. 18th.
NOT READY TO NEGOTIATE.
Washington, Sept. 1.-THE desire of
China to actually begin the negotia-
tions for peace was evidenced today in
a dispatch from Prince Ching delivered
by Mr.. Wu to the state department The
dispatch was dated at Pekin, September
g. and in it Prince Ching states that
he has been clothed with full authority,
along with Ii Hung Chang, to negotiate
for peace. He expresses a desire to pro-
ceed in the matter and asks Minister
WI to submit request to the secretary
of state to send instructions to Minister
Conger to begin the negotiations at once.
1t is probable that no immediate re-
sponse to the request for instructions to
Minister Conger can be given as Prince
Ching's request will have to be laid be-
fore the president and sufficient time
given to consider the question of his Gre
dentials as well as the desirability OF
proceeding at once. Moreover, it is like
ly that Minister Congers judgment as
to when the actual negotiations should
open will govern to a considerable ex-
tent Whether Prince Ching's request
has been made to other powers as well
as to the United States is not known
here but in view of the desire to have
Mr.. Conger proceed at once it is probable
that the Chinese officials are ready to
negotiate with the powers individually
or with them as a whole through the
medium of a commission. Among the
names being mentioned .unofHcially as
available in case commission is de-
termined upon to carry forward the
negotiations are President Schurman of
Cornell; John Barrett, late minister to
Siam, and DR.. Hill, the present first as
SiStant secretary of state.
General Chaffee's telegram speaking of
the Russian railroad construction, is re-
garded as highly important in view of
the disclosure of the purpose of the Rus
sian government to reconstruct the rail-
road from Taku to Tien Tsin and thence
to Pekin, showing, it is believed. the ex-
pectation of the Russian government
that at least some Russian force will
be maintained at Pexin.
Through Admiral Remey the state de-
partment has been advised of the arrival
of Commissioner Rockhill at Taku today
from Shanghai
LANG CAPTURED AND BURNED.
Berlin, Sept. 17.--An official dispatch
from Shanghai says a German naval
battalion, accompanied by forty Bengal
lancers, captured and burned the town
of Iiang, September IL. A hundred box
ers were killed The Chinese regular
troops occupying the place had prev
iously fed. The German loss was one
man killed and five wounded.