The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-09-08
.NINISTERfW'
CONFEI.R|'S With. !.
OUR OFFICIALS. D Fl /; |; !,
c!osssed With the Representatives Of
the President For mn Hour,
Has Nothing to Say.
TROOPS MAY BE WITHDRAWN
From Pekin-NegotiationsAp Approach
ing Another Phase Subject Be-
ing Treated With Deliberatiou.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Sept Min
,s,er WI arrivedsin Washington from
Cape May, this afternoon, and although
II was near the close Of the official day,
he proceeded directly to the state de-
uar,ment. 1t Is understood that he had
received an intimatlopi that the depart,
ment officials were deslrous OF conferr-
,ng with him. hence his return to
Washington. Y 4;
For nearly an hour the minister was
closeted with Acting Secretary Hill and
Assistant Secretary AIDES, the door be-
Ing locked and not even the messengers
allowed entrance. None Of the parties
to the conference was communicative
as to the conference. but at its conclus-
Ion, Mr. Hill repaired to the white
house with a portfolio well filled with
papers. -
For severul hours preceding the MIN
is,er's visit, Acting Secretary Hill and
Assistant Secretary Adee had been en-
gagged in short conferences, and 1t was
gathered that the negotiations relative
to China were approaching another
phase, and that another pronouncement
Of some kind was in preparation. The
fact Is recalled that when the United
States made its response to the Russian
note on the 10th, the officials here ex-
pressed the belief that about weeks
time would be required TO determine
upon the next step, and at the end of
that time 1t would bagdetinitely known
whether or not the troops were to be
I Withdrawn from Pekin. Il
Treated With Deliberation.
That period OF time has now elapsed
The reports from the European chan
celories Indicate that, officially at
least. this important subject is being
treated with the greatest deiiberatlon;
that at least anotherEweels, and prob.
ably even more time may be consumed
In framing the last Of the answers to
the, Russian snote.& b
y MEANWHILE our. government has pret-
ty well satisfied Itself as to the attitude
towards this last proposition of each
and all Of the powers interested in the
Chinese problem. 1t may be that this
knowledge Is regarded as sufficient up
on which to base another forward and
perhaps IN this case, an indenanaen.
movement by the United States towards
the ultimate withdrawal OF the troops
and the settlement with China which
the government has had in mind since
the beginning of the trouble.
Consult With WI.
The consultations with Mr.. WI are
believed to have been inspired by. de-
sire to learn something of the person.
atty Of the Chinese notables whose
names have been suggested as proper
to constitute the Chinese side OF any
commission which may be named to
arrange3a settlement Of the. difficulties.
Mr.. WI Is an i'ardent ldhercnt of Earl
II. There is much speculation here as
to the personnel of the American COM
mssloners in case the peace ncgotiu-
tions should be entrusted to such a
body, and the rnmes OF men prominent
in International affairs. In recent years
all have been canrassrd.
Included in the list is the name OF
General JohnsW. Foster. but 1t Is re-
gardcd as much more5probable that II
he appears at all In these negotiations,
1t VIII be in his old place as a repre-
sentation of the Chinese government.
He was associated with Ii Hung Chang
during the peace negotiations which
closed the Chino-Japanese war and 1t
Is said that Earl Ii has high sense
OF appreciation Of his work for China
then.
There was a dearth OF official infor-
nation from China to-day. General
Chaifee got through dispatch dated
september l, at Peki,. indicating that
eouflers are still employed to close the
gap In the ilna Of communication be,
tween Tien Tsln and Pckin. This dis
patch made no mention OF the military
situation and t WINS Inferred that af-
ia'fs In Pekin remain quiet. 81