Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-09-08

WASHINGTON, September Min
lister WI arrived in Washington from
Cape May this afternoon, and although
it was near the close of the official day
he proceeded directly to the State De-
partment. 1t is understood that he
had received an intimation that the
department officials were DESTROYS Of
comforting with him. Hence his re-
turn to Washington.
For nearly an hour the minister was
closeted with Acting Secretary Hill and
Assistant Secretary Adee, the door be-
ing locked and not even the messen-
gers allowed entrance.
None of the parties to the conference
was communicative as to the confer
ence but at it's conclusion Mr.. Hill re-
paired to the White House with port
folio well filled with papers.
For several hours preceding the
ministers visit Acting Secretary Hill
and Assistant Secretary Adee had been
engaged in short conferences, and it
was gathered that the negotiations re-
lative to China were approaching an
other phase and that another pro-
nouncement of some kind was in prep
aration.
The fact is recalled that when the
United States made its response to the
Russian note en- the goth, the officials
here expressed the belief that about a
weeks time would be required to de-
termine upon the next step, and at the
end of that time it would be definitely
known whether or not the troops were
to be withdrawn from Pekin.
That period of time has now elapsed
The reports from the European chan
cellories indicate that, officially at
least, this important subject is being
treated with the greatest elaboration
that at least another week, and prob
ably even more time, may be consumed
in framing the last CT the answers to
the Russian note.
Meanwhile our government has pref
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 re-
garded as sufficient upon which to base
another forward and perhaps in tl4s
case an Independent movement by the
United States towards the ultimate
withdrawal OF the troops and the set
Element with China which the govern
ment has had in mind since tne begin
ming of the trouble.
he consultations with Mr. WI are
believed to have been inspired by de-
sire to learn something of the PERSONAL
ity of the Chinese notables whose
names have been suggested as proper
TO constitute the Chinese side of any
commission which may be named to ar
range a settlement of the difficulties.
Mr. WI is an ardent adherent of Earl
Lii
There is much speculation here as to
the personnel of the American commits
sioners in case the peace negotiations
SHOULD be entrusted to such body, and
the names of men prominent in inter-
national affairs in recent years all have
been canvaSsed. Included in the list is
the name OF Gen. John w. Foster, but
ii is regarded as much more probable
lat If he appears at all in these nego-
tiations it will be in his old place as a
representative of the Chinese govern
ment. He was associated with Ii Hung
Chang during the peace negotiations
which closed the Chinese-Ja japanese war,
and it is said that Earl Ii has a high
sense of appreciation OF his work for
emma then.
There was a dearth of official infor-
nation from China to-day. Gen Chat
fee got through dispatch dated Sep
TENDER / at Pekin, indicating that cour-
iers are still employed to close the gap
in the line OF communication between
Tien Tsin and Pekin. This dispatch
made no mention of the military situa-
ton and ii was inferred that affairs in
Pekin remain quiet.