The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-12
III American Troops BE Withdrawn
Churchworkers Want Native
Christians Taken Away
AMERICANS DID NOT LOOT
SENSATIONAL SHANGHAI REPORTS
DENIED by COLONEL COOLIDGE.
Tribute 10 Mai. j. NJ. Lee-Trnnsports
I'm Readiness TO Convey Troops
from Taku to Manila.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 1.-THE State De-
partment this afternoon made a statement
saying that the following communication
was handed to acting Secretary OF State
Hill on Sept. TO- by the Chinese minister:
'cablegram from Earl Ii Hung Chang.
dated Sept. Z, l9O0 transmitted by the
Chinese minister at St. Petersburg under
date of Sept. 9. and received by Minister
Wu on the last named date:
.'I am in receipt Of an imperial edict
of the 30th day of the seventh month. Aug.
"a, 1900, transmitted by Pao Ting Flu. 1t
follows Ii Hung Chang. every plenipo-
tentiary, is herby vested with full discre-
tionary powers. and he shall promptly
deal with whatever question may require
attention From this distance we viii not
control his actions. Let this edict be for
warded with extra expedition at the rate
of six hundred Ii per day Uo Earl LD for
his information and guidance. Respect
this"
To the above communication acting Sec
retary Hill has handed Mr.. WI the follow
ing reply:
"The United States does not feel called
the suficiency of Ii Hung Chang's author
ity, but hopes II will transpire that his Gre
dentials are full and authoritative. not only
for negotiation. but to enable him without
further delay to give assurance that the
life and property OF Americans will hence
forth be respected throughout the Chinese
empire"
From the foregoing statement IL APP
pears that the State Department is not
yet ready to begin direct negotiations
with Ii Hung Chang. 1T does not ques-
ton his credentials a plenipotentiary,
but simply leaves the matter In abeyance.
Probably this is because all of the powers
have not yet returned their responses
to the Russian note, and IL is desired 10
avoid making the United States the first
among the powers to abandon the hope
| of harmonious action. and strike for itself
| toward the settlement directly with China
| Also II may be deemed well 10 wait to
hear from Mr.. Conger, who several days
ago was invited TO express his opinion
| about quitting Peking. Minister WI was
| twice at the State Department to-day.
1t was understood his first call was. in
part, at least, TO secure transportation
for Ii Hung Chang from Shanghai 70
| Taku on a United States vessel His
| later call was TO receive the answer OF
the department TO that application, as
well as 10 the communication respecting
| Ii Hung Chang's functions The answer
returned by the State Department TO the
| latter communication apparently made IL
unnecessary at this time TO pursue the In
quiry as to the ship; Il Earl Ii may not
enter into negotiations at present there
is no occasion TO transport him 10 Taku.
| WI Ting Fang, the Chinese minister
here, made indignant denial to-day OF
the statement cabled TO the London Times
by its correspondent at Peking, DR.. Nor
| rison, that the Chinese minister at London
| had promulgated shameless lies" and,
transmitted bogus imperial, edfcts. thereby
delaying the departure Of relief until
nearly too late.
The great difficulty which General Chat
fee has 10 deal with I'm China at present is
the contemplated withdrawal Of American
| troops from Peking 10 the Philippine
islands, is the demand OF the missionaries
| at Psking that the Chinese converts be
taken from Picking under TIE protection OF
the United States troops and guaranteed
/ from future assaults in China or be brought
to places OF safety. II was reported az the
time of the rescue OF the ministers In Pc
king that there were about three thousand
Chinese converts there who have sought
protection from the Boxers in the foreign
legations.
Continued preparations are being made TO
bring away the United States troops as
soon as orders are issued. The transports
Pennsylvania, Indiana. Sumner and Ga
rome are ready 10 go 10 Taku as soon an
General Chaffee starts from Peking One
or mere OF the regular transports also will
be available. The four vessels named viii
carry 1850 troops. The Packing. which ar
rived at Manila to-day with the horses Of
the First Cavalry. the Port Stevens. now
at Manila, and the Athenian which ar
rived at Kobe Japan. to-day. viii be avail
able TO bring the horses OF the cavalry and
artillery and mules OF the transports from
Taku TO Manila
The Navy Department has been Informed
OF the arrival OF the battleship Oregon =,