Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-13
CHINA WANTS PEACE.
Appoints Earl Ii to Negotiate
With the Powers.
United States Will Consent to No
Terms Till Conger is Safe.
Emphatic Word 10 th.t Effect Sent to En-
peror Through Mr.. WI.

w washington, Aug. l2.-lndlcatlOnS OF
the desire OF China for a peaceful set
Element of her present difficulties have
been multiplying for several days. Of
fetal evidence of that desire was pre-
scented to the state department, today.
1t was III the form of an edict promul-
gated by the Emperor, Kwang Hsu,
appointing Earl Ii Hung Chang as en-
voy plenipotentiary to negotiate with
the powers for an Immediate cessation
of hostilities, pending a solution of the
problems which have grown out of the
anti-foreign uprising in the empire.
Earl Ii is to act directly for the En-
peror and fair inference is that what
ever terms Of settlement he may reach
with the powers will be approved by
the imperial government.
During the day only one dispatch that
was made public reached any of the
government departments from China.
A belated message from Minister Con-
ger was transmitted to the war depart
ment by Gen. Chaffee. 1t expressed
simply his ability to hold on until
Gen. Chaffee should come to his relief
All the power of this government will
BE- exerted to get that relief to him and
the other imprisoned legationers at the
earliest possible moment.
Minister WI was an early caller at
the department of state. Shortly after
8 O'Clock, he made an engagement with
Acting Secretary of State Adee to meet
him at the department. at 1880. Prompt
ly ut that hour the minister's automo-
bile stopped at the west entrance to the
department and Mr. WI alighted and
hurried to Secretary Adee's office He
presented to Mr.. Adee a copy Of the
imperial edict which he had received,
last night. 1t had been transmitted to
him in the Chinese foreign office cipher
and its translation and preparation for
submission to the department of state
had occupied much Of the night
Minister WI remained with Secre-
tary Adee for three-quarters of an
hour, discussing the terms of the edict
and the probable response to it of this
government. Shortly before Minister
WI left the department, Secretary Of
War Root Joined the two diplomatists
but remained only long enough to OBJ
tain a copy of the edict and discuss it
briefly with the Chinese minister
Minister WI expressed the belief that
the edict presented means of peaceful
adjustment Of the present trouble and
that the request of the Chinese govern
ment for cessation of hostilities pend
ing peace negotiation was entirely rea-
sonabe
Immediately upon the conclusion of
the conference, the text of the edict,
together with the details of the call of
Minister Wa was communicated to
President Mckinley at Canton. The
Presidents reply has not been re-
ceived
Late in the day, Acting Secretary
Adee made public the text of the edict
in the following statement:
The department of state makes
public the following imperial edict. ap-
pointing Viceroy Ii Hung Chang as en-
voy pienipotentiary to propose a cessa-
ton of hostilities and negotiate with
the powers, copy of which was deliv-
cred by Mr.. WI to the acting secretary
of state. this, Sunday morning at 10 80
o'clock.
AN imperial edict forwarded by the
privy council at Pekin under date of
the 18th day of the seventh moon (Aug.
Sth) to Governor Yuan at Isl Nan,
Shan Tung. who transmitted it on the
18th day of the same moon (Aug. I'D to
int idpti ut SlldHSndl. ny WHOM III was
re-transmitted to Minister WI, who
received it on the night of the same day
aug. 11th). The imperial edict, as
transmitted by the privy council, is as
follows:
In the present conflict between
Chinese and foreigners there has been
some misunderstanding on the part Of
the foreign nations and also a want Of
proper management on the part of some
of the local authorities. A clash of
arms is followed by calamitous results
and causes a rupture of friendly rela-
tons. which will ultimately do no good
to the world. We hereby appoint Ii
Hung Chang as our envoy plenipoten-
tiary, with instructions to propose at /,
once by telegraph to the governments
of the several powers concerned for the
immediate cessation of hostile Demon
STATIONS pending negotiations. which
he is hereby authorized to conduct for
our part, for the settlement of what
ever questions may have to be dealt
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