The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-08-28
OF THE
Outline of What May Be
Expected in the
East.
INDEMNITY FIRST.
Supervision of Customs
by the Nations In
terested.
ADMIRALS SPLIT,
Some Would Hamper Ii
Hung Chang's
Progress,
ADMIRALS SPLIT.

Washington, Aug. 27.-It is said in ad-
ministration circles that in the event of
the inability of the Powers to agree upon
a Chinese policy that will preserve tho IN
tegrity of the Empire. the plan most likely
to be adopted will provide for International
administration Of the customs service. In
der this plan representatives Of the several
allied Powers having forces on Chinese soil
will be stationed at all the customs ports of
China to supervise or administer the service
and watch the revenues with a view TO in
surfing the collection Of the indemnity that
will be individually demanded by each of
the Governments. II Is understood that
this or some joint supervisory scheme Of a
similar character will be favored by this
Government, and while other Governments
may make other proposals for future policy
Of a different nature there is no informa-
ton in the possession Of this Government
TO indicate inharmonious action on such a
supervisory plan.
ADMIRALs AT OUTS.
REPJ-BILC SPECIAL.
Washington, Aug T-While the Powers
are trying to agree among themselves as
to the propriety Of accepting Ia Hung
Government. their naval representatives at
Taku are at odds over the question Of per-
mitting the Chinese statesman to communi-
cate with the Chinese officials in Pekin.
The facts with respect to the action Of the
foreign Admirals at Taku have been known
by the administration for four days, but
have been sedulously concealed from the
public in the hope that by secret negotia-
,,-;t1 fba . ha Ia
to arrive at some understanding with re-
gard to Ii Hung Changs acceptance as the
representative Of China. As all the naval
officers at Taku had communicated them TO
their own Governments there was, of
course, no necessity of keeping them from
Europe and Japan, and in the Identical note
Of inquiry respecting the position assumed
by the several Governments to which 1t was
addressed, regarding their view OF Ii Hung
Chane's status, they were fully set forth.
In fact, it is understood that tho real rea
son why this note was formulated and oom-
municated 10 the Powers at this time was
due to the discussion which occurred be-
tween the foreign Admirals ut Taku.
Remey Did Not Sign.
1t Is with difficulty that officials of the
administration can be induced to talk on
such a delicate matter. 1t is learned. how
ever. that on Thursday last Rear Admiral
Remey sent a cablegram to tho Navy De-
partment, explaining that q conference Of
the foreign Admirals at Taku had been held,
during which the preparations for the pros
pective arrival of Il Hung Chang and the
liberties he should have were discussed. A
proposition was made-by whom cannot be
definitely ascertained- Ii should. upon
reaching Taku, be refused permission 10
communicate with Chinese officials in Pc
kin. The proposition was acceptable to tho
majority of the Admirals, but Rear Ad-
miral Remey declined to sign the agree
ment. Whether the Russian Admiral signed
Is not known. but in any event, 1t is stated
on authority that the Russian Government
promptly protested to the other Powers
In the meantime. Rear Admiral Remey's
message was given careful consideration by
the President and Secretary Root, and on
the following morning was considered by
the Cabinet. The decision Of the Cabinet,
Hike that originally formed by the Presi-
dent, was entire approval of the declination
Of Rear Admiral Remey to be a party to
any such agreement. Then the note Of in
quiry as to the attitude OF tho several Pow
ers with regard to Ii Hung Changs ac-
ceptabiiity was formulated and sent by
cable to tho representatives Of the United
States accredited to those Powers, with in
structions to lay It before the Govern
ments. The effect of the protests Of the
United States and Russia has been to prac-
ttcally secure the disapproval of the unan-
imous agreement Of the foreign Admirals.
What action the British and japanese Ad-
mirels took In the matter OF signing the
agreement cannot be learned but It is
rather believed here that the Japanese Of
ficer certainly did not approve II. The rep
raC Cay,f, s{1..,x, 30 t1,a
edly signed the paper.
Why the foreign Admirals endeavored to
prevent Ii Hung Chang from communicat-
ing with the Chinese officials in Pekin is a
question the officials here have been asking
each other. as they say 1t would undoubted-
ly have been in the interest of peace for
the aged Ficeroy to have been placed in
prompt communication with the Chinese Of
ficials who could have reached the Emperor
and the Empress Dowager and other in
fluential men Of the Empire Ii Hung
Chang has not yet started from Shanghai
for Taku. but It is the desire of this Gov
ernment that no unnecessary obstacles shall
be placed in his way and 1t is endeavor-
ing to facilitate the success Of his mission
by obtaining harmony among the Powers
at its outset.
Replies That Have Been Received.
Formal replies from all the Governments
approached with respect to the accepta bility
OF Ii Hung Chang as China's peace en-
voy have not been received Japan's DO
sition, as revealed in dispatches from
Toxic. Is identical with that of the United
States. A member of the Cabinet said to-
night that the State Department had heard
from Berlin that the Emperor and Baron
Won Buelow, the German Minister for For
eign Affairs. were not in the capital, but
Mr. Jackson. Charge d'Afaires, has ex-
pressed the opinion that the Emperor will
stand by his declaration that before his
Government can negotiate with Ii Hung
Chang he must produce proper credentials
showing ~ has received them from re-
sponsible authority. The Italian position
is Identical with that Of Germany. Great
Britain has not yet been heard from, as
Lord Salisbury is away from London. All
the replies are expected by tomorrow,
however, and they will be carefully dis
cussed by the Cabinet. At the same time
1t is likely that an effort will be made to
further map out the policy Of the United
States, though 1t is asserted that there will
be no deviation from the principles set forth
in Secretary Hays note Of July 8.
No confirmation has been received in any
official quarter here of Russia, Germany or
Japan having declared war on China, and
the report is regarded now as without foun-
dation.
Interrupting Communication.
After several days intermission in Chinese
advices, the Government to-day received