The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-22
RUM0R THAT THE COURT HAS YIELDED
TO THE DEMANDS.
AN ULTlMATUM To THE CHINESE
Given Right Days In which to Issue
Satisfactory Edists-Prsparations for
the Military Expedition-To Consist
or F1ftesn Thousand Aen-Mfnistsr
Conker Instructed 60 Lay Before the
Envoys the Opposition of Our Cow
ernnent to this New Move.

Paris, February ia Havas agency
dispatch from Pekin says Il Hung
Chang and Prince Ching have informed
the legations that the court agrees 10
infict the punishments demanded.
Shanghai. February ia dispatch
from Pekin says Field Marshal Count
Won Waldersee's expedition TO Sian Flu
viii comprise 1900 men, British. Ger
mans. French and Italians. 1t is I'M
derstood that if the expedition starts
1t will act az a guard of honor TO the
emperor on his way a TO Pekin
II Is runlored that the aII4es Will SIM
u~ltaneously operate in the Yang 1se
fAIang Va4iey.
Pekin. February i9.-The foreign Ell
voys nave given the Chinese authorities
eight days in which TO issue sausfac-
tory eQicts. The foreign ministers say
this cannot be considered As an uitl-
nldtum, as the notice only refers par
tlcUSarly to the cessation OF eXam4na-
tons and also TO the liability OF the
governors of the provinces wnere out
RACES may be committed.
The military uIlcials fail to see the
difference in a series OF uitimatums, o.
a single ultImdtrm covering the entire
demands. and ask, if the Chinese re-
fuse to agree to any points, during the
number or uays given, what the minis
tiers intend to do. Meantime, the mill
tary continue preparations for the ca
petition, the intention being TO e out
SIX columns of troops, two columns
leaving Pekin. Tien 1sin and Pao Ting
Flu respectively. Field Marshal Coun,
Won WaIdersee believes that eight days
rations Will be ample for the columns
TO take with them. as the lines of COM
munlcaton will be open and fresh sup
plies will be o~btainable.
1t is reported on some authority tina,
If the present negotiations prove I'M
successful. the warships of some Of the
powers will seize Che Foo, Canton ana
other places, as o as the winter is
over.
All the troops are being put through
a severe course of drill, especially tn,
Germans. from day light until dark.
Washington, February 19.-Minister
Conger has been instructed by cable
to communicate to the foreign minis
tiers at Pekin the feeling Of the United
States government, that further hostile
expeditions should not be INDUCED in
at this time.
This action was taken by the state
department after the cabinet discussion
had developed the attitude of the adj
ministration. 1t is understood hat this
course was regarded as best, since it left
room for another appeal to the powers
directly through their foreign offices,
in case Mr.. Conger's efforts are futile.
The state department officials decline
to make public the text of the note.
However, it was SAID to be in Derfecv
cord with the policy already devel-
oped, and to make manifest the deep
conviction of the United States govern
ment hat these proposed hostile expe-
ditions are in violation of the rights OF
| thn jndiyviI,1o1 10 ~ iac tn tho naooa moo
citations. because tending to bring
about the failure to these negotiations.
If the threat of military expeditions
is based upon a desire to force the Chi
nese ENJOYS to speedier action upon the
ministerial proposals. lei 1t must be
stated that our government disap-
proves, feeling that it has not yet been
demonstrated sufficiently that the Chi
nese government is not acting 10 the
best of its ability.
Regarding the inSistence Of the for
eign ministers on the imposition of tn.
death penalty upon the whole list of
prescribed Chinese officials, it is recall
ed that the Chinese agreed to admins
ter the severest possible punishment,
and 1T is conceived here that it may be
entirely impossible for that government
to go to the length demanded by tn.
ministers. These considerations are, OF
course. known to the foreign minister.
in Pekin, but it will be Mr.. Conger's
duty to refresh their recollections as to
the engagements their governments en-
tered into with the United States, as
we'll as with China. and he will point
out that our attitude Is In exact ac-
c%ordance with the outline laid down IL
h formal notes preceding the be-
ginning of the negotiations.
The United States government will
continue to deal with the other powers
through their Diplomatic agencies
ignoring the suggestion that the min
listers at Pekin lave no control over
the military forces stationed there and,
carrying put the same theory, General
Chaffee will act in thorough harmony
with I'M suggestions made by Mr..
oonger.