The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1900-09-05
IF RUSSIA EVACUATES
The United States Will Follow
Suit.
CONDITIONS IN CHINA UNSAFE
Foreign Life and Property Are Consid,
cred Yet in Danger -Russia's
Motive Continues to bea
Fruitful Theme

Washington, September A very inter-
esting dispatch received today from
General Chaffee at the War Depa rtment. 1t
described the military situation eminent
ly satisfactory and would have been of
greater value but for the omission common
to all the official dispatches from China,
namely, the date line.
However, taking into consideration the
fact that a cablegram was received by the
State Department today dated five days
ago from Mr.. Conger, the conclusion was
reached that General Chaffee's dispatch
was also sent from Pekin about August
20 or 80.
General Chaffee asks a very important
question to the withdrawal of American
troops The answer to that question, 1t ia
said, might have been found in the State
Departments answer to the Russian evac-
uation proposition. But the answer, or
rather the synopsis of 1t, was not cabled
to General Chaffee until the 30th uitimo and
it is assumed that, allowing from the same
time in transmission as was consumed by
General Chaffee's dispatch received today,
the synopsis has just reached him.
When the American answer to the Rus
sian proposal was made public, 1t was
stated mere that General Chaffee had been
instructed some time before by telegraph
just what course to pursue In the matter
OF retiring from Pekin in the event of the
emergency that afterward arose. This
being So today's application for nstruc-
tions might be regarded as an indication
that he had not received the original in
structions when he sent his message.
Our Position UncIia nged
1t is stated that no order has been sent
to General Chaffee to leave Pekin as the
result of any recent development In fact
1t would seem that the War Department
is not able to instruct him more specif-
cally on this point until the decision of the
powers relative to general evacuation Is
known. 1t was stated at the War Depart
ment that our position was unchanged: IL
Russia withdraws her troops then General
Chaffee will do the same. Meanwhile it is
gathered that conditions in China are stin
disordered, and foreign life and property
are still unsafe.
The dispa tch received from Minister Com
ger was gra atifying to officials In that IL
contained the date of 6, in August 80 as an
integral part of the message and this part
in cipher. Aside from bringing the infor-
nation up to a recent day, ii satisfied the
officials that the minister had at last re-
ceived the instructions to include the place
and date of each message as an integral
part of 1t. This promises to do away with
the great confusion caused thus far in
dateless messages.
The text of the Conger message was not
made public, but 1t was author.atiyely
stated that 1t did not change the situation
and was devoted somewhat to expressions
OF opinion. 1t was authoritatively stated
that Minister Conger will remain at his
post until further orders. Up to this time
he has expressed no wish to be relieved,
and the State Department holds that since
ne has passed through the ordeal of siege
he is not likely to desire relief under the
present more favorable conditions.
In view of the statement of Count Land
sors, Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs,
in the Official Messenger, that orders al
ready had been issued to d. De Giers and
to the army to leave Pekin, the statement
being made at the State Department today
that no such determination had been COM
municated to Washington. Probably moth
ing short of an official statement from
Pekin to the effect that the Russians have
moved would be regarded by our govern
ment sufficient basis for such impor-
Fruitful Theme
In diplomatic quarters Russia's motive
continues to be fruitful theme. The the
ory advanced by M. Blowitz In the London
Times that 1t was an Offset to France for
Russia's supposed nomination of Count
Wadersee, is regarded as purely fanciful.
A much simpler and more reasonable ex-
planation is advanced by one of the diplo-
matte officials who has taken an active
part In the negotiations. He says that Rus
sia recognizes the obvious fact that it is
TO her advantage to have weak neigh
Dor, instead of having partition of China
which would range a number of powers
alongside of Russia. For this reason, 1t IL
said, Russia's aim Is to maintain the pres
ent territorial conditions.
The report that the Chinese minister at
St. Petersburg, Mr.. Yang Yu was obliged
to give up his palatial residence and seek
cheap quarters because of the lack of re-
mittances from Pekin is disposed of by Mr..
81, one of the Chinese officials who has
recently arrived here from st. Petersburg
He SAYS that Mr.. Yang Yu gave up bis
house because the lease had expired and
he expected to be recalled. This was be-
fore the present trouble, and was In no
way due to any lack of rmittances. AS
matter of fact, the information received
here shows that the Chinese government
Is now carrying on its various govern