The Oskaloosa herald., 1900-09-27
OUR PLEDGE IS KEPT.
Gen. Chaffee Ordered to Withdraw
Our Troops from China.

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States government on Tuesday took
the first step towards the redemption
of its pledge made to the Russian gov
eminent August 2S last, by cablegram
instruction to Gen. Chaffee to reduce
the American forces In China to the
proportions of a legation guard.
Nearly a month ago the Russian gov
eminent was told through NJ, de VOL
liant, its charge here, that if the Rus
sian forces and ministry were with
drawn from Picking ''we shall give in
structions to the commander of the
American forces in China to with
draw our forces from Picking, after
due conference with the other COM
manders as to the time and manner
of withdrawal" That time has now
come, and Tuesdays action marks the
beginning of the disappearance of the
American army from China, for al
though some military force is to re-
main, it will not be OF the character
of an army, but, under the conditions
laid down in the order to Gen. Chat
fee, and especially unuer its official
designation as a Legation guard"
will be rather of the nature of a civil
guard.
This small force will not be included
In any military operations which may
be conducted by the allied armies, and
so will not fall subject to the direc-
ton of Field Marshal Count Won
Waldersee, the commander in chief.
Much thought has been given to the
proper number Of troops to be allot-
ted for this purpose, and it is believed
that the 1,400 men selected will be
quite sufficient to protect the Ameri-
can legation against any force that
could be brought against it. 1t is
noteworthy, too, that the most COM
| plete arrangements have been ordered
for the maintenance of the men,
while care has been taken that there
| shallnotbea shortage of ammunition,
as there was in the British legation
| during the siege. 1t is estimated
that about a week viii be required to
bring the $500 soldiers away from
Picking, but as the start cannot be
made Immediately, it will be at least
about the end of the first week in De-
tober before the movement can be
completed.
COnger's instructions.
There were no developments in the
diplomatic side of the Chinese ques-
tion Tuesday. and although Baron
Sternberg, the German charge, and
Minister WI called separately at the
state department they brought no
communications which were made
public. The instruction to Minister
Conger relative to establishing rela-
tions with the Chinese envoys is still
withheld, presumably to allow the
president to administer some finish
ing touches. This instruction is re-
garded as of much importance, and
will make q part of the ease of the
government, and be laid before con-
gress at the next session. 1t is set
tied that Minister Conger is to be a
member of the commission to settle
the various questions remaining to be
adjusted.
Gives Satisfaction.
The reported adhesion of the Brit
ish government to the position as
sumed by the United States govern
ment respecting the proposition to
make the surrender of the Chinese
ringleaders a condition precedent to
negotiations has given the greatest
satisfaction in official circles here.
Due to Americas Policy.
Berlin, Sept. 26.-The Cologne Ca
zette publishes a statement, evident
~ inspired, to the effect that, with the
exception of Great Britain, all the
powers have replied to the German
note, and that all, with the exception
Of the United States, agree to Ger
many's proposal in essentials. The
head of the Chinese government may
be regarded" says the Cologne Ca
zette, "as the first fruits of Americas
policy. The American note has evil
IDENTIFY revived the courage of the Chi
nese and their cherished specUlations
regarding uiscord among the powers.
The act of the empress in appointing
Prince Tuan is a slap in the face for
the whole world; but China will de-
ceiye herself in this matter, as she
has done in others. Even assuming
that active work against China should
be left to only a part of the powers,
that part will be strong enough to i'm
pose its will on China"
The German foreign Office has re-
ceived official information of the ap-
pointment of Prince Tuan as grand
secretary. In reply to an inquiry as
to whether this indicated a serious
turn of affairs a high official of the
foreign office said: Undoubtedly it
does for those powers that want to
begin peace negotiations. The APP
pointment means that Tuan is now at
the helm and shows to what lengths
the Chinese government will go in de-
flying the powers"
Has No Bitter Feeling.
The official added that Germany
feels absolutely no bitterness over the
answer of the United States, although
she regards it as embodying a mis-
taken policy toward China. There
has been no further exchange of view
on the subject between Berlin and
Washington since the reception of the
American reply.
The report is confirmed here that
Germany has assured Lord Salisbury
that she is not opposed to the en-
press retaining power, provided she
retains 1t under the control of the
powers, thereby preserving the har-