Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-09-06

IHE JHlNESE WAN
BY Friday of last week five of the
Powers had agreed to Russia's PROPOSE
tion to withdraw troops from Pekin and
two had announced opposition to its
adoption. Four Powers had finally de-
clared that Li-Hung- Chang was accept
able to them as peace envoy for China,
two question not only Li-Hung- Chang s
credentials, but the power of the Imper-
ial Government to approve his acts, and
one wishes to know more about the
credentials he holds before it is willing
to treat through him.
This sums up the situation. 1t could
hardly be more satisfactory, viewed from
the American standpoint An active
interchange of views took place Thurs
day between the capitals of Europe and
Japan and Washington, and as result
it is likely that pressure will be applied
to the two Powers anxious to remain in
Pekin to induce them to withdraw
simultaneously with the evacuation by
the other allies.
The Powers who object to the Russian
proposition are Germany and Italy.
Those favoring it are the United States,
Great Britain, France, Japan and
Russia. The powers which question
L-Hung- Chang's credentials and the
ability of the Imperial Government to
enforce the terms he may make are
Germany and Italy, while France would
like to know more about the credentials
before negotiations begin.
The Governments to which Li-Hung-
Chang is acceptable are the United
States, Great Britain, Russia and Japan.
Confidence is expressed that France will
not be obstinate in the matter, but will
join the quartet With five Powers act
ing in unison Germany and Italy will
then, it is thought here, be compelled,
by the sheer weight of the opposition, to
join in withdrawing from Pekin and be-
ginning peace negotiations with the
Chinese Viceroy.
On Saturday it was reported from st.
Petersburg that the czar had ordered
General Linevitch, the entire Russian
forces, NJ. de Giers and the legation
staff to leave -Pekin Immediately and go
to Tien Tsin.
General Linevitch, anxious to restore
order as quickly as possible and to de-
fend the peaceful natives and their pro-
perty, divided Pekin into five districts
and appointed Russian, American,
French, German and japanese govern
ors The japanese took their honors
seriously. and, having the most troops at
their command, seized the state excheq-
uer, and, acting as though they were
the masters of the situation, pillaged the
Chinks numerically. The natives COM
planned to the allied troops, but beyond
demonstrating with the Japanese no
redress was possible.
The first mobilization of troops in
Russia in the month Of June cost %,
900, 900 rubles, 81. $50, 900; in July the
expense was 900, 900 rubles, 1853, 500; in
August, 1850, 900 rubles, $685., ,250. The
total daily expense at present is 10000,
600 rlbles, s., 10000.
General Rennenkrampf has occupied
the fortified villages of Santziazi and
Madzagan, and is now within short
distance Of Ssitsihar
Seventy thousand Russians arrived at
Port Arthur 10000 Germans also passed
the same port bound for Taku and Tien
Tsin, where $4,000 troops will soon be
concentrated.
From Washington came word that the
entire course of negotiations on the
-e'hi-o-- anestion is now dependent upon
the responses Of the powers to tne RUSSO
American proposals. 1t was stated
authoritatiyely at the close of official
hours Saturday that no answer has been
received from any source other than
those of preliminary and inconclusive
character heretofore announced. More
over, it is stated by responsible admins
GRAFTON officials that not until the last
answer is received will the negotiations
assume any definite form, as the last
answer may prove to be the dissent from
an international raccord toward which
all efforts are now bending.
Much interest was aroused by the dis
patch from st. Petersburg, giving the
full text of the Russian proposal, as il
cleared up some discrepancies which had
existed owing to the oral nature Of the
communication made to the Govern
ment by the Russian charge.
By far the most important correction
it makes is in disclosing that Russia has
not ordered her minister and troops tC
withdraw from China, as was stated
in the American paraphrases of the pro
posal but that she intends to recall NJ
de Giers and his staff "to Tien Tsin
whether they will be accompanied by
the Russian troops" In short, Russis
has not announced q purpose to with
draw from China, but only to withdraw
from Pekin
AS the negotiations progress, the view
is strengthened among officials that tn,
Russo American plain of withdrawing
from PekiD, ultimately will be concurret
in by all the powers. In diplomatic
quarters this outcome is looked upon n
practically assured. 1t is pointed ou
that if the Russian, American and Jap
anese troops are withdrawn from Pekin
the other powers would not have 5.00t
men remaining there, which would b,
a force utterly inadequate to garrison
and defend the capital.
The British force now at Pekin is sait
to number 1900 men and the German
force is only a few hundred. On tn
other hand, the Russian and Japanes
continents are large, and with thei
withdrawal the main strength of tn
allies at Pekin, would be taken away