The age-herald., 1900-08-31
That They Do Not Desire War
 With China.l
DELAYS HAVE EMBARRASSED
The State Department-MuchC Confusion atTaku-Secretary Root Considers Indications Favorable-Japan's
 Action Arouses Suspicion

Washington, August 3O.-The United States Government having acted upon the Russian proposition as to withdrawal of troops from Pekin, is now quietly waiting for responses to the notes which have been sent to various representatives for pre- sentation to the powers. Perhaps week may pass before all of these replies are received.
 According to their formal expressions all the powers are agreed upon this one point they do not desire to enter upon a formal war with China. The United States Gov ernment is trying to bring about this re- suit For the moment 1t finds itself side by side with Russia, whose earnestness can not be questioned. The object Is to bring about a situation in China that will ad- init of negotiations looking to the re-estab- hshment of order and the cessation of his- tilities with the insurance of protection to foreign life and property. It is with this object that Russia has suggested with drawal from Pekin in order that the Chin ese Government may resume the reins of power of Chinese people, who being guided by externals, are not apt to yield fealty
 
 own capital The United States Govern ment has been earnestly championing the cause of Li Hung Chang from a precisely similar motive, namely, a desire to re- habilitate speedily the Chinese Government in order that 1t may carry out its desire to settle difficulties which have arisen. This has been the object of the negotiations of the last few days, and the Russian note and the United States response were but parts of the general plan.
 Conferring With Powers
 In responding to the Russian note the United States government availed itself of the opportunity of directly inviting the re- maining powers to express their desires in the matter of settlement, or rather to in- dicate how, in their judgment, peace ne- gotiations could be thus instituted. This note is caluculated to secure full dis closure of the intentions of the powers if the inquiry Is met by them in the frank spirit in which it was conceived by the United States government. The difficulty apprehended now in reaching settlement lies in international procrastination on the part of any power which does not desire to avoid formal war;
 The State Department Is already em- barrassed by delays experienced in secur- ing responses to its note, challenging the
 
 Chang. It appears that much confusion maintains at Taku as to what actually has been decided upon respecting the treat ment of Lii Hung Chang, should he arrive at that place en route to Pekin. The re- ports of the naval commanders to their home governments rather increased the confusion in an international sense. Ad- miral Remey found it difficult to sift out the facts at Taku. Now the State Depart ment finds the replies so far received from Europe vague and unsatisfactory for the reason that the various governments ap- pear to have different understandings as to the exact conditions at Taku. It could not be learned from whom the replies were re- ceived and which were missing, but it can be stated that at present the question to the acceptability of Ii Hung Chang as an envoy and his freedom from interfer- ence remain unsettled. The advice of the Russian proposition may reduce the i'm portance of the other questions, for with the return of the Chinese government to Pekin the smaller matters of the person. alities of the envoys and the suff1ciency of credentials could be speedily adjusted AL together the opinion among the members of the administration here is that the Rus sian move has made directly for an earlier settlement of the Chinese difficulties than seemed possible a few days ago.
 Favorable Indication
 Secretary Root, In speaking today of the statement III the longer Q1Spdtcn saying that Prince Ching was coming to Pekin, said that 1t was a favorable indication. Prince Ching has been known as friendly to the foreigners, and has been among the more progressive of the Chinese officials. It was also stated that the conditions seemed to be improving.
 The action of the Japanese government in withdrawing from Annoy the troops which have aroused the suspicious of the European powers has done much to clarify the situation. By this disclaimer of pur- pose to siege Chinese territory Japan has avoided entering a wedge which might re- suit in the splitting up of the Chinese em- pire among the powers. It now remains for Russia to take similar action as to the Russian forces at New Chwang and from the private intimations that have been con- veyed to the State Department, Russia has assured us that this occupation has been purely military and temporary. It was necessary, 1t was represented, in view of the interruption of the Russian railroad in the upper peninsula, to seize upon New Chwang to supply by sea the Russian forces to the northward, but within their own territory.
 The State Department today received . telegram from Its special commissioner to }nyestisate and report upon conditions in China, W. W. Rockhill. dated Shanghai to- day, saying that he was about to leave for Pekin.
 British Land sixty Marines Hong Kong, August 90. - The British cruiser Isis will land sixty marines at the British concession at Annoy today. The