The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-07
RESPONSES To RUSSIA
FROM THE OTHER POWERS OF AN HAR-
MONIOUS NATURE.
EXACT NATURE OF RESPONSES
Not Given to the Public, Though Re-
ported to Our Government-AllD DAN
ger ofa Serious international Clash
Remoyed-WhfIe Neither Consenting
to Nor Declining the Proposal, the
Answers are Considered Highly Sat
isfactory

Washington, september 0.-Wltnln
the last twenty-four hours the United
States government has received from
it's representatives at foreign capitals
much material information in regard
to the attitude Of the powers on the
Russian proposal to evacuate Pekin.
These give the general nature OF the
responses made TO Russia by certain
of the powers.
1t is stated authOritatively that il
there was at any time a prospect of a
serious international clash this has
been very largely, if not entirely, re-
moved by the harmonious character
of the communications the several
governments are making. The exact
nature of the responses is not made
public by the state department, for
there are yet some replies to be trans
mitted, and until all OF them are in
the negotiations are considered in
such an incomplete form that they
will not be made public. 1t is said.
however, that the answers go much
beyond the tentative character OF
those heretofore referred to, and are
of a conclusive nature, so far as Show
ing the purposes of the governments,
although they may not be regarded as
conclusive in accepting or rejecting
the particular proposition advanced
by Russia.
rather long and somewhat argumen-
tative, similar in this respect to the
American response. This very fact is
a cause for congratulation among Of
ficials, as they point out that there is
no disposition to treat the proposal
writ for in n n "a
offense, but rather to bring the powers
together on a common basis.
On the whole, the general tendency
of the responses is such as to give en-
tire satisfaction here as to the course
of the negotiations.
The satisfactory progress of the ne
gotiations along these lines has direct
ed attention to the personality of the
ENJOYS who will likely represent the
powers and China in the final settle
ment.
Mr. Conger is regarded as eminently
fitted for such a task on the part Of
Z the United States, suppoSing that each
of the powers interested in the Chi
nese problem is to have separate and
individual representative Mr.. Rock
hills name is mentioned as an alter
nate, in case Mr.. Conger does not care
to remain in Pekin or to participate in
the settlement
If the present state of affairs In
China is protracted Until the arrival
there of Field Marshal Count Walder-
see, which should occur IN about ten
days or fortnight, it is not to be
doubted that the government of Ger
many will endeavor to have all the
negotiations with the Chinese govern
ment conducted through that official as
a representative, not of Germany
alone, but of all the power-, urging the
adviSability of combined action through
a
ing a speedy and generally satisfacto-
ry termination of the Chinese trouble.
NO NEWS OF CHANGE IN THE
SITUATION.
If there is any change in the mill
tary situation since General Chaffee's s
dispatch supposed to be of the 30th ul-
timo, no word of it has reached Wash
ington. 1t is understood that disturb
ances, and outrageS upon missionaries
continue in some of the districts out
side of Pekin. 1t is believed here, pos
Sibly because of these reports, that the
foreign ministers in Pekn probably
will enter an earnest objection to any
withdrawal of troops if their respective
governments delay action upon the
Russian proposition until they have
had a choice to express their views.
The German foreign office seems to
ibe active in furthering the negotiations
for a settlement. Persons likely to
snanys attitude look for the suggestion
OF a compromise, or middle course,
which will be neither an acceptance nor
a rejection of the Russian proposal,
but will be such a satisfactory middle
ground that all the powers, including
Russia, can agree to it. For instance,
1t is suggested that Germany, with
propriety might suggest that a certain
limit be fixed on the extent of the mill
tary detachments to be left at Pekin,
with an understanding that each small
detachment confine itself to quarters so
long as peace and quiet prevail in Pc
kin, but be ready to act in case of fur
ther Chinese depredations
In another diplomatic quarter the
strong belief is expressed that the
requisite compromise will be found by
Chinas reestablishing and naming
peace commissioners. Onfcial intima-
tions have reached Washington that
steps are now being taken by China
towards the appointment Of such a
peace commission In that event, it is
believed by diplomatic officials that
the entire status of the negotiations
between the powers might be changed.
and that Russia no longr would feel
impelled to insist upon the withdrawal
of her minister and troops from Pekin
as all these matters would be subject
for the commission itself to deal with.
II is pointed out also that in the six
days since the Russian and American
notes were given TO the world. the sem
timenC has been growing steadily in ia
voT Of continuing the presence OF
troops at Pekin.
Meanwhile the policy Of the United
States has been such as to leave US en-
tire freedom in our future action, save
and except that we are committed 10
withdrawing our troops from Pekin If
Russia first withdraws hers.
THE MARCH THROUGH THE M
PERIAL PALACE.
London, September 6.-General Sir
Alfred GaseIee, commander of the Brit
ish Indian troops at the Chinese capi-