Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-01
COMMENTON THEPROPOSAL
LONDON PAPERS ASTONISHED AT
RUssO-AMERICANE ENTENTE.
Intimation That England and Ger
many May Remain If Others
Leave Pekin.

of further news from China, the papers are
again filled with discussions Of the Russo
American proposals. which, so far as may
be gathered from the representations OF
opinions in the various European capitals,
are calculated to subject the unity OF the
allies to an exceedingly severe and danger
Gus test In Germany especially these pro-
posals are SO Numerically opposed to En-
peror Williams policy that they have pro-
duced something like CONSERVATION. AS the
Daily News editorially remarks: Count
Won Waldersee was assuredly not sent to
assist in restoring the empress doWager.
1t is recognized on all sides that Ger
many's decision is the pivot of the matter.
Emperor William intended. by dispatching
Count Won Waldersee, to have the master
hand in the Chinese settlement. Russia has
taken the wind out of that officers sails
and is now posing as the friend and pro-
tector of China The morning papers ex-
press the greatest suspicion of the inten-
lions of Russia. The Times editorial fair
ly represents the opinion of all, saying:
1.-THE advantages Of Russia's policy are
not manifest; and 1t is very doubtful
like England and Germany, that have large
commercial interests in the establishment
of a stable and progressive government to
replace the reactionary clique which has
impeded all progress and development In
China in recent years.
Negotiation with Ii Hung Chang would
be conformation of government crimes,
and the throwing away Of all the advan-
tages gained by the occupation Of Pektn.
Much mischief may already have been
done by the hesitation to enter the Forbid
den City To withdraw from Pekin would
be interpreted as proving not only that the
allies are towards, but that they are hope
lessly divided. 1t may be that some of the
powers will withdraw, but that does not
imply that others are bound to leave Pc
kin and to acquiesce in the restoration of
government guilty of gross international
crime"
The Standard says: Diplomacy some
times makes strange bedfellows. 1t Is
curious to find the mighty autocracy Of
the old world and the great republic Of
the new gently coaxing the other powers
along the paths Of peace. Nothing could
be better than the spirit Of these docu-
ments; and 1t is interesting to find two
such powers anxious to determine the con-
troversy in an unselfish spirit"
The Daily Mail says: Russia has forced
the hand Of the United States against the
better judgment of the latter. At the same
time the United States government has ad-
duced such valid reasons why the Rus
sian policy is a bad one that it will hardly
be expected that other powers will concur"
The Daily News. which complains bitter
ly that the British government does not
communicate a particle Of Information re-
specting these important negotiations
and asks what the British government Is
doing in the matter.
The Daily Chronicle thinks the question
sweet harmony between the United States
and Russia. Russia" says the Chronicle.
has heard Of the open door before from a
greater naval power than the United States.
and has replied by simply slamming the
door in that powers face" The paper
then proceeds to comment upon the diff
Guilty Of understanding Russia's real mo-
tives and the dangers Of following Russa's
leadership.
The Daily Telegraph remarks: 1.-The Rus
sian proposals are among the most extra
even by Russia The upshot will probably
be the acceptance Of Ii Hung Chang to
negotiate some kind Of compromise with
the empress dowager."
American proposals have caused extreme
annoyance there 1t Is believed that Aus
tria-Hungary will follow in Germany's
steps; but 1t recognized In both Berlin and
Vienna that the withdrawal of Russia and
the United States from Pekin would leave
the other powers little option but to fol-
low.
An editorial in the Times this morning IL
1.-THE United States, with a keenly dis
puted presidential contest pending, is not
unnaturally anxious to get rid OF the diff
cult and vexatious problem without more
delay than Is absolutely unavoidable, and
France probably will follow in the wake Of
Russia, but other powers are not bound to
disregard the general objects so clearly set
forth in the American note If a consid-
cradle force is maintained at Pekin and II
necessary arrangements are promptly made
there Is no ground for supposing the capital
will not be securely held during the next
few months until a Chinese government be
set up with which civilized states can deal.
I'VE should be far better pleased II all
the powers agreed to take part in the occu-
x.-hyn oh 10 Ind hi in,
quence OF measures adopted for the relief
Of the legations, but If some desire to with
draw for various reasons the fact will not
affect either the duty or interests that rest
with this country. At any rate, we cannot
desire either to secure dominating tnflu-
ence for the parsonage Of such man as
Ii Hung Chang to bring back to Pekin the
empress and the reactionary faction.
"A thorough reform Of the system OF gov
eminent Is the first condition of safety for
the Chinese, and the best hope of its escap-
Ing otherwise inevitable disintegration
would perhaps be possible should there be
set up emperor one of the ruling house
with the support Of the powers who would
fall in line with European ideas and learn
to govern decently Or. perhaps, it might
a nominal sovereign who is now prisoner
in the hands of ambitious old woman.
Neither Of these things would be task ex-
traordinarily difficult. with some 5000 or
10000 men to hold Pekin for the next few
months. AS all the powers would be in
vited to share the occupation no jealousies
need arise
COULD HAVE SUNK THE NEW YORK.