The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-26
NOTE OF DISC0RD
AMONG THE POWERS.
Grave Complications Arc NOW
Threatened in China, Owing Z"
Position Assumed by Russia.


Position Assumed by Russia.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2S.-The diplo-
matte feature OF the Chinese situation
,odav took nrecedence over both the naval
and military features. The officials OF
this government were. II anything, more
uncommunicative than heretofore as TO
the relations between the powers IL was
stated autho-itatively that no news of
importance had been received, and that
the diplomatic negotiations could not be
made public.
The most unsatisfactory development or
the day, so far as the pacific programme
Of this government goes. was the receipt
of dispatch from Admiral Remey, con-
veying the reports which had reached
him OF a disagreement between the conn
mander of the Russian force In Peking
and the other internationais. The text OF
this dis,atch was not made public, but
II was said on good authority TO contain
the statement that the Russian comman-
der had forbidden communication with
the Chinese, on the ground that Russia
was technically. as we'll practically.
az war with China. It may be said that
the information was not conveyed by Ad-
mirai Remey as official news, but merely
as a report from reliable sources. which
he considered this government should pos
sess for It's own information
First Note of Di.cord.
Assuming Admiral Remey's report 20
be correct. this move on the part of Rus
sia atrikes the first note of discord IN
the heretofore harmonious concert OF the
powers. The possibilities ~ future COM
plieatious that Il opens would bo serious
20 a lead. II may he sait. however that
the news ,s not taken very seriously by
this government. and certainly viii not
alter our course IN any way untl Il has
been officially confirmed.
u was explained that the situation
growing aUt ~ the ioint occupation ~
pekinx by the powers was delicate al
though not necessarily % be described
ne serious Tho interests of all the row.
ers there represented were az least com
notitivs. y not antaEonistlc. and an 81
considered move on the Part ~ any one
government might easily entail Disagree
able consequences. IN which au would he
more or less involved
At the same time 8; was explained that
sU ~ the governments represented n
china wcrs anxious 20 avert any open
clash y ,Nia could ~ done vithou, sacrf-
nclnr what they considered their rights
70 the premises.
No seinsh Motives.
n iris sI;ua tion the United states oc-
ru0ies ,he position q has he,d aH through
ths disturbance. namely, ~ being the one
power least under suspicion ~ the others
~ selssh ard ulterior motives This gov
r~uuent is exceedingly anxious 20 main
tain this vantage ground ars retain the
confidence 'of the other p0wers. 40 tha-
it is now more than ever cautious as %
the rcxt step 20 - taken The decision
% address Instructions r. the United
states representatives. st Tho courts -
the vanous powers was reached ycster-
say after ere most mature Seilbetation.
Gt wuuld have heen gu utirfactfCn 20 this
government q tae sction cosii have been
taken without eEeiuuE public comment az
ans sort
Owing tc the saCf that this cammunieN-
tion was not addressed directly % the
other governments and thai 1t contained
merely instructions for the Elisaauce q
our diplomats representatives abroad. 70
WAS decided not 20 make publis either the
text OF the substance ~ ths instructions.
lest their premature publication should
defeat the very object Tor Nhlch they
were designed, namely. Of ascertainluE
the temper of the various governments In
tsTsstsa. with a view 20 Determining what