The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-26
COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
(By Associated Prcss.}

WASHINGTON, August 25.-The diplo-
matte feature of the Chinese situation to-
day took precedence over both the naval
aul military features The officials of this
Government were. if anything, more un-
communicative than heretofore as to the
relations between the Powers and China.
1t was stated authoritatively that no news
of operations had been received and that
the diplomatic negotiations could not be
made public.
The most unsatisfactory development of
the day so far as the pacific programme
of this Government is concerned, is the re-
cept of d dispatch from Admiral Remey,
conveying the reports which had reached
him Of a disagreement between the COM
nander of the Hussian forces IN Pekin
and the other internationals. The text
of this dispatch was not made public, but
it was said on good authority to contain
the statement that the Russian command
er had forbidden communication with the
Chinese on the ground that Russia was
technically as well as practically at war
with China.
1t may be said that this information was
not conveyed by Admiral Remey as official
news but merely as a report from reliable
sources which he considered this Govern
ment should possess for its own informa-
ton.
POSSIBILITIES INFINITE
Assuming Admiral Remey's report to be
correct, this move on the part OF Russia
strikes the first note of discord in the
harmonious concert of the Powers The
possibilities of future complication that 1T
opens up are almost infinite. and would
be serious to a degree. 1t may be said,
however, that the news is not taken very
seriously by this Government, and certain
" will not affect our course in any way
unit! it has been officially confirmed
II was explained that the situation grow
ing out of the joint occupation of Pekln
nv the Powers was delicate. although not
necessarily to be described US serious. Iae
interest of all the Powers there represent
ed were at least competitive II not ahtas-
on.stic. and an ill-adVised move on lhe
part of any one Government might easily
entail disgreenble consequences i'll which
all would be more or less involved. AT the
same time 1t was explained that all OF
the Governments represented in emma
We're anxious to avert any open clash II
This could. be done without sacrific-ng
whnt they considered their rights in the
premises.
In this situation the United States oc-
cupied the position it had all through the
disturbance namely, of being the one
Power least under suspicion by the others
of selfish and ulterior motives.
THE NEXT MOVE.
This Government is exceedingly ANXIOUS
to maintain this vantage ground and re-
tain the confidence of the other powers
so that it is now more than ever cautious
as to the next step TO be taken The de-
cision 10 address instructions to the
United States representatives ut the
Courts of the various Powers was reach
ed yesterday after the most mature de-
liberation. 1t would have been salts
faction to this Government II the acton
could have been taken without exciting
public comment of any sort. Owing 10
the fact that this communication was not
addressed directly to the other Govern
ments and that Il contained merely III
tsructions for the guidance of our dipto-
nlrtic Representatives abroad, it was de-
cided not 10 make them the text or the
substance of the instructions, lest thelr
premature publication should defeat the
very object for which they We're designed
namely, of ascerta:ning the tenor of the
various Governments interested with
view to determining what form OF pro-
cedure is most likely TO meet with gen
eral approtntion among them and lead to
a speedy solution of the problem.