The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-09
The Administration Merely Preparing
to Carry Out the Policy Announced
in the Reply to Russia.
MASSACRE OF FOREIGNERS
TEN AMERICAN MISSIONARIES AND
THEIR THREE CHILDREN,
Two Danish Missionaries and British
Worker Murdered by Chinese
I'm Shnn-Si Province.
special to the IndIanapolis journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Sept. S.-The diplomatic
situation is very far from having cleared
up. This government is not at all satisfied
with the present outlook. France is siding
with Russia in favor of an immediate
withdrawal from Peking. Germany is en-
tirely opposed to that course. England is
very slow in announcing her course. Japan
has said nothing. In these circumstances
the United States may make another effort
to induce the powers to act in concert,
failing which it will probably proceed TO
do what it intimated in its answer TO Rus
sia, proceed to protect its interests in
China by its own methods" In this event
it would be China's own fault if amicable
relations are not speedily restored, just as
1T will be the fault Of the jealous scheming
European powers If the Chinese problem is
not solved by joint action.
Orders have been cabled to General Chat
fee, says the Associated Press to prepare
his forces for withdrawal from Peking.
Further than that. the War Department
has taken steps to have at Taku suf-
ficient number of transports to remove
these troops to the Philippines as soon as
they reach the port. These orders are
preparatory, and do not necessarily indi-
cate that our government has decided
finally upon an immediate withdrawal from
China. 1t is simply placing itself in a
position to carry out the pledge conveyed
in the reply TO the Russian note in this
language: 1.-THE result of these consicera-
tions is that, unless there is such a gen.
eral expression by the powers in favor Of
continued occupation. We shall give in
structions to the American forces in China
to withdraw our troops from Peking after
due conference with the other commanders
as to the time and manner of withdrawal"
NO CHANGE IN POLICY.
Up to the present moment our govern
ment has not changed its policy in this
matter of withdrawing troops. 1t has given
the subject much consideration since the
original note was written, but at all times
there has been kept steadily in mind the
propriety of removing the American troops
from China as soon this could be done
consistently. 1t is intimated that the pros
pect for securing these objects through
completely harmonious action by the pow
ers is Frightening every day. 1t is felt that
this is a time for compromise positions, as
between the Russian and German designs
on China, and such, propositions now form
the substance of nearly all the diplomatic
exchanges which are in daily progress. The
continuance of quiet in Peking, tending to
reassure the Chinese officials, is believed to
be rapidly Fastening negotiations for a
final settlement
There is the best reason to believe that
were the Chinese government once assured
OF the personal safety Of its members, were
IL relieved of fear of dsmemberment of
China and the menace of a large foreign
force in the capital. the imperial court. in
Guiding the Emperor and Empress dow
ager, would lose no time in returning to
Peking and opening negotiations for a set
tlement. Hence the suggestion has been
thrown out that the allied forces in Peking
be reduced to a number sufficient to in
sure the immediate safety of the legations.
while the remaining forces retire beyond
the walled city, perhaps to Tien-Tsin. and
III the progress of the negotiations seem to
warrant ii perhaps be withdrawn alto
gether from Chinese soil. There are only
two obstacles to the execution of this plan.
One is the difficulty of framing suitable
guarantees for the continuance of a salts
factory conclusion of the negotiations for
the final settlement. The other is the un-
compromising attitude of one of the powers
1t is now believed that the difficulty as TO
guarantees can be satisfactorily adjusted
The other obstacles may be overcome by
a threatened isolation of the refractory
power; for it is believed that one power
would care TO pursue war upon China
when the other powers had deliberately
expressed their judgment that further
histilities were unwarranted. Beside, hos
tilities under such conditions, tending to
injure the interests of the other powers in
China, might be regarded by them as au-
thorizing joint demand upon the single
power for guarantees. which would be
very difficult to meet. For this reason it is
hoped the powers can be brought to act
in harmony in the matter of the evacuation
OF Peking and ii is entirely possible, If this
plan is executed. that all the American
troops. save a small number left to guard
the legation at Peking. can be withdrawn
from China before winter sets in. 1t will
not be necessary to delay negotiations until
the evacuation is completed. Even now our
government, for one. is in position to begin
instantly upon the appearance of properly
accredited representatives of the Chinese
SoNeihHcht- VI course' IL - preferable Snat
ali the other powers interested take the same
view of the suficiency Of these credentials,
and this government is devoting its entire
efforts at the present moraent toward Sc
curing harmony OF action to this end. and
to Fastening the Initiation of the final
negotiations.
Special Commissioner Rockhill has left
Shanghai for Peking. A report by cable
from him. dated yesterday. indicated that
he had begun to discharge his duties as a
special observer OF the present Chinese dis