The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-08-29
GERMANY TURNS
DOWN EARL IL,
Declines Pointblank to Accept
Him as China's
Peace Envoy.
FIRST SPLIT AMONG POWERS.
America. Russia and Britain Will
ing to Treat With Him
Europe Refuses to Dis
close Future Plans.
FIRST SPLIT AMONG POWERS.

Washington Aug. oS-After the Cabinet
meeting to-day 1t was announced that the
Government was In waiting attitude re-
Earding the Chinese situation. a lack of
late advices from Pekin and the. failure OF
the Powers to show their hands as to fI-
ture policy make 1t necessary for this
Government to await developments.
The administration considers II OF the
greatest Importance that in the negotia-
tions for the settlement of the Chinese diff
ilcultes all the Powers should act in uni
son and harmony. and its efforts are being
directed to that end. The Powers. however.
seem slow to declare themselves. Several
replies have been received to instructions
sent to our Ambassadors and Ministers last
week asking them to sound the Govern
mcnts to which they are accredited on two
propcsitions-!irst the willingness OF these
Governments to accept the sufticiency of
Ii Hung Changs credentials to act with
the Powers for a settlement. and second.
to ascertain, if possible. what the future
policy of each Power is to he.
Regarding the latter inquiry the replies
received thus far develop nothing. The
Powers appear to be watching each other
without definite or fixed purpose as yet or
their own. With regard to the first In
quiry, Great Britain and Russia are agreed
that Earl LIS credentials are sufficient
Germany, however. takes firm stand
against the sufiiciency of his credentials,
and Is the only Power as yet which has re-
turned a fiat-footed declination.
The attitude of the United States Is that
his credentials appear authentic. They
were promulgated by what appeared to be
a genuine imperial edict duly transmitted
through the accredited Chinese Minister.
Mr.. W. and the United States is willing
to accept them at their face vaiue-at least,
for the present.
RumorS Not Credited.
The administration, from the advices it
has received. does not credit the rumors that
Russia, Japan and Germany intend to de-
clare war on China, and 1t Is willing to ac-
cept all disclaimers Of Interior purposes on
the part of the Powers.
Just what will be done In case some of
the Powers begin q war for the purpose of
territorial aggrandiZement Is not known,
and the administration Is not disposed to
cross that bridge until 1t reaches it. But a
member of the Cabinet stated to-day that
If any European Power entered upon such
a programme it probably would be remind
ed by the United States that it has agreed
to the 'open-door" policy, by which all
Powers are to be placed on an equal foot
ing, and that if territory were acquired un-
der the agreement we would be entitled to
the same privileges III the matter Of trade,
ETC., as the conqueror.
This Government Firm.
1t is quite certain that our Government
is willing and anxious to do all it can to
bring about a speedy settlement Of the
Chinese difficulty and retirement of the
forces.
But it is determined that no proper ad-
vantage Is to be lost through this wish and
the Government will not be coerced by for
eign combinations or threats of comoina-
tons against our interests. One of the Of
'ficials Of the Government to-day said:
1.-THE United States are not going to turn