The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1900-08-30

Washington Especially 1T was de-
cided at Fridays meeting of the Cabi-
net to sound the foreign powers on the
proposition 20 continue the present
concert of action in China. The Ameri-
can ministers at London, Paris, Berlin,
ST. Petersburg and Toxic were cabled
by Acting Secretary Of State Adee to
make Inquiry at the respective foreign
Offices rs to the attitude which these
powers will assume toward China now
that the purpose of the first alliance
has been accomplished.
The diplomatic situation in China
was the sole topic OF discussion before
the Cabinet, the question OF calling an
extra session not coming up at all.
The difficulties which were feared are
already making their appearance.
The conduct of Russia and of Germany
arouse the gravest apprehension. The
reported announcement of the Russian
commander in Peltin that his country
has declared war against China. to-
gether with the tone Of Germany's re.
ply to Ii Hung Changes request for
the appointment of a peace commits
sioner together with the German En-
peror's recent speeches. indicate clear
ly that both these Governments have
plans and intentions far beyond the
rescue of the ministers and the resto-
ration of order.
Steps have been taken by the State
Department to learn if the Russian
commander has been accurately re-
ported.
surprise Is expressed here that the
ilrst intelligence of such grave action
by the Russian Government should
come In such an indirect way. There
is disposition to doubt the accuracy
OF the report. If the Chinese Minister
at st. Petersburg has been given his
passports, 1t is thought that either
Minister WI should have learned of it
or that the American Embassy at st.
Petersburg would have reported II.
That both Russia and Germany are
acting in concert with view to terri
torial acquisitions in China is scarcely
doubted. The demonstrative continu-
ance of Germany's military prepara-
tions, in spite of the fact that Pekin
Is in the hands of the allies. and that
the country has begun diverting its
troops from China, is too significant
OF that Governments determination to
obtain land indemnity for the death of
its Minister.
The project of inviting all the ma
tions TO an international conference.
which was tentatively considered by
the Cabinet some time ago, is again
being discussed The formal an
nouncement by tho War Department
that no more troops would be sent to
China was intended as an official decla-
ration by the Government that it re-
garded the military operations in
China as now near an end. With the
RUSSIAN commander announcing that
his country is at war with China at
moment when American troops are be-
ing withdrawn a state of confusion is
bound to arise, which can be cleared
up only by diplomatic conferences. 1t
Is too early to state whether this in
ternational congress shall be identical
with the peace congress to be held in
Pekln, or whether it shall meet on the
Continent after the Pekin peace con-
vention has completed the work of ar
ranging a preliminary peace, leaving
the broader questions of reparation
and indemnity and the methods of pay
ing the obligations assumed by China,
to the continental conference.