Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1900-09-05
STATE DEPARTMENT
HAS DISPATCH FROM
MINISTER CONCER
Powers Slow In Responding.
to Russia's Proposition to
Withdraw Troops.
AWAITING THEIR REPLIES

Speculation as to Russia's Probable
Action In Case of Negative Answer.
Her Attitude Is Studied With the
Keenest Interest British View of
the Chinese Situation.
WASHINGTON, Sept. Mr.. Conger
has been heard from again, his last adj
vice being dated at Picking on Aug. 30.
This message was received last evening.
Proceeding dispatches have occupied a
week in their transmission from Peking,
according to the estimate of the state
department., so that Mr.. Conger's mes
sage marks a distinct betterment of the
means of communication. Besides, 1t
includes the date of the dispatch, some
thing the department has been trying to
have done for many weeks. The suppo-
sition is that this particular message
came down from Peking to Tien Tsln
by courier, and was put on the wires
either at that point or Taku. The state
department decided to make no state
ment as to the contents of the message
beyond the simple one that Mr.. Con-
gers communication did not mark any
material change in the situation in
Peking.
Slow to Respond.
1t appears that whatever responses
are to be made by the powers to the
proposition to evacuate Picking are ex-
pected to be directed to the government
of Russia and not to our state depart
ment. The Russian government IN
doubtedly will in turn notify the United
States government as well as all the
other governments concerned as to the
nature of the responses.
It is stated that up to the present less
than majority of the powers interested
in the Chinese question have responded
to the Russian proposals so far as our
government is advised, and officials here
agree with the tenor of European dis
patches this morning that final action
upon the part of all powers may not be
had for several days.
Everything now depends upon the
action of Russia, the attitude Of the
other nations being negative, and II she
does not hasten to carry out her an
nounced policy to withdraw the troops,
the other governments will be content,
cherishing the hope that, in the mean
time, some kind of a Chinese govern
ment can be re-established at Picking
with which the powers may negotiate
for final settlement
In the Right Direction.
Ii Hung Changes attempt to secure
imperial warrant for the institution of
peace negotiations through himself and
the Chinese notables referred to in dis
patches is regarded here as step in the
right direction, while, on the other
hand, some disquiet has been caused by
the report that the international forces
in Picking have arrested some of the
members of the tsung Ii yamen, who
were seeking TO open negotiations and
re establish the government.
There is no disposition here to con-
done the offense of any of these Chinese
officials who may have participated in
the outrages In Peking, but it Is ques-
toned whether the present is an oppor-
tune time to administer punishment.
The war department is still concerned
because of the inability to either reach
General Chaffee or get dispatches from
him. A number Of important dispatches
have been sent the general which the
department Is anxious he should receive
in order to guide his future actions.
General Barry, who can be reached at
Taku, has been instructed to spare no
pains or expense to get dispatches to
Chaffee and replies from him, which
the department feels are necessary for
correct disposition of the Chinese ques-
tions that have arisen since the occupa-
tion of Picking