The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-09-04

Washington, August 30.-The United
States government having acted upon
the Russian proposition as to the with
drawal of troops from Pekin, is now
quietly waiting for responses to the
notes which nave been sent to our va
rious representatives abroad for pre-
sentation to the powers. Several days
and perhaps a week may pass before
all Of these replies are received. Ac-
cording to their formal expressions, all
OF the powers are agreed upon this one
point: They do not desire to enter
upon a formal war upon China. The
United States government is trying to
bring about this result. For the mo-
ment it finds itself side by side with
Russia, whose earnestness cannot be
questioned at this time. The object
now in view is to bring about a situa-
ton in China that will admit of the
beginning of negotiations looking to
the re-eStablishment of order and
the cessation Of hostilities and the in
Surance of protection to foreign life
and property. After that the negotia-
lions may touch upon other questions
that remains to be settled. 1t is with
this object that Russia has suggested
the withdrawal from Pekin, in order
that the Chinese government may re-
sumo the reins of power, for the Chi
nese people, being guided by externals,
are not likely to yield fealty to a gov
eminent not in possession OF it's own
capital
CHAMPIONS OF EARL LIS CAUSE
The United States government has
been earnestly c~hampioning the cause
of Ii Hung Chang from a precisely
similar motive. namely: A desire
speedily to rehabilitate the Chinese
government in order that II may carry
gu its express desire to settle the diff
culties which have arisen. In respond
ing to the Russian note DIS it did the
United States government availed it
self of the opportunity of directly in
viting the remaining powers to indi-
cate how, in their judgment, peace ne
gotiations could be instituted. This
notice is calculated to secure a full
disclosure of the intentions of the pow
ers, if the inquiry is met by them in
the frank spirit in which it was con-
ceived by the United States govern
ment.
The difficulty apprehended now in
reaching a settlement lies in the inten-
tiOna delay and representation on
the part of any power which is conceal
ing its true purpose and does not de-
sire to avoid a formal war.
a CAUSE OF EMBARRASSMENT.
The state department is already en-
barrasSed by delays experienced in Sc
curing to its note challeng-
ing the production of objections to Lii
Hung Chang. 1t appearS that much
confusion exists at Taku. as to hat
actually had been decided upon re-
speeding the treatment of Ii Hung
Chang should he arrive at hat place
en- route to Pekin. The reports of the
naval commanders to their home gov
ernmentS rather increased the confu-
sion in an international sense. Ad-
miral Remey found it difficult to sift
out the facts in Taku.
VAGUE REPLIES.
Now the state department finds the
replies so far received from Europe
vague and unsatisfactory from the
fact that the various governments ap-
pear to have different understandings
as 20 the actual conditions at Taku. 1t
could not be learned from whom the
replies were received and which were
missing, but it can be stated that at
present the question as 20 the &C
ceptability of Earl Ii as an nvo and
his freedom from Interference remain
unsettled. The advance OF the Russian
proposition nay reduce the chance Of
the other question, for with the return
of the Chinese government to Pekin
the smaller matter of the personalities
of the envoys and the sufficiency Of
credentials could be easily adjusted.
Altogether, the opinion mon the
members of the administration here
is that the Russian move has made di-
Tectly for an earlier settlement of the
Chinese difficulties han seemed pos
sible a few days ago.
Secretary Root in speaking today Of
the statement in the Conger dispatch
saying tina Prince Ching was coming
10 PaEin said that If Wa a favnr-o hIo
indication. Prince Ching is friendly to
foreigners and among the most pro-
gressive of the Chinese officials. It
was also stated that conditions SEEM
ed to be improved
NO ORDERS FOR WITHDRAWAL
OF AMERICAN TROOPS.
So far no orders nave beeen issued
directing the return of the United
States troops from China, or their re-
moval from Pekin to Tien Tsin or to
N other point on the ~seacoaSt. 1t is
still the policy of the United States,
as expressed in the note of July 3rd,
to secure order in China If there
should appear in Pekin members Of the
Chinese government who were duly au-
thorized to organize a government and
TO do so, with n prospect of restoring
order throughout the empire, it would
be considered as a movement on the
part of China towards CARRYING out
h demands Of the. United States
This government might then consider
the ACCESSIBILITY of Withdrawing troops
from the capital, especially if this ac-
tion would ter toward the paciica-
ton Of China
The action of the Japanese govern
ment in withdrawing from Annoy the
troops of marines which have aroused
b suspicious Of the European pow
erS has done much to clarity the
situation. By this disclaimer Of a pur-
pose to sieze Chinese territory Japan
has avoided entering a wedge which
might result in b splitting up Of
the Chinese empire among h powers.
1t now remains for Russia to a sim
liar action as to the Russian forces at
New Chwang, and from the private in
timation hat has been conveyed to
the state department, Russia has as
sured US hat the occupation a been
purely military and temporary.
Washington, August 30.-The curse