The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-31


aays ana perhaps a week may pass be-
iore all OF these replies are received. Ao-
oordlng to their formal expressions, all of
1ne powers are agreed upon this one point
they do not desire to enter upon formal
war upon China. The United States
government Is trying to bring about this
result. 1t finds itself side by side with
Russia, whose earnestness cannot be-
questioned at this time. The object insview
Is to bring about a situation in China
that viii admit Of the beginning OF nero-
tiations looking TO the re-estabIishment OF
order ana the cessation of hostiIities, the
Insurance of protection to foreign life
and property. After that the negotia-
lions may touch upon other questions
that remain to be settled. 1t is with this
object that Russia has suggested the
Withdrawal from Pekin, in order that the
Chinese government may resume the
reins of power, for the Chinese are not
apt to yield fealty to a government not
in possession of it's own capital.
The United States government has been
earnestly championing the cause of III
Hung Chang from precisely similar mo-
tive, namelysa desire to speedily rehabiIi-
tate the Chinese government, IN order
that It may carry out its express desire
to settle the difficulties which have arisen.
This has been the object of the negoti-
ations of the last few days and the Rus-
sian note and the United States response
were but parts OF the general plan.
In responding to the Russian note as
It dio, the United States go vernment
ayailed itself of the opportunity of direct
I ly inviting the remaining powers to ex-
press their desires III the matter OF Il set
tlement, or rather 60 indicate how, IN
their Judgment, peace negotiations could
be thus instituted This note is calcu-
lated TO secure a fun disclosure of the in
/ tentions OF the powers, If the inquiry is
met by them II the frank spirit IN which
It was conceived by the United States
government. The difficulty apprshended
now IN reaching a settlement lies IN the
Intentional delay on the part Of any power
which Is coneealing It's true purpose and
does not desire to avoid formal war.
The State De partment is already en-
barras sed by delays experienced in secur-
ing responses TO It's rete challenging
the production Of objections to Ii Hung
Chang. 1t appears that much confusion
exists at rakn as to what actually had
been decided upon respecting the treat
ment of Ii Hung Chang, should he arrive
at that place en route to PekIn. The re-
; ports of the naval commanders to their
home governments rather Increased the
confusion IN an international sense. Ad-
miral Remey found it difficult to sift out
4 the facts at Taku. Now the State De-
part nent finds the replies SO far received
n from Europe vague and unsatisfactory
from the reason that the various govern
ments appear to have different under
standings as to the exact 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 to the aocepta
biIity of Earl Ii as an envoy and his free
dom from interference, remain unsettled.
The advance of the Russian proposition
may reduce the Importance of the other
questions for with the return of the Chi
nese government to Pekin, the smaller
matters of the personalities of the ENJOYS
and the sufIicienoy Of credentials could
be speedily adjuste d. Altogether the
opinion among the members of the ad-
mini stration here is that the Russian
tIement of the Chinese difficulties than
seemed possible a few days ago.
Secretary Root IN speaking today of the
statement IN the Conger despatch, saying
that Prince Ching was coming to Pekin,
said that it was a favorable Indication.
Prince Ching has been known as friend
Iy to foreigners ana has been among the
II more progressive of the Chinese officials.
1t was also stated that the conditions
seemed to be improving.
So far no orders have been Issued d.
recting the return of the United States
troops from China, or their removal from
Pekin to Tien Tsin or TO any other point
on the seacoast. 1t Is still the policy of
the United States, as expressed IN the
note of July Bird, to secure order In China.
If there should appear in Pekin mem
bers of the Chinese government who were
1 duly authorized TO organize a government
and could do SO, with the prospect OF re-
toring order throughout the empire, it
would be considered as movement on
the part OF China towards carrying out
the demands OF the United States. This
government might then consider the ad-
visibility of withdrawing troops from the
capital especially If this action would
tend toward the paoifIcation of China.
The action of the Japanese government
in withdrawing from Annoy the troops or
marines which have aroused the suspic-
ion of the European powers, has done
much to clarity the situation. BY this
disclaimer of purpose to seize Chinese
territory, Japan has avoided entering a
wedge which might result in the split
ting up of the Chinese empire among the