Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-09-13

Washington, Sept. 8.-Minister WI
returned TO Washington from Cape
May yesterday. He proceeded directly
to the state department, where he was
closeted nearly an hour with Acting
Secretary Adee and Assistant Secretary
Hill, the door being locked and not
even messengers allowed to enter
None Of the parties to the conference
was communicative as to the matters
discussed, and at its conclusion Hill
repaired to the white house, with i
portfolio well filled with papers. Fo-
several hours preceding the minister's
visit Hill and Adee were engaged l.
short conferences, and it was gathered
that the negotiations relative to China
were approaching another phase, and
that an important prOnouncement Of
some kind was i'll preparation. The
fact was recalled that when the United
States made it's response to the Rus
sian note on the Goth, officials here ex-
pressed the belief that a weeks time
would be required to determine upon
the next step, and that at the end OF
that time it would be definitely known
whether or not the troops were to be
withdrawn from Pekin.
That period Of time has now elapsed,
and reports from European chanCel-
lories indicate that, officially at least,
this important subject is being treated
: - JO1; nd n =
at least another week, and probably
even more time, may be consumed in
framing the last Of the answers to the
Russian note. Meanwhile our govern
ment is pretty we'll satisfied with itself
as to the attitude towards this last
proposition Of each and all Of the pow
ers interested in the Chinese problem.
It may be that this knowledge is re-
garded as sufficient upon which to base
another forward, and perhaps in this
case, Independent movement by the
United States towards the ultimate
withdrawal OF the troops and the set
tlement with China which the govern
ment has had in mind since the begin
ming of the trouble.
The consultations with Minister WI
are believed to have been inspired by Il
desire to learn something personally of
the Chinese notables whose names are
suggested as proper to constitute a
Chinese peace commission. There is
much speculation here as to the per
sonnet of the American commission
ers, in case the peace negotiations
should be entrusted to such a body, and
the names Of men prominent in inter
national affairs in recent years have all
been canvassed. Included in the list is
the name Of Gen. John W. Foster, but
it is regarded as much more probable
that if he appears at all in these nego-
tiations it will be in his old place as
representative of the Chinese govern
ment. He was associated with Ii
Hung Chang during the peace negoti-
ati0ns which closed the Chinese-Japan-
csc war.
There was a dearth OF official inJCr-
nation from China yesterday. Chaffee
sent q dispatch from Pekin Indicating
that couriers are still employed TO
close the gap in the line Of communion
ton between Tientsin and PeIin. This
dispatch made no mention Of the mill
tary situation and it was inferred that
affairs in Pekin remain quiet.
France Would Withdraw.
Washington, Sept 8-The latest cz-
preston as to the attitude Of the pow
ers on the evacuation Of Pekin comes
from Ambassador Porter at Paris, stat
ing that the attitude Of the French gov
eminent is favorable to the position
taken by Russia. The German and
French answers clearly indicate the
alignment Of the powers. It is gener-
ally accepted that Germans attitude n
favor of remaining at Pekin will be
concurred in by Italy and Austria,
Little doubt is entertained that since
Germany has taken the initiative Great
Britain will follow suit in favor Of re
naming at Pekin. The position Of ia.
pan likewise is lacking in defniteness,
although it is believed in the best in
formed quarters that if other nations
remain al Pekin Japan will deem it eX-
Russia has not expressed any purpose
Of modifying her original position. 1t
was announced today that Russia had
not ordered the departure Of her min
lister or troops from Pekin up to this
time.
The total force Of the allies in Pekin
is now about 10000 men, and it is
pointed out that the situation at the
Chinese capital might make it unsafe
for a force much smaller than that to
attempt to preserve order. Pekin's
immense population and the disturbed
condition, in the opinion Of the officials
here, make it hazardous for the powers
to leave only small forces there.
Wa1dersee at Colombo.
Colombo, Sept. 8.-Count Won Wal
dersee, commander-in-chief of the. al
lied troops in China, arrived here yes
terday morning.
GREELEY'S WAYS WITH VICTUALS