The Portland daily press., 1900-08-27
POWERS APPREHENsIvE.
Are 4" Doubt as 20 Rusaaa's intention
Ia China

day took procedure over both the naval
and military features. The officials of
this government We're, If anything, more
uncommunicative than heretofore as to
the relations between the powers and
China. 1t was stated authoritively that
no news of operations had been received
ana that the diplomatic negotiations
could not be made public
The most unsatisfactory development
Of the day. so far as the pacific pro-
gramme Of this government goes, was
the receipt OF a despatch from Admiral
kemerys conveying the reports which
had reached him of disagreement be-
tween the commander of the Russian
forces IN Pekin and the other interna-
tionals. The text of this dispatch was
not made public, but 1t was said on good
authority to contain the statement that
the Russian commander had forbidden
communication with the Chinese on the
ground that Russia was technically, as
well as practically, at war with China.
1t may DO said that this information
was not conveyed by Admiral Remey as
official news, but merely as a report from
reliable sources which he considered
this government should possess for its
own information. Assuming Admiral
Remey's report to be correct. this move
on the part OF Russia strikes the first
note Of discord IN the heretofore harmo-
nious concert of the powers. The posi-
biIlties Of future complications that it
opens up are almost infinite, and would
be serious to a degree. 1t may be said,
however, that the news Is not taken very
seriously by this government and GER
talnly wiz not affect our course IN any
way until it has been officially con-
hrmed.
1t was explained that the situation
growing out Of the joint occupations of
pekin by the powers, was delicate, al
though not necessarily to be described
as serious. The interests Of all the pow
ers there represented We're at least COM
{ petitive, If not antagonistics ana an ilI-
considered move on the part OF any one
! government might easily entail dis
3 agreeable consequences in which all
would be more or less involved. At the
, same time It was explained that ali Of
the governments represented in China
/ were anxious to avert any open clash If
this could be done without sacrificing
!. what they considered their rights in the
o premises.
e In this situation, the United States
Is occupied the position 1t had held al
j. through the disturbance, namely of be-
IS Ing the one power lsast under suspicion
L by the others OF selfish and Interior mo-
Is tives This government is exceedingly
1f anxious to maintain this vantage ground
Is ana retain the confidence Of the other
r. powers 50 that 1t IS now more than ever
as cautious as to the next step to be tax
in an. The decision to address instruction
to the United States representatives a
the courts OF the various powers was
e. reached yesterday after the most ma
b. ture deIiberation. 1t would have beer
at a satisfaction to this government If thu
Ia action could have been taken wlthou
he exciting public comment Of any sort
Owing to the fact that this communica
it ton was not addressed directly to the
is other government and that it contained
.e merely instructions for the guidance
II of our diplomatic representative abroad
]. It was decided not to make public either
n the text or the substance of the instruc
n lions, lest their premature publication
d should defeat the very object for which
s they were designed, namely, Of ascer
e tanning the temper OF the various govern
n rnents interested, with 8 view to deter
}. mining what form of procedure IS mos
i likely to meet with general appreciation
Il among them and lead to a speedy soIu
e ton Of the problem.
& The situation in China at present does
e not meet IN any way the conditions laie
d down in Secretary Adee's note to l.
Hung Chang on August %, as pre-requi
s site to peace negotiations by the United
/. States. This communication announced
: that although the powers had been com
pelled to rescue their ministers by force
r. of arms, unaided by the Chinese govern
4 ment still the United States lis ready
j. to welcome any overtures for a truce, anc
a invite the powers to join. when security
r is established in the Chinese capital and
a the Chinese government shows it's ability
l. and willingness to make on it's part an
a effective suspension of hostiltties there
g and elsewhere
a This is the condition laid down which,
ND to date, has not been fulfilled. The
4 subsequent course of the United States
I as outlined by the same note is stated
4 in the language OF this government as
"a follows:
q "When this (the restoration Of order
o is done-and we hope it will be done
8 promptly-the United States will be pre-
l pared to appoint representative to JOIN
with the representatives OF the othe
q similarly Interested powers and of tn
j. authoritative and responsible government
h of the Chinese empire to attain The end
y desired in our circular to the powers o
o July 3D.
. ~. - 5000 that Ehis ooYernmen