The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-18
Asks United States to Hasten
Peace Negotiations.
STATUS OF COUNT WALDERSEE
of the Allied Forces
Also DipIomatist Of Wide Experience,
aud May BE Expected 20 Take Promi-
Bent Part la the ParIeyins
Announce Purpose of Withdrawing All
snperaaeus Forces from PekiB.

VIC HNSuAAdtibiiS lOF peace was tNiuSA-cI
yesterday In dispatch from Prince
Ching, delivered by Minister WI to the
State Department The dispatch was
dated al Pekin. September S, and in II
Prince Ching states thst he has been
clothed with full authority, along with
Ii Hung Chang, TO negotiate for peace.
He expresses a desire to proceed in the
matter. and asks Minister WI to submit
request to the Secretary of State 10
send instructions TO Minister Congsf TO
begin the negotiations at once.
II is probable that no immediate re-
spOnEe TO the request for instructions to
Minister Conger can be given, as Prince
Ching's request will have TO be laid be-
fore the President and sufficient time
given to consider the question of his ere
dentials, as well as the desirability of
proceeding at once. Moreover. it is likely
that Minister Conger's judgment as to
when the actual negotiations should open
will govern to a considerable extent.
In view of the desire to have Mr.. Con-
ger proceed al once, II is probable that
the Chinese officials are ready TO neeo-
tiate with the powers individually or with
them as a whole. through the medium of
a commission. Among the names being
mentioned unofficiaily as available in
case a commission is determined upon TO
carry forward the negotiations. are Presi-
dent Schurman, of Cornell University:
John Barrett late Minister to Siam. and
DR.. Hill, the present First Assistant Sec
retary of State.
Other Powers Approached.
1t appears that Prince Chings request
that Minister Conger be instructed to pro-
ceed with the negotiations, has been COM
municated also to the other powers, each
being requested TO authorize their several
ministers to go on with the negotiations.
at least in the preliminary stages. This
may make necessary some discussion be-
tween the powers as TO the desirability of
accecing TO the request, although there
appears to be a rather general idea that
there will be no immediate instructions to
go on.
Gen. Chaffee's telegram speaking Of the
Russian railroad construction is regarded
as highly important, in view of the dis
closure Of the purpose of the Russian gov
ernment to reconstruct the railroad from
Taku to Tientsin, and thence to Pekin.
showing, il is believed, the expectation of
the Russian government that at least
some Russian force will be maintained at
Several cable messages were exchanged,
and there were some consultations, nota-
bly, between Acting Secretary Adee and
the Chinese and Japanese Ministers and
the French charge, but these were with
out visible result. The general impression
is that nothing can be done until the Chi
nese themselves have progressed further
toward the restoration of the government
al Pekin. Meanwhile the military prepar-
ations for a winter stay in China go on
without cessation; though the officials are
careful to point out that these are only
precautionary and not to be taken as an
indication of final determination on the
part of the government.
Waldersee Nearing China.
Count Won Waldersee, who will COM
mand the allied armies, is expected to ar
rive at Shanghai on Wednesday OF Thurs
day. There have been no announcements
Of his purposes, but it is expected that
these will be developed as the result of
instructions which he Will receive on ar
rival.
Although military commander, IT is
the understanding among officials that he
probably will exert considerable influence
on the diplomatic situation, as he IL a
--E-DAAAesN4SN a. hNAi a. Il St4dlcT. lie WAS
with the German Embassy at Paris before
and after the Franco-German war. and he
has had wide experience in the diplomatic
field
The japanese Minister. Mr.. Takahira
had a conference with Acting Secretary
Adee yesterday concerning the status OF
Chinese affairs Japan's course has now
been clearly defined in her answer to the
Russian proposal In this answer japan
announces her purpose Of withdrawing
from Pekin all 'superfiuous" forces. and.
continuing there only such force as is
considered necessary. Just what number
VIII constitute this superfiuous force does
not appear. although it is expected to he
the bulk of the japanese detachment nov
al Pekin.
The suggested removal of the Chinese
capital from Pekin 10 Shanghai is now
practically abandoned. The main reason
gwen Is the difficulty OF communication
between Shanghai and Pekin during The
%'nter months. But aside from this Wa
the strong feeling in certain quarters
mat II would be undesirable 10 estab-
list seat OF government where British
Influence is so strongly dominant.
Ihe discussion has led 10 the general
understanding among officials that Tien-
iSln oilers the greatest advantages out
side or Peldn for purposes of negotiation.
ana IL IS likely 10 be the headquarters
military and diplomatic, OF the foreign
establishments not maintained at Pekin.